Injury Before Starting ROTC

H

Hook Jr.

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Aug 26, 2017
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I recieved a type 1 AFROTC scholarship for starting at my dream school this fall. Life is great. Except...

I have this bucket list trip idea to take a week(s) long adventure (ADV), offroad, dualsport, camping small motorcycle adventure through a part of the Trans America Trail (not alone) early this summer before heading off to college . I feel like it's a great way to get a bit of freedom, fresh air, adventure and sightseeing before heading to college. The issue that has been looming over the planning of the trip is the possibility of injury. If you've ever done trail motorcycle riding, you know what kind of injuries I'm talking about. The risk for a road injury is quite low for our path and speed. However, trail foot and leg injuries are possible. The risk isn't super high, but there's always a risk. Of the injuries, most likley to not have permanent damage, but could result in surgery or not being able to be very active for a while. I'd of course buy some motocross armor, boots and knee pads for reasonable saftey, but those by no means protects from all injuries.

I, along with my parents, are concerned about how an injury could affect my scholarship (not relying in, but very much helping in paying for college). This would be a few months before I report to my AFROTC det for the very first time. I know a PFT must be passed when you arrive to retain your scholarship.

If it weren't for the scholarship, I would have no problem taking the risks, but with this added wieght of what I could loose, I'm hesitant. I've heard non-permanent injuries should be okay, but more so near comissioning. What about right before you show up?



TL;DR: Take risk of possible (non-super serious) leg/foot/ankle injury a few months before showing up for AFROTC with Type 1 4-year Scholarship? Wrap myself in bubble wrap until I arrive and pass that first PFT?



P.S. I am DoDMERB qualified as of a few weeks ago. Extra info (if it could somehow be affected): will be fighting for a pilot slot when it comes around to it.

Also just thought about how an injury could affect summer training.... hmmm......
 
You have to be able to pass the physical test, whatever AFROTC calls it, before you contract. You have to contract before your tuition will get paid. The net is that even a temporary injury that prevents you from performing the test adequately can hurt you financially. Of course some injuries could disqualify you altogether. You're the guy who has to assess the risk, realizing that the length of the trip, in both time and distance, will be directly proportional to your chances of injury (I would think).
 
My guidance would be to pretend you had a time machine and go-forward to a point where you sustain an injury that would cause you to at-least delay the start of your ROTC scholarship benefits. Are you in a position to pay the tuition while your injury heals? Are you OK if that injury would derail your dream of serving? Is it worth it? Would you regret it? Is there anything you can do to mitigate against risk - in your case such as rider-armor, anything that might "bubble wrap" you to minimize though not eliminate risk - like additional braces/ supports for areas you are concerned about? IDK the details but my brother rides and he invested in these precautions and advises the investment has saved him a few times from avoidable injury. Good luck and good for you for being thoughtful / pragmatic in your approach.
 
Young man, you are here only once. Don’t live life looking over your shoulder. Don’t take stupid risks but do take calculated ones. If you were my son, I would encourage you to go on this trip. Yes, something could happen. Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.

My DS is a USNA appointee. He is backpacking over spring break with buddies in Colorado. DW didn’t want him to go for fear of injury. We had a bit of a marital discord over this - he’s got to do this while he can. Be safe, be smart, but grab your youth by the (fill in your favorite metaphor) and have an adventure while you can. Bubble wrap is for your gramma’s Wedgewood.

That’s my unsolicited advice - that and $3.64 will get you a skim latte.
 
ders_dad said:
Young man, you are here only once. Don’t live life looking over your shoulder. Don’t take stupid risks but do take calculated ones. If you were my son, I would encourage you to go on this trip. Yes, something could happen. Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.

My DS is a USNA appointee. He is backpacking over spring break with buddies in Colorado. DW didn’t want him to go for fear of injury. We had a bit of a marital discord over this - he’s got to do this while he can. Be safe, be smart, but grab your youth by the (fill in your favorite metaphor) and have an adventure while you can. Bubble wrap is for your gramma’s Wedgewood.

That’s my unsolicited advice - that and $3.64 will get you a skim latte.
Click to expand...

Ditto....
Do your thang. Don’t live by what-ifs.
That is not to say “live risky”, but it’s ok to live your life to the fullest while being cautious too.
 
As a fellow dirt biker and father of an appointee/scholarship recipient I suggest you go for it.

However, I think you should take your time and not push the envelope of your riding abilities. A compromise of sorts.
 
my DS did the TAT trail last year with a group of friends all 16 Years old and made it 1/2 way before they ran out of time during spring break. best experience of their (young) lives. DO IT. they used 4WD trucks but only one small injury occurred, 1 kid tripped running downhill on day 1 and scraped his elbow LOL.
 
Well I am of the unpopular opinion here [emoji23]! Admittedly I don’t know how difficult or risky all this is. BUT I would advise my own to not do this trip. BC there too much at stake. Of course it’s your call. You are seeking advice here and that is mine.

I’m not sure how ROTC works, but at USNA, to quote my DS “I’m Navy’s problem now”. Could you do this particular trip AFTER you are ‘their problem’? I would also say to DS, ‘could you do this next summer as a reward for finishing up your first year?’

Sounds like an amazing adventure. There is risk in everything. Our advice was to avoid unnecessary risk. And ultimately DS made his decisions based upon that.
 
I'll share that my DS takes airplanes up at 8500 feet by himself every week, is signing up for the Sky diving club at college next year, is a martial artist that is involved in some tricky training in which one could easily be injured, and is preparing to fly around and into the theater of combat in the future. As others point out, you have to live your life. Just remember you also have to live with the consequences of your decisions. All good posts here for you to consider. I'll just add this - my DD's best friend is a competitive rider - regional champ, uber-talented, room full of trophies taller than her, and she's had like 4 broken bones/ pins/ casts in the past 7 years. You know even talented riders encounter issues - loose gravel, changing trails from weather. ice in the morning (even in the summer!) in mountain areas, bad decisions from other riders on the trail. Again think about how you can mitigate the risks if you choose to go. Good luck!
 
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