Quasi military schools, does anyone have any experience with them?

[hatredisnotavalue]

We think our HS senior would really benefit from attending our state's maritime academy next year. He can opt out of their traditional program (meaning he doesn't have to do the whole uniform thing and doesn't have to sign on for any military service) and can major in international business.

He also will probably play football there. While our daughter was truly liberal arts material, (she goes to school at a nice liberal college in downtown Boston), I don't think our son would have the discipline to get the grades he needs to stay in school if he went to a traditional liberal arts university. We believe that he needs some structure in his day to day activities to properly apply himself and reach his potential.

Anyone here send their kid to a similar school or know someone who attended one? Thanks for your help in advance.

[trof]

1. How does he feel about it?

[hatredisnotavalue]

2. He didn't like the idea at first

But when he learned he might be on the football team and he got really aggressive in applying. He met with the admission director last week and they really bonded, it was right after the Boise game, and he really wants to go there now. Plus the golf course is inches from his dorm. I would say the school is his top choice.

[trof]

3. That's good.

I don't see any downside.
I think I know where you're talking about.
That kind of an environment can do wonders for a young person who may appear to be kind of rudderless.
I didn't go to a military school, but I was in the military, back in the day when we didn't have much choice in the matter.

I came out with a whole bunch more maturity and sense of how life works than I had when I went in.
Good luck to him and you.

[hatredisnotavalue]

4. Thanks trof

I feel he would be excellent material for the National Guard if Clinton was president. No way I would allow it with Bush. He begged me to allow him to go down to help with the Katrina victims. He is a big brute of a kid with a huge heart who wants to help where he can. Bush screwed that up.

[trof]

5. If I had to pick a military school for me or my kid

it would have to do with the sea.
Sailors learn a hell of a lot of really practical things that they can use in everyday life.

I was, in fact, a guard troop.
Air national guard, where I earned my wings, which in turn led to a pretty good career in aviation.

[hatredisnotavalue]

6. Thanks so much for your input! n/t