<p>A local kid received an appointment to a military academy. Saturday I saw his dad for the first time and ask how he was doing. The dad said, "He got sick and they sent him home." I stuttered out something like, "Oh, that's too bad. I hope it's nothing serious. Will he be able to go back?" The dad said, "He's fine. He's at home...bye..."</p>
<p>I could tell by the dad's attitude that it wasn't anything extremely serious and he said the kid was at home (not in the hospital). I also assume that if it had been H1N1 he would
have mentioned it just because it's on everyone's mind lately.</p>
<p>Do military academies really send kids home if they get some treatable illness? Since it's the military, it seems like they wouldn't allow you to go home but would put you in the infirmary instead.</p>
<p>Missypie, no they don’t. As you surmised, you go to the infirmary if you are ill. I know the physical to get into the academies is pretty exhaustive (I had to have some specialist consultation because of an abnormal EKG before I was accepted) so there shouldn’t have been any surprises related to the student’s health going in. He may have been “homesick” and decided to leave. A student can decide it’s not for them at pretty much any time (though the schools will force the student to go through counseling to make sure they are firm in their feelings).</p>
<p>Thanks. I know it’s technically not my business. If I had a child who was quite ill, I’d appreciate folks asking about him. But if I had a child who had wanted to leave the academy, I’d probably not be anxious to talk about it except to my close friends. Unless I hear otherwise, I’ll assume it’s the latter and not keep asking about him whenever I see the dad. (It’s got to be hard on those guys if they do leave the academy - they make such a huge deal about it at school and in the community when they receive the appointment…)</p>
<p>I am directly aquainted with four young men who left academies, either during the first several weeks, or later on. I’m not sure what the rate is, but it is not uncommon. And you can imagine how conflicted the parents often feel about it. </p>
<p>I’d not ask many questions about what’s going on until you hear some other way that the situation is stabilized.</p>
<p>I think you’re right. We all want to show support for our young people who choose to go this route, but it’s got to be a pain for the parents to deal with all us “supportive” folks if it doesn’t work out.</p>
they very well can send you home. It’s called a medical leave of absence. It happens occassionally with Mono for instance. Sometimes a kid gets injured and needs surgery and extensive PT - they might send them home to recover.
If a kid is having emotional or mental health issues they also may send them home on a leave of absence as well.
Those who are sent home on a leave of absence will most often have the opportunity to return later, it’s tough because it sets them back. Sometimes they are also medically discharged.
Of course, if it’s a minor illness they won’t send you home. It all depends on if you are able to go to class and get around. Everything is on a case by case basis.</p>