Break over... back to school

kinnem said:
Congratulations to all on raising some great kids. Our job is done. All that's left is to sit back and watch and hopefully, every once in a while, dispensing some timely advice. Hope all are successful this upcoming semester.
Click to expand...
Yep, Kinnem you are right.
My DS is flying back to Norwich right now.
Onward and Upward:smile:!
 
kinnem said:
He'll be serving as a Platoon Seargent. There is also Drill Team, Endurance Team, and Boat Crew. Apparently he is also handling a fire team leader slot for Semper Fi club.
Click to expand...

Some students can handle a full plate. Some can't.

I always advise my students to leave themselves plenty of free time and to concentrate on academics first and ROTC second. IMHO most Cadets join ROTC extracurricular activities to one up the other Cadets and to impress their friends and family, and not for the small number of accessions points these activities will bring. For accessions purposes, the time would be better spent improving their academic GPA.

When I ask my Cadets why they want to join Color Guard or Ranger Challenge they generally give me an answer along the lines of wanting to improve their knowledge and improve their standing on the OML to better compete for slots at Airborne, Air Assault, etc. This makes sense in a short term sort of way.

Ten years from now, when they are a married Captain, with 2 kids, they may be competing for Graduate School programs and management positions at Fortune 500 Companies. At that point in their life, Color Guard and Ranger Challenge won't merit a place on their resume, but a 3.5 GPA versus a 3.6 GPA might make all the difference.
 
A nice little run in 15 degree weather this morning reminded me very quickly that the break is now over. :biggrin:

Best of luck to everyone and their DS/DD's this semester.
 
If you were in VA/MD the nice little run in the drizzling rain would have quickly reminded you of that too!

I think this is why so many posters stress run in all types of weather, because you will do just that once you are in the program.
 
Pima said:
If you were in VA/MD the nice little run in the drizzling rain would have quickly reminded you of that too!

I think this is why so many posters stress run in all types of weather, because you will do just that once you are in the program.
Click to expand...

Yes, it would have. Luckily for us it stopped raining yesterday.

Correctamundo. Can't stress that enough. I can't remember the last time I ran/PT'd in "perfect" conditions. However, I can remember the last time I took an APFT while it was sleeting. Sometimes, it takes joining the program to get it into their heads, though.
 
Very true -Bull- sometimes it does take being in it to realize people weren't exaggerating when they gave that advice, esp. when for some their scores were okay to start with, but they did it on that perfect weather day and had enough sleep the night before, which skews the score IMPO. Hence, when they get there they are shocked to learn that the score is now lower because it is 85 degrees with 80% humidity.

For class of 17 remember the only way to contract is to pass that APFT. There will be thousands of dollars on the line. Plus, you don't want them to learn your name the 1st week because you fell out of the run.

Marist College ROTC said:
When I ask my Cadets why they want to join Color Guard or Ranger Challenge they generally give me an answer along the lines of wanting to improve their knowledge and improve their standing on the OML to better compete for slots at Airborne, Air Assault, etc. This makes sense in a short term sort of way.
Click to expand...

Our DS joined Arnie Air Society as an AFROTC cadet. He did it for 3 reasons.
1. Friendships with people that hold the same interest for a career.

2. Commander rec.
~ For SFT selection the CC has a very large voice, and by being in one of these organizations, the CC also sees they can manage both social and academic.
~ They also get an additional leadership within these organizations. Some dets are so large that they rotate out the leadership positions every semester, thus they get that opportunity there too.

3. Wanted to do it because it sounded interesting.

I agree if they can't handle all 3 (academics, ROTC and organizations) than they should drop the organization aspect and maintain a higher cgpa. However, that being said. 10 yrs later the Fortune 500 company isn't going to really look at that college cgpa, but instead your work experience.

Plus, at least for the AF they can do TA for grad school, and the high majority of officers that get their Masters do so on base. I would guesstimate 85-90%. They are not applying for Harvard as an ADAF O3 with 10 yrs. so their cgpa doesn't matter. Yet, for AFROTC cadets they have the chance to go to AFIT (AF grad school) straight out of college and that cgpa is going to matter for the OML.

Just like having plan B, C and D for paying for college without a ROTC scholarship, have a plan B, C and D in place for your career selections, and that OML will matter.

Let's be honest for ADAF, being in AAS, Silver Wings, or Angel Flight will not help you in any shape or form at UPT or UNT. It is just a social organization like any greek fraternity/sorority. Actually the greek world has at least the networking aspect for employment, whereas, that is not true for the military ones.
 
Last edited:
My wallet gave a shout of joy!

DS officially sworn in this morning and is now contracted. He is heading over to the Bursar's office to NOT pay the tuition but pay the rest of the bill (insurance, R&B). YAY!
 
Congrats.

Isn't that feeling of no pmt the best? Of course you rejoice for only a short time before the next wave of fears set in...maintaining the cgpa, career selection boards, commissioning, etc.

Ride the wave for as long as you can, because like the ocean there will be another one to catch before he graduates!
 
DS took a J-term course that was 3 credits and $3400. Navy paid it early- how nice it is. Spring tuition was also paid in December by the Navy for 21k. I'm now going on a trip.
 
Terp,

Congrats to your DS.

I am not sure with the sequestration issue that 16/17 or 18 will have those options,

ROTC may change and it is important to realize what occurs for 1 class yr as the norm, is not necessarily the same for the next.
 
kinnem said:
DS officially sworn in this morning and is now contracted. He is heading over to the Bursar's office to NOT pay the tuition but pay the rest of the bill (insurance, R&B). YAY!
Click to expand...

Congratulations to you and DS!
 
kinnem said:
DS officially sworn in this morning and is now contracted. He is heading over to the Bursar's office to NOT pay the tuition but pay the rest of the bill (insurance, R&B). YAY!
Click to expand...

Congrats to your son! Sorry to hear that he will be wasting away in the USMC. :shake:

(I say this jokingly, my brother is in the Marine Corps)
 
Kinnem and Terp1984,

Congratulations to your son's and your pocket books.
 
Congratulations Terp

Congrats terp! I hope you enjoy your trip and that it's to somewhere exotic!

And thanks to everyone else for the kind words.
 
FlyingWildcatDad said:
Congrats to Kinnem and Terp. My DS is still waiting for the Air Force to pay his Spring Tuition.
Click to expand...

Lucky you! I'm still waiting on my ROTC to pay my Fall tuition. Good thing we have a understanding bursar's office and a 3rd party hold.
 
EDelahanty said:
One sign momentum has gathered force: I found myself discussing next year's commissioning ceremony with my sister-in-law. We speculated hopefully that his nearly 90 year old grandfather, a veteran of two wars, would be fit enough to make the trip and accept a second lieutenant's first salute.
Click to expand...

EDelahanty, that brought tears to my eyes. I'll say my prayers that your son's grandfather is able to make that trip and accept that salute.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top