USAFA Cadets Being Affected by Budget Cuts

:rofl:

Bullet will kill me for this, but since this story was reiterated at his retirement I don't think I am speaking out of turn.

He flew home from a good deal TDY with such a bad cranium cold (refused to see a doc), that it is now known as the longest descent ever.

We are however getting off point.

The fact is anyone who is interested in all 3 academies would do due diligence, and see that the AF is in the midst, and the other branches are just starting their cuts.

15 and 16 will be hard hit, re: appointments.

Yet, the classes truly being hit were 09-12, and maybe 13.

You can play the ostrich in the sand and not look at warning signs, think that all is safe if you go another route, BUT:

~~~9 yrs of your life is tied to one branch...it will absolutely stink if you took it for safety reasons.

~~~You can't predict 4 yrs in advance...look at Firsties, do you think when they were 17/18 they predicted this?

~~~READ the ROTC forums, they are the 1st to get hit. AFROTC is no longer discussing numbers cut for scholarships, that was last yr. AROTC is IMPO AFROTC 2010. Their boards are lagging, and offering less scholarships.

Nobody, should ever take any apptmt based on a RIF, unless they are Nostradamus. Even if you were him, I would still be weary.
 
Since I first began this thread, there has been a lot of discussion about many things regarding the Reduction In Force. I am glad to see that everyone is looking at these events, and that it has helped educate everyone. I do agree that some things can be seen coming in the military, and some can't. Pima and others are right in that the 2011s had no way to see this back in June of 2007 when they reported. The 2015s will have a new horizon to look at when it is their time to receive their assignments.

I thought I would let everyone know what has transpired with the 2011s over the last few days. At first, there was an idea that all of the 2011s would go through another round of choosing AFSCs. Then, there was talk of only re-doing some of the AFSCs, and pushing back 100s night for a few weeks to let everyone re-choose bases, and then everyone would find out at the same time. In the end, the cadets who were affected asked the administration to hold 100s night as scheduled, and give assignments out to those who were not affected. The administration has worked very hard to help the affected cadets find new AFSCs, and has pulled some slots from other sources for a few of them in order to do what they can to help everyone.

In addition to the cadets who were affected by losing their AFSC, other cadets were told that they wouldn't be able to go to grad school as they had planned. These cadets still have AFSCs (some pilot slots), but they are going to report to UPT right away instead of in 1 or 3 years. This did affect a couple of ENJJPT slots. The other base assignments for most UPT training shouldn't be affected.

So, tomorrow night will be the big 100s night for the 2011s, and most of them will find out where they will be going after May 25, 2011. I will be working, but my son has instructions to text me as soon as he finds out. Hopefully I still have enough clout with him that he listens to me.

Stealth_81
 
I'll go ahead and clarify some points on my '09 friend, as far as he's told us. (key point there)

-after seeing flight docs for repeated airsickness, he voluntarily dropped for medical reasons (step short of being told by his commander you're out).

-we suspect the REAL reason was his wife (also an O-1) HATES the AF and had NO intention of being the mistress while her husband was off flying planes. (that should hit home for you Pima). She dropper her pilot slot as a cadet, got needs of the AF, ended up a Comm officer. (Plans to 5 and dive) She is considering becoming a morgue person/physician (whatever it's called) since dead people are about the only ones she gets along with....

-Despite recommendations from a general officer to retain him, the board decided to dismiss him anyway

-He tried to go reserve to avoid the payback to the AF....they said no since he had a silly Article 15 from his freshman year as a cadet. (Improper use of gov't network....another friend of mine got an LOA for the same problem).

-I'm pretty sure Dramamine is not allowed to be used (that whole self-medicating thing) and I don't think Flight Docs will prescribe it for flying.

-Should also clarify, I don't think it was a specific RIF board. But, they were reviewing 2009 graduates to see who they could remove. A rose by any other name is not a rose when it's the military. lol. Or, if it walks and quacks like a duck, it might be a cow. hehe. So, it may not have been a RIF board per se.

-Might add, anyone who took the USAA cadet loan and is removed from service before it's payback (5 years out of the Academies) will find it automatically defaulting to normal rates. The 2009 $32,500 cadet loan at 0.5% interest is now in the high single, low double digit interest rates.
 
hornetguy said:
-we suspect the REAL reason was his wife (also an O-1) HATES the AF and had NO intention of being the mistress while her husband was off flying planes. (that should hit home for you Pima). She dropper her pilot slot as a cadet, got needs of the AF, ended up a Comm officer. (Plans to 5 and dive) She is considering becoming a morgue person/physician (whatever it's called) since dead people are about the only ones she gets along with....
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There is a lesson in this. Off topic, but a lesson nonetheless.
 
I'm pretty sure Dramamine is not allowed to be used (that whole self-medicating thing) and I don't think Flight Docs will prescribe it for flying.
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You are correct that goes under the whole self-medicating thing.

People need to understand, taking Nyquil is not allowed! Basically, Afrin and Asprin is all you can do.
 
Pima said:
You are correct that goes under the whole self-medicating thing.

People need to understand, taking Nyquil is not allowed! Basically, Afrin and Asprin is all you can do.
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Flight Docs here informed us that using Afrin to clear sinus blocks must be reported.

They did give us a list of about 30 OTC medications we can take without their approval (single dose only).
 
raimius said:
Flight Docs here informed us that using Afrin to clear sinus blocks must be reported.

They did give us a list of about 30 OTC medications we can take without their approval (single dose only).
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Afrin is a medically reported OTC drug since use beyond 3 days can cause sinus tissue addiction and trust me (YES, I had this problem once) coming OFF it is a NIGHTMARE!!! :eek:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Stealth_81 In the end, the cadets who were affected asked the administration to hold 100s night as scheduled, and give assignments out to those who were not affected.
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That is a true sign that they are all going to be outstanding officers. They put their brethren 1st over themselves.

These cadets still have AFSCs (some pilot slots), but they are going to report to UPT right away instead of in 1 or 3 years. This did affect a couple of ENJJPT slots. The other base assignments for most UPT training shouldn't be affected.
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I would think that since there is a lag time right now for UPT, ( I believe right now the last of 2010 are probably days away from reporting to UPT), that there really won't be that much impact, because there could be 2 options they will utilize.

1. Add 1-2 more students to each of the UPT classes spread across all of the bases over the course of the yr.
2. Place them in the last class before ROTC and OTC grads go...that is how the system works...AFA grads always go before ROTC.

There may be some ROTC grads in the class, but if you look at their commissioning date it would be before the newest AFA grad...i.e. 1st 2010 AFA group may have ROTC grad in it, but they would be 2009 commisioned. If AFA grads have to wait 9 months for the school, it would be common that the ROTC grad waited 9+ months, most ROTC wait 9-12 months before going.

Originally Posted by hornetguy
Should also clarify, I don't think it was a specific RIF board. But, they were reviewing 2009 graduates to see who they could remove.
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That is the thing, it is not uncommon when the AF is tightening their belt to cut UPT students who leave UPT for any reason. I think that the board he probably met was an FEB. From there they recommended separation. Bullet has been President of one of these boards, and that was one of their options...in that case he was at FTU, (prior enlisted to OCS), thus they decided to pull his wings, but let him stay.

Back in 89 Bullet's crewmate got not only his wings pulled, but told his services would no longer be required. He was an AFA grad.
 
***Side Note:

Congratulations to the seniors on finding out their bases tonight!!

***That is all.
 
Stealth_81 said:
Son got UPT at Laughlin. :thumb:
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Gasdoc said:
Our's got UPT at Columbus.:thumb:
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Congrats to both of them! Looks like they are well on their way towards "AF career: Step 3"

Step 1: Acceptance to USAFA
Step 2: Graduate USAFA, receive commission
Step 3: Go to UPT
Step 4: Graduate UPT, get wings and airframe

Best of luck to them towards finishing steps 2 - 4.

Of course, step 5 - 13,457 varies for all based on career goals, timing, and luck.

(Step 13,457 being "Get honorable discharge at either retirment ceremony or at the MPC during seperation processing when service commitment is complete")

And a hint for all you parents out there worrying about steps 1 and 2: it doesn't get any easier on you for the 13,455 steps afterwards....
 
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Congrats to all.

I am glad that it worked out well.
 
this topic has gone off topic. not to say its not exciting, but please start a new topic if you want to talk about the awesomeness of 100th night and the associated festivities.

as for the enrollment, it does appear to show that. however i think it's going to be a slightly more gradual change based on the other numbers that have been passed around.
 
eagle36 said:
however i think it's going to be a slightly more gradual change based on the other numbers that have been passed around.
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I would disagree. The one thing the military is famous for is ripping off the duct tape fast :eek: Do one overseas tour with COLA and you will understand what I mean. It takes them forever to increase the COLA , but somehow when the exchange rate drops it shows up in your next paycheck.

They make a decision go full force. They have a budget and directives those issues are set, there will not be wiggle room once it is determined.

Right now they are saying that the decision has been made to reduce both 15 and 16 by a specific amount. This far into the game, I can't see them deciding now to spread it across 15,16,17 and 18; especially for 15. Maybe 16 if they see a decrease larger than expected, but 15 is only weeks away from apptmts.

This business, it is not personal. They have a limited budget and must adhere to that budget. If the DOD has stated for FY 11-12 this is your budget, than that is their budget. This is also true for the AD world. I have seen yrs where they fly out sorties until 9/30, and yrs that they literally stand down @ 9/23 because they ran out of money. The trick for the command is to squeak out every penny.
 
Pima said:
This business, it is not personal. They have a limited budget and must adhere to that budget. If the DOD has stated for FY 11-12 this is your budget, than that is their budget. This is also true for the AD world. I have seen yrs where they fly out sorties until 9/30, and yrs that they literally stand down @ 9/23 because they ran out of money. The trick for the command is to squeak out every penny.
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So True. I have seen some really interesting thing during my years of service. It is with great interest I will be watching the next several years to compare to "back in the day."
 
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