CFA and Football Season

[sdsmom]

DS is in the middle of two-a-days this week and all training for CFA is on pause. We were hoping he would have it completed by now but those pull ups are tough. He's 6'4" and dropped about 15 lbs of his lineman weight this summer but still can't do the average number of pull ups and mile time. I am curious how other boys have handled training and completing the CFA during football season? We are thinking a Thursday mornings to do do practice runs then actually take the test. Thanks for your input.

 

[MidwestDad]

DS waited until late Oct after season to do his CFA last year. But do a practice test at same cadence to see how he feels.

 

[sdsmom]

DS waited until late Oct after season to do his CFA last year. But do a practice test at same cadence to see how he feels.

Sounds good. Our season ends Nov 4. His application is done for the most part except CFA. Do you think Nov. is too late to get everything in?

 

[DesertCaliMom]

My DS is a former lineman, choosing no injuries for USNA hopes versus risk and a contradicting training system. A pull-up bar in his doorway, and a regimented interval running plan has dramatically improved both. DS asked his admissions counselors how the CFA works for linemen (she also served as a student trainer for NavyFB, the other a basketball player), and she said doing your best is really all you can ask, the Bball player said "it's rough for us big guys, just put in your best."

Reading between the lines, it sounds like they understand pull-up counts will be lower when you haul around 4-7 extra inches and all the weight that comes with.

 

[MidwestDad]

DS did have a bum ankle through end of season, it hurt his mile time I am sure. Ran 7 min CFA vs under 13 for his 2 mile time at end of Beast last week.

So its a bit of a crap shoot with sports injuries but there are pros and cons to both options. In hindsight I think its best to try the CFA earlier; maybe some midweek morning a few days after the last game. All depends how beat up he feels.

 

[DaGrubs]

DS did have a bum ankle through end of season, it hurt his mile time I am sure. Ran 7 min CFA vs under 13 for his 2 mile time at end of Beast last week.

So its a bit of a crap shoot with sports injuries but there are pros and cons to both options. In hindsight I think its best to try the CFA earlier; maybe some midweek morning a few days after the last game. All depends how beat up he feels.

My DS is going through something similar, minor hamstring pull two weeks ago during FB practice and still has to take the PFT for his ROTC Scholarship. He had to make a choice regarding getting ready for the PFT (3 mile run) or getting ready for speed sprints/cutting for football (he plays Linebacker). Not fully participating has been hard, but he knows that his end goal is to be an Officer in the Marines, not a pro FB player. Adulthoold and the decisions we have to make is starting to set in. Senior year of sports is going to be stressfull for me as I don't want to see anymore injuries.

 

[AirsoftRanger]

DS is in the middle of two-a-days this week and all training for CFA is on pause. We were hoping he would have it completed by now but those pull ups are tough. He's 6'4" and dropped about 15 lbs of his lineman weight this summer but still can't do the average number of pull ups and mile time. I am curious how other boys have handled training and completing the CFA during football season? We are thinking a Thursday mornings to do do practice runs then actually take the test. Thanks for your input.

DS class of 2021 waited till after football season for the CFA. That was a mistake. it could have been a big mistake. here's what you have to take into account: First, you have to ensure that someone will do the CFA for you. They have to be trained. Hopefully, there won't have been an ankle injury or what not in the meantime. if DS has been in two a days, he is ready. Then, after the CFA, you have to wait for them to input. maybe that is done quickly, maybe not. Then, you wait for the portal people to review and update. Then, you wait for the lumbering lumox DODMERB to assign you an exam. Then, you wait for the DODMERB assigned physician to input your exam. maybe quickly, maybe not. Then, maybe 3 weeks later, you might receive notice of a waiver needed. DS opened the mailbox at 4 pm, found the DODMERB waiver needed letter, called the dentist, received an appointment for the next morning, hand carried the waiver, mailed the signed waiver, and then it still took another 3 weeks. Put all that together, and you might have just filled up your entire calendar from November to February. Easily. REMEMBER: the wave of admissions starts mid January.
If your DS really wants USMA - do it now. Take the test before the season starts. Don't take a chance. And don't underestimate your friendly school contacts or coaches not understanding the above timeline....

 

[sdsmom]

Thank you everyone for your input. I think he is going to try and get a trial run and then hopefully the test done here in the next month.