<p>I haven't been around here for a while, but those of you who have will remember me from a ways back. My daughter was an unsuccessful candidate for USNA class of 2011 & 2012. Those rejection letters took a lot out of her. She considered reapplying one more time, but decided against it. She took a different path instead.</p>
<p>She met with a Navy recruiter a while back. Took the ASVAB and did well. She's always been good at languages, so she took the DLAB (Defense Language Apptitude Battery.) The recruiters in her office had the attitude that she could take it but hardly anyone passes it, at least around here. a perfect score on the test is 150 and you need a 110 or above to study the harder languages, at least as an enlisted. She got a 138. Yeah, I'm braggin', but then I'm the Dad, right?</p>
<p>I think doing so well on the two tests helped her get a lot of her self-esteem back. She'll report to boot camp in January (Brrrrr! Chicago in the winter.) After boot camp she'll go to Monterey, California for a little over a year to the Defense Language Institute. She won't know what language she'll study until she gets there, but it will probably be Arabic or Chinese. The needs of the Navy, right? When she's all done she'll be a CTI, a Cryptological Technician, Interpretive. She should be an E-4 or close to it by the time she's done with school.</p>
<p>It's still possible that she could be a mustang and do some kind of commissioning program later, but for now she's planning on just being the best enlisted person she can be. We're so proud of her we're about to pop.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone on this site who helped us through all the disappointment. Things have a way of working out.</p>
<p>Excellent!!! I have one child in USMA and another that is enlised in the Navy! I am equally proud of both of them. They are both serving their nation and gaining knowledge. My sailor is currently deployed and is learning a lot and seeing a lot of the world right now! Congrats. to you. And, yes....Great Lakes is VERY cold in January!!</p>
<p>Congratulations Cougar! My friend's S also recently enlisted and will be in BC at Great Lakes this January (then to school in Pensacola). Best wishes to your daughter, looks like her future is bright :)!!!</p>
<p>That's great! Be sure to visit her ( a few times!) when she gets to Monterey. We were fortunate enough to live there for 2.5 years, and it's wonderful there! Also, if she does decide she wants to be commissioned, a background in Arabic or Chinese would be a perfect fit for a major in that language at the Academy (they added those majors a few years ago).....If she's up for one more try somewhere down the road! Best wishes to her. She seems very determined and I know she will do well!</p>
<p>Also, no skin off her teeth to reapply to the Academy from the enlisted ranks. There are those who have made it from an even more roundabout route.</p>
<p>I know many people, that would love to get into her field. I am sure that she will be promoted quickly and most likely in the future struggle with a decision should I stay or go (and make more $$$) </p>
<p>Everyone in the military worth their weight in salt will say that the enlisted is truly the backbone of every service. When Bullet retired last month, his ceremony would not have been 1/2 as great without those members.</p>
<p>We were fortunate to be associated with outstanding service members. My fondest tour memory was when Bullet jumped out of perfectly good airplanes as an ALO. The enlisted in his flight were amazing individuals and without them the Air Force and Army could not get the task done.</p>
<p>Without your daughter we would have a large void...so thank you to her for serving and thank you to your family for supporting her!</p>