- Joined
- May 31, 2008
- Messages
- 7,992
28 years in this job has afforded me the opportunity to provide this guidance. John Wooden was probably the greatest college basketball coach in history = "“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” If the applicants don't do this themselves, I've seen the disastrous results...repeatedly. In the confines of the home, parents can and should help guide their DS/DD/GN/TG prospective applicants to navigate the pathway, but the congressional staffs, Academy Admissions, DoDMERB, etc., want to see/hear the APPLICANTS. They also asked John Wooden how he was so calm on the bench in tense moments (unlike almost every coach of today!), though this is not the exact quote, it's darned close: I work during the week...teaching and coaching...during the game, is when the players have to transfer that teaching and coaching to execution...If I did well, they'll do well....If I didn't, they won't. But "the game" is illustrative of life....teach in private and let them flourish with your guidance and their personal motivation and skills.
So as you read this, perform a self-assessment of yourself as either an APPLICANT or a parent. Son/daughter of any President who applies to an SA or an ROTC program...if I received an email from any President of the United States...My first line would be (and has been to very prominent parents or parents in general),..Mr President, for the purposes of this exercise, you are just Dad..and we don't need to talk.
I do add some Je Na Sais Quoi to parents: The midwestern, single parent, that has no military associations whatsoever, I'll be more nurturing. The General, Admiral, Command Sergeant Major (respective Chiefs and Command or Master Chiefs) who certainly know better and are truly trying to ply their influence, will be put in their place immediately. FINAL NOTE: THIS PROCESS IS ABOUT THE APPLICANT.
DoDMERB is the sole authority for rendering DoDMERB medical decisions. None of the myriad of on-line Forums or civilian consulting agencies that “assist” applicants in this process, have any authority regarding DoDMERB determinations. So if you start your communiqué with “They said” or “I paid money to,” well…, you get my point.
Many of you DON’T have ties to the military, so this process maybe somewhat daunting.
We’ll help you
Many of you and/or your parents DO have ties to the military. The standards and process have changed over the years and we don’t want you to be confused by the way it “used to be.”
We’ll help you
If you have any questions regarding the process; your case specifically; the standards; etc; please email the Helpdesk. While this is an Applicant Reference Guide, the operative word is “applicant.”
We’ll help you
APPLICANTS ONLY (If your parents read this part, you’ll know why I wrote it this way) – This is YOUR future, YOUR application, and it needs to be YOUR decision. Parents are very useful in providing YOU sage advice and counsel…in the background…say again, IN THE BACKGROUND. YOU should take all actions regarding YOUR application. If YOU are offered an appointment to one/more Service Academy and/or are awarded a scholarship to an ROTC Program(s), guess what? Your parents do NOT get to attend with YOU While the Service Academies and ROTC programs have bunk beds---those are for your roommates, not your parents! Therefore, this process begins that transition of YOUR independence. Again, they can assist YOU, but YOU should be the lead on all application actions. They should be like the military guidon bearer --- YOU are the Commander and they should be one step to the right and one step behind. They can discuss anything and everything with YOU, just not DODMERB. Go easy on them. This will NOT be an easy thing for them to do…to start to let go
PARENTS: While I’ve emphasized the above to a fault, I can only share with you my vast experience in this area. Your wisdom will be deeply appreciated by your son or daughter, but the “action” part of this exercise is best for all, when the applicant takes direct ownership of THEIR process, with Admissions, Congressional Nominations, DoDMERB, etc.
So as you read this, perform a self-assessment of yourself as either an APPLICANT or a parent. Son/daughter of any President who applies to an SA or an ROTC program...if I received an email from any President of the United States...My first line would be (and has been to very prominent parents or parents in general),..Mr President, for the purposes of this exercise, you are just Dad..and we don't need to talk.
I do add some Je Na Sais Quoi to parents: The midwestern, single parent, that has no military associations whatsoever, I'll be more nurturing. The General, Admiral, Command Sergeant Major (respective Chiefs and Command or Master Chiefs) who certainly know better and are truly trying to ply their influence, will be put in their place immediately. FINAL NOTE: THIS PROCESS IS ABOUT THE APPLICANT.
DoDMERB is the sole authority for rendering DoDMERB medical decisions. None of the myriad of on-line Forums or civilian consulting agencies that “assist” applicants in this process, have any authority regarding DoDMERB determinations. So if you start your communiqué with “They said” or “I paid money to,” well…, you get my point.
Many of you DON’T have ties to the military, so this process maybe somewhat daunting.
We’ll help you
Many of you and/or your parents DO have ties to the military. The standards and process have changed over the years and we don’t want you to be confused by the way it “used to be.”
We’ll help you
If you have any questions regarding the process; your case specifically; the standards; etc; please email the Helpdesk. While this is an Applicant Reference Guide, the operative word is “applicant.”
We’ll help you
APPLICANTS ONLY (If your parents read this part, you’ll know why I wrote it this way
) – This is YOUR future, YOUR application, and it needs to be YOUR decision. Parents are very useful in providing YOU sage advice and counsel…in the background…say again, IN THE BACKGROUND. YOU should take all actions regarding YOUR application. If YOU are offered an appointment to one/more Service Academy and/or are awarded a scholarship to an ROTC Program(s), guess what? Your parents do NOT get to attend with YOU While the Service Academies and ROTC programs have bunk beds---those are for your roommates, not your parents! Therefore, this process begins that transition of YOUR independence. Again, they can assist YOU, but YOU should be the lead on all application actions. They should be like the military guidon bearer --- YOU are the Commander and they should be one step to the right and one step behind. They can discuss anything and everything with YOU, just not DODMERB. Go easy on them. This will NOT be an easy thing for them to do…to start to let go PARENTS: While I’ve emphasized the above to a fault, I can only share with you my vast experience in this area. Your wisdom will be deeply appreciated by your son or daughter, but the “action” part of this exercise is best for all, when the applicant takes direct ownership of THEIR process, with Admissions, Congressional Nominations, DoDMERB, etc.
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