An extra year...

trackandfield08

USCGA 2014
10-Year Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
745
Hey all!

So I have been randomly lurking/posting around SAF for the past couple of months and I have something to say. I want to apologize. I was reading some of my old posts from August during CAP week about my deferral/hardship blah blah blah. Rereading the information, I saw my attitude was pretty bitter and resentful. It was also, to be honest, selfish and rude of me to post my "hardships" (which are nothing compared to the hardships of people who are truly suffering). I hope I did not turn anyone away from the CGA with my posts. Those posts were about 2 1/2 weeks of extreme frustration and worry about when I was going home, what college I was going to be able to get into in August, etc. coming out in a paragraph or so. The Academy is a great place and I wish all of my fellow (hopefully) 2014ers the best of luck even though R-Day is still about six months away. Also, if you have any questions about swab summer...feel free to ask me.

I am finally beginning my small journey towards reentering the CGA with the class of 2014. I start my medical appointments with my physician and a specialist next week and will send their reports to the Chief Medical Officer at the Clinic in hopes of being granted a waiver, due to my DoDMERB DQ. My grades are looking solid with a 4.0 this past semester and I am working out in preparation for when I take the PFE in March. I am applying to other colleges though, just in case. If there is one thing the Academy taught me this past summer, it was to be prepared and always ready.

On a positive side, this year at home has been surprisingly good for me. It was hard to reorient myself at first but I have had the chance to mature more, adjust to college courses, and enjoy the simple freedoms like not eating at attention. I have also had the pleasure of working with Air Force and Army personnel, both enlisted and officers, at McGuire AFB where both of my parents work as civilians in the jobs they had when in the AF...so even though I am not in the military per say, I find myself in that environment quite often and it honestly solidifies my desire to return to the Academy and more importantly, the Coast Guard, even more. I also take college classes on McGuire and I am getting some "real-world military" experience and advice from the people in those classes, who are mostly either military personnel or dependents.

So my advice to those of you who have been deferred to RA or are just now finishing applying and to applicants of future classes as well, do not give up if this path is truly the path you want to take in life. The path may be hard and full of potholes but the destination is truly remarkable, IMO. If you are rejected, do not give up hope...go to another college and apply again next year. There are benefits to being given an extra year at times, even if it is hard to see those benefits at first. Cherish the extra time with friends and family because, talking with my 4/c friends, it is something they miss at times. Anyway, that's all I have to say for now. Thanks for taking the time to read this abnormally long post. :smile:

Semper Paratus!

-T&F
 
One of the purposes of these boards are to give people the opportunity to vent in bad times, brag in good times. You put yourself out there and were able to share your disappointment and experience with others. That in itself is a thing of value. I don't think anyone was offended by you or thought less of you.

You are obviously a very mature young lady and I'm sure this experience will toughen you and make you a better person. I along with many others on here wish you well as you make your way hopefully to the Class of 2014. Best of luck over the next few months. I am pulling for you big time.:thumb:
 
None is better than the other. We are all here to support and learn from one another. You will be a great 2014 CG cadet; I wish you the best. :smile: -officer.
 
The "extra" year my son had as a result of not getting off the waitlist the first time around....a gift of the highest magnitude! So, I'll second your advice to those who might get the dreaded thin white envelope. Your course of action (minus the medical issues) is exactly what my son did. He, too, used the year to take rigorous college courses (and for what it's worth it was at a CC...) and to do whatever he could to show the academy he was a worthy candidate. Plus, he really, really enjoyed being with his friends and family for that very short year! It has given us perspective for son #2 who thinks he might want to go the SA route. We will not freak out if he needs to spend another year at home...actually, this mom kinda thinks that might be ok! :biggrin:

Good luck on your appointments!
 
And of course, the advantages of being an "even year" cadet vs an "odd year" cadet are immense and cannot be ignored.

:wink:

hmmmmm....2012 vs 2013?? I think the 2012ers have had quite a tough time of it! :wink:
 
no doubt about that!

ok guys...enlighten this confused older lady. What's the scoop? Is there a difference or is this just friendly ribbing? I gotta believe it's the latter....:wink:
 
Definitely an inside joke. My son says it's the exact opposite(Class of '09) :biggrin:
 
ok guys...enlighten this confused older lady. What's the scoop? Is there a difference or is this just friendly ribbing? I gotta believe it's the latter....:wink:

there's a bit of a culture difference between even and odd year classes, perceived or real. since even and odd year classes train one another (2008 was cadre for 2010, cadre for 2012, who will be 2014 cadre, etc) there's a very subtle divide between how each group handles things.
 
there's a bit of a culture difference between even and odd year classes, perceived or real. since even and odd year classes train one another (2008 was cadre for 2010, cadre for 2012, who will be 2014 cadre, etc) there's a very subtle divide between how each group handles things.

Oh, ok...Lemme see if I understand you correctly... you're saying that odd years are better, right?

Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks? I like this game....:cool:
 
Well I could say that having been part of 2013 but since I could potentially be part of 2014...I'll get through swab summer and then get back to you on that haha :smile:
 
Well I could say that having been part of 2013 but since I could potentially be part of 2014...I'll get through swab summer and then get back to you on that haha :smile:

You will be in the unique position to feel somewhat bonded with both classes...that sounds like a plus! (after 4/c year, that is :wink:)

Hope all is well, and that you get some good news about your return to CGA very soon!
 
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