Who has faced Board?

safarifriendsfun

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I am looking for information regarding what goes on at Board. My Mid is facing Board next month. I have zero scope in this. Thus, how does one make it through Board? What should be an opening statement? What should be a closing statement? Who will be there? What does the Board look for to retain a Mid? What are they looking for to separate a Mid? Any advice? Thanks.
 
Need more info...If it's any comfort, nobody is "looking to separate a Mid." If anything, my understanding is that Administration looks for ways to retain and rehabilitate, even for Honor offenses.
 
What kind of board... academic, conduct, performance, honor?
Hoops, it would have to fall under performance. I'm hesitant to offer all details in this forum as I have nooooooo idea whose eyes are on this. But performance is a good descriptor. Hope that helps. (definitely not honor, academic or conduct.....this is not a DWI, or Failing Grades, not plagiarizing.....thus it would be performance)
 
If your DS/DD is a Plebe it is more than likely being done to shake them up and get them more motivated. Guessing they might be having trouble grasping professional knowledge among a few other items? It can take Plebes awhile to adjust to the academic year and the rigor that comes with it. Learning to balance academics and the military stuff can be tough. More than likely if it’s this early it could be a company level board to find out what is going on and maybe light a fire under them. Honestly his fellow classmates and 3/C should be prepping them. They will be looking for military bearing, why they are struggling, what paths are available to help the situation. He or she needs to be honest and be open to options.
 
I am looking for information regarding what goes on at Board. My Mid is facing Board next month. I have zero scope in this. Thus, how does one make it through Board? What should be an opening statement? What should be a closing statement? Who will be there? What does the Board look for to retain a Mid? What are they looking for to separate a Mid? Any advice? Thanks.

Type of board would be helpful, but as someone who sat on various ones during my tour there, and on other boards throughout my career, it was always refreshing to see:
- clear and direct ownership of the failure or incorrect action with “I” language, not some vague “there was an error in judgment” like the person is removed from it. (Yes, this is a pet peeve.) “I knew the rules, I failed to prioritize, I chose to do it/not do it, I regret my decision, I have a plan to tackle this, I am committed to being here.” Whatever fits. Own it with no fuzzy talk.
- When asked how he/she is going to fix this, the mid should have a plan. “I am giving up my club sport next semester, doing company intramurals, signed up for a writing skills class, joined a tutoring group, am committed to better time management.” Whatever fits.
- Have a good answer for “why should we retain you?” Or “why should we give you a second chance?”

Ask Company Officer or Senior Enlisted for feedback on the issue and an honest assessment of the failure or issue causing a board, and how to fix it.

Excel in all areas while awaiting the Board. Do not give anyone a chance to show trends across performance categories.
 
Captain, that blunt discussion is exactly what I seek. I have copied and pasted your response into a file that I can refer to if for some reason I lose access to this content. It is not an infraction of academics, conduct or honor. Best I can describe it, as was mentioned in prior comments is, a "performance" board. I agree with all you say and that's very simple stuff, frankly. But I'm having trouble seeing the forest through the trees on this, so getting to very basic reasoning isn't so easy at this time. Thanks for shining a light on it for me. My Mid is a Senior and has not been to a Board before. The format of the Board, as I understand, is my Mid is given the opportunity at an opening and closing statements In between is the fire storm that my Mid will have to endure. Should my Mid make the opening and closing statements? I would tend to think "yes" as it's the only time my Mid will not be under pressure and hopefully clearly communicate the details you noted. I could go on for hours here asking questions and you don't have the time in the day to answer my 4,000 questions. Do you have any other hard advice for a Dad to hear at this time? Your comments are appreciated.
 
Captain, that blunt discussion is exactly what I seek. I have copied and pasted your response into a file that I can refer to if for some reason I lose access to this content. It is not an infraction of academics, conduct or honor. Best I can describe it, as was mentioned in prior comments is, a "performance" board. I agree with all you say and that's very simple stuff, frankly. But I'm having trouble seeing the forest through the trees on this, so getting to very basic reasoning isn't so easy at this time. Thanks for shining a light on it for me. My Mid is a Senior and has not been to a Board before. The format of the Board, as I understand, is my Mid is given the opportunity at an opening and closing statements In between is the fire storm that my Mid will have to endure. Should my Mid make the opening and closing statements? I would tend to think "yes" as it's the only time my Mid will not be under pressure and hopefully clearly communicate the details you noted. I could go on for hours here asking questions and you don't have the time in the day to answer my 4,000 questions. Do you have any other hard advice for a Dad to hear at this time? Your comments are appreciated.

I vote yes on taking advantage of the opportunity to speak. This is a conversation, though a formal and painful one. Writing it out in advance can help. Reading from it at the hearing is ok (we know they are nervous), as long as they read it with meaning, look up and make eye contact across the board. Short and clear - I understand why I am here, I have done a lot of soul-searching to understand my choices, I am committed to taking responsibility for my choices and acting to correct them, I have sought assistance/guidance from... Closing - thank them for the straight talk, commit to improvement, ask for a second chance - brief and sincere with whatever fits.

My first department head, after one of my Ensign screw-ups, told me “there are no excuses, but there may be good reasons” for what I did. If there are good reasons, bring them up, but acknowledge no excuse. No wandering off the path to blame anyone or anything else.

Trust in how you brought him up. Good mids make bad choices sometimes, and dealing with consequences is part of the maturation of a Mid.

And advice for you - take a walk, pet the dog, sip an adult beverage, pray - whatever helps you navigate watching your son handle something solo. He has told you about it, which is good. You wouldn’t believe the number of mids who did not tell their parents about these kinds of things, even separation hearings.

It is often said here on SAF “you taught them to fly, now step back and watch them soar.” That also includes watching them fall down and pick themselves up.
 
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