<p>Yesterday, I heard from a candidate who had talked to his parents and told them he wanted to quit. They told him no, he should not quit, and they would not support that decision. Those are wise parents. That student is now seriously considering staying. I’ve seen them before. When he graduates he will tell his parents that he is so glad that he stayed, and he is proud to graduate from USMMA.</p>
<p>There are very few students, at the beginning, who don’t contemplete quitting. If parents just agree with them, then they leave. Parents who tell them to stay, have helped them learn to stick to it, even when it’s hard.</p>
<p>Basically, when they call, they need someone they can complain to, who is not their DI. They need a sounding board, and encouragement. They let it all out, then they get off the phone feeling so much better. True the parents are then in agony until the next phone call, but the candidate is doing okay and will be fine.</p>
<p>It’s very hard at the beginning, but they are more than half way through INDOC already. This is not something that lasts for all four years or even for a year. When classes start, the DI’s have to settle into their own studying, so they don’t have as much time to be in the candidates’ faces.</p>
<p>In the final analysis, it’s not the regimental system, or the sports that they are at the academy for, it’s for the academics. If they get a setback or are disenrolled, other than breaking rules, it will be because they got behind academically. Encourage your candidate to keep his/her priorities straight, and that is to study.</p>