- Joined
- Oct 15, 2017
- Messages
- 7,002
I just thought I would mention a few things about WAITING, based on what I have seen as a new user on the forum. This is a list of my opinions and observations, and I am trying my best to inject a little dry humor as I go. Unless you're an astronaut, you're not getting off this planet alive, so you should have fun and laugh about as many things as you can whilst you're here.
1. Be patient.
2. If you're planning on doing anything in the military, you are going to have to get used to waiting.
3. If you joined this forum because you wanted to post about the fact that you have checked the Candidate Information Portal - and the status hasn't changed - let's just say that you're not a special snowflake. There are (conservatively) thousands of people in that line in front of you. If it were an actual line of people, you may very well find yourself standing in a different zip code.
4. DoDMERB manages a LOT of data on a LOT of people. Just be patient and wait. I know you answered that remedial question with the allergy form you downloaded, filled out, scanned, and emailed back within 6 minutes, but it may take a week before you hear from them. When you see an update, you may only see that they acknowledged receiving it. Look, it's months until January. Be patient. They really do know what they're doing. Go outside and enjoy the fresh air. You're going to stroke out. Do something relaxing that decreases your blood pressure.
5. Blue & Gold Officers have a lot on their plate and they are volunteers. Some of them have a LOT of candidates to visit, and even more emails to slog through. Don't get too excited if you don't hear from them for a week or two. They may be on a family vacation. I know, they didn't clear that vacation with YOU, but they went anyway! Many of them are retired, but being retired doesn't mean that they're waiting by the computer for your email to come through. See item 1.
6. If you joined the forum due to "going crazy" because you like to be in control and you've been checking the status of your DS's or DD's application and they haven't gotten an LOA yet (because you actually expect an LOA and oh my gosh they are the perfect candidate, how come they aren't in already?) then I can almost guarantee that your DS or DD is getting stressed because YOU are stressed. Is that what you want to do? Do you want to add to their stress? See items 1 and 2.
7. Wait to post. Since you aren't a special snowflake after all, there are probably a LOT of threads already written that describe exactly what you're going through (Especially the ones about your "CFA scores" and "am I competitive"?). Take some time to read them and the responses. If you've never been in a "forum" setting before, you may want to give more weight to the responses from actual Midshipmen, Admins or Moderators, or members with thousands of posts. More than likely, they know what they're talking about (or have talked to people who do) and their input will be more consistent and accurate. Reading is helpful, and it keeps you from checking the Candidate Information Portal every 2 minutes.
It's not the beat-all, end-all of existence. Always have a readily executable plan "B".
That's my two cents.
Feel free to post more for the list, smile, and laugh at yourself once in a while.
I woke up today. It's going to be a good day!
1. Be patient.
2. If you're planning on doing anything in the military, you are going to have to get used to waiting.
3. If you joined this forum because you wanted to post about the fact that you have checked the Candidate Information Portal - and the status hasn't changed - let's just say that you're not a special snowflake. There are (conservatively) thousands of people in that line in front of you. If it were an actual line of people, you may very well find yourself standing in a different zip code.
4. DoDMERB manages a LOT of data on a LOT of people. Just be patient and wait. I know you answered that remedial question with the allergy form you downloaded, filled out, scanned, and emailed back within 6 minutes, but it may take a week before you hear from them. When you see an update, you may only see that they acknowledged receiving it. Look, it's months until January. Be patient. They really do know what they're doing. Go outside and enjoy the fresh air. You're going to stroke out. Do something relaxing that decreases your blood pressure.
5. Blue & Gold Officers have a lot on their plate and they are volunteers. Some of them have a LOT of candidates to visit, and even more emails to slog through. Don't get too excited if you don't hear from them for a week or two. They may be on a family vacation. I know, they didn't clear that vacation with YOU, but they went anyway! Many of them are retired, but being retired doesn't mean that they're waiting by the computer for your email to come through. See item 1.
6. If you joined the forum due to "going crazy" because you like to be in control and you've been checking the status of your DS's or DD's application and they haven't gotten an LOA yet (because you actually expect an LOA and oh my gosh they are the perfect candidate, how come they aren't in already?) then I can almost guarantee that your DS or DD is getting stressed because YOU are stressed. Is that what you want to do? Do you want to add to their stress? See items 1 and 2.
7. Wait to post. Since you aren't a special snowflake after all, there are probably a LOT of threads already written that describe exactly what you're going through (Especially the ones about your "CFA scores" and "am I competitive"?). Take some time to read them and the responses. If you've never been in a "forum" setting before, you may want to give more weight to the responses from actual Midshipmen, Admins or Moderators, or members with thousands of posts. More than likely, they know what they're talking about (or have talked to people who do) and their input will be more consistent and accurate. Reading is helpful, and it keeps you from checking the Candidate Information Portal every 2 minutes.
It's not the beat-all, end-all of existence. Always have a readily executable plan "B".
That's my two cents.
Feel free to post more for the list, smile, and laugh at yourself once in a while.
I woke up today. It's going to be a good day!
