I suspect ADD and no ritalin was partially to blame for my lack of focus….
Is this a serious statement or is this a joke? If this is a joke, its not funny. ADD is a serious issue for some children, and ritalin is a powerful stimulant. If its not a joke, you probably shouldn't have been at the USCGA to begin with, so you may be unqualified to be dispensing advice (let alone ritalin).
It's a serious statement, and the interesting thing about ADD and ritalin is, if you can perform well off of it, it can be waived. And you are correct, not only can I not dispense ritalin, to do so, with a C2 drug, would be highly illegal. Luckily, I, unlike you, am qualified to dispense advice on the Coast Guard Academy.
LITS, seems like you have some serious PTSD happening. I'm not sure being on this site is helpful to those have not formed an opinion to read yours.
I have multiple children serving in the CG, this is the first one going to the Academy.
It's clear to me you don't understand PTSD, but thank you for your concern. PTSD wouldn't be a factor here.
You have accused someone where of backhanded statements, so let me be very direct with mine.
1. I don't care how many kids you have in the Coast Guard. You have none who have gone through the Coast Guard Academy. Experiences at TRACEN Cape May and Officer Candidate School are not CGA, they don't come close to CGA, and any kind of statement to the contrary is just another example of how ignorant you are in this area.
2. You are not a Coast Guard Academy cadet. You are not a Coast Guard Academy graduate. You are not a Coast Guard officer. You are a parent. You are a parent without a single Coast Guard Academy connection, except that your kid got in. You will be next to the last stop for any kind of information on CGA. Heck, you don't even know about the food or Parents' Weekend. What exactly do you think you add here?
3. Because of #2, you're probably not qualified to dispense advice on "cadet goals." I take that back, you are CERTAINLY not qualified to dispense advice on cadet goals. You are better served (and your kid is better served), sitting back, taking notes, and shutting up.
4. Based on what I've seen here, from you, I would suggest you stop offering advice to your child. It will only make his time at CGA more difficult. Your advice is uninformed, and general ignorant of the realities of CGA. Unfortunately for your child, it's clear you're not aware of how far off you are.
5. The stresses of Swab Summer are VERY different from the people problems of a cutter (or any other unit). For you to suggest otherwise, is, again, ignorant of reality. But have no fear Early, I've done that whole "swab summer" thing and dealt with people problems on cutters.
I honestly look forward to your next comment. But before you decide to provide us with another opportunity to scratch our heads, reread #3…. and please consider sitting back, taking notes and shutting up. And please provide your child without someone beside yourself, to give advice. I don't think he's served well listening to you (as it relates to the Coast Guard Academy). Maybe he should be on here…. asking his own questions.