Dropping seal program because of illness

[Sara MacFarland]

My son went to GL in July and graduated in Sept. He joined to be a Seal. He became sick after graduation and has now finally been disgnosed with pneumonia. He had to make the difficult decision today to drop out of the seal program. Has anyone else had this happen? He has lost way too much time in training that he can't catch up. He hasn't been allowed to train for weeks but they have him cleaning. How can they make him drop out, when it was their own medics who never diagnosed him correctly. On Monday, they sent him to a real MD who did the correct diagnosis and prescribed him antibiotics.

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[Darci B]

Sara,
There a many different fields in which he can become that is still spec. ops. I was informed that they have up until 28 years old to complete seal training. My son put in for seal originally, but sickness too happened. He just graduated rescue swimmer school, which has about the same drop out rate as seal school, but he loves it. Maybe this is something your son should check into. It's just as enduring as most, but add alot more detail to it. Hope he recovers now that he's on meds.

[Mary]

That happened to my son when he was appointed to NAPS (Naval Academy Preparatory School). If you've ever seen An Officer and a Gentleman you can get the gist of what the induction was like. In that time, his foot was really injured due to the PTs that they went through. They didn't let up, and even when he couldn't go on, they booted his foot and went from there. Finally the pain and the stress was just too much and he D.O.Red. It was a disappointment for sure, but he's gone on to do great things in the Navy. It was a very difficult decision, but one that his health...not to mention his ability to walk...demanded. He has since had surgery on that foot and still has trouble from time to time but he just works through it.

Can your son class up with another class due to the fact that it really wasn't his fault since they didn't diagnosis him correctly or is it now a done deal? I would think that they would give him the time to get better and then start him from scratch. He might look into that possibility. Of course, I don't always understand the Navy's thought processes, so I may be wrong.

Good luck to your son.

[babeedol]

Sara, I am so sorry to hear about your son. It is hard on them when the thing they wanted is taken away. It is also hard on us to see our children go through it. Pneumonia is hard on the lungs and takes a long time to heal after the antibiotics and the infection is cleared up. I have scar tissue on my lungs from 20 some years ago. My son did not go in the Navy until he was 28 years old. he wanted subs. in advance electronics. It was taken away because of lung problems that he had when he was 17 years old. Surgery was done and he was given a clean bill of health but that did not matter.
Anyway they let him have advance electronics on surface ships. He is doing fine now. I wish your son the best and hope there is something else he wants to do. I don't know anything about the Seal program so I can't say anything about that. My husband was also dropped from the sub. program after almost a year of school. He ended up on a sub. tender as an electrician. A field he has worked in all our married life. There is good that can come out of it. As a Seal
in the future if that is possible or in another field. The best to you and your son.

On the other side of the coin, the biographies and memories of people who have done fantastic things are fill with stories of overcoming adversity, keep trying. Remember the story, "Men of Honor" it also was a movie, about a black navy diver and everything he had to go through to get there. It is a true story.

[Debby]

I dont have anything to add.. really other than my son is not a SEAL.. he wants to be one.. didnt sign up to become a SEAL but when he gets back from his current deployment to Iraq he will be submitting his paperwork to start. I'm guessing your son can still go for seals he might have to wait a bit..

I love the Navy but I HATE that GL is what we use for basic.. my son went through basic during the winter and everybody in his unit was sick... pneumonia, strep throats colds that just wouldnt go away.. My son went through the last 2 weeks and Battlestations with Strep throat and was very sick by graduation.. refused to get treated because he knew they'd set him back.. its a shame ...

Hope your son gets well soon..

Debby

Debby

[beachmomma]

Sara,
Sorry to hear about your son. Hate to say this, but the Navy will do what they want. One of the rumors that I have heard is that since they have so many guys that qualify for the SEAL program that they are dropping them now for some issues that normally they would have rolled them for. I am proud that he was able to make that decision. The guys have to be about half dead before they go to medical-they worry about being dropped or rolled into another class. Tell your son to get healthy and then work on getting physically fit again. He should be able to try for the SEALs again-not sure how long he will have to wait before he can try again. But it may be his last chance (I believe they are allowed to try twice) so he really needs to make sure he is ready, both mentally and physically.
Good luck to him and you.

[Nikki Carpenter]

My son joined right after high school. He started but did not complete rescue school. He thought he wanted to be a SEAL but decided in resdcue schhol that the Navy had more to offer. His enlsited rating was Electronic Technician. In that capacity he was given the opportunity to spend 5 years near Verona, Italy working for NATO. He aslo was able to finish his college education while stationed there. While stationed aboard the USS Essex his Captain encouraged him to apply for the LDO program. He became an officer two years ago and just promoted to Lt. JG. He is responsible for all the electronic warfare aboard a destroyer now. He is so glad he went into electronics.
PS they offered him Nuclear when he tested and he said "No Thanks".

Pruod Navy Mom

[Susie-Mom of BlackGryphon]

Hi Sara, my son also went in with a SEAL contract and was dropped. He had an burn injury that you would think would heal pretty quickly, but it was on his leg so giving him trouble with his running. I have come to agree with BeachMomma. The Navy needs guys in other places, so they will make sure the guys that are training are ready NOW. If not, they'll put them in another job and give them a chance to try again later. My son was told he could try again. He was so disappointed that he won't get to dive (He's already a diver and was really looking forward to getting more time underwater.), but we told him that the next time, he will know exactly what to expect and will be more ready than ever.

I hope your son won't get discouraged. I also hope they will offer him a job in the meantime that interests him. And, of course, I hope he gets well very soon!

[Catherine Melton]

My son enlisted in the Navy to become as SEAL rather than going into Officer's Training School (if that is what it's called - I'm still new, too!) because he had a better chance of being a SEAL as an elisted man. While in training, he had a heavy raft dropped on his head when a teammate stumbled. He suffered a neck injury, nothing too serious, but enough to keep him from continuing. He had been through 3 weeks of training and was coming up on Hell Week. The doctors told him he would need to drop out but could return when he healed. The problem was, he would have to start all over again.He made the very difficult decision to dop out and not return. It was a real struggle because he felt it was a matter of honor. Fortunately, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. He qualified for the language school and is fully immersed in learning a new language. He has some very interesting and exciting work ahead of him and seems to be very happy. I feel confident your son will find a job or career that will make him happy. I am amazed at the many exciting jobs available. Best of luck to your son.

[Carrol]

Hi Sara!
All I know is that in OCS, when someone was sick they were allowed to take off those few days to rest. If the recovery time was to be longer, and it was something from which they could recovery fully, they were rolled to the next class behind them. Is it different for enlisted?
I know how disappointed your son must be but, as everyone has said already, there are so many different opportunities available which he probably has not even dreamed of as yet. You know the saying - One door closes and another opens - I guess it is a saying because it is true.
First, and MOST importantly, let's get your son healthy again! Then, when he is back on his feet, he can explore the possibility of joining the SEALS training again. If that doesn't work out, just watch - something even better will come along.
Best of luck to your son. All of us will be equally proud of him in whatever he chooses to do!
Carrol

[Dianne]

I'm sorry to hear about your son. I'm also sorry that I don't have any answers for you. Hang in there.

[Karin Hensel]

My Husbands' nephew did the same. Completed the Seal Training then, during hell week, caught pheumonia and had to withdraw. He now works for Fish & Game in the State of New Hampshire and dive's to recover bodies in the entire state. He has won all kinds of "strong man" and decathlons since but .. . He has no regrets.