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Hi Everyone, I'm brand new here. I registered because I'm worried about my son-in-law. He recently graduated from AF Reserves Boot Camp with honors. He just started tech school and today he couldn't climb the ladder - he's terrified of heights and just couldn't do it. He sent my daughter a tech that they're kicking him out. I totally get that if he can't do what they ask, then that's that. It seems harsh, but it is the military and there's no babying for sure. Is this really grounds for a discharge? No second chances? We haven't heard from him in hours. He's done everything to this point perfectly. He doesn't party, he's more than respectful, and was so grateful to be there. I feel horrible. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks so much.
he knows what he needs to do. Unless things have changed they will give him extra training and he can try again.
If that is all it is.
Thank you so very much for replying. My SIL sent my daughter a text hours ago saying something to the effect of "I couldn't climb the ladder, they're going to discharge me" and then nothing since. Maybe they were just trying to scare him? (And us!).
You were right, they're not discharging him. He has to try again in 9 days. He has to climb up a 20' ladder on a airplane hanger, turn around 3 times while looking down....... They should have just sent him home today, he'll never do it. He can't. I can relate......
Training is designed to place members under stress. He is under a lot of stress... We really don't know the whole story. If he made it through Boot Camp, he most likely could make it through Tech School. Just hang in there, hopefully it will turn out. He just needs to work through ir.
You were right, they're not discharging him. He has to try again in 9 days. He has to climb up a 20' ladder on a airplane hanger, turn around 3 times while looking down....... They should have just sent him home today, he'll never do it. He can't. I can relate......
Or he conquers his fear and gets it done. He has another chance. I sincerely hope he does it and finishes. Tell him it's the quickest way to get out of tech school.
I'm sorry, but when he went to MEPS they would have asked him if he was afraid of heights. If he would have said "Yes" then he would not have been this job. The reason a discharge happens is because what other choice do we have not? If we gave him a different job, then people could just fake a fear of heights if they changed their mind about the job. He should have disclosed it at MEPS. Guarnetee he said he was not afraid of heights at MEPS. 20 feet is NOT that high. He needs to get over, or he probably will be discharged. He has a choice.
When I was selected for Aircraft Maintenance, I hadn't given "fear of heights" much thought. But the first time I encountered the crew ladder on an F-4 fighter jet, I had butterflies in my stomach. But I put my fears aside and tried it and it got easier each time I did it. Pretty soon I was climbing all over aircraft like I was some kind of "All Purpose Gorilla"! (a play on the type of mechanic we were called us at one time; "airplane general or "APG) Best of luck to your son-in-law!
I'm sorry, but when he went to MEPS they would have asked him if he was afraid of heights. If he would have said "Yes" then he would not have been this job. The reason a discharge happens is because what other choice do we have not? If we gave him a different job, then people could just fake a fear of heights if they changed their mind about the job. He should have disclosed it at MEPS. Guarnetee he said he was not afraid of heights at MEPS. 20 feet is NOT that high. He needs to get over, or he probably will be discharged. He has a choice.
Hi Everyone, and thank you so very much for all your replies. I really appreciate it. He did tell them he was afraid of heights at MEPS, it's documented on a questionare he took. A liasion has stepped in (please excuse my lack of titles, lingo here). My SIL graduated with honors and got a 97 on that test that take (can't remember the name), and he also answered yes, that he was afraid of heights, before he was assigned airplane mechanic. Since I've written here, they've given him a verbal that they found another course/class he can get into. Actually it's in a text message from his recruiter. That was/is great news, but of course since then.....nothing. That was about 5 days ago. I'm sure the holiday's has something to do with it, but limbo is hard through Christmas. He is very grateful for any effort being made, but worried the "verbal" may fall through. So for now, he's doing 12 hour security shifts and just waiting. I sure have a lot of respect for you military folks....it's not easy! Happy holiday's to all of you and yours.
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