..... One thing worth discussing here is whether it is useful to inform the SA cadet that you've got their back covered or not and have paid the deposit at a local school. I recall thinking initially that it would be beneficial not to inform my cadet that he had a slot open at the local school, as an extra "all or nothing" motivator to make it less likely that he quit when things got rough at BCT. Ultimately, however, I decided to tell him that he had this option. He is doing well and is very happy at USMA.
Each parent knows their kid best. If you think your child is the "Zack Mayo" (Officer and a Gentleman) type who fights to stay in and says: "I have no where else to go", and that's their motivation for doing well at the academy....... then I guess you could withhold from them that you have a backup for them.
Me personally; if I thought my son was this type, then I'd have a bigger concern. I'd be concerned that he isn't at the academy because he wants it, but because it's a free education and it was his only real option. Fortunately; I don't believe that this is the norm. I believe that the overwhelming majority of applicants/cadets really DO WANT the academy. Therefor, having a backup because of injury/illness wouldn't negatively affect their motivation to try and excel.
Now this isn't to say that many applicants/cadets who truly want the academies know what they are really getting into. Most have absolutely no idea what they are getting into. The worst are those who did JrROTC and CAP in high school. They think they know what the military and academy is. That they have a leg up and are prepared. They have no idea. Some of these will quit in the first couple weeks of BCT.
No; you should definitely have a backup plan to the academy; and your son/daughter should know about it. If you think knowing will affect their motivation and efforts at the academy, then you have a MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM. Your child probably doesn't really want to be at the academy. And yes, this is a totally different topic, but WAY TOO COMMON. There are plenty of candidates/cadets who aren't applying/there because they want to be. They've rationalized; usually by their parent's input; and are doing it for the "Free Education". And parents are the worst. It's not their lives. Most look at it from the financial position of: "Cool, I don't have to pay for college". Some kids don't want to burden their parents and they accept the appointment. Some simply trust their parents and if they say the academy is a great choice, they go for it. Anyway; that's a different topic.
1. Have a backup to the academy
2. SECURE that backup through BCT
3. "Most" don't cost a lot for a security deposit
4. Make sure your child is part of the entire process/decision
5. If you think you shouldn't tell your child that you have a backup school in place because you think it will affect their motivation and effort at the academy, then you have bigger problems.
best of luck. mike....