Congrats mar. I enjoyed your goodwill on the other thread. The fact that he's going two different summers indicates junior PLC. Only difference is its 2 summers. Combined says they do it all in one summer. Just curious as to why DS didn't try to hold out for Advanced Standing in junior year. $$$$?From what I could ascertain about it, anyone being granted the ADv. Standing status for next year at his unit was probably not in the cards, so yeah, I guess it was $$$$, or rather, the predicted lack thereof It might shed some light on what we face if we encounter same hurdle of no scholarship.
Bet you can't wait to see him in his Blues someday.
Thanks kinnem! And actually I have seen him (in a couple of pictures and once in person) in dress Blues - takes my breath away! The pictures were taken by the photographer at the Marine Ball he attended in '10 and '11 - two different girls at the two different events - both really pretty girls looking very much like they were very happy to be at a dance with a "man in uniform!" And the once "in person" I saw him was in the fall of his freshman year (late October), his Grandpa - my Dad (a WWII Army vet, 88 yrs. old) passed away and my three oldest sons were pallbearers. DS's CO gave him permission to not only attend (he was on duty or had stadium clean-up that weekend, I can't remember exactly), but to wear his just-issued Blues in his pallbearing capacity. It was a military funeral up in Michigan and during the graveside ceremony, the flag on Dad's casket was presented to my mother (also a WWII vet, now 91) by my DD, the USMC Lt., there w/her fiance at the time (now husband, the Navy SEAL Lt). Just days later, DD was in Afghanistan, beginning her 7 month deployment. Isn't life, everything about it, beginnings, endings, and all the stuff in the middle...just amazing!
Anyways...has the 2nd LT taken you and your Wife down to the Club yet for a good Dinner?
Congratulations to your son Kar57.
tgp, I laughed out loud at the BA-1100Ns.
The day I reported to my first CG Base fresh from school, the duty officer told me and another Ensign to go to the Radio Building and bring him back two Fallopian Tubes, and don't come back until you find them. I happened to know what that was , the ensign had no clue so off we went. On the walk to the Radio bldg I asked if he knew what it was he said No but I'm sure they will give them to us. I informed him what they were, instead of going to the Radio Bldg, we went to the Club and had a long lunch. When we finally got back to the Duty Office the Lt asked where the tubes were, with a sly smile on his face. I told him that we asked every woman that was there and none of them were willing to give them up to us, sorry. Aaah..the old days.
Best of luck to your son Kar57
Congrats mar. I enjoyed your goodwill on the other thread. The fact that he's going two different summers indicates junior PLC. Only difference is its 2 summers. Combined says they do it all in one summer. Just curious as to why DS didn't try to hold out for Advanced Standing in junior year. $$$$? It might shed some light on what we face if we encounter same hurdle of no scholarship.
Bet you can't wait to see him in his Blues someday.
I have to amend my response to the question about DS not holding out for Advanced Standing in his junior year. I called him last week just to check in and asked this very question. DS's response went something like this: PLC was a great opportunity for him in his circumstances - a second year, College Programmer NROTC-Marine Civil Engineering (CE) student whose goal is to earn a commission in the Marine Corps and graduate in spring 2014 (he mentioned being keenly aware of his younger brother entering college in the fall of 2012, making two in college at the same time, 2 at the same time for 3 years if he abides by the "typical" CE timeline). He explained that he wanted to take heavier class loads than what advisors recommend in order to condense the typical 5 year program into a 4 year one AND keep the grade point up. BUT he didn't want to in any way neglect or "halfstep" his duties, responsiblities/training as a College Programmer NROTC Marine (that doesn't make for a good leader or leader in training to neglect or halfstep) while pursuing the respectable GPA in the "condensed" version of the CE degree - he is committed, make that COMMITTEDbody and soul to the Corps - that's my observation anyway. So...when the NROTC 2 1/2 yr. Scholarship door closed and the PLC door opened...it was a wonderful opportunity...for him.
Yeah. I've always been impressed with the PLC program. I know a couple college kids who have participated. It made quite a change in them, similar to what I see NROTC going for my DS. Plus there are some financial benefits not available to NROTC MIDN and a guaranteed "summer job" for 6 weeks each year which is not a bad thing in this economy. And as you mention, it does leave more time for studies and its one of our backjup plans if Advanced Standing or scholarship doesn't come though. Good luck to your DS. Maybe mine and yours will meet up in the Corps someday!
Dear kar57;
Don’t forget to write those letters every day. OCS is unlike the rest of life on the information super highway, the Candidates do not have access to any electronics until the first liberty (about 3 weeks). Snail mail is their only contact with the outside and is your primary support mechanism. Make sure that you are positive and upbeat. If DS #3 is into baseball, send him articles about his favorite team’s progress. When the Olympics start, send updates about those sports. Don’t dwell on asking how hard it is and how hot Quantico is in July and August (believe me, it’s brutal).
OCS is the Marine Corp’s cotton gin. DS #3 will excel if he focuses on the moment and doesn’t worry about what’s next. The program is designed to test the will and determination of each Candidate in stressful and time compressed situations when the body is ready to collapse. Yes, it’s hard. It doesn’t get easier after OCS. At OCS, a Black Flag will cancel outdoor activities. At TBS, you’re still in the Virginia woods, carrying out the order of the day. In the fleet...
Give our best to your son and remind him that it’s not forever. The final march-off on graduation day is really special and will be meaningful to him for a long time.