Hi

[tryingmybest]

I have poked around for a few months but now that things are getting real I figured it was time to introduce myself. My son is headed down the rabbit hole of applying to USMA. He has completed everything in his hands and we are now waiting to figure out what is next. We are not a military family, at least my generation, although all previous generations have served. I am completely unfamiliar with this process and we are trying to learn as we go. My son is driving this process and he seems to know much more than we do. We have an older child in college and a younger still at home. We live in an extremely competitive district so I am not sure how this will play out. I appreciate all of the posters who take the time to share their experiences and expertise with the novices.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Welcome and thanks for raising a son who is willing to serve! It is an especially good sign that your DS is the one driving this.
A couple of tips:

1. Here is a link to a list of helpful acronyms. It will help make heads or tails out of the alphabet soup. https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/the-acronym-list.11568/
2. Primary sources should be the best source of info. www.usma.edu and the website of your local congressman are important. Even better for parents is the DoDMERB website. A big help to your son would be to assist him in retracing his medical history. Remember, if it was NOT diagnosed by a doctor, it did not happen. Answer the questions truthfully, no more and no less. (don't over answer).
3. Talk to your DS about having a plan B or even a plan C. This could be another SA or Army ROTC, or even OCS. They all end up at the same place: an officer's commission.

 

[tryingmybest]

Welcome and thanks for raising a son who is willing to serve! It is an especially good sign that your DS is the one driving this.
A couple of tips:

1. Here is a link to a list of helpful acronyms. It will help make heads or tails out of the alphabet soup. https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/the-acronym-list.11568/
2. Primary sources should be the best source of info. www.usma.edu and the website of your local congressman are important. Even better for parents is the DoDMERB website. A big help to your son would be to assist him in retracing his medical history. Remember, if it was diagnosed by a doctor, it did not happen. Answer the questions truthfully, no more and no less. (don't over answer).
3. Talk to your DS about having a plan B or even a plan C. This could be another SA or Army ROTC, or even OCS. They all end up at the same place: an officer's commission.

Thank you for the welcome. I appreciate the advice and the acronyms list - it helped me to figure out BGO (?) from a different thread! I was lost on that one.

He is finished his medical exams for the DoDMERB and waiting. I wish he or I had seen this website before filling it out. He may have overshared (occasional mild teen acne that has never been treated or an issue and is barely noticeable). He did get all of his medical records last winter to prepare. We are anticipating an issue from something in his file long ago to watch that somehow stayed. We didn't even know about it until going through records. The Dr. admitted that it has never been an issue and should not be in the file but now can not remove it. He added it to the DoDMERB forms. We may proactively schedule appointments with specialists to get documentation that this is not and issue. I appreciate the link and I will check out the DoDMERB website. So much to learn!

My son has handled everything for the MOC and seems to be on track with everything submitted for each of them. We will accompany him if he gets an interview. I am not sure if they will interview everyone or how that works so I will go peek around their websites. He did have an interview in our home with the FFR. This man was outstanding and very supportive. My son attended SLE. He seems to have all the things that bring leadership points that people here recommend and seems to be at the upper end of academics. Since some are very limited at the national level it is difficult to stay anonymous by being specific about his activities, leadership, and accomplishments. He is lacking a team captain but it is likely for this year.

He has ROTC started (complete maybe) and several traditional schools on his list as plan B but he has not been giving colleges his time and attention. Like everyone else he is really busy and is so all in on WP that he is having a hard time committing the time to those other applications. His heart isn't into those. He is focused, practical, and doesn't give up so he will figure it out.

 

[Heatherg21]

Welcome, I am relatively new as well. Lots to learn. Make sure you ask him about a vice presidential nomination, that is a relatively simple application. He may already have done it, sounds like he is on the ball. Good luck to you and to him. Our DS is applying to 4 SA's and 2 ROTC programs, it is a bumpy ride, buckle up and we can all enjoy it together!

 

[ParadiseMom3]

Welcome! Your username is great...that’s how I felt last year about the same time. Our son a cadet USMA, class of 23. Hanging there, the next few months will be the best roller coaster ride of your life. We were also a non-military family without any prior knowledge, so we too followed our son on that road of applications for the Service Academies with not much wisdom to offer him. This forum is a great resource for people like us...my husband and I had learned so much just by reading other people’s posts.