Zero week started today for my AROTC son. Who else?

txpotato said:
" the one thing that surprised me was that she needed to know her blood type..."
For future reference, anyone who needs to know blood type, DONATE BLOOD. They'll type it, and you're helping others.
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The blood type question got me a bit scared and it was one question that I found myself telling people about.
 
My son ending up failing the APFT which is nearly unfathomable for him. Of course, the school is at 7,220 feet above sea level and we are at roughly 670 feet. That said, I don't think he worked out enough this summer. He ended up cramping during the sit-ups and puked 6 times during the 2 mile. He passed the run and the pushups, but didn't get past 20 in the situps due to the cramps. I really am stunned. But it is a good lesson for him to 1) listen to people that know more than you, and 2) there are people that know more than you, and 3) HYDRATE! They'll test again next week.
 
k2rider said:
It's amazing to me how many people show up and can't pass the APFT. It's not like anybody was notified last week of their scholarship and/or what the requirements are. 25% of the incoming Freshman cadets at my sons school, where he is currently the Gold Bar Recruiter, failed to pass the test this week.
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I was just saying this. It's like the people that go on Survivor and can't start a fire. My son's class had a miserable rate fail last week. He passed it, so that was that last hurdle to receive his scholarship. Contracting ceremony in a couple weeks!
 
k2rider said:
It's amazing to me how many people show up and can't pass the APFT. It's not like anybody was notified last week of their scholarship and/or what the requirements are. 25% of the incoming Freshman cadets at my sons school, where he is currently the Gold Bar Recruiter, failed to pass the test this week.
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That is crazy! One of the female cadets said she was sure that she read online that she only needed to do 13 pushups, not 19. One of the seniors, said, it is definitely 19. My DD was so grateful, that on one of her school visits there was a Captain that suggested she focus on the max numbers, train for the max numbers and forget about the minimum numbers, thinking about those are not helpful. She told me after this morning that she was so glad she did that, on the practice run she didn't quite make the max, but she crushed the minimums, was close to the max, and feels confident she can meet that goal she set for herself next Friday.
 
tjb1975 said:
My son ending up failing the APFT which is nearly unfathomable for him. Of course, the school is at 7,220 feet above sea level and we are at roughly 670 feet. That said, I don't think he worked out enough this summer. He ended up cramping during the sit-ups and puked 6 times during the 2 mile. He passed the run and the pushups, but didn't get past 20 in the situps due to the cramps. I really am stunned. But it is a good lesson for him to 1) listen to people that know more than you, and 2) there are people that know more than you, and 3) HYDRATE! They'll test again next week.
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That is too bad, so sorry to hear that! My DD said they told them this morning that sit-ups a lot of people struggle because people neglect them in training and focus on push-ups and the run, but it is not uncommon that the sit-ups give people trouble. And yes, HYDRATE and it takes awhile to hydrate, just doing it the day you get somewhere doesn't help your body just flushes out the extra water until it gets used to you drinking more, it sounds like next week he will be fine! Good luck to your son.
 
tjb1975 said:
My son ending up failing the APFT which is nearly unfathomable for him. Of course, the school is at 7,220 feet above sea level and we are at roughly 670 feet. That said, I don't think he worked out enough this summer. He ended up cramping during the sit-ups and puked 6 times during the 2 mile. He passed the run and the pushups, but didn't get past 20 in the situps due to the cramps. I really am stunned. But it is a good lesson for him to 1) listen to people that know more than you, and 2) there are people that know more than you, and 3) HYDRATE! They'll test again next week.
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That's too bad--he definitely picked the school with the biggest challenge in terms of altitude. USAFA cadets face a similar challenge, but Wyoming is the highest. How long was he there to get acclimated before taking the test? My daughter had the benefit of training at 5,900 feet and higher, and then taking the test at 748.
 
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I think he's doing ok!
 
madhttr said:
That's too bad--he definitely picked the school with the biggest challenge in terms of altitude. USAFA cadets face a similar challenge, but Wyoming is the highest. How long was he there to get acclimated before taking the test? My daughter had the benefit of training at 5,900 feet and higher, and then taking the test at 748.
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Thanks. He only arrived on Sunday, tested on Wednesday. I suggested he go to Laramie a week early, but he was with his dad, not me, so they arrived hours before he had to report for dorm check in. Lesson learned, I guess. I just got off the phone with him. He sounds exhausted. He will be getting some harsh lessons, I think. He says he did more than 20 sit ups but quit counting then because that was when he started cramping. His mom told him these things, and I went to school there so I know what I am talking about. Now he knows what I am talking about!
 
tjb1975 said:
Thanks. He only arrived on Sunday, tested on Wednesday. I suggested he go to Laramie a week early, but he was with his dad, not me, so they arrived hours before he had to report for dorm check in. Lesson learned, I guess. I just got off the phone with him. He sounds exhausted. He will be getting some harsh lessons, I think. He says he did more than 20 sit ups but quit counting then because that was when he started cramping. His mom told him these things, and I went to school there so I know what I am talking about. Now he knows what I am talking about!
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What's the old Mark Twain quote about when he was 14 he thought his father was so ignorant and then when he was 21 he was amazed at how much his father had learned in those seven years? Hopefully your son comes to the same conclusion about you ;)

As far as altitude affecting performance, tell him he is not alone: http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/03/us/rocky-mountain-army-personnel-rescue/
 
It is not an excuse, but Laramie is the highest Division 1 school in the country.
madhttr said:
What's the old Mark Twain quote about when he was 14 he thought his father was so ignorant and then when he was 21 he was amazed at how much his father had learned in those seven years? Hopefully your son comes to the same conclusion about you ;)

As far as altitude affecting performance, tell him he is not alone: http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/03/us/rocky-mountain-army-personnel-rescue/
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Thanks, @madhttr Cowboy Battalion is actually hiking to the Medicine Bow peak today. The Medicine Bow Peak is the highest peak in the Snowy Range at 12,013 feet. We hiked part of it as a family last summer, so at least he will be somewhat familiar. It should be fun for them. I see the orders are to bring at least 2 quarts of water, with MSIIIs and MSIVs to bring 4 (I presume to share with other cadets.) Upperclassmen also have orders on safety and are told that proper leadership is the key to well hydrated cadets. http://www.justtrails.com/trails/medicine-bow-peak-trail/
 
tjb1975 said:
It is not an excuse, but Laramie is the highest Division 1 school in the country.

Thanks, @madhttr Cowboy Battalion is actually hiking to the Medicine Bow peak today. The Medicine Bow Peak is the highest peak in the Snowy Range at 12,013 feet. We hiked part of it as a family last summer, so at least he will be somewhat familiar. It should be fun for them. I see the orders are to bring at least 2 quarts of water, with MSIIIs and MSIVs to bring 4 (I presume to share with other cadets.) Upperclassmen also have orders on safety and are told that proper leadership is the key to well hydrated cadets. http://www.justtrails.com/trails/medicine-bow-peak-trail/
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Sweet! That should get him acclimated alright.
 
KeyzCat said:
Today was DS's first day of his second week. Today was the first day for PT and Thursday will be first MS Lab two of the feeder schools did not start till this week which is why the PT and Labs don't start till this week. His dorm mate is also a military brat but was not wanting to do ROTC till he met DS at orientation he was thinking about it and then at the Welcome party after move-in DS and his dorm mate met up with a friend of dorm mate who is also in ROTC so now his dorm mate was more thinking he should do ROTC but is going to wait till next semester or next year depending on his grades. The hard part for me was second day of school was his birthday so this was first of his birthday I wasn't with him. Sad face pouty mom but he was having a great day I ordered him a Cheese cake sampler to go pick up for him to share with his new friends. He is also Rushing Lamda Chi Alpha with a few other ROTC cadets. So far classes and ROTC going strong :) Look forward to hearing everyone's info. Oh and he got his summer shag 1 on the sides 2 on top all shaved off.
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My heart!!! So happy you sent cake!!
 
Week one down. Dau has ROTC roommate, works well. Everything seems good. She has a senior nursing ROTC mentor who is lovely! I am impressed. Week two is acu's two days a week, calling all seniors sir and ma'am and quizzes!! Oh and she signed up for crew!! I think, well I know, I miss her more!! Her cat is now sleeping long ways on her bed, not think he misses her yet!!
 
DS missed passing run but he made sure he passed the 4 yr Interestingly the 4 that passed he said were walk ons. I told him he needs to get it in gear He didn't run the first week of class except a little on the indoor track He is a 3 year so he has a year BUT really trying to get the .5 upgrade. He was a rower today for one of the College's boats at the Dragon Boat festival and he said they tied for last which he was kinda glad of since he said he was sore enough from just the one race and thought he would not have survived if he had to do more races. He was going to dinner with his new girlfriend's parents. Oh yea the kid who took 2 years to tell his friend that yes he was trying to ask her out; got a girlfriend second week of school. So now he has Rush Week activities this week mixed in with classes, he is using the Certified private trainers program at the Wellness center since I told him I want him to have privates at least 2 times a month to make sure he has a plan set up for him that targets maximizing run, sit-ups and push-ups. Too many times people just try anything someone suggests with no idea how it could help or hurt and form is not explained and they injure themselves. So hopefully that will help on top of unit PT. I was surprised he said they haven't done unit runs during PT I wonder if it might be to see who is going to take it seriously and run on their own. Very thankful he has a light load gonna be a busy week.
 
We dropped off my son yesterday. We had and ROTC welcome event and I was so impressed by the cadre and cadets. I left feeling very excited for him and happy to know he will be with such a great group of young people and adults. And yes, we needed his blood type as well. I ordered one of those kits from Amazon and messed it up and then didn't trust the results. I went to PersonaLabs website and set up an appointment for the next morning for him to get his blood typed. It was $31 and well worth it.
 
running615 said:
We dropped off my son yesterday. We had and ROTC welcome event and I was so impressed by the cadre and cadets. I left feeling very excited for him and happy to know he will be with such a great group of young people and adults..
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You forgot to tell us how soon after leaving till you started bawling.
 
running615 said:
We dropped off my son yesterday. We had and ROTC welcome event and I was so impressed by the cadre and cadets. I left feeling very excited for him and happy to know he will be with such a great group of young people and adults. And yes, we needed his blood type as well. I ordered one of those kits from Amazon and messed it up and then didn't trust the results. I went to PersonaLabs website and set up an appointment for the next morning for him to get his blood typed. It was $31 and well worth it.
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Our dau needed to know her blood type also. I looked everywhere for that info, called her ped office...nothing! Apparently unless you asked for it, they have been hospitalized or given blood we don't know!! lol I had no idea!!
 
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