My Plebe Has Thoughts of Leaving USNA

I am actually surprised more people dont quit the academies. I mean these are 17 year olds who apply to the academy with an idea in their head of what it is like and I have to imagine real life doesnt come close to what they thought. The interesting question is not why they quit but rather why they stay. I am sure there are many answer to that including they like it there.
 
Dadof2 said:
@Midmom2023

You have received some excellent advice. We went through this with our DD a few times during Plebe year and to a much lesser degree during youngster year. We told her it's OK if you want to leave and do something else, but you need to have a plan, and that plan can't involve sitting around on our couch trying to figure out what is next. We told her that she needed to complete whatever semester she was in at USNA if she made a decision to leave and had to have a plan locked in at another college, or at a job, or something constructive and well thought out. We had this discussion the first time she talked about leaving. Whenever the subject came up again we pretty much just listened and she worked it out. The first couple of years we made a few trips to USNA to visit and get her some time away from the Yard. By 2nd class year it was clear that she was too busy and didn't really need us visiting anymore so she would usually politely dissuade us from visiting most of the times we offered.

DD stayed and graduated last year in the top portion of her class in a tough major. She is happy that she stayed the course. This doesn't mean staying is right for everyone.

I know I didn't add much to what has already been offered, but just wanted to share a story from someone who recently went through what you are going through now. I truly wish you and your DS the best no matter what he decides.
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There's something about knowing that you're not the only one going through what you're going through
kinnem said:
You're not my wife, are you? :D
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Maybe wife #2? :biglaugh:
 
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Tmac54 said:
Midmom2023 I hope you are hanging in there. For all the stress and struggles our kids deal, they have the ability to take it head on. As parents... we feel their pain and stress ten fold. God bless.
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I am hanging in there. It looks like he just needed to say it. I was not prepared for that, even though I went to the parent orientation on I-day. I had waited so long for DS to say that he was having a difficult time that it seemed that day would never come. When it did, I was heartbroken for him. Like you said, "they have the ability."
Thank you. God bless.
 
Dadof2 said:
@Midmom2023

How is your DS doing after the holiday break? Hoping that he is back and doing OK or that he has decided on a solid plan B.
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I am relieved to say that DS has shaken off the "Plebe year blues" (can I coin this phrase?) and is staying the course. He's pretty busy, but I hear his voice every now and then and it sounds like DS has gotten his bearings. No plan B. USNA all the way 💙💛⚓
 
Midmom2023 said:
...I am relieved to say that DS has shaken off the "Plebe year blues" (can I coin this phrase?) and is staying the course...
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Good to hear. I would wager that 95% of Plebes go through this, whether or not they tell anyone. Most of them get through it. His class will start next year with about 25 fewer shipmates. That's not many in the big scheme of things.

During Plebe Summer (just the summer) of 1998, a total of 87 Plebes dropped out. That's 87 Plebes who didn't even make it to the Academic Year !
The class of 2001 probably brags about it all the time. :biggrin:
 
Very glad to hear that and I'm sure you can breathe a bit easier. Fair winds and following seas to your DS and all the best to you.
 
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