Anyone have experience with their kid going to a Military School?

[Welsh_Dragon]

My son will be starting at one in about a week, and I think the first year butterflies are starting to get to him and me. It is less so a school for troubled kids and more so an academic minded school. While we suggested it, it was largely his idea to go because he wants the comradeship of a boarding school, the discipline, and he eventually wants to go to a service academy, so he feels like this is good preparation.

I know it's going to be a big change for him, because even though he has always wanted to go the service academy route, he has always been kind of long haired, arty hippy kid. Which is part of the reason we all thought it was a good idea for him to attend. I keep suggesting he cuts his hair shorter before going, to get use to it, but he always gets defensive and pushes it back. But I know he knows on that on Day 1 they buzz the first year's heads to the point they are basically shaved. I think it's a good idea for him to at least start transitioning to something shorter, but he keeps ignoring me.

So, anyone else gone the Military School route? What was you experience? What do you all recommend for the last week or so before he starts?

How is your son getting on? How are you getting on without him?

 

[sam_gordon]

I haven't personally gone to a Military School, but I can offer some general advice for your son's transition. Encourage him to embrace the change positively and remind him why he chose this path. As for the hair, it might be a good idea to let him make that decision on his own, respecting his choice as he starts this new journey. Good luck!

Since the OP was from 2021, I'm guessing the son has figured out how to transition already.