<p>Just wondering why I saw a fair number of mids using crutches when I was on the USNA campus recently. It wasn't a whole lot - but more than I've seen on non-SA campuses.</p>
<p>Are they experiencing running injuries or stress fractures ...falling down stairs?</p>
<p>What happens to a mid who has to use crutches when the physical reqs are done?</p>
<p>GIMP SQUAD! :D</p>
<p>I would expect that, on a percentage basis, more Mids will be seen on crutches as compared to a civilian school simply because the physical demands are higher and applicable to ALL Mids, not just athletes. Additionally, an injured Mid on crutches (or with a sling, etc.) will stick out like a sore thumb in a place where everyone else is in uniform. The eye is tuned to find movement and breaks in patterns.</p>
<p>When a Mid is injured and cannot take a certain PT exam, they get what used to be called a "Gimp Chit", which is basically permission from the Medical staff to not take the exam at that time. Once they Mid is cleared medically, however, they have to make up the exam and pass just like everyone else. If they need time to recondition themselves and get ready for the exam, they'll be given it. No one ever gets dumped from USNA for failing a test just once.</p>
<p>My dd was one of those on crutches--stress fracture. She reported to me yesterday that she's doing much better and is now on the "four weeks back to running program".</p>
<p>heartcross, how did she get the stress fractures? Who manages her recovery and how closely are they monitoring her injuries?</p>
<p>"No one ever gets dumped from USNA for failing a test just once."</p>
<p>(Another rediculous false assumption one gets from the movie Annapolis).</p>
<p>She went to ortho originally, was on crutches for 2 weeks and medical chit for a month. She doesn't tell us much...</p>
<p>
[quote]
"No one ever gets dumped from USNA for failing a test just once."</p>
<p>(Another rediculous false assumption one gets from the movie Annapolis).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I haven't seen the movie (nor will I if I have to pay for it). Do they dump people for failing a test the first time?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Who manages her recovery and how closely are they monitoring her injuries?
[/quote]
The recovery is monitored by the Medical Staff, but it's not really structured unless the Mid is under real therapy. What will normally happen is that the Mid will be told to stay off their feet or on light duty for a few days/weeks (no chopping, perhaps even elevator priveledges), then to return for an evaluation. At any time, the Mid can report to sick call if they feel they are not getting better or are getting worse. I never once heard of an instance where a Plebe was denied permission to report to sick call. All they have to do is let their Squad Leader know and off they go. They may have changed the procedure a bit since my day, but I highly doubt that any restrictions have been put in place. Navy doesn't play games like that.</p>
<p>Rest assured that if a Mid is injured, he will get pretty damned good care to get better.</p>
<p>Zaph,</p>
<p>Would you believe it?....for the past few years, the day your chit expired, was the day you could take a test (i.e. if your chit expired on 20-October and there was a PRT on 21-October, you would be taking the PRT). This year, after the chit expires, there is a 30-day MANDATORY waiting period. MIDN were failing the test without that period in there.</p>
<p>Nice to see a lightbulb went off in someone's head. :mad:</p>
<p>One thing that doesn't seem to change is some of the insanity put in place by Admin after Admin. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I'm glad they fixed that. First off, the poor schmuck could hurt himself again by trying the test too soon, and secondly it really screws up your GPA to get a "D" in PT after you fail a PRT because you were on the gimp squad for weeks.</p>
<p>My mid is on the "4 weeks back to running" program, so it is set up to not have them slam into it after a month of medical chit. I feel comfortable with her care.</p>
<p>Yea Zaphod, the main guy's roommate is kinda out of shape, but he works real hard to finish some obstacle course. But he ends up being about 5 seconds short, so the firstie there said he was just out of the academy just like that, lol. The mids I met this summer at NASS were crackin on that movie at least once a day.</p>
<p>I bet they were! Oy! :rolleyes:</p>