Sadly this will, more than likely, be my last post.
My DS has been dis-enrolled. He failed Economics this past tri., was referred for dis-enrollment and Dr. Kumar took a hard line position and up held the decision.
The chair of the Academic Review Board is Assistant Academic Dean Taha. She made the recommendation for dis-enrollment. With the current mix up at the top levels, the appeal Board consisted of The Commandant of Mids; DeStafney, Ms. Taha (yes the same one that recommended dis-enrollment), and Dr. Kumar acting as the Super, even though it is fairly easy to understand he is still the Academic Dean as well.
My DS failed Celestial Nav third tri and was recommended for dis-enrollment then. Admiral Greene over-ruled Dr. Kumar then. He took Cel Nav and Statistics and Prob in summer session, not many students had to take two classes during summer....he never understood why Stats and Prob was piled on.....because he had not taken it yet. Anyway, he succeeded. That moved him from "Deferred Dis-enrollment" to "Academic Probation" status. During last Tri he made an A, two B's, a C, and the F in Econ. Being on academic probation, the choice by the ARB was dis-enrollment. He appealed. No one thought it would be probable for him to be dis-enrolled. Possible yes, but given the fact he had raised his GPA from a 1.95 to a 2.5 (2..5 even with the ZERO in econ mind you) most thought he had clearly demonstrated the right level of interest and ability. The Econ class has been mentioned on and off on here before. It is what it is. A well known and long tenured professor, a highly unusual grading system, only three grades during the entire Tri., etc. DS messed up the final exam (50% of his grade) and it cost him. Boy, did it cost him.
He was set to go to sea, all paperwork in hand, waiting for a ship....but first the appeal. The appeal came across like a formal technicality. Dr. Kumar remembered wanting him gone before, and did not think he had made any improvement, Ms. Taha stood by her original position, so, at the speed of a pen stroke he is a Midshipman no more. After giving two years, and signing to give much more, the final moment came instantly. It came without so much as a thank you for your willingness to serve your country. It came without any sense of honor.
This is a tough time. He has been judged by those currently in command. They make decisions and move forward. So must the young people affected by those decisions. You make your own luck sometimes. He made his bad luck by a previous failure. He failed the Econ course and must take his life in another direction now. The future is not so bright and the optimism has been diminished. It will take time.
DS made some great friends at KP. I met some folks that are now a permanent part of my life as well. Pete Rackett, Capt. Reid Bonadonna, Capt. Robert Johnson, to name a few.
I doubt if many in our shoes would ever share something so personal and painful. We are people of faith. We must find a way to be comforted with the fact DS is a child of God and he will be led where God wants him to be.
Please keep a good thought for DS and our family.
Fair Winds and Calm Seas to you all..... and best wishes for your midshipman's success.