It’s been a long, wild and crazy ride!

Frassy16

Frassy16

5-Year Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2012
Messages
18
Started on this forum ~6 years ago for information on applying to the academies. DS was drawn to the Naval Academy as an engineering school and because he’s always enjoyed being a part of something bigger than himself. After receiving the TWE and being turned down for a NROTC scholarship, he went to his Plan B school. While there, he participated as a non-contract cadet in the AFROTC program and excelled – until severe dehydration at Summer Field Training sent him home. That was a devastating summer. Then fall arrived with an offer of a waiver from his Cadre, who didn’t want to lose him. In a surprise move, DS turned the AFROTC waiver down and enlisted in the Army National Guard with the intention of participating in SMP. He did very well at BCT, contracted the following semester and was awarded a GRFD scholarship for his remaining schooling. Now, he is set to commission as an Army Officer (21 days) - his BB from BCT is flying up to give him his first salute. DS has been selected to his future Unit for Guard and will be attending FA BOLC in July. Looking back on the path – everything happened for a reason. His personality is a better match for Army, he likes his Branch selection and he’s excited that he gets to be Army and Civilian at the same time. He has re-discovered his first love – engineering – and is glad that he gets to pursue both careers at the same time. Some things I have learned along the way:

  1. If you truly want to serve, there is always a way. Do the right things, don’t quit working hard and handle yourself with integrity and you can overcome just about any obstacle.

  2. Control what you can and forget the rest. I saw a great cadet derailed by a major car accident. Your health and mental well-being should always come first. When things like that happen, the military stops being the main goal – and that’s ok.

  3. If you are only in it for the scholarship – please rethink your path – the military is not the place for people who really don’t want to belong there.

  4. Make decisions that are best for you. You have to live this life, not your parents, significant other or anyone else. DH and I weren’t so sure about enlisting, but DS knew that’s what he wanted. Seeing him so happy and content with his choice has taught me that I really need to trust in his decisions.

  5. For parents: Take a deep breath, hang on and try to back off. The more your DS or DD figure out for themselves, the better off they will be. The more they take responsibility for their own path, the better choices they will make. If they screw up or even fail, that’s okay, too. It’s how they learn to get back up and succeed.
Best of Luck!
 
Frassy16 said:
Started on this forum ~6 years ago for information on applying to the academies. DS was drawn to the Naval Academy as an engineering school and because he’s always enjoyed being a part of something bigger than himself. After receiving the TWE and being turned down for a NROTC scholarship, he went to his Plan B school. While there, he participated as a non-contract cadet in the AFROTC program and excelled – until severe dehydration at Summer Field Training sent him home. That was a devastating summer. Then fall arrived with an offer of a waiver from his Cadre, who didn’t want to lose him. In a surprise move, DS turned the AFROTC waiver down and enlisted in the Army National Guard with the intention of participating in SMP. He did very well at BCT, contracted the following semester and was awarded a GRFD scholarship for his remaining schooling. Now, he is set to commission as an Army Officer (21 days) - his BB from BCT is flying up to give him his first salute. DS has been selected to his future Unit for Guard and will be attending FA BOLC in July. Looking back on the path – everything happened for a reason. His personality is a better match for Army, he likes his Branch selection and he’s excited that he gets to be Army and Civilian at the same time. He has re-discovered his first love – engineering – and is glad that he gets to pursue both careers at the same time. Some things I have learned along the way:

  1. If you truly want to serve, there is always a way. Do the right things, don’t quit working hard and handle yourself with integrity and you can overcome just about any obstacle.

  2. Control what you can and forget the rest. I saw a great cadet derailed by a major car accident. Your health and mental well-being should always come first. When things like that happen, the military stops being the main goal – and that’s ok.

  3. If you are only in it for the scholarship – please rethink your path – the military is not the place for people who really don’t want to belong there.

  4. Make decisions that are best for you. You have to live this life, not your parents, significant other or anyone else. DH and I weren’t so sure about enlisting, but DS knew that’s what he wanted. Seeing him so happy and content with his choice has taught me that I really need to trust in his decisions.

  5. For parents: Take a deep breath, hang on and try to back off. The more your DS or DD figure out for themselves, the better off they will be. The more they take responsibility for their own path, the better choices they will make. If they screw up or even fail, that’s okay, too. It’s how they learn to get back up and succeed.
Best of Luck!
Click to expand...
Congratulations to you DS. Thank you for the excellent post. We are officially beginning the journey, I say officially because my DS is a junior and ready to put the pen to the paper...but in his heart , as you all know, it has been something he has been preparing for( since 9)....his whole heart is in it, but he knows to have plans b,c,d etc...
 
Frassy16 said:
Started on this forum ~6 years ago for information on applying to the academies. DS was drawn to the Naval Academy as an engineering school and because he’s always enjoyed being a part of something bigger than himself. After receiving the TWE and being turned down for a NROTC scholarship, he went to his Plan B school. While there, he participated as a non-contract cadet in the AFROTC program and excelled – until severe dehydration at Summer Field Training sent him home. That was a devastating summer. Then fall arrived with an offer of a waiver from his Cadre, who didn’t want to lose him. In a surprise move, DS turned the AFROTC waiver down and enlisted in the Army National Guard with the intention of participating in SMP. He did very well at BCT, contracted the following semester and was awarded a GRFD scholarship for his remaining schooling. Now, he is set to commission as an Army Officer (21 days) - his BB from BCT is flying up to give him his first salute. DS has been selected to his future Unit for Guard and will be attending FA BOLC in July. Looking back on the path – everything happened for a reason. His personality is a better match for Army, he likes his Branch selection and he’s excited that he gets to be Army and Civilian at the same time. He has re-discovered his first love – engineering – and is glad that he gets to pursue both careers at the same time. Some things I have learned along the way:

  1. If you truly want to serve, there is always a way. Do the right things, don’t quit working hard and handle yourself with integrity and you can overcome just about any obstacle.

  2. Control what you can and forget the rest. I saw a great cadet derailed by a major car accident. Your health and mental well-being should always come first. When things like that happen, the military stops being the main goal – and that’s ok.

  3. If you are only in it for the scholarship – please rethink your path – the military is not the place for people who really don’t want to belong there.

  4. Make decisions that are best for you. You have to live this life, not your parents, significant other or anyone else. DH and I weren’t so sure about enlisting, but DS knew that’s what he wanted. Seeing him so happy and content with his choice has taught me that I really need to trust in his decisions.

  5. For parents: Take a deep breath, hang on and try to back off. The more your DS or DD figure out for themselves, the better off they will be. The more they take responsibility for their own path, the better choices they will make. If they screw up or even fail, that’s okay, too. It’s how they learn to get back up and succeed.
Best of Luck!
Click to expand...
DS completed FA BOLC in Jan. Give me shout with any questions, hopefully I can answer.
 
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