I forgot about the DodMERB, luckily for our DS he had no issues, FWIW, parents understand there will be another DodMERB prior to commissioning. I don't know what the AROTC is like, but for AFROTC with a rated slot it is a 3 day physical. Again, another time where you sit on pins and needles waiting to hear. DS on that round was sent for more intense test...EEG after not getting good results for the EKG (?). He was in OH, we were here in VA. Luckily it worked out that he was cleared, but it would be a lie to say we weren't scared his dream was going to end before it ever started.
I agree this site is great. As a retired AF wife, you know people in the real world don't get it when you say something as simple as he only pulled a 3.0 gpa this semester at college. To them that is a bragging moment, to us, we know it is stress on our kids for next semester to pull it up for the OML. Outsiders try to understand, but because it is such a unique path, they truly never get it and this site allows you to be with people who get it, who have walked the path before for you to guide you through it.
The funniest is always when they go to summer training, and people call asking have you heard from them? When you say no, nor do I expect to until this day, you can hear their minds turning and the typical conversation occurs:
Why Not?
Because they took his phone away when he arrived
Did he do something wrong and that is why they took it?
No, that's the rules
What happens if he gets hurt, how will you know?
UMMM, They will call me!
But he doesn't have a phone, how do they know who to call?
UGGGHHHH! Really? He filled out contact forms.
So for 4 weeks you won't hear from him at all, aren't you worried?
UGGHHH! Yes, I am worried, but there is nothing I can do, and if this bothers me to insanity, I won't be able to survive when he goes AD.
I couldn't do that as a parent. I would need to hear from them.
Good thing your child didn't go military!
That was the type of conversations I had with people who were not military affiliated. They actually made it more stressful reminding me of everything going on in his life, when for a few short minutes I wasn't thinking about it.
My Mom is good, she knows not to broach the subject when we are going through boards unless I bring it up. My MIL on the other hand opens with it...as if we are hiding the info and wouldn't tell her as soon as we found out, or forgot that he is/was going through it.