@alaska66, Thanks for good input. Our DS was told almost all the remaining appointments will be out beginning in early April, I was hoping someone would tell me that as the Admissions Committee approved appointments that maybe they sent out LOA's to those people so that they knew they had a spot and didn't have to sweat Plan "B"...
Guess we sweat like everyone else, and hope, knowing DS has a solid Plan B ready if needed. The very fact that almost all the academies plan for and factor in last minute appointments are understandable, but in reality if a really good Plan B is in effect, highly qualified candidates may not wait. In fact the more we read and learn on here, the more we like Plan B for both our sons. USMA and USCGA are like going to a 4 yr boot camp, where cadets are really insulated from normal life and in a very controlled environment. Doing ROTC or College with OCS definitely has advantages in life skills, socialization, and flexibility (15-18 credits vs 20-24 credits
@The academies). I know I am going to get hit for saying what I am saying from the academy grads.....and there is advantages to the academies. You have the networking with other grads, the career advantages of the academy, and that ever important "Ring" that in reality means a lot. You become a member of a very elite club that helps each other thru life and that too is important.
I think personally, that if our sons want a 20+ yr career, the academies are definitely the way to go, but if they want to graduate college debt free, possible grad school in a fast manner, then a Reserve career or AD career out of college planning to serve less than 20 yrs active duty and a civilian career as maybe their own boss, then OCS or ROTC are better. JMHO...