Waiting in USCGA "Alternate" land

M

mom2five

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5-Year Member
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Apr 17, 2008
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Hi all
My first post, hope I do this correctly. DS was notified that he was an alternate for the USCGA class of '12. He is currently a sophomore at a good engineering school, but is finding class size and lack of teacher involvement & mentorship hindering his education. He's realizing that he wants more than just to sit and listen to a professor (who doesn't even know his name) ramble on and on. He very much wants to be part of the USCGA and experience all they have to offer, including commaraderie, guided direction, athletic involvement, and most of all, the opportunity to help others with the skill and experience he will get there.

As his parents, we are feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of information this incredible website offers. Dodmerb put him on remedial status because of childhood allergies. We've returned all the paperwork but fear getting DQ'd because the allergies occurred up until age 15. He scored 220 (out of 300) on his fitness exam, which shows he is in good shape (he takes no meds for allergies).

Like everyone else, we have a million questions, and will post a few of them on the appropriate boards. You guys are awesome, wish I had found this site months ago!

mom2five
 
You'll find that there is quite a range of USCGA "advice-givers" here, from active-duty Coast Guard officers who recently graduated to current USCGA cadets, parents of 1/C and 2/C cadets and parents of incoming swabs, and the best DODMERB advice you'll find anywhere.

Congrats to your son for choosing his goals wisely, and having a plan to get there.

BEAT KP!
 
wish I had found this site months ago!
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I felt the same way after my son went through the DODMERB and waiver process without the help of RetNavyHM.

Welcome!!!!
 
big university engineering program

I am a professor at a large engineering university (although I don't teach in engineering, we deal with a lot of their students) and what your son has discovered is not all that unusual. My own daughter had the choice of attending a number of large engineering schools (Purdue, Texas A&M, Arizona State), on full scholarship and chose USCGA. I fully support her decision. It took her 9 months to get through the DoDMERB stuff and agree with others that this forum was truly invaluable. She was finally cleared for admission last week.

I wish your son well as he tries to get into the Academy. If he doesn't, all is not lost. I have had one of my own students get into the CG as an officer via OCS after getting one of our degrees. And as far as getting what he needs out of the big college, if this doesn't all work out and he ends up staying there, let me know. I can give him all sorts of suggestions that might help improve his undergraduate experience.

Good luck!!!!
 
Prof. mnolan

[QUOTEas far as getting what he needs out of the big college, if this doesn't all work out and he ends up staying there, let me know. I can give him all sorts of suggestions that might help improve his undergraduate experience.[/QUOTE]

Thank you. It's very kind of you to offer words of wisdom to the undergraduate bunch. OCS is our Plan B. We'll let you know if we end up staying put and need some advice!
 
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