AFJROTC Distinguished Unit Nominations

[Rocket Man]

Hello All,

My daughter has been an active member of our high school’s (in Texas) AFJROTC for the last 2 years. Last year, her unit received the Distinguished Unit Award. With that, I believe the Major will be entitled to make nominations to (a) service academies. I also understand that he will be able to make 5 nominations.

Here are my questions:

Does the Unit get 5 nominations per year—as long at they remain a Distinguished Unit?

Will the Major’s nominations have to be used on cadets that are seeking an appointment to an academy for July 2010 (class of 2014)?

Since my daughter, a junior, will start her application process for a service academy this year, can she be awarded one of the 5 nominations from the Major?

This is all so new and confusing to me . Thank you in advance for your replies. Any thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated!


Rocket Man-really a Mom

 

[USMAalltheway]

I'm not sure about the first question asked sorry. However, I can answer the other two.

For the second question-yes, the nominations are used just for the class of 2014, just like the way it happens with MOC's. So your daughter will have to wait for a little while to receive the next nomination(for the class of 2015).

For the third question-no. You cannot use a nomination in that way. Just like with your state's MOC's, if you get a nom from any of them, but do not get an appointment to an academy(s), you have to start the nomination process all over again for the next year. So, your Major is only giving noms for the class of 2014 applicants.

All this being said, this a great time for your daughter to bulk up her WCS(whole candidate score) with EC's, athletics, community work, leadership, ect. Also, its never to early to start preparing for that CFA. I really wish I would have known about the academies sooner, so I would of had more time to prepare.

What academy(s) is your daughter trying to attend? If she is trying for USAFA, she can get a nomination without her unit even being distinguished; due to the ROTC unit being the same branch. However, if she's applying to an academy such as USMA(like me), her unit does need to be distinguished in order to received a nomination.

A suggestion of mine would be to get to know the Major of your unit well, its always nice when military personal write LOR's for you. One of my friends was a teacher at USMA a couple of years back. I think it was truly his LOR that pulled me an interview with my senator. Hope all this helps. Don't worry about being new to this stuff. I was a couple of months ago too. You'll get experienced very fast. And if you ever have any questions, ask away. There are plenty of excellent people here that can answer you questions. The Lord's blessings and good luck to your daughters endeavors!

USMAalltheway

 

[Riv-Rod]

Hello All,

My daughter has been an active member of our high school’s (in Texas) AFJROTC for the last 2 years. Last year, her unit received the Distinguished Unit Award. With that, I believe the Major will be entitled to make nominations to (a) service academies. I also understand that he will be able to make 5 nominations.

Here are my questions:

Does the Unit get 5 nominations per year—as long at they remain a Distinguished Unit?

Will the Major’s nominations have to be used on cadets that are seeking an appointment to an academy for July 2010 (class of 2014)?

Since my daughter, a junior, will start her application process for a service academy this year, can she be awarded one of the 5 nominations from the Major?

This is all so new and confusing to me . Thank you in advance for your replies. Any thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated!


Rocket Man-really a Mom

Here's how it works for my unite and although its army im sure it's similar. We are an honor unit with distinction, we get an AFI(formal inspection) every 3 years. Even though we aren't formally inspected during the intermitten years, we still keep Honor Unit with Distinction status. We still have to meet requirements and there are things the instructor has to send in behind the scenes to prove that we are keeping up to standards. My SAI can nominate me and our last AFI was last year. hope that helps

 

[PAParentUSNA]

must have merit/distinction

rocketmom,

I can only speak for the army (westpoint).
My daughter is in the AFJROTC too.
Westpoint will only accept it if the award is with merit/distinction.
Many AFJROTC get the ribbon, but it MUST have the silver star on it to qualify. The ribbon only is awarded by the AFJROTC commander, the star is awarded by the Airforce itself and is viewed to be the highest award available. I know this for sure at USMA. We had to provide the documentation and her Colonel had to sign the form the academy sent.
I know USNA did not use this as an nomination source.
I am not sure about USAF. I would email the regional director.

 

[PAParentUSNA]

rocketmom,

Many AFJROTC get the ribbon, but it MUST have the silver star on it to

Also, your daughter is a junior, so I assume she was part of the unit when the award was initially given.
I know we had to prove she was part of the unit when the merit/distinction was awarded.
USMA views that they were an intricate part of the award being given.
One thing I am confused on however. The AFJROTC unit MUST apply for this yearly. It does not automatically blanket new cadets. You absolutely have to be part of the unit when awarded. It is a yearly award not one that you maintain. Honor unit solely is every three years, with distintion/merit , AFJROTC has to apply yearly for this.
I am not sure about the other JROTC branchs.