This is indeed quite sad but also not uncommon. Its all a matter of perspective and goals. Many cadets, while they were applying, mention how they've wanted to go to the academy for such a long time. That it's been their "GOAL". Of all the applicants I've worked with here or personally and as an ALO, the first thing I have to remind them of and instill in them, is to not make the "Academy" a goal. Time at the academy, no matter how good or bad someone believes it is, is finite. It is such a short period of time. (Obviously, there's a lot of C4C and C3C who will say that time isn't going by that fast). But the truth is, the academy NEEDS to simply be a tool or a means of helping you reach your goals. Your goals have to be much greater than the 4 years at the academy.
Some will debate that you can have many goals and the academy can be one of them. If we're talking semantics, then yes. But the reality is, there's a difference between the individual who is looking at the "Military" with the academy as being the first stage of that; and those who are simply looking at the academy and not much beyond that.
While I understand the question is about the "Out processing" procedures, while there is time, I would ask your son, or mostly have your son ask himself, a very important question.
What is it he is wanting to do with his life? What is it he was wanting to get from the academy? Remember, the academy is such a short period of time and such a small part of his future. If he thinks "THE MILITARY" isn't for him; then that's fine. It definitely isn't for everyone. If he still has any ambition or "Dreams" about the military, being an officer, the military lifestyle, traveling the world, etc. Then he needs to re-evaluate himself. NONE of the C4C freshman there have a "SENSE OF PURPOSE". Up through and including recognition, they barely had any "Senses". The last 9 months for them was total "BRAIN DEAD". If he still sees the grandeur of the military, then he needs to realize that the academy is just a means of getting there. The academy isn't the "REAL" military. It's also not "REAL" college either. In life, we all have to sometimes do things we don't like. The key is to determine if what we are doing is a "PATH" to reaching one of our goals. Hell, most people's JOBS aren't even a goal. Most don't do what they really want to do. They do it because it provides them the resources to reach some of their goals. Yes, some people work in the job they've always dreamed of their whole lives. But many don't. If money, benefits, health care, etc. weren't something to consider, there would probably be a lot more artists, poets, Radio DJ's, etc. in the world. Many people would rather be doing something else and someplace else.
So, it comes down to: If the "MILITARY" is not what he is passionate about any longer; then yes, it's probably a good idea to move on. On the other hand, if the military is still a desire, but the "academy" isn't a passion because it's lost it's infatuation, then he needs to look at the academy for what it is, and not what he wanted it to be. It's simply a tool.... a path..... to getting to what he wants. In this case, a military lifestyle and possibly career.
P.S. There's a lot of individuals who become commissioned officers who don't go the route of the academies. There's nothing wrong with this at all. But if your son is still passionate about the academy, it is my opinion that he would be better off learning how to deal with the academy and making it through, than trying to start all over again via ROTC or getting his degree and coming in via OTS. Coming out of high school, it's easy to choose any commissioning method. Dropping out of the academy and going a different route is not that simple. If the military still holds passion with him, then work through the academy. BTW: It gets much easier "Mentally" after the first complete year is over.