<p>I got a short, cryptic text message from my son saying that he feel getting off of “the bus”, couldn’t stand, was taken to the MD, who said he wasn’t going to be cleared for BCT!!! HELP! I called admissions, who said that they would contact the head admissions counselor at inprocessing, who should know what is going on, and have her/him call me. My son has only sent one more message saying he was sorry but couldn’t call yet…</p>
<p>What happens now??? HELP!!</p>
<p>wow, I would say just be patient. It could just be a misunderstanding.</p>
<p>Deep breath, Ok he will be taken to the USAFA hospital to be checked out. If it is an emergency they will take him downtown. They have already invested a lot in him and unless it is something that will make him unable to complete Basic they want him there. I know this is difficult, but things will come together. There will be someone with him and they will take care of him. </p>
<p>If he does get turned back there are a couple of parents that can advise you about the process. It is cumbersome and can be slow. Lets just hope everything is ok for now.</p>
<p>he just sent another text saying that the MD thinks he has a torn meniscus and he is waiting for someone from admissions to come to talk to him....... I guess they won't let you start BCT if they think you have something torn???</p>
<p>Didn't he have some knee issues (your posts) a week or so ago? I'm guessing that they won't disqualify him unless there is a GOOD reason he can't complete BCT. If they make that decision I'm sure it will suck but at least there might be next year.</p>
<p>Well, it is official. He called and is being sent home for a suspected/expected meniscus tear that resulted from his trip down the steps and fall to the ground off of the bus. The doctor said that he was in too much pain and could not fully function right now, so he was turning him back.</p>
<p>Someone from admissions was with him and made him feel much better about next year. They basically said that he does have to fill out the application (in a stream lined format) and complete the nomination paperwork and process (again in a streamlined format) as well as be able to have full knee function to get his DODMERB approval. She suggested that he take classes in the fall and spring in math, science and a language to keep him sharp. </p>
<p>He seemed much relieved knowing that they want him back and will make it fairly easy to get an appointment and nomination for the class of 2013.</p>
<p>So, I guess the upcoming journey is a different one that what we had anticipated, but a journey nonethe less....</p>
<p>Any help, suggestions, support, ideas from all of you wonderful people on the forum would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>It's not the end of the world, although I understand that it is disappointing... your son's route to is just going to be altered a little bit.</p>
<p>While I was not turned back upon arrival at the Academy, I found out less than a week before inprocessing that a medical waiver did not go through. At the time, it seemed like the worst possible situation, but I reapplied for the next year, my waiver ended up getting approved with time to spare, I took classes, and continued to do community service during my extra unexpected year at home. In retrospect, I'm glad things turned out how they did, as I would not have had the experiences or met the people I did if I had gotten in the year before. </p>
<p>Now, it's been 7 years since I first found out I wasn't going to be going to the Academy when I planned, but I don't think I'm any worst off as a result of it! It's important to not get discouraged about the situation as it won't make it better. Just look toward next year and support your son in getting through the long year he has ahead of him. I wish both of you the best!</p>
<p>momofhopeful, I'm so sorry for your son. Not only is it a terribly stress-filled time, he's hurting too. Hugs and prayers from our end.</p>
<p>A very unfortunate situation. To a teen, one year is a lifetime. As a parent, you will have to buoy him up and ensure that he does not lose sight of his original goal. Stay positive. Good things will happen.</p>
<p>Momofhopefull you may want to contact soaringhi her son was turnedback from potters squadron last year. I am sure she will have some words of solice. Remember this is a let down, but not the end of the world. He can use this to his advantage too. Turnbacks have the opportunity to take college level Chem, physics and Calc classes at local community colleges that can make 4 degree year much easier. Plus you get that extra year with him.</p>
<p>Keep all of us updated...this will be a hard yr emotionally for your son, but remind him, that next yr he will make it!</p>
<p>We are all here for you and your family, scream, shout, cry...we all get it!</p>
<p>All of my best wishes and thoughts!</p>
<p>Go AFA Class of 13 :)</p>
<p>Very sorry to hear the news. But, it is yet another opportunity in disguise. He can become far better prepared this year academically (and physically) by tailoring a college class schedule to simulate freshman academics at USAFA. While it is distressing now, he can inprocess better prepared and more confident next year potentially.</p>
<p>thank you everyone! The support, encouragement, and positivity from all of you is so wonderful! He is upset and disappointed, but seems to be more resolved than ever. He is already talking about and planning his year so that so that he is fully ready, prepared (academically, physically, and mentally) for next year's inprocessing, BCT and 4 years at the academy. </p>
<p>I have a call in to the doctor here to get him seen and surgery scheduled. I will certainly keep you all informed and up to date.</p>
<p>What was so surprising to me was that he was one of 11 kids getting turned back today! I thought that was a lot, but maybe it is just average. He was the only one with an injury today.... one he thought had a gash/cut, and the others had ankle or knee issues.</p>
<p>Thank you all again and I will keep you guys informed and will most certainly keep asking for hellp and advice.</p>
<p>momofhopeful,</p>
<p>As a mom and a frequent visitor to the site (d wants to go to USNA 2013) I can only say that this is part of the crazy life plan we sometimes do not understand. Your son and family will make the best of this and he WILL BE AT USAFA next year, bigger, strong, faster and smarter.</p>
<p>My thoughts and prayers are with you!</p>
<p>I met a medical turn back last year who was sent home at he conclusion of BCT because of mono. He made the most of the year he had, and returned the following year more confident and with a greater sense of purpose. The whole CC community is pulling for your son. I think Hornet has it right.</p>
<ol>
<li> We all empathize with you and your son.</li>
<li> Life suck sometimes. As my father would say...it's not fair but no one said life would be fair.</li>
<li> Sometimes when bad things happen, there is something positive to see. The difficulty is finding that positive.<br></li>
<li> In the scheme of things, it's ONE year....years from now he will look back are realize how little that ONE year really means.</li>
<li> I can only speculate here and only you and your son can figure this out...but perhaps...(again..just speculating) he was tipped to his knee issues and this was merely a wake up call before something more disasterous happened. He has a whole year to fix the issue...strengthen the surrounding muscles and rehabilitate the knee...that will make it very strong for next year vs. having a slightly weak knee now which might result in further injury or more serious injury. I can only speculate that BCT is NOT a time where you want a knee suspectible to injury but a very strong one. He now has THAT chance. To me ...that's the positive.<br></li>
<li>It will take him time to get over this and he will...he's strong. He's your son and the fact that he got in to the AFA is a testament to his will and his strength and his resolve. Remind him of that fact if he feels cheated. He can and will overcome this. Remind him of #4 above.</li>
<li> Be patient with him.</li>
</ol>
<p>I was helping out in the snack line today! WOW! That was the best feeling ever to see all the basics get off the bus and go stand on the footprints. Also entertaining to see all of the cadre laughing and joking when they were standing around in between each bus ride, then quickly getting back to the intimidating stance when a new bus was coming. Good times. :)</p>
<p>momofhopeful, I am so sorry that things didn't turn out as your son hoped! That's not even something that you would consider a possibility on inprocessing day. But please take heart, one year can REALLY fly by! And the Academy is most definitely worth it!</p>
<p>There seemed to be a good number of basics passing out today (getting blood drawn, trying to stand at stract attention, getting yelled at, too nervous to eat or drink... that kind of stress does build up). Got to see a good number of the CCers today. Poor missmuff was having a hard time (her personality is so sweet that today was probably pretty overwhelming!) but we got to have a little bit of a pep talk and the tears were all gone. Same with buckaroo. Inprocessing day is over and they're all going to do just fine! Right down to waking up at 0430 tomorrow morning to screaming, pounding, and the playing of the infamous "Welcome to the Jungle."</p>
<p>It was probably one of the most surreal feelings of my life to see all the basics walking through Mitch's at attention and getting marched across the t-zo. Can't believe 2012 is finally here! Great start to a great journey for them! :)</p>
<p>Haha I was on the footprints-that was fun. A couple kids gave some serious attitude, but they are SORELY regretting that about now...My voice is completely gone now though.</p>
<p>I had a torn meniscus --your S will get the chance to rehab the heck out of it (esp if the PT knows WHY he wants it to be in top-notch shape) and he'll return next summer faster, stronger, etc... the extra year of academic prep will make life easier, too.</p>
<p>No denying the disappointment, though.</p>
<p>I am so sorry to hear about your son. I promise you that you will make it through and you will enjoy another year with your son. My son, a medical turnback from 2011, did not clear medical yesterday. He was given the choice of another medical turnback (this year he would have to reapply, and get another nomination since he did not swear in this morning), tough it out or go home. He is going home. I do not know what lies ahead for him. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. PM me if you need anything.</p>