Quitting AFROTC Contracted Cadet

D

dparrish209

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
16
Hi all,
I currently have finished my AS200 year and received an EA slot to go to field training. However due to personal reasons, I decided to decline the slot, and drop out of ROTC. (long story short, I decided that the military was not for me). Anyways, I was a scholarship cadet, but earned my scholarship near the end of my freshman (AS100) year, as a mechanical engineering major. My question is, what are the chances of being called up to active duty rather than paying back the money. My family and myself are financially prepared to pay the money we owe (roughly 10-12 thousand) and would much rather prefer that to an involuntary call to duty as an enlisted person. Being the case that I chose to leave AFROTC because I didnt want to be in the Air Force, is there a great chance that they would call me back anyways? I'm scheduled to meet with my Cadre next week, but just wanted to get some insight now.
Any responses are greatly appreciated.
 
While I am not sure about the 10-12K estimate of pay back money, I am almost 100 percent sure you will not be required to serve as an enlisted person in the AF. Even those that want to serve instead of paying have not been given that option during the last couple of years.
 
I've always been curious, but for the payback (if you drop) does it turn into a loan type deal? Or are they expecting a full payback on a certain due date?
 
I believe that the former cadet will receive a bill for the amount owed. S/he can then negotiate a repayment schedule that suits the AF.
 
I agree with Agagles, the bill is presented, and they negotiate terms, it can be pay now, pay over a yr, 5 yrs, 10 yrs. For example, I believe gojira's DS was given 10 yrs to pay back the 143K. It would not shock me for the OP, 10-12K they turn and say pay up now or no more than 1 yr. They will charge interest.

What is important to understand is this will be considered a long term debt. Due to that fact cadets should understand how it will impact them for things like buying a car, or a home. They cannot use bankruptcy to write it off from a default standpoint. Not implying anyone would think of defaulting, just saying that they should also understand the long term impact from a debt perspective.

I also agree with Agagles regarding the OP's position. I highly doubt they will make him serve. I am not positive if the repayment is just tuition or tuition, books, and stipend. If it does than expect it to be closer to 16K+ (350 per month X 10, and 900 for books).

The OP has also not stated if they have indeed attended SFT. That can be a game changer.

OBTW IMPO one reason they prefer to let them repay over enlistment....MORALE! It does no good to have anyone serving because they opted out of ROTC and was not allowed to pay it back. Their attitude can impact the unit that they are assigned to as an enlisted member. No flaming me, just saying it is not irrational to assume they(the cadet) would be bitter when they are forced to serve and not given the option to payback.

Finally, for the OP, we are dealing with sequestration, and a big DOD budget cut for the next 10 yrs. The AF still has to cut personnel. Better for them to collect the check than add you on to their payroll, which means health insurance, housing, PCSing, and every aspect as an ADAF member.(hint GI BILL, disability, and you can stay for 20) Cut you loose now and get the money back is cheaper than if they make you go enlisted.
 
Last edited:
Pima said:
Finally, for the OP, we are dealing with sequestration, and a big DOD budget cut for the next 10 yrs. The AF still has to cut personnel. Better for them to collect the check than add you on to their payroll, which means health insurance, housing, PCSing, and every aspect as an ADAF member.(hint GI BILL, disability, and you can stay for 20) Cut you loose now and get the money back is cheaper than if they make you go enlisted.
Click to expand...
I would agree that there is almost no chance the OP will get forced into enlisting. They don't want or need people that don't want to be there. Right now there are plenty of people that want to be there. On the cost deal though, I question if that is really a factor. They are still enlisting people every day that have all of the current and future costs associated with them. The OP wouldn't be an extra body but would just be part of meeting the overall manpower needs. If they need 1000 new enlisted he is not going to put them at 1001. Am I wrong in my thinking?
 
Pima said:
I agree with Agagles, the bill is presented, and they negotiate terms, it can be pay now, pay over a yr, 5 yrs, 10 yrs. For example, I believe gojira's DS was given 10 yrs to pay back the 143K. It would not shock me for the OP, 10-12K they turn and say pay up now or no more than 1 yr. They will charge interest.

What is important to understand is this will be considered a long term debt. Due to that fact cadets should understand how it will impact them for things like buying a car, or a home. They cannot use bankruptcy to write it off from a default standpoint. Not implying anyone would think of defaulting, just saying that they should also understand the long term impact from a debt perspective.

I also agree with Agagles regarding the OP's position. I highly doubt they will make him serve. I am not positive if the repayment is just tuition or tuition, books, and stipend. If it does than expect it to be closer to 16K+ (350 per month X 10, and 900 for books).

The OP has also not stated if they have indeed attended SFT. That can be a game changer.

OBTW IMPO one reason they prefer to let them repay over enlistment....MORALE! It does no good to have anyone serving because they opted out of ROTC and was not allowed to pay it back. Their attitude can impact the unit that they are assigned to as an enlisted member. No flaming me, just saying it is not irrational to assume they(the cadet) would be bitter when they are forced to serve and not given the option to payback.

Finally, for the OP, we are dealing with sequestration, and a big DOD budget cut for the next 10 yrs. The AF still has to cut personnel. Better for them to collect the check than add you on to their payroll, which means health insurance, housing, PCSing, and every aspect as an ADAF member.(hint GI BILL, disability, and you can stay for 20) Cut you loose now and get the money back is cheaper than if they make you go enlisted.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the replies. For the money, It only paid a year and a quarter of tuition. Yearly tutition at Cal Poly pomona is 4500, so it was 4500+1200 for the other quarter and then the stipend and books who h roughly comes to about 10-1200 thousand. As for Field Training, I only attended TD-1. Is that significant in any way?
Thanks again.
 
Well the travel costed money so they'll probably include that in what you owe also.
 
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