<p>Lionrampant- Congratulations on your admittance to Harvard. You will find a world of amazing resources and unlimited viewpoints in your classes and classmates.</p>
<p>Thank you for your service. Harvard now recognizes the ROTC programs which were previously only available to H students through the MIT organizations. The number of military vets in the grad and undergrad programs continue to grow, thankfully. You will have a chance to share your maturity and values of honor and duty with often-times immature teens and twenty-somethings. Perhaps you can demonstrate values of moderation and officers/gentlemen to the culture of binge-drinking and hook-ups.</p>
<p>Your recommendation of military service before college is a fine one. I actually agree with you that the US should have compulsory military service for all. Think how much more mature the average collegian would be afterwards. Geography, history, and politics would offer much more relevence to those 20 year olds. (Beer pong: not so much.) </p>
<p>However the audience here is really skewed to high-achieving college bound students and anxious parents. Your message would likely win more consideration with the types of 18 year olds who are doubting college attendance. </p>
<p>A great suggestion for the already college-bound is the consideration of ROTC, which offers financial incentives (free tuition), character-building activities and classes, intense physical fitness training, and an officer’s commission upon graduation. </p>
<p>Until the military truly represents a cross section of America: poor, middle-class, and wealthy (Romney sons and Chelsea Clinton where are you??); average and super-intelligent, the institutions of Army, Navy, and Air Force will not be truly understood and supported by the populus. </p>
<p>(My eldest graduated from a top Ivy and is currently serving. As parents we contend with both huge anxiety and great pride in her accomplishments.)</p>