Posted on Nov 30, 2016
Why would someone attend West Point for 3+ years and then just resign and leave?
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Stumbled on this old piece from 2012. What's the deal here? Are there things we don't know about what happened here?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blake-page/west-point-religious-freedom_b_2232279.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blake-page/west-point-religious-freedom_b_2232279.html
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 16
I worked at USMA (as a TAC) during this time. This article is far from conveying a fair version of the facts.
There are no mandatory prayers, the coat of arms he describes can be viewed as a religious symbol (just like other Army heraldry), or it can be viewed as symbolic of Mil history (or if you are like me, you can spend time thinking of more important things). There are no extra-passes for religious retreats; Cadets get the same #of passes for personal use, club use (religion) and other purposes.
If anyone thinks an organization under such scrutiny (USMA) would engage in the practices described by this former cadet, I assume your either nuts or ignorant of how prudent the military is with social issues.
I'm confident if we checked this former cadet's record brief, we would see much more of the reason for his departure.
There are no mandatory prayers, the coat of arms he describes can be viewed as a religious symbol (just like other Army heraldry), or it can be viewed as symbolic of Mil history (or if you are like me, you can spend time thinking of more important things). There are no extra-passes for religious retreats; Cadets get the same #of passes for personal use, club use (religion) and other purposes.
If anyone thinks an organization under such scrutiny (USMA) would engage in the practices described by this former cadet, I assume your either nuts or ignorant of how prudent the military is with social issues.
I'm confident if we checked this former cadet's record brief, we would see much more of the reason for his departure.
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CAPT Dave Woodard
I remember this case, as well all know there are multiple reasons why someone would choose to opt out of a decision. There was a lot going on at this time in the world, the military, and America, and some of the external influences could have simply overwhelmed this young man.
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When I was a drill Sergeant, after getting my new platoon settled....one of the first platoon meetings was a "Who are you? Why are you here? What is your MOS?"
I had one mid 20s guy insist he had no MOS...... After racking them for the night, and checking paperwork....I could not see an MOS assignment ...
Next day, my DS partner and I had a chat with him off line.... West point guy that was a musician..that's all he wanted out of the Army he decided his third year, the Army was not for him so he "quit" The Army told him that was not one of the options available.....lol, he was given orders to Basic at FT Jackson, to be assigned an MOS later, needs of the Army, and would serve his remaining service obligation 8 year, as an enlisted Soldier, limited to the rank of PFC.
Another weird one... Valley forge academy grad, 2nd LT reports to my platoon for duty, assigned as the PL (very abnormal for a 2nd LT to be assigned to a speciality platoon) After exchanging pleasantries literally the first thing he asked....."Sergeant...How do I quit?"
Assuming In heard him wrong, maybe he meant this platoon assignment, this company, this duty station I asked for clarification.. Nope he wanted to "quit" said his parents would pay for what ever he "owed" for his schooling and commissioning but he wanted to quit and go back to the family buisness..
I Said I understood and he needs to go talk with the BN Operations Officer, he handles that sport of thing. Maj Vince Lombardi was an excellent offcier, I held him in high respect. He would back you 100% if you were right..and 100% if you made the best decision you could , and it still went to shit. He also would crucify you 100% if you quit, failed the mission because you did not put everything into accomplishing it. This was in Fairbanks Alaska, middle of winter. Im not sure what happened to that 2nd LT, but the next day Maj Vince Lombardi told me I would be the acting PL and select a NCO from my platoon to serve as PSG for the time being ....lol
I had one mid 20s guy insist he had no MOS...... After racking them for the night, and checking paperwork....I could not see an MOS assignment ...
Next day, my DS partner and I had a chat with him off line.... West point guy that was a musician..that's all he wanted out of the Army he decided his third year, the Army was not for him so he "quit" The Army told him that was not one of the options available.....lol, he was given orders to Basic at FT Jackson, to be assigned an MOS later, needs of the Army, and would serve his remaining service obligation 8 year, as an enlisted Soldier, limited to the rank of PFC.
Another weird one... Valley forge academy grad, 2nd LT reports to my platoon for duty, assigned as the PL (very abnormal for a 2nd LT to be assigned to a speciality platoon) After exchanging pleasantries literally the first thing he asked....."Sergeant...How do I quit?"
Assuming In heard him wrong, maybe he meant this platoon assignment, this company, this duty station I asked for clarification.. Nope he wanted to "quit" said his parents would pay for what ever he "owed" for his schooling and commissioning but he wanted to quit and go back to the family buisness..
I Said I understood and he needs to go talk with the BN Operations Officer, he handles that sport of thing. Maj Vince Lombardi was an excellent offcier, I held him in high respect. He would back you 100% if you were right..and 100% if you made the best decision you could , and it still went to shit. He also would crucify you 100% if you quit, failed the mission because you did not put everything into accomplishing it. This was in Fairbanks Alaska, middle of winter. Im not sure what happened to that 2nd LT, but the next day Maj Vince Lombardi told me I would be the acting PL and select a NCO from my platoon to serve as PSG for the time being ....lol
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LTC Paul Labrador
Yup, the fine print of any cadet contract is that if you fail to meet the requirements of commissioning, you can be required to serve as enlisted member, particularly if you were on scholarship. Most folks don't read that before they sign.
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Well as a USMA graduate and somebody who pays attention I would discount "news" from the Huffington Post unless it is corroborated in more legitimate news sources CPT Aaron Kletzing.
Any Military-Service Academy cadet or midshipmen who stays past the second summer and enters the junior year [Cow at West Point] and then leaves voluntarily [and in many cases involuntary] is (1) obligated to serve as an enlisted service-member [or NCO if sufficient rank was attained in prior service] in the respective military-service for a corresponding period of service or (2) obligated to pay back the cost of his/her education which can be as high as $250,000.
Thanks for mentioning me LTC Stephen C.
Any Military-Service Academy cadet or midshipmen who stays past the second summer and enters the junior year [Cow at West Point] and then leaves voluntarily [and in many cases involuntary] is (1) obligated to serve as an enlisted service-member [or NCO if sufficient rank was attained in prior service] in the respective military-service for a corresponding period of service or (2) obligated to pay back the cost of his/her education which can be as high as $250,000.
Thanks for mentioning me LTC Stephen C.
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COL David Turk
Same for ROTC; once you start your Junior year, you're in the Army. Check all the papers you sign.
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