<p>The boy came up to me one day in May before he was finished with 8th grade and mentioned he may want to go to an academy, asked if it was like college. After wiping the pop off of the computer screen (because I didn’t see that coming!), I gently explained to him what going to an SA entailed. I also wrote down the web sites for him to go on and explore. He asked which one I would pick. I told him it wasn’t my choice, it was his.</p>
<p>A couple of weeks later, he comes back and says, “I want to go to the Naval Academy in Annapolis.” I told him that was nice, but to look at civilian colleges, too. Daddy went civvie. </p>
<p>After his first “Academy Night,” the boy got serious. He finished his Eagle, went to his guidance counc. and told her of his plans, and then sat down with us to discuss high school courses. Then came NASS. </p>
<p>He applied for all three. Army turned him down w/in a week flat. Navy and AFA welcomed him, but AFA interfered with Boy’s State and he was already signed up for NASS before the AF came through with their invitation.</p>
<p>Early June saw him fly (away from me for the first time; I CRIED!! But that’s another story) to NASS. When he came home, you couldn’t shut him up. He loved USNA, everything about it and wanted to go there and only there. We told him to really think about his reasons. </p>
<p>What it came down to was job selection and traditions. The boy is a go, see, and do kid. He would NEVER do well sitting at a desk; not that is all you do in the other services. He wants to be active. Thus, the Navy was his choice. He could sea, land, air. There were lots of choices. More than the AF could offer. </p>
<p>Also, tradition means much to the boy. Army and Navy have longer traditions than the AFA.</p>