I hope everyone here has had a wonderful summer and holiday season since I haven't posted since last application cycle.
Brief recap: my DS was turned down last cycle and was devastated, as I discussed last year. The support and advice from this forum during that heartbreak was amazing.
Last summer he attended NSI and even though it is a shorter camp than Pleeb Summer, he felt it was a great experience and the command at the Naval Training Command Center was TOUGH! He said, (and you could tell from the pictures we saw on the Facebook posts) "Mom, those guys eat people for breakfast"
He had a great time and learned a lot. It was a great introduction to Naval customs, courtesies, and training. I was definitely in tears seeing all of the mids at graduation and him in his whites.
He followed through with his Plan B and went to college and has been in the school's Navy ROTC unit (which has been awesome). He took a Pleeb course load and learned so much about himself. We got to visit him a few times (I even got to attend my first Naval Ball with him
) and at one visit he said to me he was glad he was not accepted to the Academy last year. He said he didn't think at that point in his life he was mature enough to handle the Academy rigor and the past 5 months has taught him so much about himself. It has been so heartwarming to see his maturity (not getting super frustrated with his 4 younger siblings and helping to teach them how to behave versus getting upset with them). He freely admits and I whole heartedly believe that the discipline he has received so far from his unit has and will continue to make him a better man, brother, and father/husband one day. He is definitely more patient and has a thicker skin.
He followed through with his plan, got straight A's this semester, and has just completed his re-application. He just told me today that his application shows they received his fall semester transcript and is now Complete-Pending Review.
For all of those first time applicants/parents, you are in the right place. This forum has provided a wealth of knowledge and support to countless and is made possible by the amazing individuals that continue to feel success in the amount of people they can aid. The selflessness and support of the individuals on this forum has made a difference in so many families journeys and I want to thank you all again.
Here is to the next cycle
, I wish everyone the best of luck and for those that are unfortunate enough to not gain admittance this cycle, remember: Keep your head up! You do deserve it but sometimes our paths take an unexpected roundabout that will help us be more successful in the long run. Watching our children learn, grow, and succeed from a failure is the best gift parents can be given.
Now the wait begins.....