If I could do better.... I would
Found this in response to another Rick's piece on line about a growing trend amongst "elites" going into military service...
Reconciling this article with the Washington Post piece
by Welcome Wagon on Sun, 04/19/2009 - 10:38pm
Mr. Ricks,
First, I will preface this with the fact that I am a junior at the United States Military Academy at West Point, ranked the 6th best college in the USA and the number one public university, ahead of Yale and Columbia, as well as the top liberal arts school in the country, ahead of well...everyone else. Not bad for a "community college".
In this post you comment that students of prestigious universities are joining the military because they feel unchallenged by the years they spent at their Ivy League school.
"There is too much drinking and dope-smoking and too little sense of commitment to anything larger than one's own ambitions and appetites. Ultimately, they tell me, they didn't feel challenged to be more than themselves, intellectually or morally."
Yet your piece in the Washington Post about closing the Service Academies says: "Why not send young people to more rigorous institutions on full scholarships?". If the supposed rigourous institutions are not fulfilling our student's sense of accomplishment, where are the schools that you want to send me and my fellow cadets to? I can say with experience that cadets at the service academies recieve intense academic, physical, military, and leadership education. In the course of a week, one of our freshman can be expected to attend calculus classes, do a project for their American Government class, engage in training on tactically clearing a room, be graded in a two round boxing bout, play in a intramural football game, attend classes on ethics..the list goes on. Graduates of USMA as well as other academies are committed to at least 5 years of service to the country. 70% of each USMA class must branch combat arms, meaning that they will most likely deploy to a combat zone in the first year following graduation. Rules and regs limit the drinking and prohibit the dope smoking, and provide us with a sense of commitment that transcends education, to our country, our values, and each other. If service academies can provide our young men and women with purpose and direction, then why close them
On a side note: your attempt to use General Petraeus as a example for the superiority of civilian schools is laughable. A) Gen Petraeus went to a small community college called West Point for his undergrad education. B) We are purely an undergrad institution. C) This means all of our grads would need to get their PhDs elsewhere.
If I could do better I would... well said anonymous cadet
I would *really* enjoy that...
Quote:
"As in maybe Ricks should join the Army and go through Army Journalism AIT and.... git him sum reel schoolin :D"
'Course, I'd probably enjoy him at Infantry OSUT even more... :cool:
America needs the service academies
if for nothing else, to provide college athletics not affiliated with the NFL/NBA farm systems!:D
Phd Civilian Instructors at West Point
I have an interesting perspective to share:
My senior year at USMA, during one of my core courses, "History of the Military Art," I had Phd-equipped civilian instructors for both semesters. I was initially disappointed--as a cadet, I was looking forward to a commissioned officer, hopefully with wartime experience, to be my instructor for at least one of those semesters. Both instructors have some notoriety as good writers at present.
The first semester, the instructor never left a seated position behind his desk in 40 lessons. He spoke in a monotone voice, and lectured each day for 50 minutes straight. It was an opportunity for me to get an extra hour of rack after the morning strength and conditioning practice in the morning and wrestling practice in the afternoon. My disappointment continued.
The second semester, the instructor's first impression didn't help. He looked like the antithesis of a military man. His teaching style, however, was fantastic. Kept the audience engaged. Spoke with passion. Extremely well-read. Always prepared. Facilitated discussion and student learning. Understood that he had a responsibility to help us prepare for eventually leading men in combat. It was my favorite class of 4 years and I considered him the best instructor I had while at the Academy, regardless of status. He was one of my early role models of "teacher, coach, and mentor." Whatever you think of him or his views now, he was an incredible teacher.
As I teach 2LTs and Captains now in Armor BOLC III and MCCC, I know his example made me a better teacher, coach, and mentor.
The moral of the story: No matter the institution or the population, in any large group of people, you're gonna get some good ones and some bad ones. Wanna produce a better student? Then the quality of instruction is very much dependent on the quality of the instructor.
The first guy will remain nameless. The second guy was Fred Kagan.
Had West Point not existed, I would be an overweight, homeless, alcoholic Italian right now. (USMA has postponed my dream for 15 years, and I still have 9 more to go!! So far away!!)