What should i do?

Basic training or summer courses?

  • Basic training

    Votes: 3 25.0%
  • Summer courses

    Votes: 9 75.0%

  • Total voters
    12

Onmyway

Member
Joined
May 15, 2018
Messages
33
I have been slacking in my studies as well as my attendance for the majority of this year. Between my job, training, and school; i haven't been performing well in my academics. Not using any of those things as an excuse, but I'm at the point where my GPA is not really able to be changed much (atleast for this year). I was thinking about taking summer courses, however, I am also really considering basic training this summer as an option. I'm thinking going through basic before my senior year will give me the boost in discipline i need in order to hammer out my final 2 semesters.

So, i can either finish off this year as strong as possible and do summer courses, allowing me to take AP courses next year. Or i can go to basic training this year and take semi-difficult, less GPA-heavy courses next semester. Any opinions?

Thank you in advance.
 
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In looking through your old posts, it does not appear that you decided not to take any action to address the GPA concerns that you expressed last December. IMHO, the act of attending basic will not automatically provide you a boost in discipline and attending a couple of summer courses will not magically prepare you to ace AP classes. If attending USMA is truly your goal, you need to start taking immediate, concrete steps to address your own concerns about your competitiveness. The time frame before your MOC and West Point applications are due are short and are shrinking daily - regardless of the path you choose, you need to engage 100%.

BTW, if your SAT/ACT scores are not stellar, improving these scores may be something you may want to focus on this summer. Good luck.
 
In looking through your old posts, it does not appear that you decided not to take any action to address the GPA concerns that you expressed last December. IMHO, the act of attending basic will not automatically provide you a boost in discipline and attending a couple of summer courses will not magically prepare you to ace AP classes. If attending USMA is truly your goal, you need to start taking immediate, concrete steps to address your own concerns about your competitiveness. The time frame before your MOC and West Point applications are due are short and are shrinking daily - regardless of the path you choose, you need to engage 100%.

BTW, if your SAT/ACT scores are not stellar, improving these scores may be something you may want to focus on this summer. Good luck.

First and foremost, thank you for your input.

While it's true i have not put in as much effort as i should have in addressing my GPA, i have been working to fix the issues discussed in the forums from December. I began studying more often as well as communicating with my teachers and my peers on subjects i was struggling with. As for the summer courses, taking them would allow me to reach the course-average threshold required to take the AP courses i am interested in. Taking those courses would allow me to greatly affect my cumulative GPA, which is something i need if i want to achieve a more confident Transcript. However, if i were to go to basic training this summer, i could potentially learn to be more disciplined in the most important aspects. I was not inferring that it would immediately make me some rock-hard, disciplined scholar. If i were to attend basic i could, in theory, achieve a better leadership persona. This could lead to my acceptance to USMAPS, and eventually to the ultimate goal. Thank you.
 
I have been slacking in my studies as well as my attendance for the majority of this year. Between my job, training, and school; i haven't been performing well in my academics. Not using any of those things as an excuse, but I'm at the point where my GPA is not really able to be changed much (atleast for this year). I was thinking about taking summer courses, however, I am also really considering basic training this summer as an option. I'm thinking going through basic before my senior year will give me the boost in discipline i need in order to hammer out my final 2 semesters.

So, i can either finish off this year as strong as possible and do summer courses, allowing me to take AP courses next year. Or i can go to basic training this year and take semi-difficult, less GPA-heavy courses next semester. Any opinions?

Thank you in advance.
Enlisting while still in high school seems like a big challenge. It may be easier if you do a delayed entry or split option program or part time with the reserve or guard. I'm also a HS junior, and I don't think I would be ready to enter the service while still in school.
 
I have been slacking in my studies as well as my attendance for the majority of this year. Between my job, training, and school; i haven't been performing well in my academics. Not using any of those things as an excuse, but I'm at the point where my GPA is not really able to be changed much (atleast for this year). I was thinking about taking summer courses, however, I am also really considering basic training this summer as an option. I'm thinking going through basic before my senior year will give me the boost in discipline i need in order to hammer out my final 2 semesters.

So, i can either finish off this year as strong as possible and do summer courses, allowing me to take AP courses next year. Or i can go to basic training this year and take semi-difficult, less GPA-heavy courses next semester. Any opinions?

Thank you in advance.
Enlisting while still in high school seems like a big challenge. It may be easier if you do a delayed entry or split option program or part time with the reserve or guard. I'm also a HS junior, and I don't think I would be ready to enter the service while still in school.

Yes. I was referencing the split option program when i mentioned going to basic training.
 
Which one to do is tough for us to gauge as we don't know who you are.
For a service academy application, this summer is the last chance to really have grades in that will impact your application. Maybe the fall semester.
On the other hand, 1. Going to basic and being enlisted looks good on your application, even if you don't have time to get an enlisted nomination. 2. Going to basic may give you the "kick in the pants". It did for me. I wasted the first two years of college, then took time off to enlist in the National Guard. November 1983 I found myself in a foxhole full of muck in freezing rain and sleet. I realized I needed to get my act together. Went back to college, did well enough to get into ROTC. Then did well enough to get flights school and active duty.
Here is a possible plan. Do the split training for Reserves/Guard. Go to basic this summer, though it may be too late to get a training date. Apply to West Point knowing it's a long shot, but have your plan to be ready next year. Have a good plan B college where you can do ROTC. Do well academically this year. All year. Next summer finish your split training, then go to college. Do well academically and do ROTC. Apply once again to West Point. Pursue the enlisted nomination.
Is this the best option for you? I have no clue. It's an option. I've seen some Cadets at West Point that went this route, but there are probably others who tried this route and did not get accepted.
Good luck.
 
Discipline is something that comes from within. It is not something someone imposes on you or teaches you. Go to summer school and get some SELF-discipline (because that's the only kind there is).
 
It seems like you are asking if it looks better to USMA if you do a summer enlistment/commitment to military OR take summer classes to boot your GPA. If my understanding is correct, there are some things to consider about those.

Both will options will be evident in your application. And you will probably have to discuss/address the ‘why’. SA’s are very good at getting down to the real candidate story. I’m not saying doing either option ‘to get an appointment’ is right or wrong...rather understand they will probably know the reasoning.

If you were my child, I would advise you to not make last minute decisions (which this kind of is. Your whole junior year would have been the time to take the bull by the horns and get stuff polished, IMO) at this point based solely upon an appointment. Despite any effort you put in this summer, you may not obtain an appointment. Rather I would advise my child to focus on the plan B, while continuing to do the best you can and apply to USMA. To me, you sound like a perfect college/ROTC reapplication for the following year. BC it’s hard to boost an application in one summer. I would advise my child this way BC they may decide that ROTC is a good fit. And they can also STILL apply SA, plus they will have a year to see if they can do the work (since you said you ‘slacked’).

I don’t know you, cannot advise YOU, but your story, applied to my child, would result in the advice I have given. As a parent, I would be concerned that you wouldn’t be ready (or able) for such a rigorous program. My own DS just completed plebe year at USNA. Its no joke...it’s TOUGH. And requires more than a DESIRE for more discipline. It requires demonstrated ability to BE uber-disciplined. As a parent, I would want to be confident my
child can be successful. Personally, from what you have said on forums I would advise applying, and counting on needing a year of college. Vs enlisting to boost their app.
 
Discipline is something that comes from within. It is not something someone imposes on you or teaches you. Go to summer school and get some SELF-discipline (because that's the only kind there is).
I’m not so sure. I’ve seen many people transform through sports and military service.
 
Sometimes it can be hard for us who are more mature to see that the path we would take is not always the best path. I like to say I didn't have gray hair until I had a teenage girl. My wife and I were blessed with many sleepless nights.
Yet the path she took led to where she is, so far a successful Cadet. While part of her wishes she was crossing the stage tomorrow with others her age, she also realizes she is a better person for taking the road less traveled. Frankly, I don't think I have met a prior service Cadet who is not happy with the choices they made to get here.
Of course, I don't have exposure to those who went that path and, for whatever reason, weren't successful.

So to the OP hopefully you have spent a good deal of time pondering this decision. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Review the possible outcomes of each route and make sure you would be okay with those outcomes. Going to school this summer is NOT a poor decision and may be the right one for you.
Enlisting in the Guard/Reserve is a possible path and would entail going to basic this summer (if you can get a slot) then drilling with your unit over the next year. Next summer, unless given an ROTC scholarship or accepted to a SA you would be expected to attend AIT. You want an AIT that is short, such as infantry, so you can make it to college on time. As I see it this path gives you three possible outcomes: 1. You stay enlisted. 2. You get accepted to ROTC and go that route, either continuing to serve in the Guard/Reserve while doing so (what I did) or as a straight ROTC Cadet if you get a 4-year scholarship. 3. You are able to get accepted to West Point using an enlisted, congressional or ROTC Nomination.

Good luck with the path you chose.
 
Discipline is something that comes from within. It is not something someone imposes on you or teaches you. Go to summer school and get some SELF-discipline (because that's the only kind there is).
You sound like Jocko Willink hahaha. Thanks.
 
Discipline is something that comes from within. It is not something someone imposes on you or teaches you. Go to summer school and get some SELF-discipline (because that's the only kind there is).
I’m not so sure. I’ve seen many people transform through sports and military service.
No doubt. I'd say my kid is one of them. But was it something "they" did to them, or was it something they found within themselves. Actually we'll never know but if I need someone to "do" it to me then my chance to change it is small. If it comes from within me then I can have an impact on it. I think the latter is a better point of view regardless of what's actually true.
 
No doubt. I'd say my kid is one of them. But was it something "they" did to them, or was it something they found within themselves. Actually we'll never know but if I need someone to "do" it to me then my chance to change it is small. If it comes from within me then I can have an impact on it. I think the latter is a better point of view regardless of what's actually true.
Perhaps it is more self discovery or realization. But often times people need to do something different to find this.
We have raised a generation telling them that they must go to college straight out of high school. $1.3 trillion in student debt for often dubious studies tells me this may not always be the best route.
The OP seems to be going through a phase I’ve seen in others, burn out from school. Often the best solution isn’t telling them to “get disciplined and do more school” but to take a break from academics. It worked for me. Worked for my DD. Best route for the OP? Don’t know. Something he needs to figure out. But we should be careful of trying to pound square pegs into round holes.
 
No doubt. I'd say my kid is one of them. But was it something "they" did to them, or was it something they found within themselves. Actually we'll never know but if I need someone to "do" it to me then my chance to change it is small. If it comes from within me then I can have an impact on it. I think the latter is a better point of view regardless of what's actually true.
Perhaps it is more self discovery or realization. But often times people need to do something different to find this.
We have raised a generation telling them that they must go to college straight out of high school. $1.3 trillion in student debt for often dubious studies tells me this may not always be the best route.
The OP seems to be going through a phase I’ve seen in others, burn out from school. Often the best solution isn’t telling them to “get disciplined and do more school” but to take a break from academics. It worked for me. Worked for my DD. Best route for the OP? Don’t know. Something he needs to figure out. But we should be careful of trying to pound square pegs into round holes.

Thank you for this. To be completely honest, i did burn out. I'm in a bad spot currently. I missed a week of school purely because I've been too depressed and burned to make it in. I'm not proud of it, however, im at the point where I'm getting back on my feet and getting work done. Posting this forum was a factor in getting out of my slump, hopefully with all the opinions in this thread i can figure out my best route. Thank you.
 
No doubt. I'd say my kid is one of them. But was it something "they" did to them, or was it something they found within themselves. Actually we'll never know but if I need someone to "do" it to me then my chance to change it is small. If it comes from within me then I can have an impact on it. I think the latter is a better point of view regardless of what's actually true.
Perhaps it is more self discovery or realization. But often times people need to do something different to find this.
We have raised a generation telling them that they must go to college straight out of high school. $1.3 trillion in student debt for often dubious studies tells me this may not always be the best route.
The OP seems to be going through a phase I’ve seen in others, burn out from school. Often the best solution isn’t telling them to “get disciplined and do more school” but to take a break from academics. It worked for me. Worked for my DD. Best route for the OP? Don’t know. Something he needs to figure out. But we should be careful of trying to pound square pegs into round holes.

Thank you for this. To be completely honest, i did burn out. I'm in a bad spot currently. I missed a week of school purely because I've been too depressed and burned to make it in. I'm not proud of it, however, im at the point where I'm getting back on my feet and getting work done. Posting this forum was a factor in getting out of my slump, hopefully with all the opinions in this thread i can figure out my best route. Thank you.
Talk about a vicious circle. You are upset about your grades so you take off time because you are depressed but then you take off a week which is probably going to hurt even more. I deal with lots of people due to my profession. There are some people who have problems because of bad luck or things they cant control. Everyone has problems and issues. However, many of the people who seem to have issues with their lives is because they put themselves in a position where bad things are bound to happen. And to make it worse, their subsequent actions only aggreviate the problem. I am not trying to harp on you and I dont have an answer for you question. My advice is to be smart and dont do stupid things. If you are good student but having a bad year , then apply to a civilian college and go through Rotc. If you do the 4 years, you will commission as an officer. If you still want to go to an academy, kick butt in college your first year and show the academy why you belong there. Whatever happens and whatever school you go to, you will come out with a butter bars on your shoulders. If you enlist, there is no guarantee about anything. It could work out, it may not. Set yourself up for sucess
 
Talk about a vicious circle. You are upset about your grades so you take off time because you are depressed but then you take off a week which is probably going to hurt even more. I deal with lots of people due to my profession. There are some people who have problems because of bad luck or things they cant control. Everyone has problems and issues. However, many of the people who seem to have issues with their lives is because they put themselves in a position where bad things are bound to happen. And to make it worse, their subsequent actions only aggreviate the problem. I am not trying to harp on you and I dont have an answer for you question. My advice is to be smart and dont do stupid things. If you are good student but having a bad year , then apply to a civilian college and go through Rotc. If you do the 4 years, you will commission as an officer. If you still want to go to an academy, kick butt in college your first year and show the academy why you belong there. Whatever happens and whatever school you go to, you will come out with a butter bars on your shoulders. If you enlist, there is no guarantee about anything. It could work out, it may not. Set yourself up for sucess
Again, why is going to college right away after high school the round hole every kid must pounded into? There is no guarantee about going to college and doing ROTC. I know many people who did not go to college right away and became very successful, some even in the military. Some went to college but after spinning their wheels for a few semesters went “sideways”, then returned later a little more mature and did well.
There are many paths in life that lead to success and happiness. We shouldn’t try to shove every kid who comes on this website down the same path we took.
 
No doubt. I'd say my kid is one of them. But was it something "they" did to them, or was it something they found within themselves. Actually we'll never know but if I need someone to "do" it to me then my chance to change it is small. If it comes from within me then I can have an impact on it. I think the latter is a better point of view regardless of what's actually true.
Perhaps it is more self discovery or realization. But often times people need to do something different to find this.
We have raised a generation telling them that they must go to college straight out of high school. $1.3 trillion in student debt for often dubious studies tells me this may not always be the best route.
The OP seems to be going through a phase I’ve seen in others, burn out from school. Often the best solution isn’t telling them to “get disciplined and do more school” but to take a break from academics. It worked for me. Worked for my DD. Best route for the OP? Don’t know. Something he needs to figure out. But we should be careful of trying to pound square pegs into round holes.
No problem with yor points or with not going to college at least initially. My only issue here is enlisting while thinking one can still get an appointment or a scholarship. One may, but don't enlist unless you're willing to enlist if those things don't come through.
 
No doubt. I'd say my kid is one of them. But was it something "they" did to them, or was it something they found within themselves. Actually we'll never know but if I need someone to "do" it to me then my chance to change it is small. If it comes from within me then I can have an impact on it. I think the latter is a better point of view regardless of what's actually true.
Perhaps it is more self discovery or realization. But often times people need to do something different to find this.
We have raised a generation telling them that they must go to college straight out of high school. $1.3 trillion in student debt for often dubious studies tells me this may not always be the best route.
The OP seems to be going through a phase I’ve seen in others, burn out from school. Often the best solution isn’t telling them to “get disciplined and do more school” but to take a break from academics. It worked for me. Worked for my DD. Best route for the OP? Don’t know. Something he needs to figure out. But we should be careful of trying to pound square pegs into round holes.

Thank you for this. To be completely honest, i did burn out. I'm in a bad spot currently. I missed a week of school purely because I've been too depressed and burned to make it in. I'm not proud of it, however, im at the point where I'm getting back on my feet and getting work done. Posting this forum was a factor in getting out of my slump, hopefully with all the opinions in this thread i can figure out my best route. Thank you.
Talk about a vicious circle. You are upset about your grades so you take off time because you are depressed but then you take off a week which is probably going to hurt even more. I deal with lots of people due to my profession. There are some people who have problems because of bad luck or things they cant control. Everyone has problems and issues. However, many of the people who seem to have issues with their lives is because they put themselves in a position where bad things are bound to happen. And to make it worse, their subsequent actions only aggreviate the problem. I am not trying to harp on you and I dont have an answer for you question. My advice is to be smart and dont do stupid things. If you are good student but having a bad year , then apply to a civilian college and go through Rotc. If you do the 4 years, you will commission as an officer. If you still want to go to an academy, kick butt in college your first year and show the academy why you belong there. Whatever happens and whatever school you go to, you will come out with a butter bars on your shoulders. If you enlist, there is no guarantee about anything. It could work out, it may not. Set yourself up for sucess
Thanks.
 
No doubt. I'd say my kid is one of them. But was it something "they" did to them, or was it something they found within themselves. Actually we'll never know but if I need someone to "do" it to me then my chance to change it is small. If it comes from within me then I can have an impact on it. I think the latter is a better point of view regardless of what's actually true.
Perhaps it is more self discovery or realization. But often times people need to do something different to find this.
We have raised a generation telling them that they must go to college straight out of high school. $1.3 trillion in student debt for often dubious studies tells me this may not always be the best route.
The OP seems to be going through a phase I’ve seen in others, burn out from school. Often the best solution isn’t telling them to “get disciplined and do more school” but to take a break from academics. It worked for me. Worked for my DD. Best route for the OP? Don’t know. Something he needs to figure out. But we should be careful of trying to pound square pegs into round holes.
No problem with yor points or with not going to college at least initially. My only issue here is enlisting while thinking one can still get an appointment or a scholarship. One may, but don't enlist unless you're willing to enlist if those things don't come through.
Either way I'm enlisting no matter what. Trying my best to make it my career.
 
Talk about a vicious circle. You are upset about your grades so you take off time because you are depressed but then you take off a week which is probably going to hurt even more. I deal with lots of people due to my profession. There are some people who have problems because of bad luck or things they cant control. Everyone has problems and issues. However, many of the people who seem to have issues with their lives is because they put themselves in a position where bad things are bound to happen. And to make it worse, their subsequent actions only aggreviate the problem. I am not trying to harp on you and I dont have an answer for you question. My advice is to be smart and dont do stupid things. If you are good student but having a bad year , then apply to a civilian college and go through Rotc. If you do the 4 years, you will commission as an officer. If you still want to go to an academy, kick butt in college your first year and show the academy why you belong there. Whatever happens and whatever school you go to, you will come out with a butter bars on your shoulders. If you enlist, there is no guarantee about anything. It could work out, it may not. Set yourself up for sucess
Again, why is going to college right away after high school the round hole every kid must pounded into? There is no guarantee about going to college and doing ROTC. I know many people who did not go to college right away and became very successful, some even in the military. Some went to college but after spinning their wheels for a few semesters went “sideways”, then returned later a little more mature and did well.
There are many paths in life that lead to success and happiness. We shouldn’t try to shove every kid who comes on this website down the same path we took.

I agree. That's why im choosing the military. I don't want to have to deal with the pitfalls of normal college i.e. debt. With West Point i really wouldn't have to worry about debt and i can further my military career if im accepted.
 
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