This morning I was notified that I received a Type II 3-year in-college scholarship. I've read over the contract details and am prepared to sign the papers tomorrow afternoon but my mom is concerned about the 8 year commitment. I am not, but she is, and I was wondering how to quell her fears about it. Mostly about if I lost the scholarship and would have to pay back or serve time back to the AF.
AFROTC Type II Scholarship
- Thread starter eboyd
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Well her fears are justified and this is a real risk. Also, I can pretty much assure you in this day and age you will almost certainly be asked to pay it back. And it's not like a normal college loan. Based on what I've seen in these forums they expect repayment in 4 - 5 years.
So what you need to work on is how YOU will not lose the scholarship. YOU'RE grades will be exemplary. YOU won't do anything stupid like drink while underage or otherwise break a law. etc. etc. etc. It's in your control, but I can assure you it will not be easy. The temptations are many in college. You will need to be stronger.
First, Congratulations!
The commitment is 4 years active and 4 years inactive. If you want to serve, scholarship or not that is going to be the commitment. So you just as well take the scholarship if you want to be an AF officer.
The payback issue is something to be aware of and is a great incentive to do well in school and stay out of trouble. If you work hard and stay out of trouble paying the scholarship back will never become an issue.
The commitment is 4 years active and 4 years inactive. If you want to serve, scholarship or not that is going to be the commitment. So you just as well take the scholarship if you want to be an AF officer.
The payback issue is something to be aware of and is a great incentive to do well in school and stay out of trouble. If you work hard and stay out of trouble paying the scholarship back will never become an issue.
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Dude I got it too! I was completely floored. I'm a poli sci major with a 3.6 GPA, USAF ain't really too big on footing the bill for folks with my major. My mom cried tears of joy.
When I joined this program, it wasn't to get my tuition covered. I just want to be an officer. I'm fine with becoming a pilot, intel, security forces, comm, whatever. To get a scholarship after 3 semesters to study something I truly have a passion for, is seriously the biggest blessing I could ask for. I'm very, very thankful.
....and I'm feeling SUPER confident now about getting an EA in March
When I joined this program, it wasn't to get my tuition covered. I just want to be an officer. I'm fine with becoming a pilot, intel, security forces, comm, whatever. To get a scholarship after 3 semesters to study something I truly have a passion for, is seriously the biggest blessing I could ask for. I'm very, very thankful.
....and I'm feeling SUPER confident now about getting an EA in March
Dude I got it too! I was completely floored. I'm a poli sci major with a 3.6 GPA, USAF ain't really too big on footing the bill for folks with my major. My mom cried tears of joy.
When I joined this program, it wasn't to get my tuition covered. I just want to be an officer. I'm fine with becoming a pilot, intel, security forces, comm, whatever. To get a scholarship after 3 semesters to study something I truly have a passion for, is seriously the biggest blessing I could ask for. I'm very, very thankful.
....and I'm feeling SUPER confident now about getting an EA in March
Well you and I are a little bit different I suppose. I chose an ME major solely to have a higher chance at a scholarship and priority for things in AFROTC. I really needed a scholarship to stay at my university and continue with ROTC. But congrats! Only 1 cadet in our det. got a scholarship with a non-tech major and he had a critical language, so that's really good for you. Good luck on the EA next spring
Pima
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A Mom speaking here.
She knew you were in AFROTC correct? Hopefully, you did tell her you were applying for the scholarship, correct?
Those tears might have been about reality regarding your life, and her own fears, especially at this time of the yr. Xmases without you, you 1000s of miles away ADAF with a wife and a child. She might just need time to digest that you were serious about serving, and it wasn't a passing fancy.
Your Mom will always worry, she is your Mom. The way to quell her concerns is to show her all of the great things that this life offers. The biggest is this is your dream come true and because of their support you are willing to risk everything to obtain that dream knowing they will be cheering you on your journey.
Our DS is ADAF now, and I worry, but it is his life, and that was what we as his parents to accomplish...following his dreams. I know he is happy with 0 regrets. He is in TX, and for the 1st time in 22 yrs we didn't have all of our kids at the table for Thanksgiving. I know, as an AF spouse through my own experience, I will be lucky to celebrate 1 in 3 yrs together for the holidays, and that the chance of being there for the grandbabies birthdays every yr is rare. I am okay with that because my kids had an AF family, and I know they will know me. If you are not a military brat, that is probably running through her mind, even if you don't have a girlfriend.
The other thing is fear of you dieing. If that is the case remind her more people die every yr in a DUI, than in AF combat...does she think she should take the car keys away? This is not an easy life fpr those that listen to0 the news. It is easier for those that have faith in fate. She needs to believe the AF will do everything in their power to bring you home. She needs to believe in you...that you will do everything in your power to come home.
That is your job now...make her believe!
She knew you were in AFROTC correct? Hopefully, you did tell her you were applying for the scholarship, correct?
Those tears might have been about reality regarding your life, and her own fears, especially at this time of the yr. Xmases without you, you 1000s of miles away ADAF with a wife and a child. She might just need time to digest that you were serious about serving, and it wasn't a passing fancy.
Your Mom will always worry, she is your Mom. The way to quell her concerns is to show her all of the great things that this life offers. The biggest is this is your dream come true and because of their support you are willing to risk everything to obtain that dream knowing they will be cheering you on your journey.
Our DS is ADAF now, and I worry, but it is his life, and that was what we as his parents to accomplish...following his dreams. I know he is happy with 0 regrets. He is in TX, and for the 1st time in 22 yrs we didn't have all of our kids at the table for Thanksgiving. I know, as an AF spouse through my own experience, I will be lucky to celebrate 1 in 3 yrs together for the holidays, and that the chance of being there for the grandbabies birthdays every yr is rare. I am okay with that because my kids had an AF family, and I know they will know me. If you are not a military brat, that is probably running through her mind, even if you don't have a girlfriend.
The other thing is fear of you dieing. If that is the case remind her more people die every yr in a DUI, than in AF combat...does she think she should take the car keys away? This is not an easy life fpr those that listen to0 the news. It is easier for those that have faith in fate. She needs to believe the AF will do everything in their power to bring you home. She needs to believe in you...that you will do everything in your power to come home.
That is your job now...make her believe!
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Ma'am,
She knows I'm in AFROTC and that I have been working for a scholarship since my freshman year. She and my dad were ADAF for 12-13 years as well. I think she was concerned because in the early 90's they both separated and are now paying back some of their time and she's worried that some circumstance out of my control may put me in a similar situation in the future.
In the end I signed the contract and figured as long as I follow the clear guidelines that I shouldnt run into any problems. Thank you for the support!
She knows I'm in AFROTC and that I have been working for a scholarship since my freshman year. She and my dad were ADAF for 12-13 years as well. I think she was concerned because in the early 90's they both separated and are now paying back some of their time and she's worried that some circumstance out of my control may put me in a similar situation in the future.
In the end I signed the contract and figured as long as I follow the clear guidelines that I shouldnt run into any problems. Thank you for the support!
Pima
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I am assuming that your folks separated during the RIF in the 90's. It was a unique time, and some were offered VSP (voluntary) aka Palace Chase, which is probably what your folks did.
2 decades later, I am betting this is not about paying back anymore, because typically they only had to do 8 or so yrs like any reservist, AD members, even pilots only owe 11 yrs.
That being said she is correct. When the 92 RIF came about anyone that commissioned in 85/86 as an AFROTC cadet was on the chopping block. 95% in that yr group with a AFROTC commission was cut. None of them had control of their fate. We knew several that were handed walking papers, and some of them had just received a Silver Star from Gulf I. Some were in Weapons school.
They thought they were safe. They weren't.
Bullet's yr group was completely safe, and not only that 5 yrs later O4 promotion boards were sped up, and rates increased from 60-80% because they had gutted so hard the previous yr groups, they needed more in his. On top of that although from the day he entered in 88 for UNT, there was always talk of this yr they were going to give a WSO (aka CSO) bonus, in 03 they finally did because again, they cut so many out of those yr groups their manpower needs were short and they had to offer a bonus to keep the experienced WSOs.
The point is a lot has to do with timing. Had he graduated 1 yr earlier he probably would have been cut. As much as you think coloring within the lines you should be fine, I get your folks fear because there are so many things out of your control, and in the control of AFMPC's control, which you can't predict.
Quick question what is your AFSC goal? This could be their fear. It is a double edge sword.
Say flying, and your folks know that statistically many will not wing, and the AF can cut you loose if you bust. Non-rated and another 92 RIF the AF can/will cut a non-rated in your yr group over a rated. A rated costs millions to train, and can slide into being a maintenance officer and still bring experience into the field with limited financial expense. The same can't be said for sliding a maintenance officer into a cockpit.
People tend to forget that the AF has a defined budget, and operate like corporations, regarding finance, goals, missions, and man power needs regarding long term strategic planning.
You can't predict the future, but all I can say is as a parent, listen to them, have a plan B in place and think 1 step ahead at all times for the what ifs. If you can illustrate you get the what ifs, and have a path for that, than your folks will love your decision. They don't want you to endure the pain they endured. I am guessing if it was 92, and you are 19, by the time they had to leave, you were born. That is scary as a parent of a newborn, believing all was right in the world, and turned upside down less than a yr. I understand their fears.
Congrats on the scholarship. The best is yet to come!
2 decades later, I am betting this is not about paying back anymore, because typically they only had to do 8 or so yrs like any reservist, AD members, even pilots only owe 11 yrs.
That being said she is correct. When the 92 RIF came about anyone that commissioned in 85/86 as an AFROTC cadet was on the chopping block. 95% in that yr group with a AFROTC commission was cut. None of them had control of their fate. We knew several that were handed walking papers, and some of them had just received a Silver Star from Gulf I. Some were in Weapons school.
They thought they were safe. They weren't.
Bullet's yr group was completely safe, and not only that 5 yrs later O4 promotion boards were sped up, and rates increased from 60-80% because they had gutted so hard the previous yr groups, they needed more in his. On top of that although from the day he entered in 88 for UNT, there was always talk of this yr they were going to give a WSO (aka CSO) bonus, in 03 they finally did because again, they cut so many out of those yr groups their manpower needs were short and they had to offer a bonus to keep the experienced WSOs.
The point is a lot has to do with timing. Had he graduated 1 yr earlier he probably would have been cut. As much as you think coloring within the lines you should be fine, I get your folks fear because there are so many things out of your control, and in the control of AFMPC's control, which you can't predict.
Quick question what is your AFSC goal? This could be their fear. It is a double edge sword.
Say flying, and your folks know that statistically many will not wing, and the AF can cut you loose if you bust. Non-rated and another 92 RIF the AF can/will cut a non-rated in your yr group over a rated. A rated costs millions to train, and can slide into being a maintenance officer and still bring experience into the field with limited financial expense. The same can't be said for sliding a maintenance officer into a cockpit.
People tend to forget that the AF has a defined budget, and operate like corporations, regarding finance, goals, missions, and man power needs regarding long term strategic planning.
You can't predict the future, but all I can say is as a parent, listen to them, have a plan B in place and think 1 step ahead at all times for the what ifs. If you can illustrate you get the what ifs, and have a path for that, than your folks will love your decision. They don't want you to endure the pain they endured. I am guessing if it was 92, and you are 19, by the time they had to leave, you were born. That is scary as a parent of a newborn, believing all was right in the world, and turned upside down less than a yr. I understand their fears.
Congrats on the scholarship. The best is yet to come!