Sure is Quiet

BobBigBoy

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
148
Coach said first boards were already held in early October but nothing has materialized as of yet. I see that both Navy and Army have already sent out LOA's. When do you think the first round of LOA's will be sent?
 
Wow...really? Why have the other two already started? Why would AFA be unique?
 
BBB,

I don't really know much about LOA's. But here is my analysis:
  1. In past years, USAFA has given out the fewest number of LOA's amoung the big SAs.
  2. ALO's have said that the admissions process is going to be different this year than in past years.
  3. The incoming class for 2012 will be the smallest in recent history.
My conclusion, right or wrong, is that there will very few to no LOA's as Admissions manages the process very closely and leaves its options open to pick this relatively small class (1,050 versus 1,300 just a few years ago). Let's see if any ALO's chime in to say that I am wrong. That will get us a good indication.
 
For USMA this is from a moderator on the USMA discussion board:

"The Corps of Cadets is limited to 4,400 per Title 10 US Code.
The Corps has been over that number.

In the past, WP would bring in a class of about 1300 with the goal to graduate 1000. They could usually count on an apprx. 81% accept rate on the front end and through attrition they would graduate around 1000 each year.

Things changed with the 2014 class. The acceptance rate went up to 87% and because they were very aggressive with LOAs that year, the class size went in at 1375, 75 more than typically the norm.
Within the Corps, there has also been less attrition including lower CBT attrition.
More came in - less leaving.
Therefore, WP is making a concerted effort to bring the Corps back down to size.
Starting with the 2015 class, less LOAs were issued and less appts given.
The following classes will continue to be reduced until the Corps is back to the authorized strength of 4400 as mandated by Congress."
 
The bottom line is that USAFA is being more agressive in getting below the Congress mandated level of 4000 cadets than the other SAs. Therefore, fewer LOAs from an already LOA stingy SA. Remember the goal is a BFE not an LOA. Be patient and it will happen in due course. It has already been mentioned that USAFA is doing the selection differently than last year so last year's experiences may not be repeated. The OP has a DD that is a recuited athlete. She will probably get an appointment instead of a LOA if she is guaranteed a nomination (as mentioned in a previous post).

Good luck everyone. :thumb:
 
BFE=Big Fat Envelope in other words Appointment paperwork.
TWE=Tiny White Envelope, not good news.
 
LOA's for USAFA.

"Can't tell you anything I'm not allowed to..."

But if I "hinted" that NO LOA's have been issued to anyone other than "perhaps" some returning cadets...

Would you be surprised?

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
But if I "hinted" that NO LOA's have been issued to anyone other than "perhaps" some returning cadets...

I guess we will have a nice long wait for February and March appointments without LOA's this fall.
 
I guess we will have a nice long wait for February and March appointments without LOA's this fall.
I don't think that it is certain that USAFA won't issue any LOAs this fall. There are a number of good reasons why they might want to issue some LOAs, even if it's less than the few they have issued in the past years. My money is on us seeing some LOAs before Christmas. Good luck!:thumb:
 
I don't disagree with Aglages at all!

I think there will be some; I don't know the "final, official, answer" but I do know what it is now...I just can't say.

But "my gut" tells me there will be SOME...but not a lot; nothing like we've seen in the past.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Looking back at last year, the LOA's for USAFA didn't start showing up until the last week in October. I think the first one listed, the letter was dated 19 October. As for the appointments, first one listed was 25 Oct. So its still early, even if they keep to the same schedule as last year. Given that they started everything later this year (apps opened up almost 4 wks later than 2015 apps), I'm not surprised nobody has heard anything yet.
 
I think as everyone has stated there will be LOA's this yr., but I think the amount you will see posted on this board will be counted on your fingers and toes at best.

Off topic, but kind of on topic, and maybe Steve or Mike can answer this question.

Since the AFA has announced a target of 1050, and it appears less LOA's offered, are the MOC's taking a different approach for the AFA candidates by giving more principal noms this yr. I know some ALO's sit on MOC boards, and wonder if they will change the type of nom given because of this unique yr., less competitive and more principal with alternate.

I.E. they believe that had it been 3 yrs ago the candidate wold have received an LOA, but because it is this yr they won't get one, but they still want that candidate there.
 
I know people want the re-assurance and the warm fuzzy feeling generated by an LOA, but it's pretty obvious that the vast majority of successful candidates - appointed ones - are not going to be seeing an LOA this year. You'll get the BFE or the TWE - that's it.

JMPO we should just accept that (BROADLY) hinted fact and move along as if the Academy isn't an option and our plan B's are actually plan A. Getting stress ulcers waiting for LOA's that we've been told are going to be as rare as hen's teeth seems counterproductive and energy wasted that could be applied to that university application, ROTC package, or civilian scholarship nomination.

For us, even as badly as my son would like to attend the USAFA, we are just going to follow our own advice and proceed as if that option is closed to us. While a USAFA appt will be cream cheese icing on the cake for my son's high school efforts, we need to remember it's the COMMISSION and SERVICE to our country that's the ultimate goal here (or should be) not the inscription on the ring of your Alma Mater.... JMHO :rolleyes:

Sorry.

Rant Off

Best Regards

:biggrin:
 
Romad said:
we need to remember it's the COMMISSION and SERVICE to our country that's the ultimate goal here (or should be) not the inscription on the ring of your Alma Mater.... JMHO

EXACTLY!

For many posters this issue of LOA's always becomes a popular topic, and in the end it always ends the same way.

LOA does not guarantee you will be commissioned, or that you will be the top 10% graduates. Once at the SA all slates are cleaned and when they are shouting at you on the bus they scream equally to every cadet. LOA cadets don't wear shirts that say "I am an LOA cadet treat me differently because I got that ticket and the AFA wants me more".

LOA recipients be proud, but do not rest on that fact. Non-LOA candidates, you are not the rarity, you are the norm.
 
Last edited:
Maybe I'm missing something but why is this year "expected" to be so much different than last year? Last year USAFA reduced the class from 1300 to 1120 (at least that was the announced number). Quite a reduction. This year's class is only 70 less. Why does everyone expect that the process will be radically different this year?
 
This year's class is only 70 less. Why does everyone expect that the process will be radically different this year?

Heck, that's just what they're been telling us (our USAFA counselor, our ALO, and - of course -the folks here) Being new to the process - but not the military - I'm inclined to take all that advice into consideration... :biggrin:

Best
 
Back
Top