Military Academy Programs

Academy Dad --- The floor is yours!

Give it a little bit of time and you'll have several posters with wonderful knowledge.

Academy Dad has one currently at Navy and has an Air Force graduate.

CPLZ has a son currently playing for Army.

There is at least one who played at Navy (don't remember name sorry) and one or two who had sons play at Army. Also, there is one who has a son just starting his Plebe year at Army.

Plenty of insight headed your way. Meanwhile, head to the "Ask About Colleges" section and you'll find at least one topic on this subject.

My son just started Soph yr in High School and is very interested in THE Citadel.

Any recent feedback or info?

Hi BeeBall,
Plenty of insight...Have a son, RHP, for Army. What would you like to know?

(You should know that Army is the overwhelmingly dominant baseball program of all three academies! )...am I supposed to go to a nuetral corner now?

BeeBall...My kid is a Plebe @ West Point. Visited him @ USMA this past weekend, for his Acceptance Day ceremonies...I don't have a lot of history yet, and can't give much re: that part of your question. I can tell you that he talked a large part of the time about how great all the baseball guys are to him...and loves the coaching staff (@ least right now )

CPLZ...I have noticed that my boy already has your kid as a friend on his Facebook...and talked highly of him, also.

Thanks. My son is at AF right now for an official visit and goes to West Point soon. Did your boys want to go to West Point first or did baseball open that door for them? I'm trying to figure out if the military is something my son really wants or if it is just the opportunity to play ball at the next level. He has a couple of other offers, but we wanted him to see the schools first.

My son never considered the military before WP head coach Joe Sottolano began recruiting him at the PG WWBA in Jupiter. He wound up with a number of offers, including some from some big time baseball schools. The official visit is what sealed the deal for him. He had been on several official visits already.

Quite honestly, in reflection, it was a matter of attraction rather than promotion. I think my son, after hanging out with the baseball players at WP, decided he wanted to be a person like they were becoming. His decision was a combination of that, and the opportunities that would be available to him afer recieving a WP degree.

In spite of what my wife says, I never steered him to or away. It was his decision. Life was hard freshman year, but not impossible. He is glad it is over with but also proud he made it through.

JMHO, but I think your son will know if it's the place for him or not. For most, it is not. My son still believes it is the right place for him.

My experience mirrors almost exactly what CPLZ said...chance to possibly play at an SEC school and an ACC school (Top-tier program very close to home, where his girlfriend is now attending )...but, after many conversations with many people, the visit (in January no less ) seemed to finalize the deal. I also tried very hard to remain as far removed as possible from the decision-making, considering the huge ramifications of commitment.

A chance to "be a part of something bigger than himself" was used often by him in giving reasons. I think it no small coincidence that the Class of 2012 motto is "For More Than Ourselves". After coming away from his visit (where he spent the first night with a Plebe, and the 2nd night with a Senior), he mentioned how no one "seemed" to be unhappy, or having a bad day...like-minded people.

West Point needs to be well-thought out...but provides a chance at one of the top-ranked academic institutions in the nation, one of the top-ranked leadership institutions in the world and a chance to play D-1 ball for an up and coming, very respectable program headed by a highly respected coach.

We miss our kid tremendously but, after my wife and I visited up there this past week, we feel he has found a top-notch place to pursue his dreams for the future.

My son visited the Citadel and was recruited by them. (That was his first call on July 1). In the end he decided that dealing with academics, baseball, distance from home AND the military stuff was more than he wanted. He said if he could take out one of the above, he might have done it. He really was impressed with the coaches and the players. I think they take care of each other. I think they really make men out boys and those who graduate have a certain swagger. I admit though, that I was a little relieved he decided against it.

My son and I visited the Naval Academy his Senior year. Great Uncle was captain of Nuclear Sub, who according to him, saved the world during the Cuban missile crisis. He was ready to pull rank to get him in the academy if my son was committed. Baseball facilities were great and the coaching staff very welcoming and supportive. After witnessing the plebe graduation, my son wanted nothing to do with the rigors of the academy life.

Without exception, the academies provide top notch educations and excellent facilities for all of its sports. The overwhelming factor for all prospects to realize is that the goal is to serve in the miltary as a comissioned officer....

In light of the recent rulings by the military about sports draftees, the ultimate outcome of an academy education is a highly motived, educated, and character tested MILITARY Leader.......

and as the parent of an enlisted soldier, I want the best leading my child in time of war.....

Congratulations to all the parents whose children have chosen to apply and are chosen to attend the US Service academies....

quote:

Originally posted by HitaHomer1:
My son visited the Citadel and was recruited by them. (That was his first call on July 1). In the end he decided that dealing with academics, baseball, distance from home AND the military stuff was more than he wanted. He said if he could take out one of the above, he might have done it. He really was impressed with the coaches and the players. I think they take care of each other. I think they really make men out boys and those who graduate have a certain swagger. I admit though, that I was a little relieved he decided against it.

Thanks for the response HitaHomer. Jr Junior is still young yet but very focused academically. I guess it is never to soon for him to consider his options. I see a common thread here for the Academies, it seems that the ball teams adds another support network.

quote:

Originally posted by fsmjunior:
I see a common thread here for the Academies, it seems that the ball teams adds another support network.

The players on Army are all very close, very supportive, brutally honest with each other, and work and push each other to excel. There is a bond between cadets that you can't explain unless you see/live it, the bond for the baseball players, is even greater. The trainers, Dr.s, TAC's, everyone I have encounterd, all tell me that the baseball team, and the baseball players, are the coolest, most close knit guys on the whole post.

I can't speak for the other service academies but I can tell you about the Air Force. Coach Mike Hutcheon is a great Coach, a strong Christian, and he is doing a superb job. Over the next couple of years you will see USAFA become a very competitive team.
I agree with some of the other posters. Each service academy is filled with the finest young people our nation has to offer and would be a fine place for you to attend.
The Air Force Academy takes the top ten percent of applicants. When you graduate from a service academy you will be equipped to face whatever might come your way in life and succeed. It is not easy by any stretch of the imagination but it is well worth the blood, sweat, and tears.
I would be happy to offer you true and accurate insights into the prospective services if you would like. Simply P.M. me. I have many friends in all branches.