ca2midwestmom
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2013
- Messages
- 1,335
When my DS started beast in 2014, I joined a FB group of other parents with NCs in the same Beast Company. At the time, there were ~100 members sharing pictures and stories. Two years later, there are ~90 members, 30-40 which are active in conversation daily/weekly. While I think all of the new cadets made it through Beast, I've watched some of these cadets leave after their first semester, at the end of Plebe year, after CFT, after Fall semester Yuk year, and again at the end of Yuk year. Some were for medical or academic reasons, or just decided WP wasn't for them. Some were priors, prepsters or straight out of high school. They have moved on to civilian colleges, jobs and ROTC; but the parents are still active on our page because of the support and friendship we've created. I've met close to 20+ of these parents at A-Day, PPW and football games. The cadets eventually moved to different companies after Beast; some of them made lifelong friends with their fellow Beast cadets. My son is now on an AIAD with 9 other cadets, 1 of which was in his Beast company. That cadet's mom and I are able to share pictures and stories about their experience. When my cadet does study abroad next spring, he will be going with another cadet from his Beast company. I'm friends with his mom also.
My point is, you may or may not hear about cadets leaving between Beast and graduation, but it happens, and when you are friends of that cadet's parents, it is hard to watch. For your own cadet -- remind them to take it one day at a time. Focus on Beast. Study hard, ask for help when needed, and get through the first semester, etc. They will be tired, sleep deprived, overwhelmed, and frustrated at lot of the time, but they will also start to see all the amazing opportunities available to them.
Good luck to NCs and 2020 parents! Hold on for the new roller coaster ride.
My point is, you may or may not hear about cadets leaving between Beast and graduation, but it happens, and when you are friends of that cadet's parents, it is hard to watch. For your own cadet -- remind them to take it one day at a time. Focus on Beast. Study hard, ask for help when needed, and get through the first semester, etc. They will be tired, sleep deprived, overwhelmed, and frustrated at lot of the time, but they will also start to see all the amazing opportunities available to them.
Good luck to NCs and 2020 parents! Hold on for the new roller coaster ride.
