1000% disagree with HeWants.
This takes a gentle hand approach and throwing a stranger in the mix, when they are not even assigned to them yet. It IMPO wrong and adding fuel to a fire.
Additionally, ALO's are volunteers. They have lives, jobs, children, etc. Their 1st priority right now after their personal needs, as an ALO is class of 17, not students that have yet to fill out their PCQ, to get in between Mom and child.
Go to Mom, ask her for you to please go on this site and spend sometime reading threads.
You need to do the time and investigate threads that you would like her to read...if it means opening multiple portals, than do so. You should bring up last yr BCT threads, because it will illustrate to her, they take it seriously. You could get approved for 4 days...I don't know, just assuming. However, 3 yrs ago when the Swine Flu (H1N1) so many cadets were sick they thought of going over the 8 day rule. Those 3-4 days will impact you...twist an ankle it could mean a turnback for a YEAR.
I am assuming you have no military background/connection at all. Your Mom needs to understand this is not equivalent to applying to an IVY. Admission rate, yes, but not the application process.
Ivies don't require an applicant to pass a fitness test. Ivies don't require a medical clearance to be admitted...i.e. vision, asthma, allergy waivers. Ivies don't request a nomination from an MOC, and in some states it could be 10 out of 700+ that get the nom.
She needs to understand this is not like college at all, even from the get go for admission purposes.
I would also show her forums like SA parents, Noms and DoDMERB. The more she is educated, the sooner she will get it. Chances are after a few threads she will get it, and realize it on her own.
DO NOT shove it in her face by handing over the phone to a stranger, that she will feel is on your side.
Do not ask an ALO to get on the phone to convince her. Is that the 1st impression you want to give to your ALO? I doubt it! Many ALOs talk to family members regarding supporting the applicant.
This is not 4 yrs. It is going to be at least 10 yrs of her life too. 1 yr in HS as a candidate, 4 yrs at the AFA, 5 yrs ADAF. Pilot training on the table, you are looking at 17 yrs. 1yr to wing, and 10 yrs owed. 2030!
Just my 0.0197534 cents, but your Mom is just being a Mom, thinking BCT is equivalent to freshman orientation at a traditional college.
She needs to be informed at her own speed. She will also want to be part of this site come next yr. Her friends, her siblings, cousins with kids that went through college admission process, but not SA or ROTC scholarship won't be able to get the frustration or elation. It is a unique world.
Help her by asking her as her child please for me, just spend 2-3 hrs. read these threads. If, after reading she doesn't get it, than I think there is a bigger issue...probably her not wanting this path for you as a parent.
Don't force her to speak to a stranger when it is a family matter (wedding). Respect her for raising you. A child in my opinion that is very level headed and goal oriented. You are a reflection of her yrs dedicated to you.
OBTW, if our kids did what HeWants told you to do, this is how it would have played out in my home.
Politeness to the ALO...listen with 1 ear, and thank you for the time. Argument as soon as I hung up the phone. Calling an ALO to intervene for your position would hurt me, as a Mother. Hence, why having her at least lurk on this site, she gets to see how much it matters to you. How this means so much to you to attend the AFA, she may change her mind.
sarahann,
For your Mom.
From one Mom to another Mom. The AF will become her family too. She may miss birthdays of her own children. Most likely celebrate only 1 out of 3 holidays with you... Thanksgiving or Xmas, not both when she enters AD. Yet, her peers in the AF will pick up the kids when she is late, will invite her to their home for the holidays, go on vacations with each other, and when the car breaks down give them a ride.
This is a life when they enter as a cadet you have to accept that they are flying away from the nest. It is hard. Yet, when you see them soar, you scream keep flying, go further.
They will always be our kids, but understand if she does get approval, there will be peers living with no cell phone or skype while she is gone. They will not be able to take 30 minute showers or leave the bed undone, and wet towels on the floor.
She is being placed between a rock and a hard place. She will feel guilty for missing your wedding, and guilty at your wedding knowing what cadets are enduring while she is gone.
She will live in concern that her plane will not be delayed on her way back, and hope she doesn't injure herself for the day count regarding BCT.
I am not about to get into the wedding issue, I am only saying that your wonderful DD is concerned.
Congrats on the upcoming nuptials.
Hug that girl...she loves you a lot!