AFROTC Reporting In

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Apr 7, 2015
Messages
15
Hi guys,
I'm accepting a 3-year type 7 to UMD and I was just wondering...

1) Do you need to report in/be at the unit a certain time before the start of classes? Or do you just turn up with everyone else?

2) I live out of the country and the documents I received said that the ROTC detachment will reimburse you for your first travel to the detachment. They said to contact the unit ASAP and request "travel processing". I called them and they said that all that was handled after I arrived at UMD. However they didn't give me any information about if I need to use a certain airline...economy ticket/business class (ha-ha) or if I need to arrive at a certain date . Has anyone had any experience with this? I know the detachment should be my first point of contact but they haven't replied to any of my emails...

Thanks
 
G'day, mate. You are correct that your school's unit is the best, really only, source for answers to your questions. The "they" you have been e-mailing may be an individual Bruce or Sheila who is on vacation or has been rotated to another assignment. Your best bet may be to call via the Internet, e.g. Skype, when the office is back in operation (they will be closed this coming Monday).

Regarding the reimbursement for travel, do not expect to receive it promptly. My recollection is that the unit processes your request for reimbursement but is not the source of funds. That was the way with AROTC, but AFROTC could be different.

Congratulations on your scholarship and good luck.
 
Hi guys,
I'm accepting a 3-year type 7 to UMD and I was just wondering...

1) Do you need to report in/be at the unit a certain time before the start of classes? Or do you just turn up with everyone else?

2) I live out of the country and the documents I received said that the ROTC detachment will reimburse you for your first travel to the detachment. They said to contact the unit ASAP and request "travel processing". I called them and they said that all that was handled after I arrived at UMD. However they didn't give me any information about if I need to use a certain airline...economy ticket/business class (ha-ha) or if I need to arrive at a certain date . Has anyone had any experience with this? I know the detachment should be my first point of contact but they haven't replied to any of my emails...

Thanks

University of Minnesota Duluth or University of Maryland? If you go to Maryland there will be a New Student Orientation the Thursday before the actual fall semester starts. I don't know much about the first travel but if it is like military orders the detachment will provide you the itinerary to get here. Since you live outside the country you will be given a origin point within the states and you will have to find a way to get to the origin point. In example if you live in Japan you will pay your own way to get to either Hawaii or Los Angeles. Continue calling the detachment but if you are trying to call Maryland the NCOs are currently swamped with commissionees which can explain why you are getting no response.
 
Heres the regulation regarding travel from AFI 36-2017. This is the 2012 version but I don't think anything has changed since.

3.44. Travel Authorization and Allowances. All HSSP scholarship cadets are authorized PCS travel allowance for travel actually performed to activate a scholarship. If a student travels to the detachment with full intentions of activating the scholarship, regardless of whether the scholarship is eventually activated or not, the student is authorized the travel allowance. Reimbursement for such travel may not exceed the distance from selectee's permanent place of residence, school, or duty station at the time of appointment to the institution of enrollment. Prepare a cadet travel order which includes the authority and citation for travel allowances. The student does not need to have the scholarship activated before filing the voucher. Although, HSSP 3-yr Type 2 scholarship winners do not activate the scholarship until the sophomore, they must process applicable travel vouchers upon arrival at the university as a freshman. Do not wait until the cadet activates the scholarship.
3.44.1. Detachments must provide selectees residing outside the continental United States (CONUS) with travel orders and instructions on how to use them before their travel date. These orders authorize the cadet to travel via government transportation on a space-required basis. The cadet may obtain a transportation request from any transportation officer. In the event government transportation is not available, he/she must obtain a statement to that effect from the transportation officer at the port of embarkation or from the United States air attaché in their country. If the travel is performed at the cadet’s expense using commercial air (economy class) or commercial ship (minimal first-class accommodation), they may claim reimbursement for the actual cost (travel must be on a United States carrier). Submit certification of non-availability of government transportation, together with receipts for actual costs of commercial travel, with claims for reimbursement. Selectees traveling to the CONUS by government or commercial carrier may elect to continue travel from the point of arrival in the CONUS to the institution by either commercial or private conveyance.
3.44.2. Detachments will assist claimants in filing DD Form 1351-2, Travel Voucher or Subvoucher, and ensure they understand the statement on the form before signing. The Detachment/CC or designated representative must sign the "Approving Officer Signature" block verifying the information and forward the voucher with three copies of the travel order to the finance office at the support base within 30 calendar days after travel is completed.
3.44.3. HSSP scholarship recipients whose scholarship appointments are later terminated, not including completion of entitlements, are authorized terminal travel allowance from the institution to their home of record. The cadet must disenroll from the institution and actually perform the travel to their home of record. No action is required if the departing cadet does not desire to claim terminal travel allowance

So cadre will provide you the travel orders. Either it will be Space-A travel or you have to purchase a ticket from an American airline company and be reimbursed. What I said before was true for Field Training transportation but in your case you will either have a free ride or be reimbursed for your ticket.
 
My DS commissioned out of the 330 rd. It is an amazing unit. They are busy right now because if they stay true to years past, they commissioned yesterday their cadets. (typically they commission at the AF Memorial overlooking the Pentagon on Memorial Day weekend).

The cadre right now is busy closing up shop for the following cadets
~200s going to SFT (orders)
~300s going rated (orders to SFT)
~400s orders (my DSs didn't drop until Aug)

On top of that their staff is not permanent. The CoC maybe retiring, PMSs may be PCSing. Many also can't take leave during the academic year, and are now enjoying some leave.

They will work it out for you, within time. If you are a military dependent, you get priority for space A come Aug. You will also take priority in May. Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring break not true.

A couple of things.
1. Contact the housing department. Tell them you are in AFROTC.
~ UMDCP is not like other colleges where you need to be there a week or 2 earlier, but it is important for you because I have known cadets that thought they had to stay in a hotel for a couple of days prior.
~~ DS as a 200 because he was going to be an FCC, had to report about 2 days prior to the dorms opening. We called, and they said, sure just have him show up, and we will let him in.
2. Unless things have changed UMDCP has a great support system. Use it to your advantage.
~ GMC nights are held weekly. It is a great way to bond because the dorms are not designated ROTC. They are designated towards academic programs....Honors, Gemstone, Scholars, none of the ablove.
~~ They have mentors for 100/200/250. The mentors are POCs. They are there to assist.

Good luck. Go Terps!
 
@Pima that is so helpful thank you! Do you know who might be still in the office over the break? I wanted to come to the States early to have a holiday with my family so that might change things. Also I'm not up to date on all the lingo! GMC? FCC? POC? Could you please explain? Thanks again :) Also good to know I will be able to go home every year... didn't think I was going to be able to afford to!
 
G'day, mate. You are correct that your school's unit is the best, really only, source for answers to your questions. The "they" you have been e-mailing may be an individual Bruce or Sheila who is on vacation or has been rotated to another assignment. Your best bet may be to call via the Internet, e.g. Skype, when the office is back in operation (they will be closed this coming Monday).

Regarding the reimbursement for travel, do not expect to receive it promptly. My recollection is that the unit processes your request for reimbursement but is not the source of funds. That was the way with AROTC, but AFROTC could be different.

Congratulations on your scholarship and good luck.
How long did you spend in Australia?
 
Rereading this, the OP is not eligible for travel, except as a military dependent.

He is a 3 year type 7. Hence why the unit did not answer him about those specific details. He will not contract until Sept 2016, not this Sept. Right now he is like any other walk on freshmen cadet. No stipend. No book allowance. No tuition paid.
 
@Pima oh well, but I think I still get my initial travel paid. On the upside, reading AFI 36-2017 I found out I can get my health insurance paid for if I go through the uni. Very helpful document thanks @AlphaAlphaSigma. @navymomwannabe that's a very helpful list :D

Sorry I have so many questions but also... I know many Universities have some extra allowances for ROTC cadets eg capping tuition at in-state rate. Pima, I can't find any info on this online, are there any of these in place for det 330? :)
 
UMDCP will not consider you In State, this you will pay OOS even if you are in ROTC. The only thing UMDCP will do is allow their merit money to be used for housing, thus you can use the Full amount of the scholarship. IE they give you 20k. You get 18k. They will take the 18k for tuition, than split their merit into the tuition portion and the rest for housing.

I would really contact the unit because even though you are selected for the scholarship in FY15, your scholarship is starting FY16.
~ For example if you did your DoDMERB in August 2014, it will not be valid for you to contract in Sept.2016. They will not contract you until a new exam is done because it is over 2 years old, even though you have had the exam for the original acceptance of the scholarship. Had you not converted it to a 3 year type 2 from the 4 year type 7 you would have to take another exam.

Many cadets do see their scholarship converted during the school year from a 3 to a 3.5.

As for insurance every university does offer it. I would reread that reg., because I don't know of any cadet having them paying their health insurance. Paying and being eligible to get it are two different things. For example, when you commission you are eligible for Tricare, but you pay for it until you go active duty. Many cadets can wait 6-9 months before reporting. They receive no pay until they report. The only thing that you get is much later on is longevity pay, which should not be confused with pay grade.
~ IE DS commissioned May 2012. He reported Sept 2012. His longevity pay is May. However is date of rank is July because they take that you commission and your report date, than split the difference. Thus for him it is July. My Bullet commissioned in May, reported March. His rank date was Oct.
~~ The funny thing is that he was eligible to retire in May, even though he had really only was AD for less than 20 because that is how it works for them.

Just saying there are lots of funky things that you think will happen as you have read it, but you missed the for that to occur you had to read a regulation that was stated 5 pages earlier.

Look at the AFROTC scholarship, most recipients read the congrats we are happy to offer you a 4 year scholarship. Nobody really realizes if they don't know AFROTC that it is actually a 2 + 2 scholarship. If not selected for SFT/EA (field training) the likely possibility of disenrollment from AFROTC is high.
~ Many also thinks to be competitive according to the scholarship is they need to maintain a 2.5, but again that won't get you an SFT slot, thus 5 pages later you find out about the disenrollment.
~ Many also don't realize that if you try to change your major from tech to non-tech that is not your decision if you want to keep the scholarship....it is slim to no chance. They just thought when they stated this is my intended major that was part of the process and not locked into it.

The further you can through the process the more you start to see the little details that must occur for you to maintain the scholarship.
 
Pima, from the document, under the section entitled :
3.35. Authorized Tuition and Fee Entitlements.
3.35.7.1. Payment of university health fees is authorized if it is mandatory for all students whether or not they have alternative insurance. If the university provides an option to either pay a university health fee or maintain their own private insurance, then payment of such fees are authorized if the cadet chooses the university’s plan.
 
My kids did not use the university health care plan because we did have healthcare. I really can't recall UMDCP plan because it was years ago that we received the paperwork, and I have 2 other kids in 2 different colleges. I know they could all use the infirmary on campus as a college student with health insurance. They would charge our tricare plan. However, I do recall that they are hard to get appointments with on short notice because the doctor is not there everyday, and when they are it might not match up with your schedule.

I also want to say that the healthcare fee is immediately charged to your bill.

I am not saying that you cant get them to pay for it, what I was saying the key word you are looking for NOT to be stated in there is contracted. You have a scholarship, but will not be contracted until Sept 2016, thus you can't use it come this Sept. If it says any cadet than you are clear to go.

I would look into your families insurance program first because it probably is cheaper not only for your co pay, but premiums too. Are you an Australian citizen (dual...bot Australian and American) or American living abroad?
 
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This is directly from the Air University at Maxwell...AFROTC is under their umbrella.
Q: Are Air Force ROTC cadets entitled to Tricare?
A: No. They (and their families) are not entitled to military healthcare benefits until they are commissioned and re-enter active duty. Like all other college students, they are responsible for their own health care arrangements. Many colleges and universities offer group health insurance plans for purchase or as a part of their enrollment fees...check with the school you want to attend to see what services, if any, they offer. Please note that AECP students remain on active duty and that they and their dependents are entitled to health care services under Tricare.

I am not trying to argue, but this is why I said you should contact the unit because what you are reading maybe true for contracted, but you are in a grey area since you do have a scholarship.

This is from the AFROTC website
TRAVEL EXPENSES
All high school scholarship recipients are authorized to have their travel expenses covered from their home to their Air Force ROTC detachment. They will receive reimbursement approximately 30 days after the start of school.

Three-year scholarship recipients will not receive any benefits until the beginning of their sophomore year.

Notice it is saying 2 different things. You are a HS recipient, but also a 3 year since you converted your type 7 to a 2. It could be you fall in the latter.
 
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That isn't health insurance, just a health fee for your university, usually so you cab use the campus clinic or something. I very highly doubt they pay for health insurance. You need to get your own. It is part of the mandatory fees that the scholarship covers.
 
afrotc16,

I am confused with your post, but I am going to assume what you are saying is what I thought. You have to get your own health insurance, whatever plan you choose, and you pay for it on your own dime. They will not, even for scholarship cadets pay for health insurance. The clinic is part of your school fees, and as a contracted cadet they will pay for that fee IF the school mandates that fee.

Now, since the OP will not contract this fall, but must be in AFROTC to contract next fall, I can only assume they will NOT pay for those fees. That the only difference between him and the walk on AS100 cadet from their perspective is next year he will be contracted as a 200. The walk ons will have to apply for an ICSP to be contracted as a 200.

That being said, the type 2 only pays 18K for tuition. UMDCP annually OOS is close to 30K this year for tuition alone. Health center is 80 bucks, honestly no sweat off of AFROTCs back to pay it.
~ I think the OP doesn't understand as you and I have tried to state, you can use the health clinic, but it is not really insurance. Break your leg, and they will be sending you to a hospital to be casted, that is on your private health insurance. AFROTC is not paying that private health insurance that colleges offer to every student...just the health clinic fee of 80 bucks.

It might be that they live in Australia, thus do not understand our health care system, especially college.
 
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I just commissioned out of UMD this past Sunday. If you have any questions you can PM me and I can assist you in any way possible as well as give you references and points of contact. Our cadre is switching some of their staff this summer but there are a few that will remain whom I know can help you.

You'll have a mandatory paperwork session that you need to attend before you join the program. This is usually done a few weeks before the semester begins. Then the first week of academic classes you will have an orientation of Det330. The following week you will begin AFROTC. LLAB is held every Thursday at 0700-0900 for AS100 and 0600-0900 for AS200/250/500. Air Science classes are usually held every Tuesday and Thursday depending on which session you want to attend. If you are a UMCP cadet (which I assume you are since you accepted the scholarship) then you have to attend 2 cadre monitored PT and submit 1 personal PT.

I can't answer any questions in regards to scholarships or funding as I was a non-scholarship all the way through but again if you need a reference just shoot me a message and I'll get you in contact with the cadre.

Let me know if you have any other questions in regards to UMD, Det330, or just being a cadet in general! Glad to have a new cadet join our family!
 
@Pima you're right, I really don't understand it at all :p here in Australia everyone gets their basic level of health insurance (hospitals, doctors visits ect) from the government and then you can add private health cover if you want to. I guess the best thing is to wait for the detachment to get back to me, as you said! All this info is very confusing from all the different sources :eek: Thank you for all this though.
 
While you are waiting to talk to the det. I suggest you talk to your parents and do some research over there. It might be that you would have what people call reciprocity. In other words your health care is your NHS and if anything happened, the bill will be covered by your çountry, and if the folks have supplemental insurance that would also be charged. Thus, you are in fact covered as an overseas student.

I don't think this is a ROTC issue as much as it is health care. I would suggest that you visit a site called www.college confidential.com. I have not been on that site for a long time, but I recall there were many posters that wanted or were attending school in the states, thus somebody there might actually give you information that you can use to figure out your healthcare path.

I am going to assume that there are foreigners that visit this country and have a medical emergency and require healthcare here.

I am not even sure that we had to prove to ROTC or UMDCP that we had private insurance. I get wanting the coverage, but trust me if the only way you can afford to attend UMDCP is with the AFROTC scholarship and you get injured so badly that you need medical insurance than you will also have more issues than just the medical bill. It could mean disenrollment and loss of the scholarship.

I am also assuming that your folks are American. Have your folks looked into the Affordable Care Act here to see if you qualify?
 
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