Posted on 04/26/2005 6:42:57 AM PDT by Hatteras
Every Annapolis grad I have ever met impressed me.
Can I appeal to you or some of your sources for a little advice? Thanks...
If he doesn't make it, send him to Norwich Univcersity in Vermont. Many there are mil scholarship types who receive direct commissions at graduation. Their civil engineering program is excellent, and the rest are very good.
I would personally, highly recommend he go in and serve a 4 year stint as enlisted before becoming an officer.
Gives him a better appreciation of those "enlisted swine" when he puts on the gold and silver.
Plus his troops will have a bit more respect for him if they know he's been in their shoes. (Coupled with the fact he'll be familiar with their shinnanegans if they try to pull the wool over his eyes ;) ).
This may help. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0929311051/104-0309083-8027114?v=glance
I am not a graduate of "Canoe U", but I was a NCO in the Navy for 6 years. Here's my impression of graduates of the Naval academy:
Anyone who has the opportunity to attend a US Military Academy (Air Farce excepted) should do so, even if they have to sell a vital organ. Not only are these gradutes extensively educated and disciplined. They are prepared for anythign that might come their way.
After 10 years in the Navy and 20 on Wall Street, I would take a graduate of the Naval Academy over a dozen Harvard or Brown MBA's any day of the week.
Obviously, you have never met Jimmy Carter.
That said, I would go Naval Academy first. Congrats to you for raising a kid who is eligible and interested in a service academy!
BTW, it's University, not the crap I wrote.
My Senator made me his first alternate when I graduated from high school. His primary nominee accepted the spot, so my Senator said he would make me his primary the following year; however, a knee injury made me turn down the appointment. The nominations are very, very, very competitive.
The education is awesome.
AND he can also consider commissioning in the Marine Corps.
Semper Fi!
As an Navy vet myself, I would like to commend your son on his choice of the USNA, if you want some real information on how it will be for him, see if you can find a former or current NAVY Chief in your area, the best place would be a recruitment station. The Chief can give your son some background on what it will take for him to make it into the USNA and can even help(every Chief is my brother or sister type of thing). Your son is taking the biggest step of his life and if you need some info on the USNA I don't live to far away so just Freepmail me.
Sorry, I went through NROTC at UVA.
"APPLAUSE!!!!"
NROTC graduate of University of Illinois here. Rivalry between Canoe U. grads and the real Navy aside, the USNA is an outstanding school with a world class faculty and curriculum. For information and guidance contact your local Navy recruiter, tell them what you are looking for, and they will no doubt be able to put you in touch with a commissioned officer capable of answering all your questions.
Tell your son not to worry if he does not get into the USNA, there are good military colleges around and also ROTC. The military needs good officers and if he is smart and capable, he should go enlisted, impress his Flag Officers and they will make sure he gets a slot at the USNA after his first deployment, if he goes that route hook him up with a recent vet or current service member to get the inside skinny on things in the fleet, brush up on Naval History, Change of Command and Leadership and he will be in the USNA in no time, I myself was offered OCS three time, ut I choose to remain enlisted because I like to get my hands dirty and hate paperwork :-P
Encourage him, encourage him, encourage him.
Also keep in mind the US Coast Guard Academy at Kings Point. Along with a college degree, graduates also take away a 500 ton/unlimited captain's license. This ticket is extremely valuable and can pay an excellent wage on a merchant ship.
Ping.
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