A story some of you need right about now...

As the mom who posted the thread "NROTC status changed...to sorry we are unable..." I loved this thread, because I see in my DS exactly what you describe. Let me share my little story about my DS. I waited to tell him his status had changed until I saw him in person later that day. He kind of smiled a little and was quiet...for about an hour, Then, the gleam came back into his eyes, and he said, "OK--on with Plan B!"
This kid struggled academically from thrid grade until the light clicked on around the beginning of junior year. Unfortunately, grades from the first two years of HS still count toward your GPA, no matter how stellar your last two years are :rolleyes:. DS has A Coast Guard helo pilot grandfather (my dad---coolest guy in the world) and a Navy strike fighter dad. From Day One--"I'm going to be a pilot in the military!". He's disappointed, of course, but undaunted...and I have no doubt he'll be successful.
Congratulations to all who received a scholarship! And keep an eye out for those who didn't...they'll be serving with you, just from a different route :thumb:
 
And keep an eye out for those who didn't...they'll be serving with you, just from a different route
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Not only will they be serving right next to you, for some they will have that eye of the tiger. They are going to be motivated to prove everyone wrong.

As I stated earlier I was with Bullet for 90% of the NO THANK YOU (started dating when he was 19).

I have to say the reason he got where he got was because he wanted to prove to the AF they got it wrong. It motivated him...that eye of the tiger got him DG.

I will never forget the day before FTU graduation, we had no idea he was going to be number 1 let alone DG, and his crew mate a pilot who was an AFA grad and a FAIP, came up to me and said this:

PIMA, I have trained a lot of students (FAIP), but this is the 1st time I can tell you that if he crashes, I know for a fact he will have done everything in his powers to get home to you.

To me that meant more than DG or #1. An AFA grad who was a FAIP, and his peer said to me he was the best he ever saw. It meant respect from his peers, the people he was going to fly with operationally. None of them to this day know Bullet's history like he stated here. They all just thought he deserved it.

That comment was also what kept me going for 20 yrs when he flew. I always kept in the back of my mind, that he not only earned it, but he was deserving of it. It removed any and all doubt. I hope there is a person like that, that you all have a Digger in your life. Digger was his call sign.
 
Yes, Yes

Alwr333 said:
As the mom who posted the thread "NROTC status changed...to sorry we are unable..." I loved this thread, because I see in my DS exactly what you describe. Let me share my little story about my DS. I waited to tell him his status had changed until I saw him in person later that day. He kind of smiled a little and was quiet...for about an hour, Then, the gleam came back into his eyes, and he said, "OK--on with Plan B!"
This kid struggled academically from thrid grade until the light clicked on around the beginning of junior year. Unfortunately, grades from the first two years of HS still count toward your GPA, no matter how stellar your last two years are :rolleyes:. DS has A Coast Guard helo pilot grandfather (my dad---coolest guy in the world) and a Navy strike fighter dad. From Day One--"I'm going to be a pilot in the military!". He's disappointed, of course, but undaunted...and I have no doubt he'll be successful.
Congratulations to all who received a scholarship! And keep an eye out for those who didn't...they'll be serving with you, just from a different route :thumb:
Click to expand...

Someday during some down time there are going to be some conversations about "back in the day" on that "military forum" and stories will be shared and connections made.
 
Words of Life

Pima said:
I hope there is a person like that, that you all have a Digger in your life. Digger was his call sign.
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Yes we all need a Digger to feed us "words of life" when the gray clouds come. And also we need to BE a Digger to those around us so that others can have hope. It's evident your family does spread these "words of life" to others.
 
I hope come fall next yr that those who got the TWE, but decided to go ROTC will be here to share their wisdom of life to the class of 16.

I hope that they stay and support the next group. To tell them that it is a rollercoaster ride and we all get it...so beaachhh, vent, scream or just talk it out, we are here for you, because somebody did the same thing for me last year.

The sad fact is some will pick up their jax and leave, mainly because they believe the journey has ended and they have nothing to contribute.

It really hasn't. Even if you don't get that Congrats, at least for this site, you are still an amazing asset. You can now take a step back and say, this is where we think we went wrong. Your opinion and your experience be it positive or negative impacts the future.

Is it harder than Hades to be the parent or cadet that got the TWE? YES! However, before you shrink away, remember this:

Bullet never in 20 yrs of his AFAD life stated to any colleague that was his path. It was also pretty hard for him to put in words his mistakes and his short comings.

He did it because he believes that there are kids that get the TWE, will be the future of the military. He wanted to make sure you do not give up because of this one NO.

I believe to the bottom of my soles (feet---not mis-spelled). That this site is the best site ever for kids going into the military.

It is non-judgemental (unless you get on the off topic forums). It saved my sanity 3 yrs ago, and made me find a home where people got it. That says a lot coming from an AD world.

In these days with fewer scholarships and larger pools, it gives comfort to know your kid isn't the only one who got that TWE. It gives comfort to know others actually were able to turn lemons into lemonade.

Most importantly for those that get the TWE you will be the ones to give direction and hope for 16. Remember, your life story is important for the future of the military. When you started it back in Aug., you would have wanted someone like you to hold their hand. Be that person.
 
Not to stray too far from the flow of this thread, but throughout this process keep in mind sometimes things happen for a reason. You may very well be better off going down a path that is different than the one you wanted.

Example, my grandpa. When he was just getting out of high school, he wanted to enlist. He went to the Air Force recruiter and they told him something to the effect of he'd have to wait a certain number of months to go in. So he walked around the corner to the Marine Corps recruiter. They told him they could have him on a bus almost immediately. So he decided to go Marines.

He spent 23 years in the Marines, fought in both Vietnam and Korea, got a field commission, and retired as a Captain. I don't think I've met a prouder Marine. Any memory of him growing up includes him wearing his red, USMC Retired cap. I'm sure he probably could have had a great career if he went Air Force, but I think he ended up where he needed to be.
 
You remind me of my DS's favorite quote:

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.
 
I'm reaaally happy this thread got bumped. I really needed to read this!! Thank you!
 
I am glad too, it reminds me of how proud I am of him, and how he wants the best for everyone.
 
I am glad this thread made it to the top of this page. Your story was amazing and very inspirational. Thanks for sharing it. I am sure that it has made an impression on everyone was has read it.

When you said that you were born to do what you did, it reminded me of what my son said a few weeks ago. He told me he was born to become a leader in the military so that he could make a difference in the world. Although he is interested in the Army, I believe the passion is the same. When a person finds their passion, they know it and nothing is going to stop them from making it happen.
 
Thank you for your story. It was a big help as we are still anxiously awaiting news. My DS and I are getting ready to do a seminar in his ROTC class to help the upcoming cadets learn the ins and outs that we learned applying for the scholarships and the academies. Would you mind if I shared your story with them?
Thanks
 
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