Your son/daughter has an appointment, what now?

Just_A_Mom

Just_A_Mom

10-Year Member
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Congratulations to all who have received appointments - many many more will be coming out in the next few months.

For those who have appointments, LOA and are even on the Waiting list - there are things you can be doing now to make "crunch time" easier....

Parents - Yes, this is your childs journey but the paperwork is overwhelming. Your child will probably have questions and need your guidance and assistance with a couple of things -

1. Medical Forms. It's a good idea now to schedule an appointment for a physical and get "caught up" on all the teenage shots.
Even going to a civilian college there will probably be some required.
Some vaccines require a series of shots and some may not be readily available at your family doctor or pediatrician. Many communities have a Travel Immunization center that can help you.
Females should also visit the gyn if necessary. If cramps and/or heavy periods are a problem and could interfere with Summer Training the gyn can help out here before going away.

2. Visit the Dentist - I know West Point requires panoramic x-rays to be sent. It's a good time to get that cleaning and any issues resolved.
If wisdom teeth need to come out then do it now.

3. Eye Exam - you will get a form for the eye doctor to complete if your child wears glasses - this is so they can make the lovely BCG's. Good time to schedule that eye exam.

4. Passport - it's a good idea to go ahead and get that passport now, before going to the academy. Then if an overseas opportunity arises they have it.

5. For USMA candidates - you will get a boot/shoe authorization letter. You can get these if/when you visit WP or a number of military installations. You can also order online. If you order from a military installation or online they will be much much cheaper.
After the boots/shoes are acquired it is your son/daughter's responsibility to properly break in their feet. :wink:

Spring will be upon us soon - spring sports, spring vacation, AP tests, graduations - a little planning now can help to aleiviate a lot of stress later!
 
Question - when do all these forms arrive? My son received his appointment package this week from USNA - it included police background check form and information about dental requirements, but nothing about eye exam, and not much paperwork in general. Does the rest of it come after they receive his acceptance?

One more question - are they expected to have their wisdom teeth removed, even if no problems? My husband still has all of his, and my son's so no signs of ever causing any problems. Wish I had been so lucky.
 
Ditto to JAM's post. Additionally, make copies of everything you send to WP!! When your new cadet reports on R day he/she should have copies of immunization forms in his/her pocket to ensure not getting shots again in case a form goes missing! The paper work you are about to face is at least as time consuming as what you went through to get accepted. Get it organized, make a plan, share the responsibilities (i.e. some things are better done by parents, others by the student). Rest assured, if you forget something, or never receive it, etc...WP will gently remind you what you need to send in. Schedule those appointments now, because it's hard to get last minute physical appointments...if you go ahead and schedule for a few months out you will have all your WP paperwork by then that the doctor needs to fill out.
 
SWmom said:
Question - when do all these forms arrive? My son received his appointment package this week from USNA - it included police background check form and information about dental requirements, but nothing about eye exam, and not much paperwork in general. Does the rest of it come after they receive his acceptance?

One more question - are they expected to have their wisdom teeth removed, even if no problems? My husband still has all of his, and my son's so no signs of ever causing any problems. Wish I had been so lucky.
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There's no need to remove wisdom teeth if they aren't a problem and you don't want to. Of course the military may lean towards having you do it because then they don't have to pay for it when/if they do need to come out. Also, if you think there could be the need to have them taken out in the next 4 years, it's better to do it now that taking the chance of your cadet falling behind in school because of having it done then. Or in the case of the air force, some cadets having their pilot training slot held up. But it definitely doesn't have to be done if they aren't bothering and you don't want them out.
 
Re: Wisdom Teeth -
My kid's dentists' routinely did panoramic x-rays when they were about 16 or so. They could tell how the wisdom teeth were developing and if there would be trouble ahead. They also could tell if they were "ripe" for removal. If they have to come out -earlier is better than later before the roots wrap themselves around nerves, bones etc.
My suggestion is to ask for a panoramic x-ray and ask your dentist.

Security clearance - this seems to vary by academy. West point only requires a back ground check done at the local police department. My daughter got this done in about 10 minutes. They do the security clearance when they are a plebe.
I think Navy requires the securtiy clearance done before reporting. Not sure about that though.

Other paperwork comes after you accept your appointment - or is posted online - or both.
 
SWmom, on the USNA appointment it says that we will be receiving our "permit to report" packets in mid-April and that will have the rest of the necessary paperwork in it. CONGRATULATIONS to your son and maybe I will meet him at the Academy :)
 
Just_A_Mom said:
Re: Wisdom Teeth -
My kid's dentists' routinely did panoramic x-rays when they were about 16 or so.
My suggestion is to ask for a panoramic x-ray and ask your dentist.
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Do you know if the x-rays done when my son had his wisdom teeth removed several years ago will suffice or do I need x-rays done within 6 months of reporting?
 
Just_A_Mom said:
-

1. Medical Forms. It's a good idea now to schedule an appointment for a physical and get "caught up" on all the teenage shots.
Click to expand...
Are there any shots you remember other the than a polio booster shot, menactra (meningitis vaccine) and gardasil (the hpv vaccine for females)?
 
USMA required the class of 2012 to have:

Adult TD- between age of 11-16 or a booster

Polio Virus Vaccine - Adult booster - this can be hard to find. One adult dose AFTER the 18th birthday. You can't get this if you are 17 on R-Day. They will give it to you then.
MMR - 2 doses - probably had as a child.
Hepatitis A - 2 doses, 6 months apart
Hepatitis B - 3 doses - probably got as a child

EITHER - Varicella (2 doses) OR the Varicella Titer

Either MGC or menomune

Tuberculosis titer - PPD within 6 months.

Blood Type

Gardisil is not required but IMO - get it anyway.

** EDIT**
I am NOT recommending that anyone get these without direction from the academy after the appointment is received. You should just make sure you are up to date with what your family doctor recommends.
 
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Some very good "heads up" advice to be had here. Things can get overwhelming near the summer so once you get the information try to get the stuff done. A couple of unique things for Kings Point that I will mention:

1) A passport will be required to report. Midshipmen at Kings Point will need their passports as we definately travel overseas.

2) Kings Point will likely require wisdom teeth out prior to reporting as well. This is different than the other academies because our midshipmen go to sea for extended periods of time and can be days away from the nearest "real" medical/dental care.
 
Driver's license expiration extension

Some states make provisions for military personell with regard to driver's license expiration. In NY, a form can be filed with DMV that extends the driver's license expiration date while serving in the military.

This is something to consider because a driver's license that expires may require going through the process all over again to get it back.
 
Do you know if the x-rays done when my son had his wisdom teeth removed several years ago will suffice or do I need x-rays done within 6 months of reporting?
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For WP Only - I am not sure.
I know my daughter had to submit hers in June. She had her wisdom teeth out when she was 16 so you may be right. The instructions will be on the dental form.

I don't know if USNA, USAFA or if USCGA requires dental X-rays upon admission or not.
 
Don't want to trivialize conversations re required docs and medical issues, but this seems a good place to interject a man's thoughts on eye-liner. About 30 years ago DW had eyeliner tattoos put on. A hospital based MD, she often found herself rushed into work at all hours. She didn't like to stop to spend time in-front of a mirror on the way in, and she liked "doing make-up" in hospital women's rooms even less. She had eyeliner tattoos done----and hasn't been without them for the last 30 years.

DW isn't big on make-up (I rarely see her wearing lip stick), she just had very basic eye-liner Tats. When DD was headed off to I-Day my wife took her in for eyeliner Tats and I think a little bit of eyebrow tattoo to make up for the "Swedish eyebrows" I passed on to DD. Again, simple eyelinger, nothing or "over the top".

DD is a 1c now and has gone back twice on her own to renew fading eyeliner Tats. According to DD the only blow back on the Tats during PS, was some puzzlement as to how she was finding time for a mirror during PS, and a little attention (not a good thing during PS) for looking "more put together" than the norm. The greater value to DD accrued over the course of her plebe, 3c,2c and first class years where these Tats have given a busy/rushed Mid "one less thing to do in the morning".

DW says Tats run between $300-$400 they last about 18-24 months and "most women will have a friend or a saloon where they can find the best place to have them done".

I have addressed this subject once before on this board, but too close to I-Day for PP's to act, and of course, the audience changes. A big thumbs up from DD and DW as a birthday/Grad/ Xmass gift for a female plebe headed into I-Day. NOTE there are regs on visible and facial tattoos for Mids. We did inquire into these and found that at in terms of express intent of USNA INSTRUCTION 6240.1 OE eyeliner would not be an issue. In fact a strict construction of USNA INSTRUCTION 6240.1 OE looks to make adding the things AFTER admission a little problematic as a request and approval process intended for more obvious tattoos has to be followed.

That's it. If you have a son or daughter headed off to an SA, my deepest congratulations Your kid will receive an unmatched education and life experience from an institution that is investing in your kid, (not just selling class time). Not an easy ticket to get; well done Mom/Dad.

Just-Dad........... (but secure enough to offer make-up advise)
 
Capt MJ said:
My favorite part of this is getting it done in a “saloon.” A delightful typo. Please don’t fix it!
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That was my favorite part, too. I mean when I get my grays washed out my stylist offers me a glass of wine, so why not make up ink at a saloon??? :)
 
I would add one other point about medical. Make sure any medical issues are disclosed and discussed prior to the first day at a SA. Discuss with your child any other possible issues that aren’t disclosed. If they suddenly add something to the medical questionnaire on R/I-Day it can cause issues. Even if it is something that can be waived there may not be enough time to go through that process.
 
All of this is great advice and helpful for families going through this for the first time. The paperwork and other requirements are daunting. Let me add one more.....Spend all the time you can with your DS or DD.

Even though you are so proud and over the moon happy for their accomplishment, once they are off to a SA life changes fast. They are so busy and life becomes an emotional roller coaster. Most of your friends will not understand the hard break that comes on I/R Day and how much different being a SA parent is than a civilian college parent. Try to slow down and enjoy them while you can. I/R Day will be here in the blink of an eye.
 
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