Proud mom of newly minted Ensign...huge Thank you to the board, and advice to new mids...

momx3

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2016
Messages
229
Obviously I am swelling up with pride for my daughter who recently commissioned. I am even prouder of the way she picked herself up after a few stumbles on her journey! As a parent, I always knew it was her journey, but also worried about how she would fare through some tough challenges. Many times I sought advice from those more knowledgeable than I on this board, and for that I am also truly thankful. Due to a combination of circumstances during her 4 years, she faced not one, but three separate PRB's. (Performance Review Boards) All of them based on falling short by .03 and .04 below the requisite GPA mark required by the Navy to keep her scholarship. (none dealt with behavior or fitness) After taking into account much of the excellent advice given here, she fell on her sword, admitted her shortcomings and had her plan of action moving forward. But, as we know, often the best laid plans may not always work- death in family, other external issues, etc took their toll. She maintained excellent PT and unit participation, but it is hard to boost the gpa when it falls. She faced a LOA one semester and had to pay for tuition, room and board. Proudly, the last 2 semesters before this one, she made deans honors list and I have no idea her grades this spring- just know she commissioned and graduated. After commissioning, I spoke with the CO of her command and her LT, and both had some tear-inducing (for me) words of praise about my daughter and her future.

For those just starting this journey- do not ever think this cannot happen to you or your mid. My daughter attended a very difficult science school that does not believe in grade curving, prior to which she was in the top of her HS class, honors, etc. There will be challenges- emotional, social, physical, academic, you name it. Adjusting to college life and your ROTC responsibilities on top of that can be difficult to start. Best advice you can remember- go to your professor's office hours!! Make sure they know your name, and ask questions, even if you think you know the material well. Often you may only get one or two grades the entire semester and when the final exam comes, it is too late to realize that you did not truly understand the material. Don't procrastinate on your assignments. ASK FOR HELP when needed! One of the biggest obstacles I have seen with students in college is their hesitancy in asking for help, and thinking that they will figure out the material on their own when they sit down with it. I wish you all the best of luck and success as you begin the journey. Stay physically fit and challenge yourself daily. If you are ever faced with a PRB- do not think it is nothing! Prepare for it!!! It is as serious as a heart attack..... there may be dire consequences depending on its outcome. A PRB does not have to be fatal, and you can recover from it. Just plan and hope that you never have to! Remember, it is not how many times you fall, rather it is how many times you pick yourself up that is the measure of success.

THANK YOU....to all of you over the past 4 years who have given such excellent advice and helped me, as well as my daughter to be prepared. Special shout-out to Capt MJ and Kinnem for all the excellent advice given over the PRB's, it was much appreciated.
 
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Obviously I am swelling up with pride for my daughter who recently commissioned. I am even prouder of the way she picked herself up after a few stumbles on her journey! As a parent, I always knew it was her journey, but also worried about how she would fare through some tough challenges. Many times I sought advice from those more knowledgeable than I on this board, and for that I am also truly thankful. Due to a combination of circumstances during her 4 years, she faced not one, but three separate PRB's. (Performance Review Boards) All of them based on falling short by .03 and .04 below the requisite GPA mark required by the Navy to keep her scholarship. (none dealt with behavior or fitness) After taking into account much of the excellent advice given here, she fell on her sword, admitted her shortcomings and had her plan of action moving forward. But, as we know, often the best laid plans may not always work- death in family, other external issues, etc took their toll. She maintained excellent PT and unit participation, but it is hard to boost the gpa when it falls. She faced a LOA one semester and had to pay for tuition, room and board. Proudly, the last 2 semesters before this one, she made deans honors list and I have no idea her grades this spring- just know she commissioned and graduated. After commissioning, I spoke with the CO of her command and her LT, and both had some tear-inducing (for me) words of praise about my daughter and her future.

For those just starting this journey- do not ever think this cannot happen to you or your mid. My daughter attended a very difficult science school that does not believe in grade curving, prior to which she was in the top of her HS class, honors, etc. There will be challenges- emotional, social, physical, academic, you name it. Adjusting to college life and your ROTC responsibilities on top of that can be difficult to start. Best advice you can remember- go to your professor's office hours!! Make sure they know your name, and ask questions, even if you think you know the material well. Often you may only get one or two grades the entire semester and when the final exam comes, it is too late to realize that you did not truly understand the material. Don't procrastinate on your assignments. ASK FOR HELP when needed! One of the biggest obstacles I have seen with students in college is their hesitancy in asking for help, and thinking that they will figure out the material on their own when they sit down with it. I wish you all the best of luck and success as you begin the journey. Stay physically fit and challenge yourself daily. If you are ever faced with a PRB- do not think it is nothing! Prepare for it!!! It is as serious as a heart attack..... there may be dire consequences depending on its outcome. A PRB does not have to be fatal, and you can recover from it. Just plan and hope that you never have to! Remember, it is not how many times you fall, rather it is how many times you pick yourself up that is the measure of success.

THANK YOU....to all of you over the past 4 years who have given such excellent advice and helped me, as well as my daughter to be prepared. Special shout-out to Capt MJ and Kinnem for all the excellent advice given over the PRB's, it was much appreciated.
Thank you. You are much too kind.

Edit: Now you have .e wondering what the hell I said? No matter, as long as it was useful.
 
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Remember, it is not how many times you fall, rather it is how many times you pick yourself up that is the measure of success.
Mission accomplished, @momx3! For DD and for you. What an incredible and enlightening perspective you just presented —should be required reading for all about to embark on the journey.

Your DD’s ability to cope with — and overcome — significant stumbling blocks will only make her a more credible, more empathetic, more effective officer. She’s been tested and hardened, and those lessons will show. I’ve always believed that those who have it easy usually struggle later when the going gets tough. She just beat the others to the punch!

Must reinforce what you say about college students swallowing their pride — particularly those who found high school a breeze — and engaging with their professors early and often. I teach at our flagship state university, and I’ve learned there are two types of students: those who engage with their professors and those who don’t. The former, no matter whether they’re strong students or not, always end up improving as the term progresses and getting the benefit of the doubt when their grades land in a gray area (i.e. the friendly boost of “professor discretion”). ROTC cadets and mids, with their added pressures, should make office hours a habit from day one. When they do, it’s honestly harder to get a D than an A!
 
Fantastic!! Congrats. What @MidCakePa said is EXACLY my post, before I read their post...having gone though hardships is part of the learning g and growth that helps us to relate to other. No success or failure is lost, while creating and training future leaders of people. Her ability to empathize with others struggling, is part of what makes her who she is.

Congrats. Big time.
 
Your DD’s ability to cope with — and overcome — significant stumbling blocks will only make her a more credible, more empathetic, more effective officer. She’s been tested and hardened, and those lessons will show. I’ve always believed that those who have it easy usually struggle later when the going gets tough. She just beat the others to the punch!
Thank you! Coincidentally, this is one of the things her LT mentioned when we spoke after commissioning- that she would be more understanding when it came time to counsel those under her charge. Now if she would only listen to me when I ask her to clean her room......lol
 
SWO, which was her choice from the start and the reason she went navy :) Of course the moment they walked on the field, my eyes were leaking tears of joy!
You did good. Congratulations to you all.
 
Must reinforce what you say about college students swallowing their pride — particularly those who found high school a breeze — and engaging with their professors early and often. I teach at our flagship state university, and I’ve learned there are two types of students: those who engage with their professors and those who don’t. The former, no matter whether they’re strong students or not, always end up improving as the term progresses and getting the benefit of the doubt when their grades land in a gray area (i.e. the friendly boost of “professor discretion”). ROTC cadets and mids, with their added pressures, should make office hours a habit from day one. When they do, it’s honestly harder to get a D than an A!
This so much!

And READ THE SYLLABUS. . . . and when you're done, READ IT AGAIN.
Take time to understand the grading criteria and policies.
 
As the proud parent of one newly minted ensign to another 🍾🥂

Does your DD have orders to BDOC yet? DS is starting in San Diego 6/21.
 
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