And agree that this is the first of many roller coasters. There is the Plebe Summer, Plebe Year, will they get the summer training they want, will they get the billet they want, will they get their service assignment, will they get the top pick for ship rides... these are just some of the ones that happen during their time at the Academy. Then there is the will they make it through flight school (insert any school in here really), get the aircraft they want, will they get the better duty station, i haven't heard from them for 2 months and they are on deployement and I just wached the news... I hope they are okay, will they be there for the birth of their first child rides... this list is endless. My parents said me being in Iraq or Afghanistan was a 1000 times worse than anything they worried about during the application and at USNA. These boards are great in the fact they provide a ton of info and for parents its a connection to other parents worrying the same things. But, take some deep breathes and really don't freak out when you see LOAs handed out, stats on this board and appointments. Each kid has their own application, strengths and weaknesses. Don't compare, because we are only seeing what folks post, not how USNA scores any of that. Hang in there and good luck!