<p>wpwannabe: Although the Army has a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, it doesn’t condone the kind of smallmindedness and bigotry you’ve shown with the choice of your words in your last post. There are members of the Armed Services who “don’t tell” who serve loyally and put their lives at risk for all of us and they don’t deserve your disdain. What have you done to serve your country? Who are you to judge and demean people like that? Do your parents talk like that? As an officer in the U.S. Army you’ll also be dealing with civilians from all walks of life - several Congressmen are gay. Keep up your bigotry and you’ll be a “wpwannabe” for a long time. Have you ever thought about judging people as individuals and not generalizing? Are there other minorities you’re not comfortable with? Maybe you should rethink West Point - the Army was the first national organization to desegregate and led the country in showing that people should be treated as individuals and rewards/promotion should be based upon merit. I don’t envy the men in your first command, should West Point admit you.</p>
<p>Don’t tell me gays are a minority or your a bigot if you have a problem with them. Your sexual preference is NOT the same as your sex, creed, race or religion. I personally really don’t give what someone does behind closed doors (just like the military), but I certainly am not going to hold anything against someone who doesn’t feel comfortable around people who are essentially criminals under current law in many states. Furthermore, most religions in America strictly prohibit homosexuality, and mind you so does the the United States Army. The reason they have a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is so they don’t have to deal with all the hoopla of protests and what not. But if someone indicates in any way that they take part in an alternative lifestyle they can and will be discharged from the military.</p>
<p>Remember, gay is a choice, and to many it is immoral as theft or murder, and in some religions it has greater punishments. Expecting everyone just to accept homosexuality because those in charge of society have deamned it acceptable is ridiculous.Congressmen being gay makes it okay? Hello, there are Congressmen DUI and who commit unethical acts everday, are those okay? </p>
<p>Again, the main point is that homosexuals place them self in group they choose to be in, not born that way, has nothing to do with religion. I believe there are fine soldiers who are gay, but to be honest, I’d prefer to let them be fine soldiers that I think are straight as would the Army and the vast majority of Americans. </p>
<p>By the way I think I have a genetic disposition to cletopmania, so can I steal and it’ll be okay cause I was ‘born that way’? Just a thought I’d throw out there. (I am not, btw) Its a choice, like anything else in this world. </p>
<p>Note: I am not neccessarily stating that homosexuality should/is a crime, I am simply stated that a large number of Americans believe this way as part of their religion and uprbringing and thus should not be harrassed or attacked because they have a problem with certain individuals. You have the right not to like someone and you have the right to not be near them and/or endorse their particular behavior. If you will note the Bible makes it clear at many points that if someone is constantly doing wrong/evil etc, the church is supposed to go to them and tell them what they are doing is wrong, NOT pretend it isn’t happening.</p>
<p>Note 2: I do not endorse the “pink beret” post, while I didn’t find it offensive. As ‘Gay’ etc. is part of a colloquial language among youth in this day and age, I however do understand why someone with alternative lifestyle may be offended. I would suggest in the future the poster should avoid conflict by curtailing his words sense certain individuals are very sensative. (I’ve never been offended when someone has called me straight…which they have oddly enough, but thats a story for another day. I live near what I’d probably call Gaytown USA since it is literally 95% gay and growing everyday)</p>
<p>Ragmanlaw - I’m glad you don’t care what people do behind closed doors. I respect religious concerns about homosexuality and I don’t think a person’s sexual preference need be made public or their lifestyle pushed in anyone’s face, straight or gay. Do you really believe that being gay is a “choice” for most gays and that there isn’t a strong genetic component? It may be easier to be gay in SF or other cities today, but historically why would anyone have chosen a gay lifestyle with the discrimination and abuse it brought with it? If a genetic component was clearly identified, would your attitude change? Anyway, here’s where the Presbyterian Church stands on homosexuality - I’m not Presbyterian but I think they have a commonsense approach - <a href=“http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-homosexual.htm[/url]”>http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-homosexual.htm</a></p>
<p>My real point was about judging people as individuals. The ease with which wpwannabe used the word “Homos” isn’t very far from using the “N” word or making disparaging remarks about Jews or any other group. You said you didn’t mind being called “straight” but are you a member of or have you ever been in the minority anywhere? Do you have any idea what it’s like to be discriminated against?</p>
<p>Oh ******** BigGreen. Like ragmanlaw said, being gay doesn’t fall even close to being black, white, green, purple, nor being Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish or whatever. Not even close. And calling someone a ‘homo’ does not constitute calling someone the ‘N’ word (which I would NEVER, EVER do). Don’t give me this crap about how gays should be accepted. I don’t hate gays, not by a long shot, but I will NEVER condone their choices, and might be forced to crack a joke or two on occasion.</p>
<p>There are plenty of nice people out there that are gay, but the truth still is that if you are a gay man, then you like other men, and that’s just wierd. No exceptions.</p>
<p>I decline to comment.</p>
<p>Lets drop this subject matter before it gets ugly like last time.</p>
<p>Now, back to the topic at hand…</p>
<p>uofm, it was a SPIRIT MISSION!!! You’re supposed to do them during the week. 1st and 3rd Platoons were the only ones that really did one. I thought it was pretty ingenius, I mean, come on… Mickey Mouse, with a rifle and bayonet??? :D</p>
<p>SLS was awesome, and I am now completely resolved to get an appointment.</p>
<p>Now, I’m off to Boys’ State for a week!</p>
<p>“Remember, gay is a choice”</p>
<p>???</p>
<p>This board would be a lot better if it was just people trying to go to WP or current cadets or alumni. All of the parents need to get off of this board and allow people who actually attend or plan on attending the academy discuss their issues.</p>
<p>as a current candidate who will be at r-day in about a week I could not disagree with you more. Parents of current cadets are an invaluable source of information to candidates such as myself. They can give us advice and insights, and warn us about issues their son or daughter made in the application process or while their son or daughter attended the academy. I for one greatly appreciate all of the help that parents have been in the past when I had questions.</p>
<p>You are about to enter the world of adults…better get used to it :)</p>
<p>I agree yoyo24, the parents are actually probably more vital to this forum than cadets and candidates. There are limited numbers of cadets who post as they are often too busy. The parents are always willing to help. Candidates and cadets are likely a minority here, as they come and go, the parents always stay and help anyone in anyway they can.</p>
<p>ok, this thread is starting to get out of hand. lets bring it back to normalcy. How do i get a letter of assurance? cuz i really, really want one cuz of my shak nominations process.</p>
<p>My daughter attended first SLS and had a “no risk” pass on her physical fitness test (she is a strong, tough, smart, and compassionate young woman) and found the courses interesting. She learned a lot about what the West Point experience may be like, She admired her group leaders and found much of the rigor and structure compelling. However, she was disappointed with the behavior / comments of some other participants that frequently and off-handedly labeled any difference as being "homosexual"or “gay” in a derogatory and demeaning way. We discussed whether this may be an adolescent male thing (only 1 in 5 participants were female) and what may prompt the use of this label so routinely among some young men. The ideals of West Point are clear and unambiguous, respect for all. She left her week at West Point disappointed that some others were not more conscious about their use of language and labels and that these verbal young men had such limited language that they used to express differences. Overall, I would encourage everyone who is considering one the service academies to attend their summer program. Overall, it was a great experience.</p>
<p>ok, so how does one go about to receive a letter of assurance?</p>
<p>Fill out part one of the application (or SLS application), submit good SAT or ACT scores, submit a 6 semester transcript with a good GPA and class rank. Having strong leadership roles and a varsity level sport or equivalent is a big plus.
Do this as early as you can. Good luck!</p>
<p>I know at Navy you have to be top 30% at everything i believe. West Point, i got a LOA. I should note however at the time all they had was my transcripts and SATs. It was conditional that IF i physically qualified, medically qualified, and recieved a nomination, i would recieve an appointment</p>
<p>Our daughter had LOA’s from both Navy and West Point (non recruited athlete). Last year Navy seemed to wait until the entire formal application was in before issuing LOA’s, whereas West Point jumped on the highly qualified much earlier during the summer (in her case she received WP’s in mid July and the Navy’s in early Oct). Keep in mind that the two academies do compete for applicants.</p>
<p>ragmanlaw: In a previous post I think you said you received your LOA in February after WP received your nomination and transcript. If you had submitted nothing else by this time, you were cutting things really fine, as the deadline for a complete file was the last working day in February.
uofmhopeful: WP starts giving out LOAs in July (7 months earlier than the application deadline, and before part 2 of the application is even mailed) - getting everything in early is the best piece of advice anyone can get. (Thanks for that advice last year shogun!) Remember, WP works off a rolling admissions system.</p>
<p>my only worry is getting that damn nomination. what happens if i cant get a nomination? and what are the chances of me not getting one. i liv in southeast michigan…</p>
<p>That’s one of the big advantages of receiving an LOA - you do not need to be the “top dog” in your district, you just need to be nominated. Candidates with LOAs almost always receive a nomination - unless they mess up in a big way.
Work on your SAT and ACT scores - get them as high as you can. Make sure that the rest of your application is as good as it can be as well. I have no idea how competitive your area is - that is a good question for your MALO.
Good luck!</p>