I got the dreaded letter class of 26

[99Gold]

I got the
" I don't want to be in the military mom, I'm sorry" message via letter.

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Any update from DDO? My DS said that he has a flightmate in a similar situation who had decided to stick it out for the first semester to make sure. I think that is a wise decision. BCT, while important, will not be similar to the rest of her cadet career or her time in the AF. During one the commander's call before I-day, the BCT Commander (a great guy and classmate of mine) stated that they were going to do everything possible to prevent basics from quitting during Beast because it is not a good time to make life-altering decisions. My DS confirmed that committment yesterday during his call.

However, quitting does happen and I agree with others that it is not the end of the world. SAs and/or the military are not for everyone and that's okay. I had classmates leave voluntarily, get kicked out, and graduate without a commission. They all regrouped and discovered success in other areas. If USAFA isn't the right path for your DD, she will figure it out.

 

[somuchbetterthanme]

Any update from DDO? My DS said that he has a flightmate in a similar situation who had decided to stick it out for the first semester to make sure. I think that is a wise decision. BCT, while important, will not be similar to the rest of her cadet career or her time in the AF. During one the commander's call before I-day, the BCT Commander (a great guy and classmate of mine) stated that they were going to do everything possible to prevent basics from quitting during Beast because it is not a good time to make life-altering decisions. My DS confirmed that committment yesterday during his call.

However, quitting does happen and I agree with others that it is not the end of the world. SAs and/or the military are not for everyone and that's okay. I had classmates leave voluntarily, get kicked out, and graduate without a commission. They all regrouped and discovered success in other areas. If USAFA isn't the right path for your DD, she will figure it out.

Things sounded more positive on DDO, I think the talking and facetiming with us and all the friends helped a great deal. Thank you for your concern and input. This has been very stressful on everyone and I'm hoping and praying that BCT 11 brings a clearer mind .
May I ask what flight your DS is in ?

 

[99Gold]

Things sounded more positive on DDO, I think the talking and facetiming with us and all the friends helped a great deal. Thank you for your concern and input. This has been very stressful on everyone and I'm hoping and praying that BCT 11 brings a clearer mind .
May I ask what flight your DS is in ?

I'll PM you. I'm so glad that the DDO call was positive! My DS is having challenges of his own. PT is his absolute favorite thing during BCT, followed closely by marching. He has been diagnosed with an ankle injury (which he swears is nothing) and is not allowed to do most PT and no marching. He was looking forward to the physical aspects of Jack's and I am praying they take him off of his Form 18. It looks like he did not get to march to Jack's from the pics (though very hard to tell) and I know that would really bother him. He did say during DDO that he is excited to start classes so at least he has that to look forward to.

 

[RookieDad]

Well said Anonymous121.

somuchbetterthanme, My DS is also currently in BCT. I just try to locate his pictures on AOG Webguy site and write to him letters on how well he has been doing and encourage him. Time and again I mention all his hardwork and effort is paying off and encourage him to take it one session at a time rather than just think about the end of BCT. Even on the call on the DDO, we just spoke to him about his achievements and mention how we monitor his pictures everyday and remind him that he has done much better. The only thing i was counselled all the time at AF academy during I-day was to remind the cadets that today will be better than yesterday and they can experience it themselves. Hang in there. Your Cadet will be fine.

 

[USAFAGradMom]

Rule #1: Never make a life altering decision while under extreme stress.

Quitting during summer training is rarely the correct choice and is only advisable for those who might be a danger to themselves or others. Otherwise, it is advisable to at least finish summer training, better to finish 1st semester, best to finish 1st year.

Personal experience 1: DS writes from USMA Beast after first week that everything is great, he made the right choice. Following week letter arrives that things have taken a turn for the worse. He will finish summer training, then quit. At end of summer training he decides to stay for first semester and start transfer applications over Thanksgiving break. Thanksgiving comes along and he has decided to leave after first year - Christmas break will be a great time to research transfer schools. Home for Christmas break and leaving is no longer a consideration. He is now an O-2.

Personal experience 2: Received frantic call from friend that his DS is quitting USNA after less than a week and they are about to start out-processing. Cadre gives him a cell phone and 10 minutes to talk to me. I go through all the logical reasons for him to stick it out for at least the summer, but he is adamant about quitting right away. So I pull my Ace in the Hole and tell him: "I know your a tough kid, but if you quit now everyone else will think you're a p**sy who couldn't hack it." I call his Dad and tell him I tried, but I don't think I got through to him. Next day Dad calls and thanks me for convincing his DS into finishing summer. He is now an O-2.

Every kid has a reason for choosing a service academy and that reason frequently seems to vanish under the stress of summer training. However, it usually magically reappears once the stress is removed.

Love the Ace in the Hole response best