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

[Corporateshill]

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?

 

[JimMIA]

This won't apply to him right now, but he should know that West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy all have their own prep schools.

I believe they are post high school, and I don't know if applicants apply first and then join the military. But I do think they are in the military during the prep school. He can search for them online.

 

[Corporateshill]

This won't apply to him right now, but he should know that West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy all have their own prep schools.

I believe they are post high school, and I don't know if applicants apply first and then join the military. But I do think they are in the military during the prep school. He can search for them online.

Yeah his goal is to get into the Air Force Academy.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I don’t think he needs to slowly transition to a new hairstyle. So long as he knows in advance they’re going to shave his head, that’s all the preparation he needs. Let him keep the appearance he’s comfortable with and don’t spend his last week at home nagging him over something so trivial. I think your nerves are getting the best of you and you’re focusing on little details to distract from the elephant in the room — he’s leaving and you’re going to miss him. It’s going to be okay.

 

[Cheburashka]

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?

If he wants to enjoy his own hairstyle until the school cuts it off, let him. That isn't going to hurt anything. Spend some quality time with him while he's still at home, let him relax and enjoy himself. He'll be at school soon enough. If he's a level-headed & emotionally-level kid, which he sounds like, then he'll adjust on his own at school. You don't have to try to manage the adjustment for him before school starts. That's my advice as a teacher and a mom.

 

[Corporateshill]

I don’t think he needs to slowly transition to a new hairstyle. So long as he knows in advance they’re going to shave his head, that’s all the preparation he needs. Let him keep the appearance he’s comfortable with and don’t spend his last week at home nagging him over something so trivial. I think your nerves are getting the best of you and you’re focusing on little details to distract from the elephant in the room — he’s leaving and you’re going to miss him. It’s going to be okay.

Oh okay, this is reassuring. I know the first year haircut's is the part that he most nervous about so in my brain I thought easing him into was the best way. But he knows it's coming and he's been a good sport about it.

 

[HiStitch626]

My DH went to a boarding military school from 7-12 grade and his younger brother followed him. They both went on to graduate from the Naval Academy.

Both are still friends with the guys they knew in high school. DH was both a great student and athlete in high school, which helped him to have a positive experience. MY FIL is also retired navy, and part of the reason the boys chose their school was for the stability. There were definitely challenges, but both DH and BIL recall their school experience fondly, and DH says he was better prepared for the USNA than if he had attended a less rigorous high school.

This was a number of years ago, so life at military schools may be different. Everyone will get the first day haircut, so your son may be more comfortable in a setting where everyone is having the same experience.

The Naval Academy Prep School is open to young people who have applied to the USNA but need some remediation before beginning. There are also students who are enlisted personnel in the Navy who have applied to the USNA. You cannot apply directly to NAPS. It is a one year program and students there are all high school graduates. I have no experience with the Air Force or Army prep schools, but expect they are the same.

 

[DisneyLover83]

My former DH went to a military boarding school in Georgia and then a public Georgia university. He recommends not pushing anything as it will all "happen fast" when he arrives. Especially where the haircut is concerned...

 

[easyas123]

OP - I didn't go to a Military Academy, but I did attend Boarding School. In the late 80's/early 90's.
It was largely my idea, but my parents supported it as well. That first week was rough, and adjustment. But after that it was a GREAT experience. I'm almost 50 and I am still in touch with a few of my suite mates! It was such a positive experience for me that we considered boarding schools for our sons when we started looking at high school options for them... in the end we choose a day school due to some activities at home (hunting and motocross) that they would not have access to if they boarded.

Good luck to him!

 

[AppleDumpling]

The Naval Academy Prep School is open to young people who have applied to the USNA but need some remediation before beginning. There are also students who are enlisted personnel in the Navy who have applied to the USNA. You cannot apply directly to NAPS. It is a one year program and students there are all high school graduates. I have no experience with the Air Force or Army prep schools, but expect they are the same.

I know someone who went to the US Military Academy Prep School (West Point prep) and yes, it’s the same. No direct applications to the prep school; it is offered to USMA applicants who have certain qualifications, but don’t meet the academic standards. Most of the students (called cadet candidates) continue on as West Point cadets after a year in the prep program. Many of them are recruited athletes who get to play their sport for an extra year, which is essentially a form of “redshirting”.

 

[bookgirl]

My dad and uncle (grandfather was career Army) attended Military School.

My dad is the least armed forces type in the world and even he talked fondly of going. He didn't love the haircut LOL but he did appreciate the routine, the comradery, and the responsibility. Bonus points that the local girls would come to the dances, hence where he met my mom

 

[_19disnA]

There is an online forum specific to the various Service Academies that has a lot of participants who are current students as well as those who have recently graduated where you get a lot more specific input on the topic of Service Academies. You apply when graduating from high school, however some who are currently enlisted in the military can also apply as well as those currently at NAPS or the WP equivalent. You will find LOTS of people who have ZERO experience in this area online who will provide all sorts of dubious (or obviously inaccurate) information, so make sure you use sources that are reliable. You do NOT need to attend a military oriented high school to apply to any of the Service Academies. Far more apply then get appointments, so understand there is no guarantee you will get accepted regardless of where you go to high school. Each SA also has it own website where you can lot of current/basic/factual information about the programs they offer.

 

[kdonnel]

If the goal is a military commission don't let your son discount attending one of the senior military colleges. The Service Academies are not always the best choice.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_senior_military_college

I attended the University of North Georgia. The years I was at UNG the cadets from the six senior military colleges routinely out performed the cadets from West Point at the summer camp that occurs prior to starting the senior year. Without the hazing that occurs at the Academies.

 

[JaxDad]

Or go to any college of your choice that offers ROTC. They offer full scholarships that cover tuition, books and even provide a stipend of a few hundred bucks a month. That’s what I did, and my son is seriously considering the same route.

 

[lovesmurfs]

My husband used to teach at one in western Virginia. Yes, they touted it as academically challenging and there were kids there for the experience (there was a boarding deal for boys, and day school to include girls). DH has military background and was pretty excited when he started. In spite of the "academics" and "excellence," (yadda, yadda), a good portion of the kids were there because of past behavior issues and troubled backgrounds. It was quite the mixture and clash of cultures.

I'd encourage him to carefully choose who he hangs with.

 

[Corporateshill]

My husband used to teach at one in western Virginia. Yes, they touted it as academically challenging and there were kids there for the experience (there was a boarding deal for boys, and day school to include girls). DH has military background and was pretty excited when he started. In spite of the "academics" and "excellence," (yadda, yadda), a good portion of the kids were there because of past behavior issues and troubled backgrounds. It was quite the mixture and clash of cultures.

I'd encourage him to carefully choose who he hangs with.

Thanks for the pointers. Yeah we've talked to him about being cautious. I know these types of schools tend to downplay the "stereotypes" of military school, while I know certain students are there because they NEED the discipline.

 

[Corporateshill]

My DH went to a military boarding school in Georgia and then a public Georgia university. He recommends not pushing anything as it will all "happen fast" when he arrives. Especially where the haircut is concerned...

Good advice. I know he is both super excited, and also nervous. And maybe sort of putting a lot of emphasis on the hair because that's a big first day change. I figure it will be a 30 second haircut when he arrives.

 

[kdonnel]

I know these types of schools tend to downplay the "stereotypes" of military school, while I know certain students are there because they NEED the discipline.

Riverside Military Academy near me has such notable alumni as David Duke (Former Grand Wizard of the KKK) and CeeLo Green. Not sure you can have two people more opposite.

There is a long standing rumor that Fidel Castro attended Riverside Military Academy back when they had the winter campus in Hollywood Florida. I believe it has never been proven true or false.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Riverside Military Academy near me has such notable alumni as David Duke (Former Grand Wizard of the KKK) and CeeLo Green. Not sure you can have two people more opposite.

There is a long standing rumor that Fidel Castro attended Riverside Military Academy back when they had the winter campus in Hollywood Florida. I believe it has never been proven true or false.

This is Georgia in a nutshell.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

I have no experience of military boarding schools, but both my children attended British boarding schools; my son from age seven and my daughter from eleven. All children get homesick at some point and it is important to talk about how that feels and how they will manage the feeling. Also, from the outset we had a rule that they would only ever tell me they wanted to leave school and not return, if they 100 percent meant it and in return, I promised them that if they did ever tell me that they wanted to leave, I would collect them there and then and they would never go back. And write them letters, they enjoy them so much more than e mails. I hope that your son thrives and has a fabulous time.