January 4, 2011 AROTC Board

Jcleppe said:
Congratulations to your son, I bet it was nice to finally put pen to paper and raise the right hand.
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Thanks all of you for the good feedback! The support here cannot be beat anywhere.

There was actually no pen or paper involved(part of the problem Wednesday) everything is signed electronically(think Fedex screen signing)and biometrically signed with a fingerprint....very high tech, but vunerable to power outages at guess where....Ft. Knox, the home of all things Cadet Command. Apparently they also house the servers for most all Army enlistment processes.

The process to enlist, even with a state guard, is crazy. A different physical than DodMERB, even tho DS qualified with them he still had to take the MEPS ones too. Vision, hearing, blood draw, urinalysis, breathalizer and then the orthopedic(in their underwear go thru a series of movements of all joints)and then the standard cough etc... that the guys all love :redface:

He filled out 2 different background check authorizations, including references and known associates(he would need this for commissioning anyway), so the paperwork was actually more intense than the AROTC scholarship application. Nuts, but I guess this is how his path is supposed to go. Yes, mom is very proud for his desire to serve, but also his determination to follow this plan for his future.

If there are other parents/enlisteds that would like to start a SMP thread, it might be interesting to compare notes - each state is different, but it is a little different experience for the cadets and their families'. Just an idea.

Will keep checking the threads frequently, just to read how the fall settles out for all of you and of course, to follow the newbies for 2016:smile:
 
The security clearance is NUTS and way more intensive than the scholarship process.

Again, this issue is going to be important and why it is wise to realize everything you do may come back up in the future.

When you do the clearance it will ask for references, depending on your clearance level will determine how deep in your history they will go. DS just had his TS finished a few weeks ago. They interviewed everyone on the list in person or over the phone. They will ask that 1 big question. Any trouble with the law?

Back on topic. Ohio is living proof that if your desire to serve is there, you can and will find a way to do it. You will realize once AD that there is no set one way to get commissioned. You will also realize that the commissioning source is not going to be the only factor when it comes to promotions or career fields. It is what you do as an officer that will determine that path.

Congrats again Ohio. I bet like every other parent you are just happy to get off that roller coaster ride. Welcome to the new ride...COLLEGE!
 
Pima said:
Congrats again Ohio. I bet like every other parent you are just happy to get off that roller coaster ride. Welcome to the new ride...COLLEGE!
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Thanks, Pima. Yes, very glad that now the only big decisions are which foreign lanuage and other classes to register for at orientation:biggrin: Oh, and what color does he want for his dorm bedding...:yllol: Just kidding.

Seriously, for any future readers of the January and March AROTC boards threads, keep your faith if you feel this is your future, but always have a back up plan and a back up for your back up....DS will serve proudly where ever this leads him, but it has been very stressful going thru this process. Read the forum and ask questions -- Pima and others are a great source of information and inspiration to get you thru:smile:
 
Ohio, you might be surprised about the bed linen issue. :wink:

I thought DS wouldn't care if I even sent him with a blanket, let alone what it looked like, but he did! It is funny that for college they care more about what it looks like than the 18 yrs at home. Of course, at least for our DS I think he thought the college linens were magical and could make the bed by itself!:shake:

I am going to take a minute to help newbies out since this thread is really long it would take them hours to read it all. So here is my synopsis:

We are not trying to scare anyone about the stress, but honestly, as much as newbies will think this is pure exaggeration, it is not. It is a rollercoaster ride. One minute all seems great and the very next you have sunk to the low of OMG I can't believe this is happening to me. If you can just work through it you will be fine.

For parents, just make sure you stock the house with whatever is your stress reliever....chocolates, ice cream, alcohol or usually the top 3 picks.

For newbies (2016) understand never to compare yourself to somebody else, especially for A/NROTC since a big part of the equation is the school selection. This is especially true when the 1st of the board results come out. You may have your packet in Aug., but that does not mean you will meet the 1st board. It is a 1st come, 1st serve manner and typically they can't get through every packet in one board, especially the 1st. Thus, if someone says I submitted in August, and you did too, it doesn't mean you both will be reviewed. You could have submitted Aug. 23rd, and they submitted Aug 1. 600 applicants could have submitted between the two of you, those 600 will meet before you do.

Additionally, for some be prepare to be re-boarded. This does not necessarily mean bad news. It could mean that you are on the cusp and they need more time to see which way you fall on the list compared to other applicants. Some candidates last yr got re-boarded 2-3 X. Some with success and some without.

Right now investigate the process, be prepared to expect a ride of your life. Take the time and meet the commands of the schools you are interested in, ask to meet cadets there too.

Parents while they are meeting the cadets, leave and wander the campus, agree on a meeting place on campus like the student union. This will allow your child to talk openly about what matters to them regarding what they want out of ROTC. It will also allow an invaluable moment for them. That moment I speak about is their ability to pretend for 10 minutes as they walk the campus to meet you, that this will be them next yr. For many kids this is when they decide, does their heart jump a beat and say this is going to be me next yr? Does their heart sink and say, Oh no I can't envision myself here? Do they say to themselves, if it is my only option, I can deal with it for 4 yrs.?

Best wishes, and always remember there is no such thing as a stupid question. The only stupid thing you can do is not to ask the stupid question. Believe me you will not be the 1st to wonder or ask it.

Okay let me clarify there are stupid questions, but none of them have to do with the process. Asking if you can take your pet to live with you in the dorms would be classified as a stupid question.
 
Ohio2015Parent.
I have read all your post concerning your sons endeavor to join the ROTC program. I wish you and your family the very best for the future, and hope one day to see your son commanding men for this great country of ours.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
 
VB DAD said:
Ohio2015Parent.
I have read all your post concerning your sons endeavor to join the ROTC program. I wish you and your family the very best for the future, and hope one day to see your son commanding men for this great country of ours.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
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VB DAD,

Thank you so much for the encouraging words and sharing the AMAZING quote...a few words that truly say so much:smile:
 
Congrats, Ohio! My DS gets sworn in on Monday. This has truly been one of the tougher years in the child-rearing department! It all works out in the end, though. :smile:
 
patentesq said:
Congrats, Ohio! My DS gets sworn in on Monday. This has truly been one of the tougher years in the child-rearing department! It all works out in the end, though. :smile:
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So glad to hear that your DS is doing well and ready to swear in - I only teared up a litte:wink: at DS's. Had been thinking about your family, remembered he was leaving in late June. DS will not be home next summer except for a few days before leaving for basic and a few days after basic before leaving for sophomore year:frown: It will be hard on momma, but right now he's walking on air:rolleyes: I'm just glad to only focus on class registration and the normal "stuff". Will watch the WP/USMA threads for updates from you on his freshman year:smile:
 
Scholarship Selection Criteria

I'm a parent of a non-scholarship cadet currently going thru summer field training. My son applied for a scholarship before his freshman year, but unfortunately he wasn't selected. Ever since, his has wondered why his application didn't measure up; he is one of 3 out of 17 in his class who don't have scholarships. To his frustration, he found out after starting school that he had a higher GPA (3.9) and SATs than the majority of kids who actually got the scholarship...he also did well (98) on his PT test and had a very good interview. He was very frustrated to say the least...now it turns out that most of these scholarship kids did not even get EAs! My son, although proud of the EA, remains frustrated. As a taxpayer, I am even a little annoyed.

My son admitted to a minor traffic ticket on his scholarship app...he seems to think this is what may have kept him from a scholarship; he's talked with other cadets who did NOT admit to traffic violations, even though they had them. Anyone know if these issues factor into scholarship deliberations?
 
The WCS really does mean Whole Candidate Score. Unfortunately, due to missing info, i.e. SAT score annd ECs, nobody can guess if it was the traffic violation or something else.

i understand that does not give comfort to you, but I hope it allows you and him the ability to understand there are many factors that go into the equation besides gpa and pfa.

The fact and reality is scholarship or no scholarship will not be a factor regarding his success in the military as an officer.

Life has a funny way of working itself out...something we usually call FATE!

Thank him for stepping up and serving this great nation. Thank you for supporting him

OBTW, traffic violations are factors, but at least for AFROTC, a speeding ticket would be the last factor placed into the equation, unless there were multiple tickets. They really are looking at the big picture, with tbe DOD budget shrinking it is more about less money while tbey have a larger pool due to the economy.
 
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Thanx for the sentiments Pima; my son is tickled pink to have received his EA...esp given the stiff competition this year. He observed that many of the kids who did not get an EA...(all, except a couple, were scholarship kids) showed up unprepared and relatively uncommitted. It was obvious many of them would not have even been there had it not been for the economy. Rumint has it that starting next year, scholarships will have to be paid back if the cadets are not selected for an EA; tough but probably needed.
 
SirSmitty said:
He observed that many of the kids who did not get an EA...(all, except a couple, were scholarship kids) showed up unprepared and relatively uncommitted. It was obvious many of them would not have even been there had it not been for the economy. Rumint has it that starting next year, scholarships will have to be paid back if the cadets are not selected for an EA; tough but probably needed.
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Congrats to your son for his EA!

I will say that my daughter's experience is completely the opposite of your sons' with regard to which AFROTC cadets were most serious about their involvement in the AFROTC. Perhaps the quality of the college affects the quality of the cadets? Either way, the AFROTC program has guidelines for what is necessary to keep your scholarship and if the "Rumint" is true then I would suspect that changes will be required on the front end of the program as opposed to the end of the sophomore year. Just speculating....
 
I think across the board regarding any ROTC scholarship recipient I would concur with Agagles. The reason why is most scholarship recipients understand that it is more than just the commissioning at stake, it is the education too.

Many times these cadets know without the scholarship they cannot afford the college, thus they are busting their humps not only academically, but also to get that EA slot, or whatever the equivalent is for A/NROTC.

It is important to realize that at least for AFROTC if you do not get EA, you do not get commissioned, because you never become a C300 (POC). If you don't get it they revoke the scholarship. Thus, they are now in college for 2+ yrs and have 2 more, but no scholarship money to pay for the college. There are many cadets that because they reduced the EA this yr who have already been informed their scholarship was revoked.

Another reason many times they are more competitive is connected to the OML. The scholarships are connected to the gpa. You can have a 2.5 as a non-scholarship cadet and be in good standing at the college, but not for the scholarship. I can't swear what the min is, but I think it is 2.8 or higher. The OML equation includes the gpa, hence the recipient may have a higher gpa, purely based on the scholarship requirement.

Finally, so we don't scare the class of 15, NOBODY expects you to know or be prepared for ROTC. Our DS did not do JROTC, and he did just fine. It is not so much about knowledge when you get there, but more about dedication to learning. Our DS actually ranked higher than some cadets who did JROTC for 4 yrs in HS. Reason why? The JROTC cadets had a mindset that this is how we did in HS, and the ROTC unit basically says, that's great, BUT you are in COLLEGE now and this is how it is done!

Fastest way to tick off ROTC POCs...correct them as a C100 and use JROTC or CAP as your defense! Believe me our DS has us rolling in laughter every fall telling stories of the one cadet who argues with the flight commander using CAP or JROTC as defense. Bullet and I always say the same thing:

Glad to see they learned Lesson 1 in JROTC. We call it the shoulder flip (place your hand on your shoulder to cover your rank...remove it, highest one wins!) In other words these cadets never learned you follow orders of the superior ranking officer, you don't argue! Salute sharply and say Yes Sir/M'am.
 
Update: DS arrived at college only to find out that so many students have enrolled for ROTC that on Monday they will have PT testing just to decide who can continue in the class! There are 50 non scholarship students attempting to join the 3 students with scholarships.
 
paradoxer said:
Update: DS arrived at college only to find out that so many students have enrolled for ROTC that on Monday they will have PT testing just to decide who can continue in the class! There are 50 non scholarship students attempting to join the 3 students with scholarships.
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Hi, paradoxer! Good to connect with you again.

I'm wondering why they don't just let non-scholarship students participate in the freshman and sophmore MS classes, as long as the students pay the tuition for the credits they obtain (assuming the ROTC unit has enough equipment on hand, etc.), much like the high schools handle JROTC (anyone who wants to join, can join). I would think that the fixed cadre to cadet ratio would not become important until after the end of the cadet's sophomore year, when they have to be a contracted cadet. After all, the force requirement numbers needed for the Class of 2015 could change in two years if something weird happens overseas, and at least we'd have people in the pipeline for that contingency. As long as the cadre are forthright about the contracting process being extremely competitive two years from now, I don't see a problem with that (it doesn't cost that much more from the AROTC perspective to have exta students in the classroom). Or do you think this is the result of the individual units feeling the pinch as well and being instructed by CC to reduce their numbers? Incidently, the SAs have been instructed to reduce their numbers as well, but those cadets are contracted from day one. Thoughts?

P.S. I love this thread!
 
It is probably the fact that the leadership can't handle a class size that large. This isn't JROTC, and that is why they need to weed through because it will impact those who stay with it regarding their OML from day 1 and that is a life altering situation for many.

Also AROTC is not like AF/NROTC there is no guarantee you will go AD, so in essence, I doubt that it is a pinching issue. I think it is just a manpower issue of cadets to ROTC instructors.
 
tuition component

patentesq said:
Hi, paradoxer! Good to connect with you again.

I'm wondering why they don't just let non-scholarship students participate in the freshman and sophmore MS classes, as long as the students pay the tuition for the credits they obtain (assuming the ROTC unit has enough equipment on hand, etc.), much like the high schools handle JROTC (anyone who wants to join, can join).
P.S. I love this thread!
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The school does block rate billing so there's no loss of tuition dollars with reduced numbers. I will say the PMS sent an email mid summer explaining that they better show up in shape as the numbers were looking high and they might use PT scores to decide who could continue but we didn't think they meant from day one. DS is exempt because of scholarship but was still a bit surprised.
 
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