Son didn't pass PFA for EA. Not on scholarship so expecting to be given AS500. If this happens, what are chances for success? GPA in comp sci is 2.5 (expecting 3.0 end of this semester). AFOQT is 75 48 95 78 93 from first attemp. Attending out of state school, so tuition is expensive. Wondering if he should just come home and finish his degree at local state school and attempt OTS after, or will AS500 still allow him future.
AFROTC AS500 level ok?, or give up?
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Pima
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The 1st thing to understand is it really is not just his decision to become a 500. It is mostly HQ AFROTC's decision. They must agree to let him become a 500. If not he is dis-enrolled.
Not to be Debbie Downer, but with his cgpa and PFT scores, plus the AF is downsizing, I would not bet on them allowing him to become a 500. ADAF is slashing numbers and will be for several more yrs.
FWIW ~ His cgpa will really have to pull up this yr. The avg cgpa for tech majors are 3.0/3.1. A 2.5 cgpa over 2 semesters ( I'm assuming he is a soph) +1 semester at 3.0 would right now give him a 2.67. To get to that magic number if I do my math correctly, with assumptions of the same credit hours, he would need to carry @ 3.5 for the next two semesters to avg out to a 3.0 cgpa.
These are things that they will place into the equation when determining whether or not to offer him a 500 slot.
The process will be pretty straight forward. His CoC will fill out paperwork with a support or do not support recommendation. This will be sent up the chain to HQ. HQ will review his records and the recommendation, from there they will send the paperwork back down which will either say concur or do not concur.
Most cadets know before even the paperwork is submitted what their chances will be regarding becoming a 500. I.E. The CoC will tell them before submitting the paperwork whether or not they will be marking the support box. IOWs the do not support basically is equivalent to no chance.
On this forum, over the past few yrs., I would say the majority of 200's not selected for SFT were dis-enrolled and not offered a 500 slot. Back in 09/10 many did become 500's. I only state this so you understand although from 11-13 it was more likely to be dis-enrolled, the AF is cyclical and sooner or later you will see it return to the point where it is common to become a 500.
Finally, as far as OCS goes he really should visit a recruiter during winter break. There is a different process for OCS. The boards meet only 2x a yr.
If you look at the system for officers. AFA is their big pipeline they can predict 4 yrs out. Typically it has about a 75-80% retention rate. AFROTC is the next pipeline, but it is traditionally 2 yrs out, (SFT selection). OCS is the last pipeline and the most flexible regarding #s. They will know how many are needed come 2016 before they hold the OCS board. That is why they have had to cancel certain OCS boards in yrs past.
Our friend's DS went the OCS route (was not in AFROTC). He met with the recruiter during his winter break of his junior. He was boarded in July, got picked up in Aug. He finished his sr. yr. and went to OCS @ July after graduating. He went for rated and got CSO although he wanted pilot.
Sorry for the long post, but I think you just want to learn what is in store for you, and the more you know the more you can understand how he will have to navigate the system.
Not to be Debbie Downer, but with his cgpa and PFT scores, plus the AF is downsizing, I would not bet on them allowing him to become a 500. ADAF is slashing numbers and will be for several more yrs.
FWIW ~ His cgpa will really have to pull up this yr. The avg cgpa for tech majors are 3.0/3.1. A 2.5 cgpa over 2 semesters ( I'm assuming he is a soph) +1 semester at 3.0 would right now give him a 2.67. To get to that magic number if I do my math correctly, with assumptions of the same credit hours, he would need to carry @ 3.5 for the next two semesters to avg out to a 3.0 cgpa.
These are things that they will place into the equation when determining whether or not to offer him a 500 slot.
The process will be pretty straight forward. His CoC will fill out paperwork with a support or do not support recommendation. This will be sent up the chain to HQ. HQ will review his records and the recommendation, from there they will send the paperwork back down which will either say concur or do not concur.
Most cadets know before even the paperwork is submitted what their chances will be regarding becoming a 500. I.E. The CoC will tell them before submitting the paperwork whether or not they will be marking the support box. IOWs the do not support basically is equivalent to no chance.
On this forum, over the past few yrs., I would say the majority of 200's not selected for SFT were dis-enrolled and not offered a 500 slot. Back in 09/10 many did become 500's. I only state this so you understand although from 11-13 it was more likely to be dis-enrolled, the AF is cyclical and sooner or later you will see it return to the point where it is common to become a 500.
Finally, as far as OCS goes he really should visit a recruiter during winter break. There is a different process for OCS. The boards meet only 2x a yr.
If you look at the system for officers. AFA is their big pipeline they can predict 4 yrs out. Typically it has about a 75-80% retention rate. AFROTC is the next pipeline, but it is traditionally 2 yrs out, (SFT selection). OCS is the last pipeline and the most flexible regarding #s. They will know how many are needed come 2016 before they hold the OCS board. That is why they have had to cancel certain OCS boards in yrs past.
Our friend's DS went the OCS route (was not in AFROTC). He met with the recruiter during his winter break of his junior. He was boarded in July, got picked up in Aug. He finished his sr. yr. and went to OCS @ July after graduating. He went for rated and got CSO although he wanted pilot.
Sorry for the long post, but I think you just want to learn what is in store for you, and the more you know the more you can understand how he will have to navigate the system.
Son just spoke with Colonel about options. 1. If stayed on through summer school and into next semester, EA is still slim chance. 2. He could leave rotc, but take rotc classes to use toward minor in military studies, then rejoin the next year as a 250. 3. Transfer to another detachment in home state (he is out of state right now).
Was told about financial issues with FT and they were told to get lots of 300 contracted cadets to voluntarily drop due to that. Could not speculate on what is to happen in future, due to government cutback issues.
Financial burden for us to keep him there as non-cadet. Thinking of having him come home, but can't get in 4 year college here for spring, so must go to junior college. Should he do that and take rotc classes at 4 year to keep up with it? Do the rotc classes really matter, or should he just take semester off from rotc, attend jr college, get gpa up, get physically fit and join rotc fall 2014? Don't want to cause a "break" in the timeframe he attends rotc if that will mess things up.
Was told about financial issues with FT and they were told to get lots of 300 contracted cadets to voluntarily drop due to that. Could not speculate on what is to happen in future, due to government cutback issues.
Financial burden for us to keep him there as non-cadet. Thinking of having him come home, but can't get in 4 year college here for spring, so must go to junior college. Should he do that and take rotc classes at 4 year to keep up with it? Do the rotc classes really matter, or should he just take semester off from rotc, attend jr college, get gpa up, get physically fit and join rotc fall 2014? Don't want to cause a "break" in the timeframe he attends rotc if that will mess things up.
Pima
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Will the junior college det be the same det as the 4 yr college. If so, I would tell him to join now. The reason why is if he comes back in as a 250 next fall, the cadre will at least get to know him before the 250s sign on next yr. IOWs he will not be a new face that fall semester.
It also will probably help him adjust socially because there is that social circle within AFROTC.
I would have him really train. I don't know the avg PFT for EA, but I don't think it is going to be below the low 90's.
It also will probably help him adjust socially because there is that social circle within AFROTC.
I would have him really train. I don't know the avg PFT for EA, but I don't think it is going to be below the low 90's.
impulse224
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Better off repeating AS200 year, getting in shape and getting his grades back up. In the long run, it'd be worth it even if you are paying a little extra for college.
Pima
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I think that is what impulse was also saying. I don't think they were saying stay in and repeat again.
I have to say, I really would be brutally honest at this point regarding chances of any of these paths working out (200, 500, or OCS) and have them start them thinking outside the box on how they can get part of their dream as plan B.
My cousin's DH was AROTC in college, but he landed up getting medically DQ'd. along the way in college.
He is working for the Army right now in their Homeland Defense Dept. He just came back from a 2 yr assignment in Peru. Will stay stateside for 4 yrs., and if he wants to apply for another overseas assignment, AND 1 is available for his pay grade he can try for it.
~~~~ If they go to www.usajobs.gov he will be amazed how many jobs are out there.
~~~~~~~ Understand a lot of those positions are networking, and many may have a job hiring freeze currently, but in 2-3 yrs from now, who knows.
Our DD class of 2014 (AF brat---not in ROTC) received a fellowship for her Grad degree in Education. She attends an SMC. I told her about this website, and the DoD Education website. When she went on the sites, I knew it was over....she was going to go down this route. (I should have kept my mouth shut). She can't wait for a yr. from now because she is going to try to get into the DoD. She is even willing to take the posts in Korea. Italy and UK are her top choices.
He could also try for the state department jobs.
If he truly wants to serve in any manner, and likes the idea of traveling/moving around the world, these are great options to look into as plan B.
~~~ Just have him understand, that an O1 is @8 or 9, maybe even a 7. I know an O5 20 yrs is a 14/15, thus if you keep going down the ranks... sr O4, is 13, jr. is 12, sr, O3 is 11, mid is 10, jr is 9/10., O2 is 8/9, O1 is 8, maybe 7.
If he is still gung ho AF, I would tell him to visit the ANG nearest to you, and see if he can come in that way. There are ANG units that have full time reservists.
Not saying give up in any means. I am seeing in this current environment when sequestration for the DoD will be in place until 2022, having plan B, C and D in place using the outside of the box might make him just as happy or happier as being in the ADAF.
~ It just requires a little more time doing Google searches.
I have to say, I really would be brutally honest at this point regarding chances of any of these paths working out (200, 500, or OCS) and have them start them thinking outside the box on how they can get part of their dream as plan B.
My cousin's DH was AROTC in college, but he landed up getting medically DQ'd. along the way in college.
He is working for the Army right now in their Homeland Defense Dept. He just came back from a 2 yr assignment in Peru. Will stay stateside for 4 yrs., and if he wants to apply for another overseas assignment, AND 1 is available for his pay grade he can try for it.
~~~~ If they go to www.usajobs.gov he will be amazed how many jobs are out there.
~~~~~~~ Understand a lot of those positions are networking, and many may have a job hiring freeze currently, but in 2-3 yrs from now, who knows.
Our DD class of 2014 (AF brat---not in ROTC) received a fellowship for her Grad degree in Education. She attends an SMC. I told her about this website, and the DoD Education website. When she went on the sites, I knew it was over....she was going to go down this route. (I should have kept my mouth shut). She can't wait for a yr. from now because she is going to try to get into the DoD. She is even willing to take the posts in Korea. Italy and UK are her top choices.
He could also try for the state department jobs.
If he truly wants to serve in any manner, and likes the idea of traveling/moving around the world, these are great options to look into as plan B.
~~~ Just have him understand, that an O1 is @8 or 9, maybe even a 7. I know an O5 20 yrs is a 14/15, thus if you keep going down the ranks... sr O4, is 13, jr. is 12, sr, O3 is 11, mid is 10, jr is 9/10., O2 is 8/9, O1 is 8, maybe 7.
If he is still gung ho AF, I would tell him to visit the ANG nearest to you, and see if he can come in that way. There are ANG units that have full time reservists.
Not saying give up in any means. I am seeing in this current environment when sequestration for the DoD will be in place until 2022, having plan B, C and D in place using the outside of the box might make him just as happy or happier as being in the ADAF.
~ It just requires a little more time doing Google searches.