Medical Turn-Back

<p>We received the “official” call from our Basic yesterday, that due to an injury he sustained on the second day of BCT, he’ll be home either Tuesday or Wedesday of this week. He tore his MCL on Saturday morning 7/1 while doing “up-downs”. A subsequent MRI showed a bucket tear that will require surgery. He is being outprocessed starting today, I believe.</p>

<p>We’re told he has an automatic appointment for next June, he just needs another DodMERB physical after surgery and rehab. There are 21 medical turn-backs from last year that are currently Basics.</p>

<p>Best of luck to all the parents who’s Basics are continuing on!</p>

<p>That's sad news Dad...best of luck to your son for a speedy recovery and go class of 2011! My prayers are with him. If this is what he wants he will work hard, rehab and be back next year.</p>

<p>I'm sorry to hear of the turn-back. God has a rason for everything that happens to us. Just look forward to the extra time you get to love him and help him through this difficult time.</p>

<p>Although this is sad news, thank you for sharing. I was under the mistaken impression that if you're injured at the Academy, you're out for good.
Good news about ACL/MCL tears is that procedures now can make you as good as, some say better than, new!!</p>

<p>I know your son will be good as new in few months. GO 2011!</p>

<p>I just heard from my Basic. He's begun outprocessing and has been moved to a different room in an area reserved for medical turn-backs and others that just want out. He has his cell phone back, it was good to finally speak with him. He said this year there are a record number of Basics who are either medical turn-backs or want out and all Form 34's are presently suspended due to the load.</p>

<p>I'm sorry to hear that, but good luck to him! good news is he got a glimpse of what basic is all about and only went through two days. There will be some poor kids that are turned back three weeks into basic. I'm sure he'll come good to go, I went through basic with a girl who had tore both her MCL and ACL and had surgery about two years earlier, and she did fantastically (she's also ranked in the top 10% athletically in our class).</p>

<p>Dad,</p>

<p>I know how disappointing this must be for your entire family. The good news is that your son will heal. This kind of surgery is followed with solid rehab therapy and he'll be in great shape then can be back next summer.</p>

<p>This is a reminder that everybody should have back-up fall college plans. Nobody expects to be injured, too ill, or so disappointed in the academy summer "orientation" to leave.</p>

<p>Good point momoftwins, though it can be difficult to "hold" spots open for just such contingencies. I would imagine, 2010Dad and son will be focusing on rehab. By the way, my daughter (a recruited soccer athelete) had this (plus a torn ACL) her junior year, fully recovered and will start playing division II soccer next year. Rehab is key! Best of luck and can't wait to see him back in next years's class.</p>

<p>So sorry USAFA2010Dad!!! I'll be praying for your son's speedy recovery. </p>

<p>"He said this year there are a record number of Basics who are either medical turn-backs or want out and all Form 34's are presently suspended due to the load."</p>

<p>What's up with the 'record numbers'?</p>

<p>All I really know at this point is that BCT is statedly tougher this year than in years past, and apparently causing more injuries and more unhappy campers.</p>

<p>So sorry to hear the news. It sounds like the Basic are being pushed a little too hard. Sorry your son had to pay the price for it. I was concerned something like this would happen when they talked about making BCT tougher. I know it needed to be done but I am sure it is tough for the people in charge to find the right balance and it is a shame that preventable injuries and extreme burnout is occurring while they figure out the balance. Best wishes for him as he recovers and goes through this year. Your family is in our prayers.</p>

<p>Dear 2010 Dad,</p>

<p>Sooo terribly sorry for your news. It is so hard to have worked so long for this opportunity, then to have it just end in a heartbeat. However, your cadet needs to know there are a LOT of kids who get turnbacks every year. There are simply too many things that can happen once BCT starts, to predict who the accidents will happen to. As the weeks go past, you will see pictures of kids out at Jacks who are on crutches, bandaged, etc.</p>

<p>Is it not correct that the new BCT schedule has a physical layoff day on Sundays? That is new, and I'm surprised it isn't helping with the injury rate. Just to keep things in perspective for you and how things change, but also don't: last summer the cadets went to Jacks and the first day they ran the Assault Course in 98 degree heat. My son, along with about 30+ others, passed out and ended up on rest with IVs ... and that includes kids who grew up at altitude. (They called it off for the rest of the day after that.) Every year brings its own challenges. But these are the kinds of things young men/women who are IN the military will experience in their lives in the field. Although I was unhappy that my cadet passed out, he realizes that he now can "feel" what it means to get to that place and know when he has to either sit down or hydrate correctly. A hard lesson, but a valuable one.</p>

<p>It is awful that your cadet is going through this, but next year he'll go in and take charge because he'll already know what happens Inprocessing day, he'll know how to get through it and how to manage a lot of the stresses the basics must endure. I will bet you that he'll emerge as a leader next summer!</p>

<p>Best wishes for a strong rehab and a stronger return to USAFA next year.</p>

<p>:-D
A 2009 Mom</p>

<p>There was a kid in my squadron last year that broke his femur in half running (read: falling) down a hill in Jack's. He's back now with the class of 2010. It must be discouraging to wait another year, but your son will be respected for giving it another shot.</p>

<p>I believe West Point has a cadet in Beast right now who had 2 medical turnbacks 2 consecutive years. That's an awful lot of respect.</p>