Hey there HARD CHARGERS! A moment of motivation. First some background and maybe perspective. When our DS started this journey he became laser focused on USNA. He was confident and believed he was going to do it, had no interest in any of the other SA's except USMMA. His goal is to become a Marine Corps officer. On March 2, 2023 reality hit. TD! Of course we were disappointed, but because he was target fixated and being new to the process we'd never thought of a plan B, much less anything else in the alphabet. I simply asked him, "What are you going to do now?" He said reapply. We let it rest for a week to let it all sink in. It's an emotionaly exhausting journey as you know. But, the journey's never over.
I came to the forums to do some research and looked into what other parents had to say after a TD. We found a plan B. It was close to home, small, but with a decent success rate. The ball was in motion. Application accepted, FAFSA, it was all done and he was ready to go, we just had to figure out how to pay for it without the guarantee plan B would lead back to plan A. Then the tornado hit March 31, it just missed our home, but our neighborhood and the neighborhoods around us were hit hard. One neighborhood looked like a WWI battlefield. Odd that combat folks say battlefields look like a tornado blew through, and vice versa. We took care of our own, helped where and when we could and recovered.
By the 3rd week of April DS was to report for a candidate visit weekend, he was ready. 3 days before he was to be there, there was a problem. We inquired and a phone meeting was set up. Plan B in fact was folding, there was not going to be a plan B. I aksed him again, "What are you going to do now?". Before the sun had set, he had his application filled out for MMI, (some insightful foreshadowing, MMI was recommended during his Congressional interview). His mind was made up. He had taken control and put HIS plan B into effect. That's where he is now, and in February recieved his appointment to USNA as he said he would. I've often said on here sometimes it's no, yes, or, not right now. The TD, if it comes to that is a blow, but it's also growth. It teaches those qualities that will sustain them for the rest of their life. Resilience, determination, commitment and most of a DON'T QUIT mindset. "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome"
You have all raised bright, strong kids. If you didn't, none of you would be on here. There's still time, 2 1/2 weeks left. If it's yes, all the worry was for nothing, if it's no, all the worry changed nothing, if it's not right now doing nothing will seal it for good. Plan A can turn into Plan B, and in some cases Plan C. You've done your diligence and prepared far better than we did. If their goal is Plan A, DON'T QUIT. Work plan B and make it work for you. It ain't over until they decide it is. Stay motivated, stay positive and stay engaged. Good luck to all of you and again, Moms, Dads, thank you for the young men and women you raised.
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