CONGRATULATIONS TYLER!!!!!

WAY TO GO TYLER!

I remember just a few short years ago when Kris received his letter nominating him to the academies. What a day. Next came the waiting to see if he would receive the appointment letter from an academy of his choice (he didn't want to attend USNA (sorry Tyler) or USMM). That seemed to take forever...and then with Kris there were other items that seemed to get in the way...maybe we'll talk about them one day and how God placed Kris at WP.

Anyway, did you know that each year the academies receive more nominations from congressmen than they have room to fill? The only other people that can nominate individuals to the service academies are the President (usually reserved for children whose parents were killed in action or were medal of honor winners) and the Vice-President (usually reserved for those whose parents serve the US in overseas locations where they are not eligible for a congressional nomination). At least that's how I remember it. Oh, there's also slots for active duty enlisted that apply for and receive a nomination.

It's an honor to be appointed to an academy...but it is just as much of an honor to be nominated. There are LOTS of worthy applicants and there is just not enough room for all the deserving young men & women. Men & women who have decided they are willing to serve this wonderful country as an officer in one of the services when they graduate. Amazing.

Let me take a few minutes and let you know what I've heard from people. Some say that the academies are not 'real' universities. So NOT true. The course load at the service academies rivals any of those at an ivy league school. In fact, Forbes magazine recently rated West Point (US Military Academy) as the #1 university in the nation...USAFA & USNA were 7 & 30 this year. They ranked what they found to be the top 600 universities in the nation.

I will say this, cadet & midshipmen do not experience the same college experience as those who attend more traditional universities. They don't get to 'pick' their classes, the times of their classes, what/when they eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner (especially the first year), if they go to class (being late for class results in disciplinary action), if they workout, if they play sports, what they wear, if they drink, if they drive...they don't even get to take dirty clothes home on the weekends for mom to wash. They do get to take them home for holidays like Christmas and occasional three day weekends...when they decide to spend 2 of the three days of their weekend traveling to and from the academy. They are harassed by upperclassmen, deprived of sleep, expected to do their homework before the instructor teaches the material, given more work to accomplish than they will be capable of completing. They all have jobs (they are in the military while there...no time for an outside job) they just don't get to choose that job and they get very little pay.

Why would anybody decide to attend? Truth is many decide not to attend even after receiving an appointment offer. Some go and later choose to leave. Nothing wrong with deciding that the academy life is not the direction for your life. Many realize it after their second year...still no harm, no foul.

But why would the service academy want to put young people through all that? Well, while most all universities do a very good job of preparing students academically in their majors (and in liberal arts universities, like the academies, in a broad range of other classes too), that's only one part of attending an academy.

The other job of the service academies is to prepare these young men & women to lead others in the defense of our country. Not only that, but they know that their decisions could mean life & death of those others. All cadets & midshipmen know that they are going to be responsible for keeping the children of others safe. The expectation is that they will be called upon to make decisions without sufficient information or when the only decision is between two hopeless alternatives. They will need to know they can trust their ability to analyze a situation and make tough choices, to quickly zero in on what's important instead of getting lost in extra information...etc. There is no way to academically teach that.

Now, I'm not saying that others who go to other universities can't do that, they can. However, the academies intentionally place their students in situation where they have to practice those skills. They also learn to follow and to lead. Think of an academy as a university, a full time high stress job, military experience, leadership training, and a great place to make life-long friends...all in one place.

There is something else I heard. People think that service academies are a 'free' education. I guess some could think that. However, cadets & midshipmen agree to serve the country for the next 8 years following graduation (5 yrs active & 3 inactive reserve...so for all intents & purposes right now, most spend 8 yrs active)...on military pay...much less than they would get in a top corporation (even today). While they are students they have a job and are paid (very little...1/2 a 2nd Lt's pay), that pay is divided up to pay expenses they incur such as uniforms, computers, books, supplies, haircuts, laundry, etc. Yes, the cadet pays those expenses out of their salary. Basically, a Freshmen 'sees' about $100/month and then it goes up a little each year. Most spend that on flights home, occasional junk food, some pay car payments (for cars they can't have there), and if they are lucky an occasional trip to a local mall.

So, why would some people go? I know why I think, but I'm not one that can answer that...sometime we can ask Kris & Tyler. :-) All I know is that I'm glad that there are some in this nation that love our country enough to make the sacrifices necessary to try to get accepted and/or attend.

CONGRATULATIONS TYLER! May God be with you as you finish your senior year. We know that God will ensure you are where He wants you. If He wants you at the USNA, then I have no doubt you will receive an appointment...if He has a different plan that He knows is better for 'you' then He'll let you know that too. You have received an honor today worthy of the work you've put into your life so far. I'm thankful that God has blessed you with that.