January 4, 2011 AROTC Board

[FloridaDad]

Really? I thought that might be the case. He feels so lucky to have one at all so he has some thinking to do~ Thanks for the quick reply

Interesting that he would decline a AF scholarship in favor of an Army one. We live in a military community and and all three forces are represented.. Two senior Army officers and one Marine told my DS to do AF or Navy instead of Army if he had the choice.

 

[Texasblues]

Interesting that he would decline a AF scholarship in favor of an Army one. We live in a military community and and all three forces are represented.. Two senior Army officers and one Marine told my DS to do AF or Navy instead of Army if he had the choice.

Hmmm, wonder why?

 

[FloridaDad]

I suppose it is a choice between camping, the Holiday Inn Express and the Ritz. Plus there is probably a lot more chance of being placed in arms way for the average army officer.

 

[bjkuds]

Hmmm, wonder why?

I remember when my husband was heading for a joint forces FTX..he was AF. The Marines ran. The Army marched with full packs, and the AF guys got on a truck. True story

 

[FloridaDad]

I remember when my husband was heading for a joint forces FTX..he was AF. The Marines ran. The Army marched with full packs, and the AF guys got on a truck. True story

I totally believe it. I have heard many similar things from family and friends. The AF also has a bit of a 9-to-5 mentality on many bases.

All very honorable and noble professions, and I am thankful for each and every person that serves.

My DS actually fancies being special ops or at the sharp end of the stick.

 

[Texasblues]

My DS actually fancies being special ops or at the sharp end of the stick.

Same here. Sounds like my son.

 

[bjkuds]

Same here. Sounds like my son.

DS doesn't know for sure what specifically he wants to do....even the branch isn't totally decided yet. His dad was out of the AF when he was born and DS has no exposure to the military except for some "war stories"..umm it was the 80's.. no wars. Its going to be interesting to see the choices he makes. Just hope this week brings many positive results

 

[cjs]

C

 

[patentesq]

I think the topic about which service is better (AF v. Army v. Marines) is very interesting. It would make an excellent independent thread for those faced with having to decide among these various services.

But do you folks think it is wise to go ahead and pay the room deposit while we await the results of the Jan. 4, 2011 Board???

 

[Texasblues]

Yeah BJ...i don't think my son truly knows either but his personality seems to fit more the special ops, out in the field, navy seals,etc.. that sort of direction.

I love your Proverbs quote. That seems to sum it up for all of us who are patiently waiting to hear something soon.

 

[bjkuds]

I think the topic about which service is better (AF v. Army v. Marines) is very interesting. It would make an excellent independent thread for those faced with having to decide among these various services.

But do you folks think it is wise to go ahead and pay the room deposit while we await the results of the Jan. 4, 2011 Board???

Its getting to the point locally that the rooms will be taken if deposits aren't in, but I guess that would depend on the school. I'd say if it's not a great deal of $$ for you, consider it insurance. And if it is, your playing the odds, but this stuff has a way of working out. Thats the joy of only dealing with SMC's ..one less hassle

 

[FloridaDad]

But do you folks think it is wise to go ahead and pay the room deposit while we await the results of the Jan. 4, 2011 Board???

I had to pay it. His second choice school was local, which would mean living at home. Money well spent

 

[patentesq]

I had to pay it. His second choice school was local, which would mean living at home. Money well spent

The part I don't like about the whole AROTC scholarship process is that the applicant has to list a bunch of schools but doesn't really know which school to which the scholarship offer will ultimately apply. Is the applicant supposed to pay deposits to multiple schools if he or she has been admitted to multiple schools? Or is it really a SWAG?

FloridaDad, you've identified a major downside to this whole CC delay that I hadn't previously thought about (my DS has not been accepted to any of his AROTC choice schools yet, so this issue hasn't been front-and-center for him).

 

[bjkuds]

Yeah BJ...i don't think my son truly knows either but just his personality fits the special ops, out in the field, navy seals,etc.. that sort of direction.

I love your Proverbs quote. That seems to sum it up for all of us who are patiently waiting to hear something soon.

Appreciate that...gives me peace knowing someone smarter than I is really in control of the outcome.
I was floored when DS when out for Baseball, much less talked about the military. Just didn't seem to fit his personality to me. I don't doubt his ability but DS was more of the beaker carrying, research, computer types...He is fit...works out, but only goes in the woods when his Dad and He sit in a tree stand waiting for deer during hunting season..and that requires a bag of groceries and an IPOD, cell phone(God forbid he'd miss a text message). If he ends up in the Army..Ohh man I guess he is really looking for something so different from what he has done thus far..thats the only thing he keeps saying.." I want to do something different" but he has no idea of what there real possibilities are after he gets through college.. I'm proud no matter what he does

 

[cjs]

The part I don't like about the whole AROTC scholarship process is that the applicant has to list a bunch of schools but doesn't really know which school to which the scholarship offer will ultimately apply. Is the applicant supposed to pay deposits to multiple schools if he or she has been admitted to multiple schools? Or is it really a SWAG?

FloridaDad, you've identified a major downside to this whole CC delay that I hadn't previously thought about (my DS has not been accepted to any of his AROTC choice schools yet, so this issue hasn't been front-and-center for him).

It is a real downside and was last year for the last few boards. Once given the scholarship, you then have to wait and see which schools you are awarded it to.
Getting awarded the scholarship to the first board can also be a bit unsettling if younhave to pick a school that you haven't been admitted to. There were quite a few who accepted it to my son's school last year and then didn't get admitted. It was a scramble for then to try and transfer it.

Hopefully soon there will be some answers!

 

[cjs]

I had to pay it. His second choice school was local, which would mean living at home. Money well spent

If he gets the scholarship to his second choice and ends up going there, wouldn't he still live on campus and use it for Room and Board?

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

February 22nd

Although $300 would provide you with a nice night out it's pocket change when you look at tuition and fees for 4 years. He could buy a science book that the prof never uses and spend that much.

What are your thoughts on the following hypothetical (I suspect that some of the folks on here thinking this through at the moment):

I don't think it is necessarily throwing the money away here if a DS/DD pays the $300 deposit to secure a room. I think it is fairly safe to say that we will hear from CC on scholarships sometime WELL before April 15. Assuming that one of our DS/DDs did not receive a scholarship (and the DS/DD is wanting to attend a school that has a similar May 1 deadline for obtaining a full refund), wouldn't that give the DS/DD enough time to provide the required notice to the school and get their money fully refunded? In other words, why not pay the deposit?

Is anyone willing to put it in blood that CC will notify January & March boards prior to 4/15/11? I don't believe they will. And not to get too personal, but money is pretty darn tight here right now. DH is a firefighter/Medic for our community - overtime gone, pension under review and some months $300.00 is my grocery money. We found out about his job situation 1/1/11 and are still working thru a "recovery plan" for our economic outlook. I'm looking for a new job, but that isn't working out too well, yet. DS understands things are not normal around here and has made peace with it.

Sorry to go so detailed, but I think everyone should realize not all posters are in the same economic situation and great kids come from all walks of our society. We had planned to put deposits IF DS didn't receive an offer from January board, but with all of our situations hitting crazy right about the same time, we've had to reevaluate. So, yes, if you can put the deposit down, it is typically a good move. But, if you're like us and get hit with an unexpected sometimes you just have to make peace with what you can and cannot do.

 

[Pima]

Have you contacted the school's that are your top picks. Sometimes, they have such a close connection with ROTC that they will waive the date for the deposit, based on awaiting scholarship results.

Going back pages, I am not sure you can give up your AFROTC scholarship for an AROTC scholarship. I know that you can if you are selected to any SA, just not sure if it allowed to take one scholarship over another.

That being stated, unless things have changed, AFROTC replies are not like AROTC where you have a specific number of days to accept or decline. I believe it is an actual drop date in April, or early May for everyone. Thus, if you got the scholarship in Jan, you can wait 3-4 months to rescind. That is also why I believe once you accept it is binding, minus the SA situation.

It could have def. changed to the 45 day parameter, but the last I knew it was sim to college admissions where there is a date for everyone to say yeah or nay.

 

[paradoxer]

Try this

Is anyone willing to put it in blood that CC will notify January & March boards prior to 4/15/11? I don't believe they will. And not to get too personal, but money is pretty darn tight here right now. DH is a firefighter/Medic for our community - overtime gone, pension under review and some months $300.00 is my grocery money. We found out about his job situation 1/1/11 and are still working thru a "recovery plan" for our economic outlook. I'm looking for a new job, but that isn't working out too well, yet. DS understands things are not normal around here and has made peace with it.

Sorry to go so detailed, but I think everyone should realize not all posters are in the same economic situation and great kids come from all walks of our society. We had planned to put deposits IF DS didn't receive an offer from January board, but with all of our situations hitting crazy right about the same time, we've had to reevaluate. So, yes, if you can put the deposit down, it is typically a good move. But, if you're like us and get hit with an unexpected sometimes you just have to make peace with what you can and cannot do.

Having used 95 weeks of unemployment (out of 99 available) recently I totally hear you about the money for a situation such as this. I would suggest you contact the housing department at the college, explain the situation, and see if there is any other work around for you. Often when they know the details, and realize why you are asking they can make it work. Always ask.

Saturday no snow on the ground for DS's snow shoe race, Sunday 9 inches of snow and can't leave the driveway. Hope the military takes cues from the weather: today no announcements, tomorrow blizzard of information begins.

 

[FloridaDad]

If he gets the scholarship to his second choice and ends up going there, wouldn't he still live on campus and use it for Room and Board?

Not sure what he would. Obviously a transfer would be the first option. He would probably go to the school he has committed to and take a chance on an in-school scholarship. He is a really strong candidate and if the ROTC staff spent time with him he would be OK. The AROTC process doesn't really take account off many intangibles: one short 1-on-1 interview and no letters of recomendation leave the board with a very one dimensional view IMO.

He has a road map from four year scholarship to switching to a major that would allow for direct commisioning with several options along the way. What will be will be and if he wants to commision he has lots of options. Money in his pocket and no costs for us sounds good now but that might not give him the best chance of a successful army and civilian career.