DOR Process after break @ USNA

BigT70

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Jan 1, 2015
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I am a plebe at the naval academy, and I am currently planning on dropping immediately upon returning after Christmas Leave. While I appreciate all input, I am certain this isn't simply a result of the post-break blues. I knew on I-day that this was not the place for me. I stayed through the semester to give it a chance and I planned on talking to my parents about my decision to leave face to face over winter break. Now that I have talked to them I have decided to leave. Ive already applied to a good school and I have a plan for life after the academy. My big question is can I DOR without returning after break? Can they just send me the paper work to fill out? It would save me a lot of time and money in air travel.
 
Sorry to hear that things haven't worked out for you. I am not an official source but I believe the info via the link below indicates that you will need to go back to USNA to submit your resignation in person and go through a process of paperwork (there is a specific letter format included here that is to be submitted and a checklist of things to do), interviews, etc.. Best of luck with your future.

http://www.usna.edu/Commandant/Dire...ION,_AND_QUALIFIED_RESIGNATION_PROCEDURES.pdf
 
If you knew back on I-Day the Academy was not for you. Why go in the first place? I know there are plenty of other students in the same boat. I hope you are still think about what you are planning to do. If not it is what is. Unfortunately, you took a spot, that someone didn't get. I wish you all the best.
 
If you knew back on I-Day the Academy was not for you. Why go in the first place? I know there are plenty of other students in the same boat. I hope you are still think about what you are planning to do. If not it is what is. Unfortunately, you took a spot, that someone didn't get. I wish you all the best.
I don't want to blow this thread up, but I have to respond - the OP did not "take a spot". OP EARNED THE APPOINTMENT. I give credit for staying through the semester, just to be sure of the decision. Is sounds like OP has a plan for the future, and I hope it works out for the best. Please do not suggest that because USNA was not a good fit that the OP somehow hurt another candidate.
 
If you knew back on I-Day the Academy was not for you. Why go in the first place? I know there are plenty of other students in the same boat. I hope you are still think about what you are planning to do. If not it is what is. Unfortunately, you took a spot, that someone didn't get. I wish you all the best.
BigT70 took a spot they EARNED. It would be one thing if they simply did not show up on I-day, but they did. They gave it a semester and found it was not for them. Why try to make them feel badly?
 
Unfortunately, you took a spot, that someone didn't get. I wish you all the best.

I totally disagree rkrosnar. The plebe earned their spot and will be just one of many not to make it to graduation and commission. If everybody was a fit and completed the process, then the process would be clearly flawed. Attrition at various points is expected and needed.

The fact the plebe came here to post and inquire about the DRO process shows in itself that they are responsible and trying to adhere to the USNA protocols even in departure. It's got to be tough. I presume it was much easier to quit on the first day than after an entire semester. Who knows, perhaps this plebe has even had a change of heart or change of perspective and is continuing on?

My son's company lost 8 of 32 cadets during the USCGA swab summer. It was difficult and demoralizing at times. One of the cadets was a female that suffered from what I believe was extreme eczema. She was there actively participating in swab summer and waiting on her medical waiver. She stuck out the entire summer. She made it through and was well liked and well respected. She was denied her waiver right before sea trials after nearly seven grueling weeks and was sent home.

People will separate for many reasons. Some good, some bad and some for reasons beyond their control. Even those that separate early often make some contribution during their time at an academy. One of the most inspiring cadets from the USCGA Swab Summer Alpha Company Class of 2018 is gone, but certainly not forgotten.
 
If you knew back on I-Day the Academy was not for you. Why go in the first place? I know there are plenty of other students in the same boat. I hope you are still think about what you are planning to do. If not it is what is. Unfortunately, you took a spot, that someone didn't get. I wish you all the best.

First, if you think an academy is "for you" on the first day.... you have a warped sense of right and wrong.

Second, he didn't TAKE anyone's spot. If that spot was meant for anyone else, they would have performed better and had it.... they didn't.... thus, no spot for them.
 
Totally agree USCGA and LITS.

If we go down that rabbit hole it can be said for the same kid that took a ROTC scholarship. That person impacted college admissions too! Additionally think about why they allow ROTC cadets to leave with no penalty in their first year. Simple....they know that the illusion that they have created may not match the reality that they will live.
~ Heck, as a parent have you stayed with the same company your entire career? Couldn't it be said if you got a promotion and than jumped to another company 6-12 months later you took somebody else's spot?
~~ my guess is you would say in both of my examples is that it was earned....just like the OP.

The OP in my opinion has shown excellent judgment regarding their honesty and maturity by stating what they were requiring from posters.

I would hope we all remember that as a poster statitiscally 1 in 5 will not commission.
~ Want to go down the rabbit hole even more? How about those ROTC cadets because they didn't get the SA spot that do twenty and the SA cadet/mid that did five and dive?

Where do you draw the line? If it is at the commitment line and no payback, than the OP would be free and clear, just like the ROTC scholarship cadet/mid.

It is an emotional rollercoaster to be on just for the appointment. Imagine the rollercoaster those that DOR go through! It is not only giving up a "free" college education and maybe looking at 100k+ in debt because they have decided to leave.
~ Be an 18 year old for a minute that has to sit down with the folks that bragged to everyone and everybody that would have listened 6 months ago how them and tell them I want out! Think about how difficult that conversation was, and how much it took for them to break the news.
 
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BigT70 shows a different type of strength, to take a path for him (her) which is different from what his family or friends neighbors thinks is the right (more prestigious) path. He was obviously a high achiever to make it to the academy, and if stays on track will no doubt be succesful in civilian college and life. Tough decision for a 17 or 18 year old when all society is telling you "how lucky" you are with the appointment. He earned the right to make own decisions. Good luck!
 
The West Point Register of Grads also listed former cadets who left and did not graduate. Memories or ?
 
Can they just send me the paper work to fill out? It would save me a lot of time and money in air travel.

How about your stuff - not that a pleabe will have a lot of belongings? Might considering selling your "Navy" stuff instead of throwing them away to recoupe your air travel cost. I don't know if you are entitled to government paid shipping of your belongings back to your home?
 
Too add to this as a parent of a 2019 hopeful, we have told him in no uncertain terms that the decision to attend is his and only his to make should he be furtunate enough to get an appointment.

He also fully understands that we support him no matter what, and if he does get to attend, and later decides that the Academy is not what he wants either as a lifestyle, education, or prep for a career, then he knows that we are here for him and support him 100%

Big T, it takes a lot to get to where you are right now-especially being totally honest with yourself and your parents and for what it's worth, I would say that you've grown more as a person in this short period of time, than a lot of kids will in an entire college career.

Remember, if commissioning is the goal, you still have that road in front of you. If not, there are still a LOT of ways for you to serve your country as a civilian.

Best of Luck and Godspeed.
 
BigT70 I hope you were able to get the answers you needed. I wish you all the success in your future. As a parent of a plebe I can tell you no matter how well prepared they think they are for academy life ---it takes its toll. DS met with and interviewed several former graduates, and read everything he could about the academy before his nominations and Iday. He had spent several weeks at USNA for NASS and sports camps. While he is doing well--it is VERY tough. He has never missed home before! No one really knows how well the fit will be until they get there! To say otherwise is just blowing smoke.
 
I think my perspective is different because our child with 4 noms. called his ALO and USAFA RD to pull his packet in January. He was a military dependent.

We were insanely mean parents.
~ He had to recite the lunch menus, three current events, tossed his bedroom if it wasn't clean (1 soda can found and it was bed stripped), could not drink anything, but milk without looking down while pouring. Had to run everyday before school because school started at 7:30.
~~ We wanted him to endure the pain at home.

We topped it off with showing him the mandatory curriculum. He is mathematically inclined, but that was not his true joy. Scored 720 M SAT 1st and only. 34 M and S ACT 1st and only. He loves history and politics.

Many kids don't have that option where their parents know how difficult this life is as a mid. They don't realize how stressful this life is for an 18 yr old.
~ SAs do! Hence, teaming up them with sponsors.

MDaDD,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

That saddest thing here is that sponsors for cadets and mids never get acknowledged. A few years back one of my closest and dearest friends retired as an O6. The only person that stayed in his home for the celebration was his sponsors. When he gave his speech he talked about without them he probably would have left USAFA, but because he knew he had an AF family so early on he stayed.

You opening your doors to support these kids is a gift that no parent can find the right words when it comes to thanking you.
 
Best of luck to you BigT. I think sometimes it takes more courage to decide to leave a place like Navy than it does to hang on and muddle through when you know in your heart it's not a good fit. If you had what it takes to get an appointment to USNA, then you certainly have what it takes to be successful at some other school. And you will always be part of your class, even though you decided to leave early. If you are still interested in a commission in the military, consider some other route. I was amazed at how many folks who left USNA for various reasons during our four years who we met again as shipmates in the fleet. Fair winds and Godspeed to you!
 
+1 Pima! I echo your thanks to the wonderful sponsor parents, they are an amazing support system and a home away from home. Thanks for all you do MDDad!
Pima, every time I read about how mean you were to your son, I chuckle, and think he would have felt like he was on vacation at a SA after living through that lol!

My son was very very homesick his first year at USNA. He threatened to quit many times. We did not make it easy for him. We knew it was from being homesick and not the fact that the military wasn't for him, because he grew up in a military home with two SA grads as parents, He always loved the military way of life, and he knew what he was getting in to. We told him if he was going to leave he had to have something he was running to, not just running away from USNA. He couldn't just come home without a plan. We also kept telling him to stick it out one more month, or week, or day, or meal. Eventually that one more meal turned into two years, and he happily and without reservation signed his 2 for 7. He graduated last May and is now at Pilot training in Milton FL, and has thanked us over and over and over for not making it easy for him to leave.

That said, both my mid kids have told of their friends that just don't want that lifestyle and know immediately an SA is not for them. I applaud the OP for recognizing this and taking positive steps to move forward with future endeavors. I hope you get through the process efficiently and get the answers you need. Good luck!
 
Personally, I can't believe you came here for advice on administrative matters regarding voluntarily separating from the academy. You have far better resources at the academy for this issue.
 
The compassion and maturity on this site is heartwarming, and continually reminds me why I am glad my son is applying for service. The SAs clearly develop and attract character.
 
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