*sigh* Son's Dream Shattered...Any advice? :(

abracadabra1

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 1999
3,879
1
0
Hey there fellas.

I found out today that the dental work my son needs in order to be allowed to attend the US Naval Academy will cost ~ $4000! I just don't have that kind of money! My company has been doing quite poorly, and the recession has made matters worse. My annual income has consistently been below $15000/year (down from an average of $75,000 from 1980-1990) since 1990 and it would be impossible to pay for the work he needs. However, without the dental work, he would not be allowed to attend the academy because as an enlisted man the government would be paying for dental/medical and is unwilling to be accountable for such a cost (understandably so). Does anyone have any suggestions/insight as to what can be done?

The work he needs consists of a couple of implants (2) to be inserted in the 2 upper incisor positions.

Thanks.
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
How old is he?

I have medical & dental benefits where I work that would cover part of that cost, but not all. Tell him to delay his plans a year, save like mad, & use insurance if available to pay for it. Then go enroll.

Viper GTS
 

khtm

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2001
2,089
0
0
why does he need dental work to join the navy?

Does anyone have any suggestions/insight as to what can be done?
Seriously, if your son's dreams involve joining the navy - perhaps this is a good sign. Tell him to find some other dreams. ;)

-khtm-
 

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
1
81
Get the paper work together and go visit every money lender in your town.
Start with the banks.
Also, visit every dentist in town.
 

Monel Funkawitz

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
5,105
0
0
"You can't always get what you want" -Rolling Stones

I had to join active duty for 4 years. Tell him to get off his lazy ass and earn the $$$ if he wants it. He can make that in a few months if he busts his heiney. If he wants it bad enough, he will do it. I had to work, and I am STILL working like HELL to get my dream.
 

Monel Funkawitz

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
5,105
0
0


<< However, without the dental work, he would not be allowed to attend the academy because as an enlisted man the government would be paying for dental/medical and is unwilling to be accountable for such a cost >>



Someone is feeding that kid a line of sh|t.
 

Maetryx

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2001
4,849
1
81
Officers go to the Academy. So he's not going to *enlist*, technically. Also, the military turns down a LOT of applicants nowadays. I read on about.com that the Air Force turns down 5 out of 6 applicants.
 

TheBlondOne

Golden Member
Jul 14, 2001
1,081
0
0


<< Tell him to delay his plans a year, save like mad, & use insurance if available to pay for it. Then go enroll.

Viper GTS
>>



I think that's pretty good advice, if do-able.

--Sarah
 

killmeplease

Senior member
Feb 15, 2001
972
1
0
Every Orthodontist/dental surgeon I know will do it on terms. Just ask. They are pretty reasonable. You just can't deny him this oppertunity.

Beg, borrow or steal. It's hard and I feel for you. It's one of those things that we as parents do.

Keep trying and good luck!
 

UltraQuiet

Banned
Sep 22, 2001
5,755
0
0
The services don't take everyone. There is a pretty thorough physical. They won't take you for certain pre-existing conditions including being overweight, having had certain diseases, etc. It is even tougher to get into the service academies. They are probably not going to do $75000. worth of medical only to have you flunk out a year later. I PMed Abra and asked him to send me the details of the problem. I am in a position to verify what the Academy is telling him. Also the academies do admittance by Congressional appointment, Presidentail appointment, children of Medal of Honor recipients, etc. You don't just enroll.
 

pcmodem

Golden Member
Feb 6, 2001
1,190
0
0
Yo,
Many dental-orthodontic medical schools offer free or reduced cost dental care -- the tradeoff is that you're being worked on by students, not O.D.s. However, each student is supervised.

Check into your local universities.
-PCM
 

TheDingo

Senior member
Sep 10, 2001
552
0
0
Have him get a job with good benefits, save up for a while, then get it done. May not be the most fun thing in the world, but it's easy.
 

ThisIsMatt

Banned
Aug 4, 2000
11,820
1
0


<< He had to have a dental check before enlisting? Man, that's weird. >>

I'm pretty sure my friend had to have all dental work done before he went into the coast guard...
 

jemcam

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2001
3,676
0
0
Officers don't attend the academy, they TRAIN officers. You're not an Officer until you graduate, you're an enlisted person.

They also DO require you to be in good physical condition to attend Basic Training. Bad teeth will keep you out of the Army. However, they could all fall out immediately after you enlist and they'd take care of it. That's why you spend most of your first days in the Service just getting eye, teeth, physical etc., exams when you join.

Lots of Dentists received their training or at least some of their career in the Service. I'm sure you could find one that could work out some kind of plan. Besides, you may even find a Dentist that can complete the work for substantially less.

You also could go to your county hospital and see what they say. You may also try someplace like a local civic organization or VFW. Where there's a will there's a way, if he really wants it, he needs to be proactive and start knocking on doors and introducing himself. Local Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Elks, Moose, Veteran's organizations could help.

Besides Dad, $4,000.00 is cheap compared to a state 4 year college!!!!! What are your other plans if this falls through?
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81


<< You just can't deny him this oppertunity.

[COUGH]bullsh!t[/COUGH]

Viper GTS
>>



not everyone's parents do not believe in helping.
 

killmeplease

Senior member
Feb 15, 2001
972
1
0


<<

<< You just can't deny him this oppertunity.

[COUGH]bullsh!t[/COUGH]

Viper GTS
>>



not everyone's parents do not believe in helping.
>>



And it sounds like he does. The guy is in a quandry about not being able to.

If this is indeed "his dream". Any parent would have the same attitude about helping. Sur, they may not be able to, but they would WANT to.
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
not everyone's parents do not believe in helping

It's not that I don't believe in helping, but I also do not believe that You just can't deny him this oppertunity..

There's a difference between denying someone the opportunity & telling them "I/we can't afford it, but if you want to earn it yourself you'll have my full support."

There's a reason I asked his age, I'm assuming this kid is at least 18 or so. That's old enough to deal with the reality of life, & the reality of life is that thing aren't always easy.

If he wants it bad enough he will do it.

Viper GTS
 

khtm

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2001
2,089
0
0
good post, Viper

I'm also a strong supporter of working for your own goals. People who depend on their parents for everything (money, a job, education) have a tough time surviving on their own.

*EDIT* I'm not saying this in reference to abracadabra's son - just in general.

-khtm-
 

b0mbrman

Lifer
Jun 1, 2001
29,470
1
81
Officers don't attend the academy, they TRAIN officers. You're not an Officer until you graduate, you're an enlisted person.

Well. Then technically, you're a cadet...

How old is he?
I have medical & dental benefits where I work that would cover part of that cost, but not all. Tell him to delay his plans a year, save like mad, & use insurance if available to pay for it. Then go enroll.
Viper GTS


Good advice if the Academy will let him defer for a year

Now, if it's just his dream to become a *navy officer* and not so much a Naval Academy graduate, he can go the ROTC route without taking any time off...

He'll still be able to get a scholarship and he's got four years to get his teeth worked on...if he gets part-time/summer jobs, he should be able to save up for it
 

killmeplease

Senior member
Feb 15, 2001
972
1
0


<< not everyone's parents do not believe in helping

It's not that I don't believe in helping, but I also do not believe that You just can't deny him this oppertunity..

There's a difference between denying someone the opportunity & telling them "I/we can't afford it, but if you want to earn it yourself you'll have my full support."

There's a reason I asked his age, I'm assuming this kid is at least 18 or so. That's old enough to deal with the reality of life, & the reality of life is that thing aren't always easy.

If he wants it bad enough he will do it.

Viper GTS
>>



Put this in context. This guy wants to help. I understand. The Naval Academy IS a BIG deal.

I offered what I had and gave away my thought of what I would be FEELING as a side-note.

Excuse me. I'll refrain from straying from "just the facts".

Good luck, abracadabra1.