Difficult Swab Summer

It has been a long time since I have posted to the forum. Today is my last day at the Academy. (Processing out took a long time.) Like trackandfield08 I was really unlucky medically this summer. Before everything started going downhill swab summer was an amazing, if incredibly difficult experience. It was incredibly hard from the moment you wake up in the morning to the moment your head hits the pillow after Taps you are always going, always striving, and always in some sort of pain (mental or physical). But I loved it in a twisted slightly masochistic way, the cadre pushed us so hard, and we improved so fast.
Things went downhill quickly for me though after I fell in a pothole on our way back form our first set of morning cals, I severely sprained my ankle and was on limited duty for almost two weeks which was awful. Within days of being cleared for full duty I caught swine flu, and was finally released the day before mystic, only to be re-admitted after mystic Libo for pneumonia. I so much of swab summer because I was always in the ward, so I was never able to properly bond with my company, and I was never really able to fully recover from anything. What happened for me during the last day before my company was supposed to go on eagle was the last straw for me medically. I ended up passing out twice, for no apparent reason, this has happened many more times since then, and it is one of the reasons why I am being medically dis-enrolled, as no one is able to find out what is causing them.
After speaking with my parents and people at the clinic it was decided that it would be a better idea for me to go home, get well, and try and do it again next year. I was recommended for a deferral but as of today I haven’t heard anything offical yet. I have been healthy all my life, and this summer was horrible, I love the Coast Guard and everything that it and the academy stand for. If for some reason beyond my comprehension I am not offered a deferral then I will reapply, the Academy and especially a career as a Coast Guard Officer is what I want to do with the rest of my life.
No mater what happens though, I will be SEMPER PARATUS AND SEMPER GUMBY.
 
Hey!

I am glad you finally posted on here! Any word on the letter coming down yet? Sailcmh and I were roommates while outprocessing! What she said about swab summer is true...it is an intense, hard road but it is and experience that I loved and will cherish forever. It is mentally and physically tough but, for all of those applying, you can succeed as long as you can continue to motivate yourself and stay confident in your abilities! Good luck to all those applying and I will gladly answer an questions you may have about swab summer!

averx615,

Enlisting has crossed my mind when I thought that I had not gotten the deferral but now that I have a conditional appointment, I am focused more on taking classes and keeping myself physically strong and healthy. I think flyersboy was commenting on one of the other posts about an experience at Cape May.
 
Goodbye CGA?

Our daughter had a rough summer, due to an early sprained ankle, swine flue and pneumonia. This was especially difficult for her and us seeing that she had been in perfect health her whole life. She then started passing out at random intervals, which still continues. She missed Mystic, Eagle and a lot of bonding time with her company and class. She was on limited or restricted duty for nearly seven of her nine weeks there.

She requested a deferral to 2014, and then came home to try and get better. She was the last one to leave arriving home on Tuesday, August 24th. Two days after classes had begun at the Academy and our local community college. After many tests by our local cardiologist, he has indicated that the passing out is a side effect of the swine flu, and will get better with time. (The difference between each occurrence increasing with time, the latest yesterday being 17 days)

Yesterday she received a letter denying her request for a deferral, with no further reasons for the denial being given. She could apply again in January, but she is only taking two classes at the local community college. She has not recovered and the suddenness of her departure gave her few opportunities. Additionally, her exercise is limited by the doctors for some weeks yet. Her junior year SAT scores where 1350 and she was an AP Scholar having passed 6 classes. (Four history classes passing with a 4 and two other classes with a 3) She was also a recruited sailor athlete and graduated from a public school ranked in the top 50 in America. Her junior year stats being 100 points higher than the R day class average. She was granted her appointment in December.

We know a number of cadets were deferred this past summer for medical reasons. She personally knows two. In the case of our daughter, the deferral was not granted. She has decided to appeal this seemingly arbitrary and unjust decision. She is not yet ready to give up on the Coast Guard and her dream of wearing the uniform and serving with distinction. and either are we as her family. We have an extremely bright, articulate, and logical daughter. We will continue to support her in any direction that she chooses to move forward on.

Always,



Respect, Honor, Devotion to Duty
 
Wishing You Well

So sorry about the deferral. Hopefully, as her health improves, everything will fall in place once again so she can pursue her dream of the CGA!! She's an awesome young lady, and her future is bright - no matter where she attains her bachelor's degree. Good luck to her and your family as you support her through a really tough time. Adjusting to civilian life after such an intense experience is probably the toughest challenge she's ever had to face. Our prayers are with you guys!
 
I'm sorry to hear about this experience. It's very difficult to accept disappointment when so random.

Don't give up on the college courses. Your daughter might consider looking into online classes. Even our local community college has independent study online classes that can start at any time.

Let this be a lesson to the Class of 2014. Those deposits on dorms and holding a spot at a public college can be a good insurance policy!
 
FriendofCGA said:
this seemingly arbitrary and unjust decision
Click to expand...



I can't agree with this statement, but I will just leave it at that.

She should not give up on her dreams, and there are many ways to become an officer in the Coast Guard. Keep the faith!
 
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