College Daze: Instead of helping high school grads grow up, colleges prolong childhood

Forbes ^ | September 1, 2008 | Charles Murray

[GunsareOK]

Bet this isn’t the case at Hillsdale and Grove City.

[STONEWALLS]

I fooled around and didn’t go in the Army til I was 24...in basic those 19 year olds wore my ass out on the obstacle course....I finally got in shape, adjusted to military life, actually made some rank and grew up....when I got out I had a nice 28 year career with a corporation that valued military service....matter of fact our director of human resources was a colonel in the reserves...I hope the guys coming back from Iraq get a break when they interview for work...they deserve it.

[tom paine 2]

As a management consultant with over 35 years of manufacturing experience, I encounter the petulant attitude the author talks about, all the time. These immature boy-men get pissed off whenever their little fantasy world bubble gets popped.

[Rudder]

Once upon a time college was a halfway house for practicing how to be a grown-up.

Once upon a time? I recall reading the same position in 1958. This is old news/opinion rehashed.

[Red Boots]

doubt they have ROTC at CU in Boulder. Or are you pulling my leg?

I never said anything about CU in Boulder. Maybe you're mistaking me for someone else ?

[Night Hides Not]

I never said anything about CU in Boulder. Maybe you're mistaking me for someone else ?

I inferred that from your home page. I've heard that CU is very liberal, and may not have ROTC.

Thanks to an Army ROTC scholarship, my parents didn't have to pay a dime for college. It afforded me the chance to go to a school I never could have afforded (Gonzaga) on my own.

[Red Boots]

I asked that question about ROTC seriously, because your post sounded like you had experience with it, and were recommending ROTC as a good option. Our son is 17 and considering what to do.

Even though CU is in our state, we live over on the other (sane) side, and would really never send him there. We just sort of try to pretend Boulder doesn't exist.

[Night Hides Not]

Here's the link that has all the information your son will need:

http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.jsp

I had good grades (3.5), played several sports in HS to JV level, i.e. nothing earth-shattering. The lack of applicants in 1972 (Vietnam) had to have helped my candidacy. Also did well on the ACT (IIRC, I had a 29).

I knew nothing of this opportunity until a poster was displayed three weeks before the deadline. Your son will have several months to get his packet ready, and can apply online.

I nudged my children towards applying, but they decided to take a different path.

Good luck to you and your son.

[Red Boots]

Thank you so much. RB