Second Time on the Roller Coaster

currey

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Messages
175
OK Folks, just could not help but start the new process with a new thread. Same ole suspects and a brand new year with a brand new process with different ups and downs.Let's keep up the support and start the Application Process for 2019 with a wiser and more experienced perspective!

Oh and lets start stocking up on the drink orders now for March and April :rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Since we are older and wiser, I propose we start drinking in January (right after grades are submitted). Surely there's no reason to wait til mach!
 
Feedback

Since hearing the bad news on March 24 about not being accepted I have asked my son nothing regarding the Academy. The one thing I do know is that he re-applied the day the application opened. This past Sunday on the way home from his state championship race he said exactly this:

"Dad, on our way to drop me off at college can we stop at the Academy for the day so I can go in and remember everything I loved."

I kept is short and sweet:

"Yes, we can!"

Day by day, we will see...as he waits he just has to do well in class and in his NROTC unit.
 
Since hearing the bad news on March 24 about not being accepted I have asked my son nothing regarding the Academy. The one thing I do know is that he re-applied the day the application opened. This past Sunday on the way home from his state championship race he said exactly this:

"Dad, on our way to drop me off at college can we stop at the Academy for the day so I can go in and remember everything I loved."

I kept is short and sweet:

"Yes, we can!"

Day by day, we will see...as he waits he just has to do well in class and in his NROTC unit.

Wow! Instant tears when I read this.

I'll be lurking around on for the second ride cheering y'all on all the way.
 
I'm in...

Getting the TWE in April was obviously a huge disappointment for my DS -- esp since a friend he's known all his life got an LOA and appointment. My DS did get feedback that he was a "very strong, triple qualified candidate that unfortunately there was not an open slot for." Made him feel a little better.

Went on a college campus visit last weekend. While it was awesome for son to go to NASS and get an early invite to a CVW, he has that "Yard"-stick of the Academy to measure other schools by.

He is reapplying and doing the College Program to scholarship route as a backup.

He got contacted by his BGO, but is waiting on the next candidate number.

And so it begins...
 
What a great way to start the day! Hearing that story actually took me back to our last visit in the fall for CVW. What a great way for your DS to remind himself of his goal. No need to wait until March to have a beverage. We should take comfort in knowing that 33% of the class of 2019 will come from college students. Cheers to that! I'm trying to look at this as a silver lining. The percentages seem better to begin with than last year. "All aboard"!:groupwave:
 
Getting the TWE in April was obviously a huge disappointment for my DS -- esp since a friend he's known all his life got an LOA and appointment. My DS did get feedback that he was a "very strong, triple qualified candidate that unfortunately there was not an open slot for." Made him feel a little better.

Wow, I think we are the same family! Same thing happened to my DS! Feedback was almost identical AND his best friend received a LOA and appointment!

Today was DS's senior scholarship awards ceremony at school and although he was honored with several very commendable scholarships, it was bittersweet seeing his best friend since 1st grade acknoweledged by her BGO for her appointment. We absolutely adore her and she is so deserving...but...I couldn't help feeling the tug at my heart-strings wishing my DS was standing next to her on that stage. With that said we are very proud of him and know he will excel at A&M and as a member of the Corps of Cadets.

After the ceremony DS spoke with his BGO and he said he is excited to be working with him for 2019. And so it begins...again!
 
DS is a little concerned about how his news of reapplying will be received, if he will be treated negatively, if the perception of others will be that he doesn't think ROTC is good enough for him, etc, and especially how he will be treated if he gets the TWE again and stays in the unit. Anyone else have these concerns or is he over thinking it?
 
DS is a little concerned about how his news of reapplying will be received, if he will be treated negatively, if the perception of others will be that he doesn't think ROTC is good enough for him, etc, and especially how he will be treated if he gets the TWE again and stays in the unit. Anyone else have these concerns or is he over thinking it?

Yes, we definitely had/have the same concerns - especially since DS will be going to another sr. military school and participating in the Corps.

I talked to a TWE recipient from Class of 2017 who attended the same school my DS will be attending and also was in the same unit DS will be in and he said he didn't tell anyone about reapplying to USNA until after Christmas break. He said he 'broke the news' and was surprised at how well it was received and that everyone supported his decision. He said his CO tried to convince him to stay but said he would support him either way. He received his BFE this past March.
 
OK Folks, just could not help but start the new process with a new thread. Same ole suspects and a brand new year with a brand new process with different ups and downs.Let's keep up the support and start the Application Process for 2019 with a wiser and more experienced perspective!

Oh and lets start stocking up on the drink orders now for March and April :rolleyes::rolleyes:

DS has started reapplication process - but I have not spoken to him about it since. He is looking forward to being in DC in the fall and I think he was more stung by the TWE than he let on. Hopefully we will be waiting - again - with you all....Good job Currey on getting the new thread started!
 
I have so much respect for those kids that persevere and receive appointments on their second or third try. I am a HUGE fan of all the service academies and am blessed and proud to have three kids that earned multiple appointments and attended.

All of them were lucky and succeeded on the first go round. They had friends however that didn't. One young man went ROTC instead, and now is a major, while my son who commissioned at USNA on schedule is still a captain. There are different routes to the same objective.

I do believe a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. The kids that are disappointed now, and went on to plan B may just fall in love with it.

My concern would be that enduring an extra year of apps, nomination interviews, early actions, lack of notifications, etc and not being selected on the second try would be disheartening once again. Such a trying and grueling process.

No 18 year old really knows "X is the place for me." They think it is, and it may be. Until they are immersed in it, they won't really know. 300 plus kids on average from each class at the biggies won't make it.

Appointments to the academies are becoming increasingly hard for high achieving students to earn, as the competition is fierce and the allotments for several sectors of applicants have grown. There are no guarantees when it comes to applying, or reapplying.

Anyway, good luck to them all. I hope they truly love their plan B, and that it works out for the best.
 
Yes, we definitely had/have the same concerns - especially since DS will be going to another sr. military school and participating in the Corps.

I talked to a TWE recipient from Class of 2017 who attended the same school my DS will be attending and also was in the same unit DS will be in and he said he didn't tell anyone about reapplying to USNA until after Christmas break. He said he 'broke the news' and was surprised at how well it was received and that everyone supported his decision. He said his CO tried to convince him to stay but said he would support him either way. He received his BFE this past March.

DS is in same boat -- he will be attending SMC but will reapply. Seeing as how they have to have recommendations from the Corps, they have to know. I wonder if he will follow through with application once he's at SMC for a year.
 
If It Helps

When my DS went to his A2 plan school and visited the NROTC unit he let them know that he had already re-applied to USNA. In short they were very understanding and made it clear that it was their job to make Naval & Marine Officers and that if it was his desire to re-apply they would fully support his efforts and help in every way. Neither of his LT's were Academy grads.

Our DS has already started one of the MOC application packages and has been contacted by his BGO. The only thing he needs is his new password and candidate number which one can only assume will arrive soon.

What is really exciting (for me) it he woke up at 7AM today because he has to go to work. There is nothing like seeing you child off to work so they can make their own money and not asking for ours. Oh the joy!!
 
DS hasn't gotten any warm fuzzies from his unit yet, so he is just nervous about the unknown. And before we get lectures about this is the military and USNA will be harder and yada yada, I just mean, some people have met the cadre from their units or been for a visit and feel instantly supported and welcome and so excited to be there. This has not been DS's experience so that's why I posed the question.
An awesome mom from SAF contacted me and she says her son loves it there so I am sure once he gets there he will too. DS has been to the school for various weekend things and loves the school. So so much. I even think once he gets there, USNA will be a distant dream, but one never knows. Right now he is just going to get there and jump in with both feet and play USNA by ear.
 
I don't think we are getting back on the roller coaster. DS is excited about his NROTC opportunity and just wants to move forward and graduate in 4 years. As long as he's happy, then I'll be happy. Not going to lie and tell you I wouldn't love to see him re-apply, but alas, it's his life not mine. ;)
 
I don't think we are getting back on the roller coaster. DS is excited about his NROTC opportunity and just wants to move forward and graduate in 4 years. As long as he's happy, then I'll be happy. Not going to lie and tell you I wouldn't love to see him re-apply, but alas, it's his life not mine. ;)

I have seen those who reapply AND get appointed have second and third thoughts about leaving a school where they are now happy to "start over" at USNA. Those I've known who've done it feel they made the right decision, but it wasn't an easy one.

I think that even for those who are super eager today to reapply, more than a few will drop out along the way. Which is a testimony to how excellent the alternative Plan A usually is!
 
being honest....

If I am going to be totally honest, being from USXA doesn't mean that officer will be better than someone from ROTC or OCS. If anyone tells you that, then they are full of it. I graduated from USMA, but some of the best officers I interacted with were ROTC. Academies aren't the only way... just one path. Once on active duty, did I put more faith into a USMA company commander than a ROTC one? Nope. I put more faith into the one that is the better officer. There is no secret USXA network of back handed deals that guides you on your career. If you are destined to be the next 3 star general, then it doesn't matter if you went to an academy or not... you would end up in the same place.

Be proud of where you are from, take care of your soldiers, be the best officer you can be and everything will take care of itself.

Note: I am not discouraging people from re-applying, but just wanted to let the parents know that their kid will be in fine hands with ROTC.
 
My son received his candidate number and password to reapply. He is enrolled at U. of I. with all his first semester courses already picked out which mirror the USNA curriculum. He is signed up for the NROTC at his school. We talked the other day. He said he's looking forward to re-applying but is really excited about going away to school. We visited the school for course signup last Friday and he was beaming just waiting to go. He works everyday with 2 part time jobs (one during the day and one in the evening). Quite honestly I thought I would be disappointed if he did not reapply, but I realize that it's OK if chooses not to go. I've put 2 before him through college so this is no biggie. He will be successful. He will be a leader. I just want him to be happy regardless of which path he follows.
 
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