Injury or illness before plebe summer

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Clovie

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What happens if there is an injury or illness before I day and unable to participate in plebe summer?
 
If it happens before I-Day and prevents you from participating fully, it’s probable that you’ll receive an LOA for the following year (with the conditions being that you fully recuperate and secure a nomination). You’ll want to spend the year productively, i.e. attend a four-year college and take a plebe-like schedule and maintain your physical fitness.
 
KB7801 said:
Happened to my DS... tore his ACL / meniscus and had surgery two weeks ago. I'm sure that it's a case by case basis, but the above information was not accurate for him. Feel free to message me.
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I'm so sorry. Such an unfortunate situation - hope everything works out.
 
Timing and severity of the injury are huge factors. Assuming the injury is something that can heal and the candidate can pass DODMERB and secure a waiver if needed. Occurring prior to Indoc will typically mean rollback to next class. Occuring during the first three-weeks of Indoc typically mean rollback to next class. Occuring during the second three-weeks of Indoc..... there is a chance you could stay but it becomes very situational and factors in the remaining elements of training yet to be complete vs what you can accomplish.

Once you are clear of INDOC, injuries happen and they typically do not involve a student being sent away on convalescent leave. Major things like cancer treatment - ok, those happen and the schools really really work with students. I have seen a broken neck and pelvis stay in school. We pushed his wheelchair and his roommate stepped up and helped with the neck halo and stuff. The key is getting through INDOC/BCT/BEAST.

A good friend of mine broke his foot during BCT and was rolled back to the following year. He spent the year at his Plan B school and returned with the following class. The credits earned at Plan B allowed him to double-major. He did ok...... loved being part of the parachute team so much, he cross-commissioned Army to be a ranger - went on to be a White House Fellow, and spent time as an instructor at West Point.
 
MidCakePa said:
If it happens before I-Day and prevents you from participating fully, it’s probable that you’ll receive an LOA for the following year (with the conditions being that you fully recuperate and secure a nomination). You’ll want to spend the year productively, i.e. attend a four-year college and take a plebe-like schedule and maintain your physical fitness.
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I asked the Dean this exact question when my son was at CVW. He recommended what you posted, except he said to take classes at a community college to keep the brain sharp. He said there was no need to dish out thousands for a year of college if you were 100% certain to reapply to USNA.
 
I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief when I saw her go thru the doors of Alumni Hall, we got her there without breaking a bone, twisting her knee or any various ailments that could have disqualified her as she thought joining an Ultimate Frisbee team the spring of her senior year a relaxing thing to do! There were a few that were not so lucky 2 years ago.
 
KB7801 said:
Happened to my DS... tore his ACL / meniscus and had surgery two weeks ago. I'm sure that it's a case by case basis, but the above information was not accurate for him. Feel free to message me.
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What happened to him?
 
My son was one of these. He was appointed to the class of 2026 and also had a full NROTC-MO scholarship to GWU in DC. He tore his meniscus the week before I-Day and 6 days later was in surgery instead of taking the oath in Annapolis. Ironically, it was his first serious injury in 48 seasons of year round competitive sports! He was in excellent shape and had just ran in track nationals and reffed his first semi-pro soccer game in the weeks before. Thankfully, surgery was completely successful- and his surgeon was retired military! Then he began the long road back.

His injury negated his USNA appointment and his NROTC scholarship. He was asked to sign a contract with USNA saying he would maintain high level academic (full-time college student, STEM classes), physical fitness, and character qualities and repeat the appointment process the following year. GWU was now out of reach financially and impractical with post-surgical immobility and his intense rehab schedule. So in July, he had to apply to a college closer to home and pay for it. Fortunately, NC is full of excellent college choices. Then in the fall he had to begin the process again to secure congressional nominations, DODMERB waiver, and pass the PRT.

Our senators would not give him a nomination again (despite his USNA appointment) because his medical waiver would not be approved until January when he could receive the “return to full activity” letter from his surgeon. Fortunately, our congresswoman did give him another nomination in December. His DODMERB waiver was approved in mid-January. He takes his PRT in March. And the USNA board will meet in April to determine if he receives an appointment to the class of 2027. Eagerly awaiting that phone call!!

It has definitely been a roller coaster. He has been on this path for many years and was fully prepared to be a USNA plebe. It has been humbling and inspiring to watch him overcome this setback and commit his life to getting back to USNA. He is excelling in his college courses, works out daily, is a national level soccer referee on the weekends (running 12mi/day), is continuing his professional development reading, volunteering, and was hired as a coach at his HS alma mater (from student to faculty in just 3weeks!!).

This year has definitely looked different than we ever expected. We trust God has a bigger plan in all of it and we know we’re just along for the ride. After the initial challenges and shock of it all, we have enjoyed the extra year to enjoy the little things and time together. We look forward to June 29, 2023 and most of our I-Day tears will likely be replaced with whoops and hollers because it’s been so much harder and it almost slipped away. He’s made for USNA and is committed to a life of serving our country. We will be so thankful for the privilege of watching him walk in those steps… finally!

… And until he raises his right hand on June 29, I may or may not continue to dream of wrapping him in bubble wrap in my head, while silently praying for his safety and enthusiastically cheering him on as he successfully tackles this off ramp with gusto, independence, and excellence.

I say all this to encourage everyone to have their plans B, C, and D at least outlined in your head. And be ready for anything. I’ve seen two other plebes in this forum with orthopedic surgeries this past fall who were sent home to rehab and will be rejoining with the class of 2027 to repeat Plebe Summer. There are SO many variables!

Semper Gumby! Go Navy, Beat Army!
 
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USMCfam said:
My son was one of these. He was appointed to the class of 2026 and also had a full NROTC-MO scholarship to GWU in DC. He tore his meniscus the week before I-Day and 6 days later was in surgery instead of taking the oath in Annapolis. Ironically, it was his first serious injury in 48 seasons of year round competitive sports! He was in excellent shape and had just ran in track nationals and reffed his first semi-pro soccer game in the weeks before. Thankfully, surgery was completely successful- and his surgeon was retired military! Then he began the long road back.

His injury negated his USNA appointment and his NROTC scholarship. He was asked to sign a contract with USNA saying he would maintain high level academic (full-time college student, STEM classes), physical fitness, and character qualities and repeat the appointment process the following year. GWU was now out of reach financially and impractical with post-surgical immobility and his intense rehab schedule. So in July, he had to apply to a college closer to home and pay for it. Fortunately, NC is full of excellent college choices. Then in the fall he had to begin the process again to secure congressional nominations, DODMERB waiver, and pass the PRT.

Our senators would not give him a nomination again (despite his USNA appointment) because his medical waiver would not be approved until January when he could receive the “return to full activity” letter from his surgeon. Fortunately, our congresswoman did give him another nomination in December. His DODMERB waiver was approved in mid-January. He takes his PRT in March. And the USNA board will meet in April to determine if he receives an appointment to the class of 2027. Eagerly awaiting that phone call!!

It has definitely been a roller coaster. He has been on this path for many years and was fully prepared to be a USNA plebe. It has been humbling and inspiring to watch him overcome this setback and commit his life to getting back to USNA. He is excelling in his college courses, works out daily, is a national level soccer referee on the weekends (running 12mi/day), is continuing his professional development reading, volunteering, and was hired as a coach at his HS alma mater (from student to faculty in just 3weeks!!).

This year has definitely looked different than we ever expected. We trust God has a bigger plan in all of it and we know we’re just along for the ride. After the initial challenges and shock of it all, we have enjoyed the extra year to enjoy the little things and time together. We look forward to June 29, 2023 and most of our I-Day tears will likely be replaced with whoops and hollers because it’s been so much harder and it almost slipped away. He’s made for USNA and is committed to a life of serving our country. We will be so thankful for the privilege of watching him walk in those steps… finally!

… And until he raises his right hand on June 29, I may or may not continue to dream of wrapping him in bubble wrap in my head, while silently praying for his safety and enthusiastically cheering him on as he successfully tackles this off ramp with gusto, independence, and excellence. I say all this to encourage everyone to have their plans B, C, and D at least outlined in your head. And be ready for anything. I’ve seen two other plebes in this forum with orthopedic surgeries this past fall who were sent home to rehab and will be rejoining with the class of 2027 to repeat Plebe Summer. There are SO many variables!

Semper Gumby! Go Navy, Beat Army!
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What a FANTASTIC example, of so many things. What a great post. Teared up for him!

My oldest Mids roommate did not pass the medical piece of Iday. His story, was that he had an appointment the year before, was injured, and sent to NAPS for a year. But still didn’t clear the medical piece on actual Iday. And was sent home. Very much, semper gumby.

Cheering for your sons appointment, as well.
 
Here's the thing. If USNA offers you an appointment, they want you. If something beyond your control (meaning you don't get drunk and jump out of a window) happens and you can't participate in PS, they are still going to want you. Thus, there is normally some provision for you to go to a civilian school, get healthy and reapply with the understanding that -- if nothing has changed and your medical situation has cleared -- you will be appointed to the next class.

I'm sure there are exceptions. But the above is what appears to be the norm.
 
We have a friend who had two I-Days! This was the late 90s and things change but he had a previous stress-fracture and was cleared to report for I-Day. He was issued all the stuff, had the hair cut and somewhere in the late morning was pulled for additional x-rays. They determined he wasn’t clear so he never did the oath and was basically rolled back. Went to Purdue and got some academic credits and then came again the next year (never had to reapply or seek noms but that might be different now) and did the whole thing all over. Close to retirement as a 30 year O6 now :)
 
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