Graduate but not Commission. Distraught and Lost.

Not to hi-jack this thread or diminish its importance to the OP..... This is the time of year that applicants/appointees and their parents join this forum. They begin their journey with research and having/wanting to know this and that, when the appointment comes they are over the moon and feel like all of the hard work in raising the kid has been realized and their life's path is set in stone to do amazing and wonderful things. Been there. You need to realize that this journey is not gumdrops, rainbows and unicorns. This is real life (OP situation as example), there are injuries, there are deaths, there are times where the kid is going to struggle like you've never imagined and questioning themselves like they have no business being there, there are academic and honor boards that occur (even if completely innocent), there are medical boards where the fragility of your kid and their future are determined and you will not be included. You can find yourself researching any number of things that would have never occurred to you. This is the "roller coaster" that has been referred to. You will experience the highest of highs and quite possibly the lowest of lows, multiple times. Your son or daughter will need emotional support and encouragement, you let them vent and then you need to be prepared to be a rational adult and hold them accountable and determine how they are going to successfully get through whatever they are facing. The OP's health status has dealt him/her a serious blow, a health factor is out of their control and is no fault of their own. How they and their support system deal with it is 100% their responsibility, to insure that an effective direction is achieved. There is a silver lining in this circumstance, they will graduate. An academy degree, minimum to zero debt, possible VA benefits to further their education because this happened or drug out into their Firstie year, had this been finalized a year or 2 ago the circumstances could be far more difficult, separation could/would occur without the "golden handshake". The most important thing to remember through a situation similar to this is being alive, not dead before a serious medical condition is identified. Very few have to experience this, but there are those very few every year. If you are just beginning this journey, you need to be prepared to weather some hard times and be a rock for your kid. If you and your kid get through this unscathed, you are very lucky.
 
Just to post on a more serious note, a degree from USNA will open a lot of doors.

Not getting to serve is (I would imagine) quite a gut-punch. It is what it is.
You have had 4 years of leadership training that you can use immediately to start managing people and a lot of companies already want people like you to do it. Dust yourself off and move forward.
 
Bless you folks. Even though I can’t help but feel so much regret over how I’ve spent my youth given where I am, I know the journey for success is not over. It’s hard dealing with this uncertainty and lack of direction but I know all I can do now is take control of my life and figure out a new direction.
 
Like digging a swimming pool with a spoon, it's simple but not easy. Take a pause for contemplation, finish your work in the classroom strong, enjoy your remaining time with your classmates, and start surveying the options. You're in a good place once you get back on your feet.
 
No regrets until you're in the ground or incarcerated. You make rational, thoughtful decisions based on circumstances at the time. When things change, you adapt. You are going to find that you have a serious advantage over your fellow 2022 college graduates (from private and state universities), your time and efforts were not wasted, your years at USNA were not in vain. Others have given examples of how a medical separation came after commissioning, there will be members of 2022 that this happens to as well. StPaulDad hit on something very important, you HAVE to finish strong academically or at least be sat, that guarantees the diploma.
 
You went to the Naval Academy because you wanted to serve your country.
Through no fault of your own, you can't serve your country in the Navy.
How else can you serve your country?
 
Contact the Association of Graduates (that’s what USAFA’s is called). They will help. A sympathetic person will know someone who knows someone and open the door

Also a large number of recruiting organizations that seek to place junior officers making the transition. You aren’t exactly their profile, but you aren’t the first person they have dealt with in your situation

One of the times that made me most proud to be a grad (USAFA) - a classmate was diagnosed with a disease that undoubtedly would kill him

He was allowed to graduate and (non STEM and far from a high GPA) not commission somehow landed a great job at Martin Marietta based on a call from a 3 star to a CEO

He died almost 5 years to the day after graduation and had a career he thoroughly enjoyed that entire 5 years
 
Saltwater-taffy said:
Bless you folks. Even though I can’t help but feel so much regret over how I’ve spent my youth given where I am, I know the journey for success is not over. It’s hard dealing with this uncertainty and lack of direction but I know all I can do now is take control of my life and figure out a new direction.
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Wishing you all the best as you are about to graduate, keep us posted on your next steps. I have much confidence that many opportunities are in front of you!
 
Thankful that USNA allowed you to graduate. My cadet was medically separated from USMA 10 weeks before graduation.

The outpouring of support from USMA grads has been overwhelming. This followed a post on LinkedIn. They were very disappointed in USMA.

My cadet had multiple job offers and landed a high-paying position with great benefits at a tech firm. Good luck to you!
 
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