process for transferring out?
- Thread starter 1mathboy1
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Dial the gate
5-Year Member
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- Jan 29, 2013
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Speaking as a mom, and I hope for most parents, I would not be disappointed if my son left the academy...shocked and confused for sure. My initial response would probably be, "But, but, but, thats all we've ever wanted." And I say WE on purpose, because for many (if not most), this journey to attend an academy (or earn an ROTC scholarship) is years in the making. It is a total buy-in on the parents' part in order to make sure you are in a position to submit an excellent packet for the board. Countless dollars; hours of driving to sports, activities, interviews, doctors appts; unknown total time spent researching and stalking this forum; and trying to explain to people who have no clue, why you could go to any college would you choose the military. And then the ultimate prize is obtained! The excitement and relief that you made it. Your dream come true. Alllll that hard work. It's exhausting to just think about. You did it. Our reward? That you did it.
But for us, I think, that's where we still are. We are still deep in the trenches. We're still stalking the forums because we're still waiting to hear how others are doing, helping answer questions, asking new ones of our own. And we are still trying to explain why on earth you would turn down a merit scholarship to wherever university to join the military. Sure, we get to drop you at I-Day, attend parents weekend, send you care packages, etc. But we didn't get to move on to the next phase. We may be at this phase for awhile, especially if there are no other siblings to torture.
You leaving the academy (or ROTC scholarship) may be something that occupies your mind 24/7 for awhile, months even. You've had time to process it. You have reasons. You may have even developed your future plans (applied to new colleges or whatever). But to us, this news is a punch to the gut because this is the first we've heard it... And add to the fact you are so far away, we cannot touch you and see the emotions, console the child you will always be. So, again, shock and confusion. But hopefully, never disappointment.
Trust that your parents love you because you have made it this far. Give them time to process as well. And most likely, in time, they will jump on your next bandwagon and "help" you.
I wish you peace of mind. Good luck. Hang in there.
But for us, I think, that's where we still are. We are still deep in the trenches. We're still stalking the forums because we're still waiting to hear how others are doing, helping answer questions, asking new ones of our own. And we are still trying to explain why on earth you would turn down a merit scholarship to wherever university to join the military. Sure, we get to drop you at I-Day, attend parents weekend, send you care packages, etc. But we didn't get to move on to the next phase. We may be at this phase for awhile, especially if there are no other siblings to torture.
You leaving the academy (or ROTC scholarship) may be something that occupies your mind 24/7 for awhile, months even. You've had time to process it. You have reasons. You may have even developed your future plans (applied to new colleges or whatever). But to us, this news is a punch to the gut because this is the first we've heard it... And add to the fact you are so far away, we cannot touch you and see the emotions, console the child you will always be. So, again, shock and confusion. But hopefully, never disappointment.
Trust that your parents love you because you have made it this far. Give them time to process as well. And most likely, in time, they will jump on your next bandwagon and "help" you.
I wish you peace of mind. Good luck. Hang in there.
I believe USNA, AFA and USMA have been mandated by congress to reduce their corps from 4400 to 4000 to be in line with the ongoing cutbacks in military strength. Rules change rapidly depending on the circumstances, a few years ago the services needed enlisted people so bad they were taking high school dropouts and giving waivers for felony convictions, now if you don't have your HS diploma or have any criminal conviction don't even waste the recruiters time. Hence with reduced officer accessions anyone wanting to leave the academies wont be missed and there is no motivation to make an effort to keep them.
usna1985
15-Year Member
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- Jun 9, 2006
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I've not heard about any mandate to reduce the size of the brigade. Strength is still projected to be ~4400. USNA enrolls smaller classes today than they did 20+ years ago because attrition is lower today than it was years ago.
Those who want to leave voluntarily go through a process that is designed to ensure it is a well-thought out decision vs. a knee-jerk reaction. However, in the end, if you want to leave, you can leave. That really hasn't changed.
Those who want to leave voluntarily go through a process that is designed to ensure it is a well-thought out decision vs. a knee-jerk reaction. However, in the end, if you want to leave, you can leave. That really hasn't changed.
Seavoyager
5-Year Member
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- May 20, 2013
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Recently, I have heard that is not true. It used to be true.
The military is downsizing. They have been practically trying to invent ways to get Student Naval Aviators out of training by raising the bar in API very high. In fact, the Navy, in the recent past, has asked SNAs, awaiting flight school, if they would like to get out of the Navy with an honorable discharge. They waive their commissioning obligation. Similar offers were made to nucs awaiting school in Charleston. [There is one such student in medical school with one of my sons at Georgetown. He was a 2010 grad. They asked him if he wanted to get out and he took them up on the offer. Now he's going to be a doctor.]
There has even been talk about downsizing the size of the Brigade. The Air Force Academy has already started that process. The commissioning machine is cranking out officers (USNA, NROTC & OCS) in greater numbers than are needed.
Also, there was a previous USNA administration that was criticized for keeping midshipmen who should have been separated. They were giving 2nd, 3rd and 4th chances for some fairly egregious things that would have probably resulted in separation in the past.
The pendulum has swung in the other direction and there seems to be more of a "Strike one! You're out!" policy evolving. I'm probably overstating that a bit.But there is certainly less leniency.
As a 2011 grad and former SNA, this is 100% accurate!
USNA Superintendents report recently projected a reduction in brigade strength from 4525 to 4266 by FY 17, Military Times has reported that Congress is at least considering the 4000 figure for the 3 major FSAs and given the ongoing drawdown and sequestration issues that would seem to be inevitable.
Pima
10-Year Member
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The AFA has already done their drop, it started a few yrs ago. They went from awarding 1650+/- appointments down to 1350 +/-, with the intention of only having @1150 on I Day. That and the rate of attrition during the 4 yrs., brought their numbers down a lot. I think the 1st class that they started this was this yrs. graduating class. I haven't seen their latest numbers, but I believe they are now graduating under 1K per yr., and near the 4K cap.
I also believe USMA started trimming their numbers last yr. for the class of 17.
Thus, that would leave only USNA out of the big 3 left to drop their class size.
I also believe USMA started trimming their numbers last yr. for the class of 17.
Thus, that would leave only USNA out of the big 3 left to drop their class size.
This years graduating class is under 1000 or very close to that number. They started with 1350.