One of the only reasons Michai allows me to continue to post about him is because he knows how much he’s learned from other people’s life experiences. He also understands that one of the only reasons I will continue to share is if I can be transparent about the positive and not so positive things we face.
The Army discussions were taking place really fast last week, and what I didn’t mention in my Facebook posts were: 1. Things the recruiter from school said and 2. That I also reached out to the ROTC officer at NCAT. 💁🏾♀️
Being an introvert, empath, etc., deals a lot with energy…particularly other people’s energy, and I pay close attention to it. The Army conversation began going downhill when the recruiter from school told me to tell Michai to not mention he had an allergy to nuts and shellfish because he would get denied.😳
Me to myself: PLEASE keep talking because you don’t know I’m a healthcare provider, and with all the people in armed services, you mean to tell me ain’t NONE of them got allergies? Most importantly…YOU TELLING ME TO TELL MY CHILD TO LIE TO THE GUHMENT?!? *I did lose my way for a second because, the recruiter said medical records would not be checked in depth until March, I told Michai he could take his chances since he hasn’t been allergy tested and could no longer be allergic to those things. I quickly apologized and told him that shouldn’t have even been an option and that he is to be completely transparent REGARDLESS of what anyone says!*
Me in real life: *Despite asking him thorough questions that would imply I have a little knowledge about the process, his answers still seemed dumb.*
We met with him on FaceTime and things only got worse. He was antsy, he didn’t have answers to what I thought were basic questions, he was covertly pushy, he wasn’t understanding that this was an added opportunity but that Michai’s priority is NCAT, and he and the other person he had speak to us were white which posed a great *trust factor. *Iykyk, but message me if you would like me to explain.
While he was talking to Michai, I was on NCAT’s website researching their ROTC program. I called the NCAT officer after we got off with the recruiter and had to leave a message. He called back, and it’s sad to say, but I didn’t feel comfortable with him either until…he yawned in my ear. It was then I knew he was *my people. *Again…iykyk 🥱
NCAT officer listened and said he’d rather talk to us face-to-face next (this) week and discuss Michai’s options, because they have programs where he won’t have to miss any semesters at NCAT (contrary to what the recruiter said was required), and their scholarship opportunities begin immediately. I exhaled.
Recruiter calls and admits he had to do research about the options NCAT presented, but was still pushing for Michai to lie about his allergies and enlist immediately, while continuing to overlook Michai not wanting to miss any semesters in school. His pushiness became overt, and his “ma’am’s” became pissy when I told him we were waiting to meet with NCAT. He ended the call by bringing up the timetable with the allergies and medical records. I knew then, it was a wrap for him, but since he was the one to present an offer, I was going to make sure he was kept in the loop.
I called NCAT and the officer got really real because he was eating in my ear, but when he I told him about the allergies and the recruiter pushing for Michai to enlist and he said, “Now he ‘bout to piss me off, because I just talked to him and told him we could work together”, I knew I was talking to the one who would tell me the truth. He also stated he investigated the allergies and Michai would be denied, but they could get a waiver. My retired Army brother-in-law confirmed.
Recruiter texts AGAIN to ask about our decision?
Me: Michai will make it once we meet with NCAT and you’re more than welcome to join us.
Recruiter:…………..
So about the pics of Michai’s hair…I went ahead and made him aware that he would eventually have to cut it and, needless to say, the conversations about the Army are no more.
It is my responsibility to make Michai aware of his options, but it’s ultimately his decision, so he called to cancel yesterday’s meeting with the ROTC officer and we’re back to the scholarship drawing board. 🤷🏾♀️😂