I still think many of you here put too much emphasis on the cadre, and not enough on the individual trainee. The cadre doesn't know these basic trainees ahead of time. The cadre are also prepared for teaching/instructing basic training. The fact that so few trainees are sent home, shows that there isn't some massive problem going on here.
I just can't for the life of me, understand how some here can accuse some of the cadre of being on a power trip and having personal grievances and agendas, that cut short the dreams of some trainees. And even those who voluntarily leave, meet with Active Duty academy officers. They have the ability to express problems. So, to make such accusations, also means that you are accusing the "Active Duty" officers and NCO's at the academy, of not doing their job. Of not caring. Of simply signing papers for the cadet upper classmen. Basically, you're saying the active duty Captain or Major, work for the 20-21 year old senior cadet. And if the senior cadet says get rid of someone, the Captain or Major jumps.
Sorry, but it simply isn't that way. The cadre/senior cadet obviously is in the position to evaluate a trainee's progression. But if they feel there is a problem with a trainee making it, the active duty staff gets involved. The cadre/senior cadet doesn't decide to send a trainee home.
Have mistakes possibly been made where a trainee was sent home involuntarily? Yes. Have some trainees gotten so discouraged that they quit. Most definitely. An example of that has been shown in this thread. But why must it be that the reason a trainee either quit or was forced to leave, is because some members of the cadre were on a power trip or had personal grievances or a hidden agenda? Why couldn't it also be as simple as; the trainee couldn't handle the training. Either physically or mentally? The cadre and basic training isn't there to coddle the trainees and show them love.
I'd bet a paycheck, that overwhelmingly more often than not, the reason most trainees leave the academy voluntarily, is because either they couldn't handle it, or they realized after being there a little while, that the academy just wasn't for them. You'd be surprised how many kids say they've wanted the academy their WHOLE LIFE, then when they finally get there, realize it is nothing like they imagined. Many of them quit. That's not the academy's fault.
I can also tell you of horror stories of applicants asking me during their interview if there was a way I could make them "Unqualified"? That they didn't really want to go to the academy, but they felt they had to apply because others, (Family), was pushing them in that direction. We've had some get off the bus at basic training and make it clear that they didn't want to be there. The point is.... It's possible that some trainees got kicked out of basic, when they shouldn't have. It's also probable that some trainees up and quit, because they had a cadre member who wasn't the best leader and discouraged them. But it's also "More Likely", that the trainees simply realized that they couldn't deal with the training physically or mentally; and/or that the academy simply wasn't what they though it was going to be. I hear that a lot from those who were in JrROTC, CAP, and Scouts. They don't normally quit, but many thought those programs were going to really prepare them for the academy. They realize soon, how it's not what they expected. On a case by case basis, there are definitely possibilities. Overall, I'll stick with the theory that most trainees who leave either voluntarily or involuntarily, do so because the academy isn't what they thought it would be; and/or because they realize they just can't handle the physical and/or mental training and conditions.
And there is nothing wrong with realizing it's not for you, and moving on. But sometimes, you have to suck it up and press on. I'm positive that not everyone loves their job and their supervisor/manager. But most of us put up with it for the bigger goal down the line. E.g. paycheck, retirement, job security, benefits, etc. Simply saying, that "IF" the reasons you wanted to attend the academy truly exists, and you really want them, then there is no reason in the world that you can't make it through BCT and 4 years at the academy. If you "CHOOSE" not to stay, that is totally up to you. It's not the cadre's fault. The other 95% made it through.