January 4, 2011 AROTC Board

[Ohio2015Parent]

So most of us would love to have a plan B like your DS. How did the visit go?

Your are just in time to cross the 40,000 threshold.

Paradoxer,

Our visit went well. DS knows this is a loan free school he could choose and avoid all the budget mess, the AROTC ROO was informative: one major good difference is that DS could still live with the current contracted cadets while waiting to be contracted later on down the road. Most schools do not seem to have that flexiblity. His preferred major, International Affairs, is available - perhaps not as challenging since no study abroad is required - his 1st choice does require 1 qtr/sem. abroad and has tougher requirements for academic work. But for now, yes, he is blessed to have an option that many other deserving applicants do not have available to them.

I saw the views had jumped like crazy - but with the ongoing budget discussions(a lot of other threads have this theme too) all of us are on edge about what the future may hold for our kiddos.

 

[Goodwinm]

March 1st!

I looked at the cadet command site on Facebook and it says that results for the January board won't be out until March 1st.

 

[paradoxer]

His preferred major, International Affairs, is available - perhaps not as challenging since no study abroad is required - his 1st choice does require 1 qtr/sem. abroad and has tougher requirements for academic work. But for now, yes, he is blessed to have an option that many other deserving applicants do not have available to them.

If study abroad is available, even if not required, it wouldn't be really that different in the end - he'd have the experience, that will expand his borders.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

In the article that was given it says:

"This led to the Feb. 2 hiring freeze, which is to last 30 days until the Army gets a better sense of what Congress will do for the rest of the fiscal year"

So, does this mean that we may not hear from CC until the 30 days are up?

Welcome Marie, I don't remember seeing you, and a few other new names, post before - welcome to all.

I also thought when reading this statement in the article that we will quite possibly not hear until March 2, or later. The article spelled at very detailed how this "CR budget/but not a budget", is affecting EVERYTHING for the Army right now. I totally agree with the ending thoughts of the article, why are the government officials(powers that be/PTB) proceeding to 2012 when PTB haven't cleaned up the mess they've left for 2011 yet. It makes no sense to me, how can you take care of next month, next year, without settling the current budget issues.

I hope we are both incorrect to feel this way about "finding out", I do hope that our earlier posters (a few days ago) prove correct about this week....I know everyone will sleep a little bit better then.

check my next post: March 1, hopefull.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

I looked at the cadet command site on Facebook and it says that results for the January board won't be out until March 1st.

Went and found the post on FB - CC direct quote is "We hope to have them to everyone no later than March 1." This is simply an unnamed CC staff person. Wow, had no idea CC has a FB page, you should check it out - looks well used Maybe we should all invade them.....

 

[patentesq]

In the article that was given it says:

"This led to the Feb. 2 hiring freeze, which is to last 30 days until the Army gets a better sense of what Congress will do for the rest of the fiscal year"

So, does this mean that we may not hear from CC until the 30 days are up?

Welcome, Marie!!

A hiring freeze for new civilians is unrelated to ROTC. If the delay we are experiencing IS budget-related (and we do not know that for sure yet), then here's what I think will happen:

1. There will NOT be a government shut down on March 5.

2. Congress and the President will NOT agree in the next two weeks exactly how and where to cut spending.

3. Some Senator or Congressperson will suggest that we should just extend the current CR for another 3 months until we work things out. This likely has already occurred.

4. The Executive Branch (i.e., the agencies, especially DoD) will then object and lobby Congress very hard, saying that they need to have a longer runway than three months or else they really can't function or extend new contracts, etc. This drama will take at least a week to play out.

5. The Appropriations Committees in both the Senate and the House will then respond in one or two of the following ways:

a. "Okay, let's have the CR go through the end of the year. We should be able to agree by October on how and where to cut spending."; or

b. "Okay, let's have a special CR for our military that embraces their Republican-supported budget request, because we are in a war right now and we thus shouldn't jerk them around. The Department of Interior, however, can take a number and wait in line." (this would be good for everyone here on SAF, because the DoD's budget submitted to Congress yesterday is sizeable!!)

There will be dissention in the rank and file of Congress, but the recommendations of the Appropriations Committees of both the Senate and the House will eventually rule the day (I recognize that each committee is chaired by members of the opposing political party, but they will have show leadership and unity here or else we have a very large problem that goes WAY beyond the military).

DoD is planning for Scenario 5a and calls it the "worst case" scenario. I expect that we will all get to see this play out in the comfort of our living rooms over the next two weeks by watching CNN. I don't expect the information will come from ROOs or PMSs or even CC, because they are all learning about things in real-time as we are.

The good news is that we will have an answer by March 5, if not sooner. Another silver lining is that many of our DS/DDs are suddenly getting interested in current events and the government budget-planning process! (they may be able to "test out" of that freshman Government class after all and save us all 3 credits of tuition! (okay, maybe we still have to pay for those credits. ugh)))

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

If study abroad is available, even if not required, it wouldn't be really that different in the end - he'd have the experience, that will expand his borders.

I completely agree. He needs to be abroad, and the school we visited will still support and help find the right school/country. He also wants to pursue CLIP & CULP opportunities when they become available to him(not until after he contracts one way or another). Bonus to visit, got to see our oldest DD, first time since Christmas break -- she's a sophomore at the school.

 

[jkcksoup]

I looked at the cadet command site on Facebook and it says that results for the January board won't be out until March 1st.

Just wanna say....
This Army family predicted that time line.

I've been familiar with the system (daughter of a Marine and an Army wife) and I don't get upset anymore..... it's the way it is. "Hurry up and wait."
BUT, that being said, when the end of February beginning of March comes around I would advise all to be ready to act fast.

(It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not. Just VERY familiar with the system. It helps to know how to mentally prepare and work with it.)

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

The good news is that we will have an answer by March 5, if not sooner. Another silver lining is that many of our DS/DDs are suddenly getting interested in current events and the government budget-planning process! (they may be able to "test out" of that freshman Government class after all and save us all 3 credits of tuition! (okay, maybe we still have to pay for those credits. ugh)))

Thanks for the explanation -- love having your insights!!

DS is taking AP US Gov. now, he's trying to explain some of this to me. I have become an avid CNN reader now too.

Check out the FaceBook page, I think CC jumped from their website that makes us all crazy to the newest social network....someone from CC seems to be posting regularly, all types of info: individual college ROTC programs, a virtual career fair is on there...have seen 2 different posts about January boards being answered by CC -- previously mentioned one and another a few post earlier that states "unexpected delays" and results coming soon....Floridadad, you and I both wanted a better communication piece - I think this might be better than we could have hoped!

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Just wanna say....
This Army family predicted that time line.

I've been familiar with the system (daughter of a Marine and an Army wife) and I don't get upset anymore..... it's the way it is. "Hurry up and wait."
BUT, that being said, when the end of February beginning of March comes around I would advise all to be ready to act fast.

(It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not. Just VERY familiar with the system. It helps to know how to mentally prepare and work with it.)

Hey, haven't seen you post in awhile. Glad to see you've been around for the fun. Did you know about the Facebook page --- I'm pretty jazzed right now to see somewhere CC is available to the kids(yes, I'm a geeky mom for having my own facebook, but I use it to communicate with my college DD & her friends).

 

[patentesq]

Just wanna say....
This Army family predicted that time line.

I expect that TacticalNuke is feeling pretty PROUD AS HECK right now, in that SAF is getting the message out faster than Facebook!!

The Internet is simply amazing. I recall that I gave a speech in New York City last year, and one of my remarks was released on the Internet (via Twitter) before I even left the podium. It's an amazing world we live in now. It's helping folks in the Middle East, that's for sure.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

I expect that TacticalNuke is feeling pretty PROUD AS HECK right now, in that SAF is getting the message out faster than Facebook!!

The Internet is simply amazing. I recall that I gave a speech in New York City last year, and one of my remarks was released on the Internet (via Twitter) before I even left the podium. It's an amazing world we live in now. It's helping folks in the Middle East, that's for sure.

23,572 people 'like' the CC facebook page....it is amazing what can be accomplished with a few clicks of a keyboard/phone.

 

[paradoxer]

50,000 is in sight

I looked at the cadet command site on Facebook and it says that results for the January board won't be out until March 1st.

Unless lightning strikes this thread will soon be top of the list!!!

 

[patentesq]

Unless lightning strikes this thread will soon be top of the list!!!

YAY for Ohio2015Parent!!!!!

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Unless lightning strikes this thread will soon be top of the list!!!

Cadet Command, helping SAF threads one delay at a time.....

 

[paradoxer]

Nice play on words

Cadet Command, helping SAF threads one delay at a time.....

Since I'm not so creative, will tell you the true story I heard this weekend.
Hockey dad from my son's team was driving his pregnant wife to the hospital and phoned ahead to tell them they were coming. Hockey dad tells nurse the contractions are 5 minutes apart. Nurse asks, "Is this her first child?" Hockey dad answers, "No, this is her husband."

 

[jkcksoup]

Hey, haven't seen you post in awhile. Glad to see you've been around for the fun. Did you know about the Facebook page --- I'm pretty jazzed right now to see somewhere CC is available to the kids(yes, I'm a geeky mom for having my own facebook, but I use it to communicate with my college DD & her friends).

Hi Ohio!
Yes, I've been checking in and just watching.
Lol!
I don't expect anything... but I've been wrong before, so I continue to keep my eyes open.
Yep! I'm a "fan" of the CC facebook page. I didn't notice the question regarding the results until it was brought up here though.

Nice to have some spring weather coming our way here in KY. I hope you are going to have some warmer weather this weekend as well!

Ttys!

 

[patentesq]

Borrowing shamelessly from clarksonarmy's highly-anticipated upcoming thread of a similar title, "Let the [Drama] begin!"

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=5718875&c=AME&s=TOP

 

[USMA90]

As a new thread contributor let me first say the most important thing: Congratulations to each and every DS/DD for making the decision to serve our great country. I am amazed each and everyday of the quality of young men and women like you. You will find that service to country and those you will be charged with is a hard but extremely rewarding profession. Good luck to everyone in your pursuit of a scholarship. You have already shown you are winners, not matter the outcome!

A lot has been said about many things throughout this thread. Various thoughts and ideas as to what is the hold-up, when will the madness end, etc. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the discussion. If anything it helps pass the time away There is no doubt we are in trying times both on the world stage and domestically with the incapability to pass a single appropriations bill and a surging national debt. Here is my 2 cents as to the present situation:

The present wait is in fact related to budget but not necessarily based upon the country operating on a CR. From all of the budget documents I have reviewed both the current CR, FY12 proposed budget, etc. the ROTC roles have not been specifically targeted. Army ROTC like any company or large organization that has a budget does so with a certain process. ROTC uses something called the Scholarship and Mission Set Model (SAMS). I found a presentation at the following link:

http://www.mors.org/UserFiles/file/2010 Personnel/WG6/Roederer Briefing Wed morning cleared.pdf

This document gives a great overview of how AROTC conducts their budget planning process and seems relevant in that it is dated Jan 2010 and the corresponding numbers tie into the Army budget.

Couple of key takeaways that may pertain to what we are seeing:
1) Between 2010 and 2011 there is a planned reduction in new MSL I level scholarships. Historically (2010) there were 3,808 new scholarships versus a planned 2,600 for the current year. This may explain 3 boards vs. 5. The purpose of ROTC is relatively simple - provide a source for commision officers for the US Army. It does this alongside the academy and OCS. The present plan calls for a continued 5,350 comissions begining in FY14. This is a reduction of an average of 5,600 ROTC has been producing. Less required officers = less required cadets.

2) Slide #9 shows an expected deficit of $17M in what was forecasted to be required versus what was in the President's POM for FY11. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the current CR is funded at 2010 levels which just adds to this potential shortfall. This could explain why board results have not been released. CC is in the process of determining where scholarships will be offered. The same holds true for CC that holds true for trying to privately finance your DS/DD's education...it is much cheaper to attend an in-state public university vs. an out-of-state private institution ( a methodology for closing the gap). Currently ROTC plans on an average outlay of $18K per year per cadet in 2011 $. If that average can be reduced = less budget required.

At the end of the day the board has met and the scholarship winners have been determined. The hold-up is in the determination as to where scholarships will be offered. Our DS/DD's desires will be considered and based upon the OML will be addressed. However, the most significant factor in my opinion will be how it all adds up to the bottom line - effect on planned budget.

Keep in mind that all services have been asked to identify areas of savings per the SECDEF. The Army was one of the first to tackle this effort through portfolio reviews, etc. to identify redundancy and potential savings. The good news here is that typically personnel accounts remain pretty sacred and items such as operations and maintenance and research and development take the biggest hits. The same looks like it holds true for the current FY12 proposed budget by the Army. The take away is that there doesn't appear to be any specific target hits against reduction of ROTC Battalions, etc.

I hope and trust that this helps in the understanding and doesn't muddy the waters further. I know that CC is working diligently to figure everything out and make offers ASAP. Someone from an earlier thread mentioned the concept of "hurry up and wait." I believe that everything in life can be somehow, someway turned into a learning experience for our children as a parent. Two things come to mind in this case - specifically from my own experiences:

1) Hurry Up and Wait is real - Get used to it
2) This will not be the last time in your careers that your desires/wants won't necessarily align with those of the Army and Congress.

Again, best of luck to everyone. I'm sure good news will be forthcoming.

 

[patentesq]

USMA90, that was an extremely thoughtful and informative post. It clearly took you a long time to compose. Thank you for posting. We truly apprecriate that terrific addition.