Red Bear......

.....How 'bout give us a run down on how it's going with Ben at the Academy. I wonder how much more difficult it is being on an Academy team with the already strict regimen of just the "normal" cadet.

ps.- Thanks to a connection I have in your area, I received a nice Christmas Card from a former principal up your way(Ms. B), and I was told to ask if you had received yours. Just curious.

 

Actually, Ben is at the Naval Academy Prep School www.naps.edu (NAPS) in Newport RI. He won't officially get to Annapolis until next year. The mission of the prep school is to fully immerse the kids into the Naval way of life while preparing them for the academic rigors of the Academy. Ben has done very well in the classroom. By his own admission, Ben has become much more focused and is able to knock out his school work better.

The military part has been a shock to his system. The lack of freedom has been the toughest. Not having TV except on some weekends, not being able to go hang out in another person's room, having duty or watch on the weekend and just feeling trapped on the base are some of the things the Midshipman Candidates (not cadets) face all of the time. Hearing all of the "great" stories from friends going to civilian schools doesn't make it any easier.

Many kids have already dropped out and gone home. I think the normal drop out rate is around 20-30%. Ben has developed a real appreciation for lots of little things - sweet tea, Bojangles biscuits, and civilian clothes.

The fall baseball practice season was pretty short. They were on the field two days a week and lifted three days a week. They are now lifting four days a week and hitting indoors once a week. They played 2 doubleheaders in the fall. I haven't seen what the spring schedule will be. The coach in the spring is a long time coach in the Cape Cod league and we've heard good things about him.

Sports are taken very seriously at the Academy, but less so at NAPS. Hopefully, baseball will be a little more on the front burner in the spring. He's met some interesting characters and has been to Boston, Annapolis, Ft. Monmouth NJ, and Philadelphia for the Army/Navy game. They will be taking a battalion trip to NYC in February.

We're real proud of him - especially little sister . We have a sincere appreciation for the kids that go through the service academies as well as those serving in the military. It's not for everyone, and it's tough to figure it out when you're 18/19 years old. The best way to describe it is a roller coaster ride - lots of ups and downs. That goes for the parents as well as the kids!

We're all looking forward to having him home for Christmas. He's very fortunate to have a network of friends and family that care about him and encourage him along the way. Thanks for asking about him.

Red Bear

As far as the Christmas card is concerned....I'll be on the look out for it!

 

I'll be taking my battalion trip to NYC in January.

Thanks for the terrific update RB. All of us our proud of Ben, so keep us informed.

 

Red Bear....

Thanks for the update....you know how I feel about Ben. Tell him hello and Merry Christams from the Morris family when he gets home.

Keep us all updated with how the baseball season progresses.

 

I knew he was in for more of slap in the face than the ordinary child that goes off to school. I do wish him well, and hope that he continues to adapt quickly. I'm also curious as to what his summers will entail.
I was told that the reference to the principal would elicit a much more emphatic response(LOL).