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My son is 16, and has the numbers to put him in a good position for an appointment to West Point or Annapolis. He has enthusiastically expressed a desire to attend one of those institutions, and has begun the process. At first I shared his enthusiasm, as I thought it would be a tremendous education, cost free, and the experience he would have as an officer in the service would be priceless. He had been considering WMU, and probably still is, but is pretty gung ho about West Point right now. He would likely major in engineering.

I am beginning to have some reservations about this. I still think it would be a great thing in most respects, but now am considering some of the drawbacks. My guess is that some of my Bronco brethren have some insight into the service academies, and I would love to here your perspective. He is a very fit and athletic kid, very bright, somewhat quiet, and talented in many artistic respects as well (outstanding guitarist and artist). I don't want him to make a career out of the artistic interests he has, but I don't want anyone to stifle that either.

My best friend in high school went to West Point. He dropped out after 1 1/2 years. Tom was the smartest guy I knew, dad worked for Jerry Ford who wrote his recommendation. Tom didn't like it at all, too regimented, too focused, not open to non regulation thinking. Tom came back to WMU, got a Psychology Masters, moved out east to Newport, became a stockbroker, now a wealthy man.

Had a guy work for me that had dropped out of Annapolis. He was a wrestler. Amazingly his reason for leaving was "those guys are animals, just vicious bloodthirsty animals". His conscience would not let him continue. He came to WMU Aviation and is now a pilot at the major airline level.

I'm sure there are many with different experiences, good people no doubt. I'd be very careful about the Air Force Academy, continuing problems there with sexism, cheating, racism.

(04-15-2015 01:32 PM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  I'd be very careful about the Air Force Academy, continuing problems there with sexism, cheating, racism.

Thought I heard (or watched a special?) about similar problems at West Point also, but I could be wrong.

My brother was in the Air Force Academy and he loved it. If you're undisciplined and not goal oriented it's not for you, however.

Have two close friends, one graduated from West Point and the other from Annapolis, both loved it but noted classes are very competitive.

My brother graduated from West Point. It is grueling, both mentally and physically, but if you can survive the 1st year it gets progressively easier. He almost quit about 2 months into it, called home to have my parents go pick him up. My dad hung the phone up on him, so he had little choice but to stay.

You need to be able to put up with a lot of bull**** stuff. Have to recite memorized crap at chow, have to be able to take the harassment from upperclassmen, and have to participate in some type of athletics, from boxing to skiing, lightweight football, etc. Little to no time off, and you walk the yard for the smallest infractions. Sleep is a luxury.

It seems that lifetime bonds are formed with classmates, since my brother gets together with classmates at organized events at least a couple of times each year, and he has been out of there since 1971.

If you want to get in touch with him with questions, let me know. I would be happy to get you connected. It's a big decision and you want to be sure it is really what you want.

If your son is interested in serving our country through military service, I don't see why he wouldn't pursue the academies. Both West Point and Annapolis are two of the best schools in the world. If you're not interested in the military service, you'd probably hate it.

(04-15-2015 02:48 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(04-15-2015 01:32 PM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  I'd be very careful about the Air Force Academy, continuing problems there with sexism, cheating, racism.

Thought I heard (or watched a special?) about similar problems at West Point also, but I could be wrong.

I don't know about West Point but the Naval Academy has been going through the same crap. It's been all over the news here.