Separation question

usmamomma2worried

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Jul 12, 2016
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My NC worked out and ran before r-day. Running has never been their strong suite but they worked hard at it. Based on their letters the first week was ok. But they are tired (expected) and hungry (also expected). They have suddenly started to puke during runs and falling out. Often. Is this a separation qualifying situation?

Please don't lecture on fitness levels.
 
The heat can be hard, even on fit kids. I dont know the answer to your question, but my suspicion is that this is the type of thing that will just make it harder on your son, but doubt they will send him home, unless he quits. It will be hard for him physically, and the Cadre will likely be on him more than those who are keeping pace, but if he sucks it up, he will likely get stronger each day, and will manage. But again, mine is just a guess, and other more qualified people will respond with a better answer. Good luck.
 
I've hurled plenty of times related to PT, races, etc. Not that unusual in this situation.

IF there is a medical diagnosis of chronic susceptibility to heat exhaustion, that MIGHT have implications.
 
This is going to difficult for you.......but there is nothing you can do about it.

He will not necessarily be separated for falling out when running. If he doesn't make the cut off times for AFPT on multiple attempts, then yes. Your NC is in good hands. WP does follow protocol when to PT and not PT due to weather. If the heat and humidity index are to high, PT will be suspended. They do not want to hurt NCs if its too hot. If your NC is having difficulty with his health he will be monitored. Running is one of those skills that can be improved upon easily by..........more running .......and getting stronger. He is young and being young has its advantages.

This will be difficult for you. By the time you hear about his issues and your respondse will be ancient history and he will be on to new issues. This is his time to push himself and build his mental character and gut fortitude. He will learn from his mistakes and cheer on his success.

This is his time to shine........on his own. Don't get caught up with the other helicopter moms on your FB page.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
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This is going to difficult for you.......but there is nothing you can do about it.

He will not necessarily be separated for falling out when running. If he doesn't make the cut off times for AFPT on multiple attempts yes. Your NC is in good hands. WP does follow protocol when to PT and not PT dues to weather. If the heat and humidity index are to high, PT will be suspended. They do not want to hurt NCs if its too hot. If your NC is having difficulty with his health he will be monitored. Running is one of those skills that can be improved upon easily by..........more running .......and getting stronger. He is young and being young has its advantages.

This will be difficult for you. By the time you hear about his issues and your respondse will be ancient history and he will be on to new issues. This is his time to push himself and build his mental character and gut fortitude. He will learn from his mistakes and cheer on his success.

This is his time to shine........on his own. Don't get caught up with the other helicopter moms on your FB page.

Push Hard, Press Forward
I am not normally a helicopter mom. An upper classman commented to us cripticly that they were concerned about them and that this was serious. Normally I just pray during beast and let the other moms worry and hover. I just know it would kill them to be separated for this.
 
During R-Day there is a lot of symbolism that takes place. When the Cadet in the Red Sash slams the door at Washington Hall in a purposeful manner-its thud hits hard inside moms heart telling them to cut the strings

The worst thing you can do is pick up the phone and start making calls to WP and his TAC. Keep yourself busy.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Again, they will deal with it at WP. How they deal with it will be a mystery to us. But I can assure you, they have dealt with it before, this is not the first time, they will be fair.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Gender has no play. Everything is equal. They just need to pass and they know the lower limit and given the opportunity to rise to that level within a time frame given.

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
Puking is more common then you would think. My 14yo has a number of friends on all star cheer teams that compete at the world champion level. They got to the point they decorated buckets and placed them at the corner of the mats because inevitably someone would end up puking by the time practice ended.
 
On an unrelated note, the only complaint my kid has had so far in his letters (only got two letters, and last was dated 7/3) was blisters on the back of his heals, which he also said isn't that big a deal, but if we could find some "thicker and harder moleskin", and could put a few pieces in the envelope with our next letter "that would be great". This might not even be an issue any longer for him, but we were not able to find any moleskin thicker than the regular stuff he took with him to R-Day. Does anyone know of anything that would fit the bill? Just curious in the event that he asks again. He was running a lot, and wearing the running shoes he took with him, so doubt it is those shoes causing the problem. I assume its the quarters, which he also had been wearing to break in. Hope by now he has callouses.
 
OP: hang in there. There is a fair amount of puking in military training (and fainting in formation - but that is a different subject). I don't think it is a separation issue unless it is a verified medical issue which is highly unlikely. Being outside the "norm" is never easy at times like this but usually they resolve fairly quickly. Biggest thing is for the cadet to refrain from thinking of quitting, falling into depression, etc. The cadet will just have to power past this and focus on the goal.

Not sure of how things are handled at the academy, but I can assure you that what the candidates want to avoid is a heat injury like heat exhaustion and an introduction to "the silver bullet" and immediate immersion into an ice bath. Although this is not common, I saw enough events during OCS to convince me that this was something to avoid. :)

brovol: I believe there is extra thick moleskin or you may be able to double up (one piece on top of another). There is also powders, Glide, "tuff skin" and other approaches to blisters.
 
Ya, we saw the powder, and actually bought a couple small packets of it to mail, but then we thought we better not mail packets of powder. Not supposed to be mailing anything except letters, but did add a couple normal pieces of moleskin with a letter. But thought the powder might be more frowned upon.
 
That MOC should be charged 2 Noms.
 
My guess is your NC is either throwing up water while running because usually PT is before breakfast to avoid heat as much as possible. So sometimes that doesn't sit well with some people. It also could be nerves. Mentally your NC could be working this up in his head because he is nervous about falling out. The last option is he is pushing himself physically so hard he is puking from that. My guess is it's a combo of things. As long as he puts in effort and passes his PT test he will be fine. Mentally he just needs to realize he is fine and it will get better over the next few weeks.
 
My guess is your NC is either throwing up water while running because usually PT is before breakfast to avoid heat as much as possible. So sometimes that doesn't sit well with some people. It also could be nerves. Mentally your NC could be working this up in his head because he is nervous about falling out. The last option is he is pushing himself physically so hard he is puking from that. My guess is it's a combo of things. As long as he puts in effort and passes his PT test he will be fine. Mentally he just needs to realize he is fine and it will get better over the next few weeks.
 
Idk when West Point does. My guess is towards the end of the summer.
 
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