Inform, Not Influence

[jernden]

<p>My best friend is currently a Plebe at the wonderful West Point. His interest in West Point began in his junior high days, work his tail off during high school, and is now there. My Cousin, in the middle of junior high, has informed me that she is interested in doing what my friend is. This isn’t really a shock to me, but would be to our family and wouldn’t be suprised if they tried to talk her out of it. This and the fact that my friend has sort-of opened a new door of options for her, is why I think she came to me.</p>

<p>This is a huge decision she has to make for herself, not me, my family, or anyone. Any service academy is a big commitment and requires full dedication. I want her to know this. I want to inform her of everything, not influence her with only the positives. I am a huge supporter of West Point and really hope she choses that path. However, I do not want my opinion to get in the way (my family is opinionated enough, the last thing she needs is another person forcing their thoughts on her.) She has to want it, it is her heart that has to be in it.</p>

<p>After that lengthy introduction, I ask anyone reading this to contribute negative(s) and positive(s) to Service Academies. And if anyone has links or book titles, ANYTHING I can pass on to her that will inform her of the application process, or anything really. Thank you :)</p>

[Ann]

<p>These should help her prepare for the application process:</p>

<p><a href=“http://admissions.usma.edu/apply.cfm[/url]”>http://admissions.usma.edu/apply.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The West Point Candidate Handbook by William Smallwood (available at amazon.com)</p>

<p>Books that will give her a feel for “the West Point experience” are: Duty First and Absolutely American</p>

[Zaphod]

<p>

the wonderful West Point

CONTRADICTION ALERT! CONTRADICTION ALERT! AWAY THE REALITY RE-ESTABLISHMENT TEAM!</p>

<p>Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Old habits die hard. :D</p>

<p>

My Cousin, in the middle of junior high, has informed me that she is interested in doing what my friend is.

Good for her! :)</p>

<p>Just tell her to do it right and go Navy. ;)</p>

<p>

This isn’t really a shock to me, but would be to our family and wouldn’t be suprised if they tried to talk her out of it.

And my happy mood goes right into the crapper… :mad:</p>

<p>

This is a huge decision she has to make for herself, not me, my family, or anyone.

Absolutely correct.</p>

<p>

Any service academy is a big commitment and requires full dedication.

You have no idea how right you are.</p>

<p>

I want her to know this. I want to inform her of everything, not influence her with only the positives. I am a huge supporter of West Point and really hope she choses that path. However, I do not want my opinion to get in the way (my family is opinionated enough, the last thing she needs is another person forcing their thoughts on her.) She has to want it, it is her heart that has to be in it.

You are a good friend and wise to boot. Your friend is lucky.</p>

<p>

After that lengthy introduction, I ask anyone reading this to contribute negative(s) and positive(s) to Service Academies. And if anyone has links or book titles, ANYTHING I can pass on to her that will inform her of the application process, or anything really. Thank you

The easiest thing is to simply have her sign up here. Seriously. She’ll get more information than you can shake a cooked donkey leg at.</p>

<p>Both the good and the bad. ;)</p>

<p>P.S. - **BEAT ARMY<a href=“again”>/b</a>! :D</p>

[sistersunnie]

<p>A cooked donkey leg? Is that a North Carolina thing?</p>

[jernden]

<p>If she decided that army wasn’t her thing… I suppose I would still cheer her on elsewhere </p>

<p>I’m almost finished with Absolutly American! It’s great. Thanks everyone.</p>

[momoftwins]

<p>If she’s in junior high right now, she’ll appreciate reading “Battle Dress” by Amy Efaw.</p>

<p>In the meantime, it’s really early. I’d just suggest that she participate in sports that she enjoys, develop really disciplined study habits, become a good writer, and have a lot of fun. These will help no matter what she ultimately decides to pursue.</p>

<p>And tell her to keep away from sailors she meets on the Internet. :D</p>

[Zaphod]

<p>

A cooked donkey leg? Is that a North Carolina thing?

Went right over your head, didn’t it?</p>

<p>Think mascots. ;)</p>

<p>Maybe I should have used “mule”, but we’re talking about Army here, so who cares? ;)</p>

<p>

And tell her to keep away from sailors she meets on the Internet.

Hey! I have (good) references! :D</p>

<p>

I’m almost finished with Absolutly American! It’s great.

Indeed it is.</p>

<p>Another one you may want to try is called “A Civil War”, which covers a year in the rivalry between Army and Navy. I hear it’s very good, even if Navy did allow Army to win that year.</p>

[navy2010]

<p>Jernden-</p>

<p>Aside from the great book suggestions, I would highly recommend the following DVD: “Surviving West Point” that was presented by National Geographic. If one picture is worth a thousand words, this is worth thousands of millions! A bit pricy (you might find it for a bit less with a little searching) but worth EVERY PENNY!!!</p>

<p><a href=“http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/919/1735/128.html[/url]”>http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/919/1735/128.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[raimius]

<p>“Inside America’s Military Academies” is a great intro, if you get the military channel.</p>

<p>Service Academies are demanding, make sure she knows how to put up with a lot of um…bovine excrement… For example, 1st year cadets often get a lot of conflicting orders…then get yelled at for not following them. It usually is not a huge deal, but gets truely irritating after a while.</p>