Initial PRT failed: What's next

I think this video has many parallels with plebe summer, USNA, or whatever your midshipman’s chosen field is after commissioning. There will be ups, downs and challenges during his time in the military. At this stage your DS is figuratively “earning his wings.” The four years at USNA will not be easy but it is doable with great sacrifice. Good luck to him and you.

 
Devil Doc said:
In four years when he’s standing in front of his division or platoon nobody’s going to give a rat’s patooty about his plebe summer.
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So true.

Some who thrive in PS, will struggle during the AC year and vice versa. The Ac year is much harder in a totally different way than PS. It’s not 6 weeks with Mom and Dad at the end, it’s 10 months ahead and it seems like it will never end. Less sleep, more demands on time, classes, balance of life, duty, etc. But, if he manages his time and seeks help where needed, he and every Plebe will be fine. And help isn’t necessarily classroom help… if they struggle with running, finding a running partner that can help keep you accountable and push you. Plebe knowledge learning the best way to study and learn. Academic issues… IE, academic center, classmates.
 
Call update:
This call was better than the last call, having issues with food but managing it somehow. Says the quality of food sucks.

Been sick for about a week now with plebe hack and that has affected his ability to do things and even have a nice sleep. He passed 10 mt jump, will redo swim. The plebe hack effected his ability to perform at his best.

Overall, more confidant. Loved his first set of detailers, not good vibes with his second set.
 
Bringing this thread back to life.
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4/c year: Good academic grades, pass PRT in fall 2021, failed in Spring 2022.
3/c: Academics on track so far, will improve from last year. Failed PRT Fall 2023.

So he has failed PRT 2 times consecutively. This last PRT failed by a very small margin, considerable improvement from last time.

As a concerned parent, what are repercussions? Will he be separated by end of fall 2022 or by end of 3/c year?
He did tell me that he will lose privileges till PRT is cleared.
 
onWestCoastC02025 said:
Bringing this thread back to life.
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4/c year: Good academic grades, pass PRT in fall 2021, failed in Spring 2022.
3/c: Academics on track so far, will improve from last year. Failed PRT Fall 2023.

So he has failed PRT 2 times consecutively. This last PRT failed by a very small margin, considerable improvement from last time.

As a concerned parent, what are repercussions? Will he be separated by end of fall 2022 or by end of 3/c year?
He did tell me that he will lose privileges till PRT is cleared.
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Anecdotally, we have had 5 sponsor mids in the last 10 years separated at end of 3/c academic year for a pattern of PRT failure. USNA cuts them loose so they have a chance to seek other paths and do not incur the payback. 3/c become 2/c on Comm Day, as everyone moves up a class. They finalize their commitment on the first day of class a few months later. That does not mean they can’t be separated after first semester of 3/c year.

Each case is evaluated on its merits and with respect for regulations, policy and precedent, along with input from the chain of command and the midshipman. USNA wants every midshipman to succeed, and will give them chances to recover and address unsat areas, but at some point, a decision is made. Much depends on individual aspects of each case. If the mid excels in all other areas, and has resounding support from the chain of command, they MIGHT be given until the end of the summer brfore 2/c academic year before they take a PRT do-or-die style, if they didn’t pass spring PRT. Or, they could be a stellar mid and still be separated immediately at first or second semester end.

Mids must be sat academically, physically, in honor and performance, to graduate. USNA will separate a midshipman when it becomes clear that it is unlikely a mid will achieve that, and they believe the best thing for the Navy and the mid is separation before repayment obligation is incurred.
The solution is in the midshipman’s hands.
 
Capt MJ said:
Anecdotally, we have had 5 sponsor mids in the last 10 years separated at end of 3/c academic year for a pattern of PRT failure.
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I'm curious... has something changed in the PRT program that is resulting in making it harder to pass, or is this an baseline admissions issue ? I don't recall hearing of anyone being separated for failing the PRT, or really anyone ever failing the PRT ? In fact, I don't recall a whole lot of thought about the PRT . A couple times a year we had PRT scheduled as part of PE --we ran it, then moved on.

It was more of an issue in the Fleet ... I think there was a new found interest in weight, body fat, and PFT in mid -late '80's, and we had a lot of folks that were out of shape. I still remember doing the run with one of my AW's ...huffing his way through the run and immediately lighting up a smoke when done :)
 
Old Navy BGO said:
I'm curious... has something changed in the PRT program that is resulting in making it harder to pass, or is this an baseline admissions issue ? I don't recall hearing of anyone being separated for failing the PRT, or really anyone ever failing the PRT ? In fact, I don't recall a whole lot of thought about the PRT . A couple times a year we had PRT scheduled as part of PE --we ran it, then moved on.
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Guessing it has to do with the extra lbs most are carrying today vs 30 years ago. My DS has always been at or over max weight, but luckily is a runner.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
I'm curious... has something changed in the PRT program that is resulting in making it harder to pass, or is this an baseline admissions issue ? I don't recall hearing of anyone being separated for failing the PRT, or really anyone ever failing the PRT ? In fact, I don't recall a whole lot of thought about the PRT . A couple times a year we had PRT scheduled as part of PE --we ran it, then moved on.

It was more of an issue in the Fleet ... I think there was a new found interest in weight, body fat, and PFT in mid -late '80's, and we had a lot of folks that were out of shape. I still remember doing the run with one of my AW's ...huffing his way through the run and immediately lighting up a smoke when done :)
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To answer your question, the PRT is treated as its own event. It is not administered in PE class, however, the PE Dept does run it. I'd say it is one of the most anticipated events each semester. Most people say they have PRT anxiety. Some worry if they will get an A, some worry if they'll pass outright.

I think some of the stakes have increased as a result of the "Nintendo Generation." It is easier to just look at a screen than go play outside as a kid. Therefore, that foundational fitness is lost. Also, schools will cut PE if they lose funding and many schools exempt PE participation if a student plays on a sports team. When I was a mid, I would sometimes hear the complaint that "Admissions leaned too much on academics." In other words, someone who is off the charts, but mediocre in fitness would get the nod over someone who is just above average in both. I have full faith that Admissions puts together the best class it can each year. The above complaint is just grumblings I heard in passing.

I remember being told as a plebe that if you fail three PRTs by Academy standards, then separation was on the table. The same went for failing two PRTs by Fleet standards.

The finish line cig was a thing at the Academy too. Not many participated, but those who did kept a cigarette in their sock and then lit it up before reporting their scores. I think they locked that practice up now.
 
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Re: Nintendo generation

Kids should be outside exploring and/or doing chores and helping their parents as soon as they can walk … when they’re not doing homework, playing sports, or practicing for the next piano competition.

We have pictures of our daughter playing in one of our creeks in the middle of a really cold day in February … I think she was a little more than 2 years old … wife was nearby clearing brush near some fencing I do recall.
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What he has told me is that he is UNSAT right now for PRT and will have to participate in BTT every morning. So once UNSAT in records for that semester, is there no way to remove UNSAT?

He plans to take BTT PRT this wednesday and aims to pass it. Will that remove UNSAT and assigned some grade once he passes. ?
 
onWestCoastC02025 said:
What he has told me is that he is UNSAT right now for PRT and will have to participate in BTT every morning. So once UNSAT in records for that semester, is there no way to remove UNSAT?

He plans to take BTT PRT this wednesday and aims to pass it. Will that remove UNSAT and assigned some grade once he passes. ?
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The below link should help you get some understanding. Your mid is your best source of info. No doubt he is under a lot of stress about this, because eyes are on him.

Quite often buddies and shipmates will offer to work out with him, pace him, etc.

He can also go to the MDC and get counseling on how to be in the right mental state to consistently pass and overcome mental blocks. Look at the hamburger menu in upper left. USNA wants to see he is taking advantage of every resource to manage his improvement.

www.usna.edu

A variety of direct clinical services are provided by the MDC.

Counseling Services Home page for Midshipmen Development Center at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Jan 09 10:15:27 EST 2024.
www.usna.edu


 
Capt MJ said:
The below link should help you get some understanding. Your mid is your best source of info. No doubt he is under a lot of stress about this, because eyes are on him.

Quite often buddies and shipmates will offer to work out with him, pace him, etc.

He can also go to the MDC and get counseling on how to be in the right mental state to consistently pass and overcome mental blocks. Look at the hamburger menu in upper left. USNA wants to see he is taking advantage of every resource to manage his improvement.

www.usna.edu

A variety of direct clinical services are provided by the MDC.

Counseling Services Home page for Midshipmen Development Center at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Jan 09 10:15:27 EST 2024.
www.usna.edu


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Very help link, thanks for passing this info. He has not shared much info and most likely is aware of this. All these questions are coming from a parent who would like to know.
 
The thing that is amazing, is how his company mates will support him. He won’t be alone. Hopefully that will settle your heart a bit. He will have his squad leader, youngster mentor, and many unofficial mentors to support him. That’s one of the most meaningful things about USNA is the relationships and support there.
 
justdoit19 said:
The thing that is amazing, is how his company mates will support him. He won’t be alone. Hopefully that will settle your heart a bit. He will have his squad leader, youngster mentor, and many unofficial mentors to support him. That’s one of the most meaningful things about USNA is the relationships and support there.
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This is spot on. Plebe year following major injury and rehab our DS had worried he wouldn’t pass the run. He always maxes the other components but six months of crutches kind of wrecks that run prep.
Once it was safe he prepped the best he could. The day of the PRT his roomies and besties showed up and he could hear them cheering him on.
He passed. And has passed all since. They have tremendous support available from the academy and their shipmates.
 
It may be too late for this: each Company has a Physical Mission Officer (3C or 2C) that is available to help coach & motivate those struggling with the PRT. OP DS should be reaching out to all sources for help at this point. Good luck.
 
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DS’s squad leader last fall and had a 3/C who failed the PRT and was academically unsat. The run seems to usually be the problem. The entire squad was up at 05:30 everyday running with him until he brought his time down. Unfortunately he was separated for academics. But the point is, there is typically a lot of people wanting to proactively help, even if the help may not be wanted.
 
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