Still in the game

It has been a while folks. DS is headlong into college life at his civilian school. He absolutely loves it. He is a freshman class officer, pledged SAE - my old fraternity and chapter, is doing great in his classes, is involved in everything he can get into. He came by the house today and out of nowhere said he wants to apply for the USNA when he graduates. It blew me away. I thought he had totally let it go. Best to all of your DD's and DS's who are reapplying. I had to come to the thread. Old habits die hard!

Tennessee Dad
 
Skip - Thanks so much for the update. I'm glad your son is doing so well! Almost just as important though.....how is Bob?
 
NavyGenerationSkip said:
It has been a while folks. DS is headlong into college life at his civilian school. He absolutely loves it. He is a freshman class officer, pledged SAE - my old fraternity and chapter, is doing great in his classes, is involved in everything he can get into. He came by the house today and out of nowhere said he wants to apply for the USNA when he graduates. It blew me away. I thought he had totally let it go. Best to all of your DD's and DS's who are reapplying. I had to come to the thread. Old habits die hard!

Tennessee Dad
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Forgive me if I am reading this wrong, but did you say he wants to reapply to USNA after he graduates from college? In 4 years? If that's the case, that is amazing. Why not reapply for class of 2019?
 
hthp37 said:
Forgive me if I am reading this wrong, but did you say he wants to reapply to USNA after he graduates from college? In 4 years? If that's the case, that is amazing. Why not reapply for class of 2019?
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Yeah applying to USNA after going through college wouldn't make sense...you would go to OCS
 
I too think he mis-typed, but as crazy as it sounds, people with bachelor’s degrees have been accepted to the academies. Army recruited a baseball player who still had some NCAA eligibility left due to previous injuries and he had just completed a bachelor’s in accounting at another college. I agree it is wacky, but it does happen. Age is a limiter in applying, but previous years of education is not. Perhaps it should be.

Just sayin’.
 
famof8 said:
Just wondering where everyone landed when all was said and done? Our DS is at USMA, working hard. How many are trying again next year? How many feel like they are where they are supposed to be ?
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DS is very happy at Catholic U, on 4-yr Army ROTC scholarship (just contracted yesterday!). Loves his Mechanical Engineering classes, loves ROTC. Enjoying the civ college + ROTC experience.

Best to everyone,
Roseville
 
DS ended up as a college program Marine Option at the University of Oklahoma. He is competing for both the internal "sideload" scholarship as well as the external MO scholarship. He is feeling that re-applying for the Academy again is a step backward in a way--especially since newly commissioned Marines all go through TBS to truly become Marine Officers. (He also said he doesn't want to be a freshman again.)

He was truly bummed the first time around the Academy process--especially since his best fried since kindergarten got in. Once he got involved in the unit at OU, however, a lot of that disappointment faded away. The MOI/AMOI are top notch. Unfortunately they will be rotating out in the spring, but DS is really benefiting from this first year with them. The new Navy CO and XO are awesome as well.

DS has one of the highest PFT scores in the unit. He also got recruited for the endurance team as a freshman--being the only freshman on the team. He's doing well in classes and believes he can pull out a 4.0. The Marine Options work extremely hard in that unit and he definitely is holding his own and outpacing a few.

The major frustrations for him center around putting up with other kids his age that seem to be there more for the "experience" than the study. He dislikes dorm life. His roommate and he are night and day different. He gets frustrated with chemistry and engineering lab partners that are more concerned about goofing off on their laptops than getting the group work done, etc.

So, in short, maybe things did turn out better in the long run. The commission is the goal, not the path to it.
 
Good to see updates from the rest of the crew. DS is the type to commit to finishing what he started. Thus finishing his degree. I think he feels he would be more prepared at that point. He would only be 21when he begins to reapply. So, it was not a typo!

Bob is fine. Thank you for asking. I think he was relieved to finally not be looked at as The Grim Reaper! (For those wondering, Bob is our mailman, and we didn't get our twe until late-late in the game.

Carry on, and God bless our country.

TN Dad
 
rocatlin said:
DS ended up as a college program Marine Option at the University of Oklahoma. He is competing for both the internal "sideload" scholarship as well as the external MO scholarship. He is feeling that re-applying for the Academy again is a step backward in a way--especially since newly commissioned Marines all go through TBS to truly become Marine Officers. (He also said he doesn't want to be a freshman again.)

He was truly bummed the first time around the Academy process--especially since his best fried since kindergarten got in. Once he got involved in the unit at OU, however, a lot of that disappointment faded away. The MOI/AMOI are top notch. Unfortunately they will be rotating out in the spring, but DS is really benefiting from this first year with them. The new Navy CO and XO are awesome as well.

DS has one of the highest PFT scores in the unit. He also got recruited for the endurance team as a freshman--being the only freshman on the team. He's doing well in classes and believes he can pull out a 4.0. The Marine Options work extremely hard in that unit and he definitely is holding his own and outpacing a few.

The major frustrations for him center around putting up with other kids his age that seem to be there more for the "experience" than the study. He dislikes dorm life. His roommate and he are night and day different. He gets frustrated with chemistry and engineering lab partners that are more concerned about goofing off on their laptops than getting the group work done, etc.

So, in short, maybe things did turn out better in the long run. The commission is the goal, not the path to it.
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Congrats to your son for having the fortitude to go forward as a college programmer. I certainly understand the roommate and lab partner issues, but they present an opportunity for learning to deal with certain types of people. He won't just find them in college, as you know.

Way to go on the endurance team stuff. I'm sure he started in great shape. Nevertheless I expect you'll be stunned by the changes in his body by Christmas and end of spring semester.

Good luck to your son! :thumb:
 
Just thought I would provide a snap shot of life after TWE! Well, there were a few dark days, DS took it hard, probably went through all stages of grief including anger. However, he is happily enrolled in college program NROTC, is thriving, and exceptionally happy. DS remarked that his dorm is "animal house" but he is lucky enough to be bunking with two marine-candidates, whose only apparent flaws are attempted recruitment (of him). I believe he has reapplied to USNA for the coming class. Either way, I could not be prouder.

He completes his NROTC basic training on October 7th- and our family will attend. For the past six weeks, I have tried to find a daily quote to text him (fondly called, "naval quote of the day"). I have covered a swathe of topics, USNA, leadership, courage, strength, honor, perseverance, patriotism- it has been a rewarding task. I wanted to share one that I sent last week that I liked. best to all you veterans of the TWE and to you newbie parents. Just wanted to let you know- all is well.

"“The thing about the Navy is when we see a job to do, we just do it. That’s part of who we are. It’s always been that way. It always will be that way and it’s that commitment, drive, focus on mission, and focus on making things better for those that are going to come after us that make all the difference in the world. And the United States Navy does it better than anybody else.”

Adm. Gary Roughead, CNO, 2008
 
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How nice to hear from you, Skip! (And so many other old buddies) Glad to hear your boy is doing well and that Bob has a four year reprieve! Mine accepted an appointment to USMMA and while he opened an app, not sure he will pursue. He was told by our local usna admissions rep that they don't usually take from other service academies so I think he too has his eye on the prize (the commission) rather than the path, at this point.

He is thrilled to be getting the service academy experience in all it's misery! he made it through indoc, got his wings and was sworn into US Naval Reserves a few weeks ago! I am very proud of him.

Stay in touch, all. Keep those updates coming! We shared a special bond last year. I can still feel the heartbreak I felt for each and every one of you when those dreaded TWE's started showing up.

With sincere affection,
 
Have to second the comment on applying from one SA to another. While all of the SAs understand there are legit reasons a mid/cadet at one SA wants to start over at another, there is an informal policy of not "stealing" from another SA. I can't say it's never happened but it would be VERY unusual.

Glad your DS is happy at USMMA -- it's a TERRIFIC school with so many opportunities upon graduation. One of the hidden gems of the SA world.:thumb:
 
I'm reapplying to USNA as a college freshman and today it struck me, why not apply to USCGA too? I looked at the USCGA website and tried to find similarities/differences with USNA. usna1985, could you or LITS maybe talk about some of the similarities/differences with USCGA, USNA and maybe even USNA? My end goal would be to be a ship's officer or naval aviator.
 
Prettymuch self explanitory

USNA: Commissions Navy and Marine Corps officers

USCGA: Primarily for coast guard officers

You could be a Coast Guard Pilot, but i dont think you can cross branches from USCGA I honestly dont recommend it. I think once you graduate USCGA you're pretty much a coastie

If you would like to be a naval officer or naval aviator, Your best bet is USNA.

It's always simple to focus on one branch and to stick to your commitment to your branch.
^^^
But that's just my opinion, do whatever you feel will make you a happy person and help you enjoy your life.

You could also take a look at USMMA if you want to be a ship officer, you could gain a commission in the navy through there as well
 
DS notified today that he has received a three-year NROTC scholarship! There is life after the TWE.
 
Getting Out Of The Game

I already posted in the ROTC, just thought I would update here. Our DS will not be following through with USNA. He loves his NROTC Unit!! He said it was worth getting everything ready again but he does not want to take the seat of another if he knows he is staying with NROTC. What really is bumming him out is he does not know what to say to the Navy coach that worked with him his first go around. He also knows that he is going to miss his sport.

CONGRATS Jsmom!!! Indeed there is life after the TWE...
 
If It Is Me Your Asking

Astef67,

Our DS completed his USNA (round 1) & NROTC very early in the process of his Jr. of HS. It was in early enough to be seen the first go around.

In early Jan he was awarded the NROTC scholarship. It was not until late March when he received the TWE from the Academy.

For USNA round 2, once again he finished very early...well before the end of his Sr. year. The only thing he had left was his BGO & MOC interviews. The BGO wanted to wait and make sure he did not change his mind after his experience with NROTC. Clearly make a lot of sense now.

In round 1 of USNA he attended NASS.
For round 2 on USNA he was offered a CVW which he was not able to attend because of NROTC and his college classes. They completely understood his reason.

Our DS was / & is involved with the coaches of one of the USNA D1 sports. He is feeling really bad; however, he has to go with his heart and that means NROTC. I'm quite certain the coach will understand.
 
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