Plebe Color Test

huenemed said:
I'm sorry to say my DS is coming home along with one other who failed the USCG color deficiency test. Thanks to everyone for all the support. Everyone that got an appointment has proven they are the best of the best. So long folks.
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The worst of outcomes!

It is always a shame to see people make it all the way to this point only to be turned away due to something that should have been noticed months ago. So sorry to hear about this huenemed :thumbdown:
 
I would be furious and totally flipping out. I am sure you have had your moments but the tone of your post seems very mature. I wish you and your kid(s) the best. I would think once we made it through DODMERB that it was"good to go"! I can't imagine the disappointment of this moment. But I also believe this will open another door but what a painful trial you have. I am so sorry.
 
Lynpar expressed my sentiments exactly. I'm sure your DS will rise to the top at whatever he chooses to do, but I'm so sorry that he (and) you have to suffer through this avoidable disappointment.
 
Thanks everyone for the strong support. Vamama, I'm sure you're going through the same emotions.

Well, it was an excellent adventure! I know my son learned A LOT and had his eyes opened wide.

This is just a small bump in the highway of life - fortunately we have good suspension! On to the Next Big Thing!
 
You have such a good attitude. I am having a really hard time with this. I just talked to my son. He is on his way to the airport. They are flying him home today. He wanted to stay even though it was really tough. He wanted to ask if he could stay the year and transfer. Oh well. This is about as hard for me as anything I can remember. He and my husband seem to be taking it better than me. I wonder, can we copy and print from the pictures that are posted? I would like to make him an album.
 
Hi Vamama - at least you have talked to your son! I have no clue what's in store for travel though I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

The way I figure it, the boys have proved that they are quite capable of being with, and being competitive with, the best! So this avenue didn't work out - both boys have shown that they have the qualities that matter.

I don't know yet but I'm assuming that this may give them both a chance to pursue one of the other academies, and like I told my boy yesterday when he complained about not wanting to go through indoc again - he's experienced! They will know what to expect.

The down side is that now they'll be a year behind schedule, but in the grand scheme of things that's not too bad. Spend the time getting more education, a job, researching other educational choices, etc.

Re the pictures - you'll see on Picassa options to download, print, etc - icons at the top of each picture. You should have to problem putting together your album.

Stay in touch and let me know what your son ultimately chooses - they both have a great future ahead of them, just not in the straight direction they thought.
 
options

Your sons are both clearly outstanding young men and fine students having been selected to go to KP so they have lots of options. Don't forget to look at the state maritime schools. They may still be able to enter for the fall term. Don't let them be discouraged about the possibility of the "5 Year Plan". About 40% of all college students take 5 years to get through school. They won't be alone and it's just a detour.
 
More options

I hope that this bump in the road will not be so painful in the years to come. Good folks are good in part, because they know how to pick themselves back up after being knocked down. As I told in a previous thread, my older brother went through this with the Coast Guard, managed to get in the Navy instead. Got involved with Aegis which helped lead him to have the Navy get him a MS in Physics (I find that great as his BA is in History) and now 35 years after the CG booted him, he is some sort of senior physicist for NGC where he gets paid to have "deep thoughts" and scribble equations. In the end, he actually found things pretty good after the initial shock. I hope it is the same for your fine sons.
 
Great story baxted. I truly believe all will be just fine. A small bump in the road. I have had many in both my academic and professional life, and I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything and I think my son inherited this sense of determination and drive (otherwise he wouldn't have been considered for KP!).
 
Sorry to hear

huenemed and VAmomma:

Sorry to hear about your son's results but I have to say from the mature and solid posts you've both made here in addition to now knowing they can as one of you stated "keep up with the best of the best" - it's clear they have level-headed, even keeled supportive parents to help them get over this bump in theeir road to life's success. Two things that make me feel there's no doubt they will indeed get over/through it and excel. Good luck and best wishes/thoughts going forward.
 
Yes thank you. By the way, my son has arrived and he said yours should be home by midnight if that helps any. He really liked your son a lot, they walked through this trial together. He wants to go to Acceptance Day and support his new buds. He wants to leave up the USMMA decor in his room, as he is right, he earned it. I can tell he is proud of what he gained in the short time he was there.
 
VAmama said:
Yes thank you. By the way, my son has arrived and he said yours should be home by midnight if that helps any. He really liked your son a lot, they walked through this trial together. He wants to go to Acceptance Day and support his new buds. He wants to leave up the USMMA decor in his room, as he is right, he earned it. I can tell he is proud of what he gained in the short time he was there.
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It is guys like him that our service academies really need. Sorry to hear about your son but he sounds solid and like he will rebound quickly. Hope the best for him.
 
Great to hear vamama! I am at LAX awaiting my boy's arrival right now. You must live close enough to attend Acceptance. We're a bit far for that. You must be wonderfully proud of your son regardless. Best of luck to him and your family!
 
Okay - final post to this thread, but first, THANK YOU for all of those that expressed concern and gave us support and hope. That's KP!!

My son arrived home yesterday evening at LAX - an hour early! American Airlines budgets a lot of tarmac time when flying out of JFK but the flight made it to the runway 2nd in line - completely unheard of - so there was no sitting on the taxiway. Oh, and no traffic either - the scare of "carmageddon" cleared the highways!

He was tired, but filled with great stories and enthusiasm. He definitely belonged at KP, no doubt - but nothing one can do about a genetic issue. Just the way it is.

On the positive side, my son is very enthusiastic about the maritime industry. So much so that on the day of the bad news he asked that I contact CalMaritime to see about getting into there. Same issue for my son, obviously, if he wants to be on a ship - but they have other engineering programs such as facilities that don't have the vision requirement because there is no attendant Coast Guard license.

Unfortunately enrollment to CalMaritime for the upcoming semester is closed. BUT, our KP Commandant, Capt. DeStafney, apparently was the former head at CalMaritime, was very impressed with my son, and said anytime he could help out he would - so I'm hoping that the Commandant's influence can open up the enrollment door for my son to go there for the upcoming semester. It's a long shot, but you never know unless you try!

And if not, then he'll have to get some GE out of the way at the local JC - not his preferred avenue. As he said, "Dad, I'm going from a school with a 4% admission rate to a JC?!" Well, Boy, you do what you gots to do.

And for all the other parents who's children are still at KP - they have some great stories, and yes the regimental training is tough, but I could tell my son would not trade that for anything. And like vamama's son, my boy told me that even if he couldn't get a license he would have preferred to go through KP in its entirety. He LOVED it. Yes, he *****ed about getting yelled at, but he made some great friends already, understood the process, and as I said, wouldn't trade it for anything.

I can tell you - just one week at KP and the growth in maturity was definitely noticeable. Big difference...

I'm so glad and proud that at least my son had the opportunity to participate and be a part of KP for a small amount of time. Thank you all for listening. You are all GREAT parents and have raised amazing sons and daughters.
 
Huenemed & vamama, I am so sorry, sometimes it's so hard to figure out why when you work so hard why things go the way they do!! I'm praying for your sons, that they get into the schools that they want:thumb: This will probably make them much stronger and drive them to succeed to their greatest potential!!!! Good Luck!!:thumb:
 
WOW! This is my first entry but I had to chime in. I got teary eyed as I have read these blogs as I'm vamama's husband and our DS (still have a hard time w/the abbreviations) arrived home last night. It has been a long time for me (USAFA '67) but listening to our son go on and on about his time at KP was absolutely thrilling and also tragic. They nicknamed him Magic because he seemed to catch on so quick. He was really looking forward to playing soccer and seemed to be ideal for KP in every way (other than colors apparently). Thanks for all the great words. It will be awhile before we no longer try to think of ways to get him back in there :) Regards, VApop
 
Huenemed & vamama/vapop: I look forwarding to hearing what pathways open up for your DSs. They sound like great kids, with great attitudes... can't wait to see what unfolds for them.

Know of the JC/CC route, but it's a great opportunity to knock out Chem/Physics/Calc 1&2 (or at least establish a deep foundation).
 
Color test

HUENEMED and vamama and vapop- I am so sorry to hear of this and my heart breaks for you, but what inspiration and classy people you all are. God's Speed to you, and to your sons.
MY DS was one of the kids that was taken to do further color testing. My DS can not pass the dot test. We already knew this- He is color deficient but NOT color blind. He can see all his colors. We never knew about a color deficiency until we went through the application process. (and it's frustrating as he can see all of his colors without a problem, he just can't pass that dot test!) I did hear from my son (during the first phone call home) that he was given the dot test during INDOC a few days ago, and that he did not pass it (was expected). My DS said that 4 kids were taken (someplace? Can't remember where he said, but off campus) to do the Farnsworth Lantern test. My DS has taken that and CAN pass that. He DID pass that test, as did one other kid. My DS said that 2 kids did NOT pass that test, and he thought they were sent home. Quite possibly those kids belong to huenemed and vamama... My DS was told at the conclusion of the Lantern Test that becasue of his color deficiency, he would HAVE to go Deck vs. Engine. I do hope the very best for the kids that were sent home... and to their families also.
 
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