I have been a Guidance Counselor for 15 years at a high school of approx. 1900 students, I am the liaison to the military and academy reps…I have the honor of helping some outstanding young people in their efforts to attend all the federal academies, including USMMA. As a matter of fact, my students have attended all of the academies at some time, 2 to the AFA, 1 to the CGA, 3 to the NA, 1 to WP, and 2 to USMMA. I happen to maintain contact with most of these students while they are attending and after they graduate so I know both the good and the not-so-good aspects. My experience with KP has been for the most part positive, one of my students that attended KP went to Naval Flight School and became a pilot, the other was an engineering grad and just accepted a new job in the maritime industry overseas, seems to be doing very well. Like I said all of these young people are the best of the best, therefore I want to do everything I can to lead them on a solid path, because they do have educational options. The plus for USMMA is that you can cross-commission to any branch along with the fact that you seem to be able to get a job that pays well in the maritime industry. I am finding that this is not always the case with the other academy grads once they leave the service. For example, the student I had attend the AFA had visions of becoming an airline pilot, that isn’t working out so well. I’m a little confused by what I am reading recently about USMMA, poor facilities and underfunded seems to be the most repeated issues. Bottom line, do I still encourage my students to attend or do I try to steer them elsewhere, like I said they are the great students and people and they have options?
[QUOTE=rmg70;81016]I have been a Guidance Counselor for 15 years at a high school of approx. 1900 students, I am the liaison to the military and academy reps…I have the honor of helping some outstanding young people in their efforts to attend all the federal academies, including USMMA. As a matter of fact, my students have attended all of the academies at some time, 2 to the AFA, 1 to the CGA, 3 to the NA, 1 to WP, and 2 to USMMA. I happen to maintain contact with most of these students while they are attending and after they graduate so I know both the good and the not-so-good aspects. My experience with KP has been for the most part positive, one of my students that attended KP went to Naval Flight School and became a pilot, the other was an engineering grad and just accepted a new job in the maritime industry overseas, seems to be doing very well. Like I said all of these young people are the best of the best, therefore I want to do everything I can to lead them on a solid path, because they do have educational options. The plus for USMMA is that you can cross-commission to any branch along with the fact that you seem to be able to get a job that pays well in the maritime industry. I am finding that this is not always the case with the other academy grads once they leave the service. For example, the student I had attend the AFA had visions of becoming an airline pilot, that isn’t working out so well. I’m a little confused by what I am reading recently about USMMA, poor facilities and underfunded seems to be the most repeated issues. Bottom line, do I still encourage my students to attend or do I try to steer them elsewhere, like I said they are the great students and people and they have options?[/QUOTE]
A student wanting to go to West Point should be due to said student’s desire to join ranks with all West Point graduates and seek a career in the US Army, the same criteria applies to those interested in Annapolis, US Coast Guard and US Air Force Academies. Kings Point is different, there is no Army, Navy, Coast Guard or Air Force waiting for them. Kings Point is having a very hard time finding a mission these days. Now, the young man who wanted to attend the Air Force Academy simply because he desires a career with the Air Lines should have been directed to any place but the US Air Force Academy. You are at fault, Sir, if you did not make this obvious. This also applies to students interested in Kings Point.
From what I gather, KP seems to be a great investment for the student and pays off well for just about every graduate. For the tax payer and the merchant mariners on the other hand, it seems to be a waste, just like most government entities. Some people take advantage of food stamps because they can, just like KP. Hell I wouldn’t blame anyone for it. Seems like all that is needed is a rename for the academy. Call it the Reserve Naval Service Academy and train only MMRs.
[QUOTE=rmg70;81016] one of my students that attended KP went to Naval Flight School and became a pilot[/QUOTE]
Sorry because I know you are naive and only want the best for your students but let me take a wild guess that this same flyboy really wanted to go to Annapolis but “settled” for Kings Point. If you tell me that KP was his first and only choice, I’ll call you disingenuous (and that only to be kind)
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Thanks for your able assistance to help kids reach and find a potential goal.
While ignoring the resident curmudgeons, you have stumbled upon probably the only place that is having a thorough discourse in the relative value of a federally funded Academy that is NOT specifically directed to fulfil a specific mission or goal. It could be said, if KP were the ONLY maritime academy in the country then hats off, go to town. http://users.hal-pc.org/~nugent/school.html. there are a “few” others. Just so you realize where you are sending little Joe and Julie.
[QUOTE=cappy208;81174]While ignoring the resident curmudgeons[/QUOTE]
“curmudgeons” - yes - that fits 
[QUOTE=Sweat-n-Grease;81196]“curmudgeons” - yes - that fits :D[/QUOTE]
I’m there…
[QUOTE=c.captain;81218]I’m there…[/QUOTE]
Yes - but I’m prettier
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Do y’all want a room?
[QUOTE=cmakin;81237]Do y’all want a room?[/QUOTE]
~~~~~ maaay bee
[QUOTE=Sweat-n-Grease;81234]Yes - but I’m prettier.[/QUOTE]
No effing way Santa Claus! I’m the “most interesting man in the world” hands down.
Now if I can only get the ladies to realize that, then I am in clover forever! I mean what ever happened to babes all having a father complex for sexy older men? Especially ones who have all their hair and no gut! We’re supposed to be kings in our realm!
[QUOTE=c.captain;81280]No effing way Santa Claus! I’m the “most interesting man in the world” hands down[/QUOTE]
You talking to me?
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Rmg70. Thanks for your reply on this thread. I have shipped out for nearly 20 years and enjoyed shipping with graduates from all of the Academies as well as Hawsepipers. Truth is, with a humble approach and willingness to continue to learn, I have gained knowledge from most of them. It is a constant desire to continually add knowledge that makes a person valuable…not the institution.
[QUOTE=Ecurb71;81434]Rmg70. Thanks for your reply on this thread. I have shipped out for nearly 20 years and enjoyed shipping with graduates from all of the Academies as well as Hawsepipers. Truth is, with a humble approach and willingness to continue to learn, I have gained knowledge from most of them. It is a constant desire to continually add knowledge that makes a person valuable…not the institution.[/QUOTE]
So true, and the knowledge continues till the day you say good bye.
[QUOTE=Sweat-n-Grease;81438]So true, and the knowledge continues till the day you say good bye.[/QUOTE]
Absolutely. I try and learn AT LEAST one new thing every day. When I do, I go in and tell the boss about it and ask for the rest of the day off. THAT never seems to work, though . . . . .
[QUOTE=cmakin;81461]Absolutely. I try and learn AT LEAST one new thing every day. When I do, I go in and tell the boss about it and ask for the rest of the day off. THAT never seems to work, though . . . . .[/QUOTE]
Perhaps contrary to popular held beliefs, there are some things you learn you must never share with your boss.
But you know that.
[QUOTE=Sweat-n-Grease;81478]Perhaps contrary to popular held beliefs, there are some things you learn you must never share with your boss.
But you know that.[/QUOTE]
Oh, I almost never tell him what it is that I have learned. . . .
[QUOTE=cmakin;81488]Oh, I almost never tell him what it is that I have learned. . . .[/QUOTE]
It works the other way too, that is until the day you hear the boss say “Please come to my office, there is something we did to discuss in private.”
[QUOTE=Sweat-n-Grease;81491]It works the other way too, that is until the day you hear the boss say “Please come to my office, there is something we did to discuss in private.”
I have actually had that happen, twice since I started here. Figured that I was done both times. You know what, both times I got a raise and a promotion. Go figure. I always have felt that a little bit of paranoia is healthy; especially if they are out to get you.[QUOTE=cmakin;81516]I have actually had that happen, twice since I started here. Figured that I was done both times. You know what, both times I got a raise and a promotion. Go figure. I always have felt that a little bit of paranoia is healthy; especially if they are out to get you.[/QUOTE]
Myself, I don’t think of it as paranoia, it’s being alert. A WWII Chief Engineer mention this to me during my sea year, “Cadet whenever you leave the engine room always ask yourself is there anything I might have forgotten.” I carried his advise with me throughout my years but expanded on it a little. For example, when I’m outside and finished burning debris I always ask myself, are you sure the fire is out? I do so with camp fires also. I wish everybody would do that. There are way too many wild fires caused by careless folks who either did not even try to put out their camp fires or were very sloppy about it. Having a careless attitude is not conducive to good seamanship, nor will it serve one well in any enterprise.