It is all about timing! As an AF pilot wife, I have 22+ years of the highs and lows of the AF! Watching my husband work hard in ROTC to earn one of the few (5) pilot slots given because of cut backs, to the grueling year of UPT where he was very disappointed that there was only 1 fighter in the drop ( he graduated #2), and only 8 were given planes while the rest were "banked and waiting" - base closures, planes being transferred, programs being phased out... I can say that it has been quite a roller coaster ride for him. There have been pilot cutbacks, shortages, options to get out early, and NONE of it has been in his control. He has rode the wave and had a very successful career (reserve pilot retiring Aug and moved on to his airline job 8 yrs ago @ SWA) but I can say there have been many speed bumps along the way.
When my DS received the TWE yesterday, my husband said... "welcome to the AF" My DS looked at him strangely not understanding what he meant but dad explained that things in his career have not really gone as planned along the way. This admissions cycle is just another example of our experience with the AF, it is all about the timing. I believe that a few years ago many of these candidates who received the dreaded TWE would have recieved an appointment. My son summer seminar cadet said he did 1 pull-up on his CFA and his grades were nowhere nearly as high as my son. TIMING!
DS is still deciding between Navy or AF ROTC but either way he will succeed and reach his goal. Who knows, these cutbacks we are seeing right now may in the long run be beneficial in your military career, less officers, more opportunities down the road?....