Advice? Or is it too late at this point?

T

tp101

10-Year Member
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I long struggled on what to do (if anything) or what my attitude should be regarding this issue. Open to any advice.

I will lay out the facts.

In my DD's high school, there is a student who received a non-athletic appointment to USMA in February. The student plays soccer and is known to be a good student and solid leader. What surprised us all was when the student announced that she was going to apply to West Point because she has a noticeable 'tic' or 'twitch.' This tic is seemingly uncontrollable, and she can't carry on a conversation or perform an activity without twitching her head or her arms every couple of minutes. She has had this condition for as long as she has been at the high school.

At first, the assumption was that the DODMERB exam or the in-person Field Force Rep interview or Congressional interviews would screen out this student. What shocked us all was when she passed all her requirements (no waiver needed) and received her appointment.

I believe that I have to trust the process. But this situation upsets me on two levels. First, I believe that the student took the spot of another candidate who is legitimately fully qualified. Second, I am confident that this student will not be able to get through Beast Barracks due to her inability to stand at attention or perform any of her required duties without twitching. I think it would be a disservice to her for her to go to R-Day only to eventually be drummed out or medically discharged.


I'm not a medical professional, so I can't report it. And I don't know what was revealed in the DODMERB exam and noted during the Field Force and Congressional interviews. There is nothing for me to do but to watch this train wreck happen this summer.
 
Are you certain that her medical condition is a disqualification? Are you certain they didn’t know about her medical condition, and was judged to have been ok?

I don’t necessarily agree that this student took the spot of another legitimately fully qualified individual.
 
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A1Janitor said:
Are you certain that her medical condition is a disqualification? Are you certain they didn’t know about her medical condition, and was judged to have been ok?

I don’t necessarily agree that this student took the spot of another legitimately fully qualified individual.
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True, I will concede that. I don't know if DODMERB, West Point or her Congress person didn't know about her condition. I don't see how any in-person interactions with her would not have made it apparent.

But I know enough about the military and military standards, that any physical tic would be disqualification especially if the student can't carry on a conversation or stand still without twitching.
 
It's not correct to say that one candidate took a spot at an academy away from another candidate.

This is a competitive process and spots don't belong to candidates until they are offered an appointment.

If this condition is as obvious as you suggest, then it was likely apparent during the DODMERB exam, academy interview, and any nominations interviews.

Perhaps it's not as persistent as you describe. Perhaps the academy determined that it was not a hindrance to service.

Perhaps she will report to West Point and not persist to graduation. That's actually ok. There are many cadets who don't stay all four years.

In my time at an academy (though not USMA), there were separations for grades, failure to meet fitness standards, honor offenses, drug offenses, DUIs, and recognition that the military wasn't the path they wanted to pursue.
 
I have known some people on active duty who had tics of some kind. As long as they are able to communicate clearly, carry out their duties and meet physical requirements, it was not a bar to service. I found that I ceased noticing that one of my AD co-workers shrugged their shoulders at random intervals. He was not a sniper or surgeon, so I didn’t particularly worry.

USMA will have the opportunity to observe this cadet-to-be over the next 4 years, as well as conduct the usual pre-comm medical exam. I think we can safely leave it in their hands as the ones who have all the facts, and are accountable and responsible for commissioning quality 2nd Lieutenants. That future cadet is responsible and accountable for satisfactorily meeting all requirements. I think you can safely let your worry and concern for this appointee go. She will either make it through or not. If not, USMA plans for attrition every year for voluntary and involuntary reasons.

The applicable standard is on page 49 for any type of tic disorder. USMA would have had to pursue a waiver, presumably. The waiver authority makes its decision on a case basis, consistent with policy and precedent.
 
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Capt MJ said:
I have known some people on active duty who had tics of some kind. As long as they are able to communicate clearly, carry out their duties and meet physical requirements, it was not a bar to service. I found that I ceased noticing that one of my AD co-workers shrugged their shoulders at random intervals. He was not a sniper or surgeon, so I didn’t particularly worry.

USMA will have the opportunity to observe this cadet-to-be over the next 4 years, as well as conduct the usual pre-comm medical exam. I think we can safely leave it in their hands as the ones who have all the facts, and are accountable and responsible for commissioning quality 2nd Lieutenants. That future cadet is responsible and accountable for satisfactorily meeting all requirements. I think you can safely let your worry and concern for this appointee go. She will either make it through or not. If not, USMA plans for attrition every year for voluntary and involuntary reasons.
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Thank you. This (and other comments) is what I needed to hear.
 
tp101 said:
Second, I am confident that this student will not be able to get through Beast Barracks due to her inability to stand at attention or perform any of her required duties without twitching.
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My kid can't stand at attention without smiling or talking and he made it. :) He's also really good at pushups and other unimportant physical tasks due to his inability to stand still.

I would respectfully submit you likely do not have all the facts. Let the admissions system do what it has been doing for decades.
 
tp101 said:
I long struggled on what to do (if anything) or what my attitude should be regarding this issue. Open to any advice.

I will lay out the facts.

In my DD's high school, there is a student who received a non-athletic appointment to USMA in February. The student plays soccer and is known to be a good student and solid leader. What surprised us all was when the student announced that she was going to apply to West Point because she has a noticeable 'tic' or 'twitch.' This tic is seemingly uncontrollable, and she can't carry on a conversation or perform an activity without twitching her head or her arms every couple of minutes. She has had this condition for as long as she has been at the high school.

At first, the assumption was that the DODMERB exam or the in-person Field Force Rep interview or Congressional interviews would screen out this student. What shocked us all was when she passed all her requirements (no waiver needed) and received her appointment.

I believe that I have to trust the process. But this situation upsets me on two levels. First, I believe that the student took the spot of another candidate who is legitimately fully qualified. Second, I am confident that this student will not be able to get through Beast Barracks due to her inability to stand at attention or perform any of her required duties without twitching. I think it would be a disservice to her for her to go to R-Day only to eventually be drummed out or medically discharged.


I'm not a medical professional, so I can't report it. And I don't know what was revealed in the DODMERB exam and noted during the Field Force and Congressional interviews. There is nothing for me to do but to watch this train wreck happen this summer.
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These are some very judgmental and presumptuous observations. Without knowing the Appointees actual medical condition, and what the military standards are it’s impossible to claim someone is medically disqualified.
We have to trust the process.
This reminds me of the parents who look at the “stats” of kids getting appointments that are deemed lower (by said parents) than their golden child. There are always many factors that play into the admissions process that remain behind the curtain. LORs, essays , interviews, DODMERB waivers, etc.. We can’t compare candidates from the outside looking in. So as a reminder to those reading, “control what you can control “. It’s not easy to sit back watching others get appointments without comparing, but it’s part of the ride.
Good luck to all still waiting!
 
tp101 said:
I long struggled on what to do (if anything) or what my attitude should be regarding this issue. Open to any advice.

I will lay out the facts.

In my DD's high school, there is a student who received a non-athletic appointment to USMA in February. The student plays soccer and is known to be a good student and solid leader. What surprised us all was when the student announced that she was going to apply to West Point because she has a noticeable 'tic' or 'twitch.' This tic is seemingly uncontrollable, and she can't carry on a conversation or perform an activity without twitching her head or her arms every couple of minutes. She has had this condition for as long as she has been at the high school.

At first, the assumption was that the DODMERB exam or the in-person Field Force Rep interview or Congressional interviews would screen out this student. What shocked us all was when she passed all her requirements (no waiver needed) and received her appointment.

I believe that I have to trust the process. But this situation upsets me on two levels. First, I believe that the student took the spot of another candidate who is legitimately fully qualified. Second, I am confident that this student will not be able to get through Beast Barracks due to her inability to stand at attention or perform any of her required duties without twitching. I think it would be a disservice to her for her to go to R-Day only to eventually be drummed out or medically discharged.


I'm not a medical professional, so I can't report it. And I don't know what was revealed in the DODMERB exam and noted during the Field Force and Congressional interviews. There is nothing for me to do but to watch this train wreck happen this summer.
Click to expand...
You have to let this go. Do not dwell on other people getting appointments while you wait for yours. Only the admissions committee knows why they made whatever decision they made.
Focus on what you can control.
 
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