AFROTC Field Training 2013

AirPower24

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2012
Messages
5
Hey all,

I am an AS-200 cadet in AFROTC. I know last year, around 2200 enrollment allocations were given out. I have heard from some other cadets that there will be a significant decrease in the amount given out for this year. I know the exact amount of EA's for this year isn't known/available yet, but does it seem likely that there could be a big decrease? I wasn't too worried before, but this information, reliable or not, has me a bit concerned.

Thanks for your time.
 
Don't listen to cadets, they are in the dark as much as you.

Nobody can give you an answer. Just make sure right now your cgpa is above the avg for LY, get a great PFT score, and hope that your SAT/AFOQT are high enough.

I think the fear you are hearing is about sequestration. Let the dust settle, for all you know it will be 2200 this yr too.

If you look at the cuts for each branch, the AF is sitting pretty compared to their sisters. The AF only needs to cut 3% to meet their goal, and that is achievable through attrition.

Additionally, if you have been following the news major airline carriers have announced that they will be hiring thousands of pilots in the next 5 yrs. The reason why is they haven't hired for a decade, and the FAA has a reg that pilots cannot fly past the age of 62 (? ---maybe it is 60), hence their pilots will be forced out at a high rate, and they will nee to replace them. Where do they get these pilots? The military.

Meanwhile, the AF is bringing on line the 35, so they also need pilots.

Honestly, life in the AF will be looking sweet for the cadets that commission who are in the system now

I think the fear cadets are feeling is the AFA has cut their class sizes drastically. There is an assumption it will have an impact on AFROTC. The fact is AFROTC started to cut back in 2010 regarding not only scholarships, but also SFT selection. The pool is much smaller now.

I am not saying anyone should feel safe at any means. I am saying, I can't see how this yr group will be the cut throat yr.

Again, caveat, sequestration occurs, and everything I wrote is out the window. 500 BN cut from the DOD budget, yeah, SFT will be cut throat. It might not even exist for all we know. Think about it, they are not going to take money from operational bases, they are not going to shut down AFA, they may cancel OCS boards, but still SFT costs a lot of money. Cadets are flown in, paid TDY payments, fed, housed for 4 weeks, given uniforms, etc. Total cost per cadet is probably @$2500. 2200 cadets, that is a couple of MN they can slash from the AF budget.

Flipside again, they may not dis-enroll cadets as quick as they did for class of 12, 13 and 14. They may keep the cadets in for 1 more yr.

I know...I made your cranium hurt! I didn't answer your question directly, and only gave you more questions.

The fact is that is the AF. It changes, morphs, re-configures all the time. You need to be aware of this issue so you can change, morph, re-configure.

I hope you take the aspects I have stated and discuss this a your det with the cadets who are telling you that there will be a significant decrease.

Ask them why do they feel that? What is their rationale?
 
I get way too nervous thinking about it dude :thumbdown:...keep your mind on other things like grades and stuff.

Pima...do you think sequestration will actually go through?
 
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"Shut up and Color" was some of the best advice that I got from a senior when I was freaking our over EAs as a freshman. Focus on the things that you can control - GPA, PFA, and face time with cadre. Ultimately, none of your peers or anyone here will be able to give a concrete answer for this years selection.

My advice would be finish this semester strong and then dont think about EAs anymore. Just let it happen. Manpower changes are out of our control so there is no use in fretting about them. I would get a solid plan B and C should plan A not work. I know its easier said than done but work hard and then just let it happen. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions you may have.
 
I have to ask kevster, would that be our DS who told you that? I only ask because it is a statement he heard in our home, and it is a specific flying community that uses it.

If I am correct kevster, right now you are getting your AFSC paperwork in order.

Back on topic, listen to kevster, he just went through this last yr. He gets your concerns, and now with it in his rear view mirror he understands why they said what they said.

It is hard to not worry when you are in the weeds, but you will see it differently later on.
 
Haha yes ma'am he and another classmate used it frequently in our "worry talks." But yes I totally get what these guys are feeling. My worrying affected other parts of my life for the worse. Looking back I wish I would have relaxed a whole lot more. "Outcome X" is going to happen if you worry and if you dont worry.....so choose the latter.

Yes! The process is just about to begin for us! PRK, AFOQT are done....next up...TBAS! Getting pumped here in Terpnation.
 
kevster,

I am glad you said that it impacted your life, and looking back now you get it. This will be your future in the AF.

At some point you need to say, this is above my pay grade. You need to accept that the military life is not just about what you know, but timing too.

EX: in 1992 the AF went through major gutting...RIFs, SERBS, etc. They actually closed some UPT pipelines, and even the best that were winged got heavies.

It was timing more than it as their ability.

~In 1996 the O4 board promoted 60%, in 98 it was 85%.

It was timing for manpower needs.

Gojira's DS is a great example. He didn't get cut from NROTC 6 weeks prior to graduation because of his cgpa, he got cut because he was 8 lbs overweight, and NROTC needed to cut anyone they could. He is on the hook for 143K dollars due to his NROTC scholarship.

It was timing for their manpower needs.

I am glad you got your PRK done already, but be prepared they might offer CSO if they are not fully healed before the board meets. It happened for a 2012 cadet at your det. The upshot, if I recall correctly, he was able to later on (C400 yr) get placed on the alt. UPT list, and eventually got UPT.

I really do think that C200 cadets are sitting much prettier than they did 2 yrs ago. The cadres are smaller.

In a yr from now, when you are a mentor like DS was to you, you as a C400 will be able to say, trust me, I saw my mentor's class have a 55% rate, and 500 slots weren't offered, only dis-enrollment. Shut up and color, because your real fear should be AFSC boards.

AFROTC is changing. I believe you are the 1st AFSC class that CoC recs will be what 10-15% compared to 30%, and the cgpa is now absorbing that difference.

Being CWC or CVWC makes little difference for OML. It will be interesting to see how this changes the program. Personally, knowing det 330, I don't think it will change much for you guys because the CWC and CVWC typically graduate Magna Cum Laude.

However, at other colleges this might not be true.

GO TERPS! BEAT NCST, UNC, and DUKE!

kevster, make sure you rub Testudo's nose on the day you take the TBAS!
 
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