Friendly Advice concerning Budget Cuts at AFA

Derrick Singleton

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2011
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Let's take a look at the current #'s. As of 1/31/11 the Cadet wing had 4,542 cadets and the Class of 2011 has 1,043 to graduate which would leave the Cadet Wing with 3,499 cadets upon their graduation. The class of 2015 is supposed to have only 1,120 cadets which brings the Cadet Wing strength back to 4,619.

So, if you look at this logically the AFA will need to attrition an average of 30+ cadets each month for the next 18 months to get the Cadet Wing to 4,000 by Oct. 2012. I am not sure how the decisions will be made as to who stays and who has to leave but I can personally say that my 2 State Senators and Congressman's offices made numerous calls to the AFA on my son's his behalf but to no avail. We will try to help him return but those chances are slim, so I would like to offer some advice.

1. Study hard and stay above a 3.0 GPA (my son did not have a GPA close to this but I think this would keep cadets safe from the RIF)
2. Ask them to stay in contact with their professors to track their grades in each class. Not doing this hurt my son tremendously because he "assumed" his grades were better than they were. Get the facts and do NOT assume anything
3. Do NOT do anything to cause a honor violation.

I am very proud of all those serving our Country and hope the best for all cadets.
 
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Okay, I did a thread search and found the back-story (no need to reply to my private message). Any idea how many cadets have been disenrolled this semester for academic issues? Is there a minimum GPA that triggers disenrollment?
 
I have NO idea why cadets actually get disenrolled but my son was disenrolled after his first semester for academics.

My goal with this thread is to encourage the cadets who are still there to stay very focused.
 
Found the answer to my own question. For 4 Degrees, a semester or cumulative GPA under 1.5 triggers disenrollment review. I suppose they could bump it up to 2.0 or higher if they were serious about cutting cadet numbers. Wow. These are tough times.
 
Yes, but in the past they would have easily given him a 2nd. chance. Just encourage your cadet to stay very focused on academics. I hope this helps.
 
That total number of 4619 that you spoke of above will go down when the semester starts in August through cadets that choose not to return, those that have problems with academics after spring semester grade reports come out, and a large number (historically) that will not commit the first day of their junior year classes.
 
I think your point is well-taken about the importance of constantly seeking feedback from the professors, and getting as much extra instruction as possible.
 
I agree with both of your comments. Just encourage your cadets to keep focused. I hope many of you will NOT experience what our family is going through. Stay Encouraged and Motivated!!!!
 
Resilience and perserverence! Hope to see your son back in 2012, focused like a laser and ready to charge to the top of his class.
 
Yes, but in the past they would have easily given him a 2nd. chance.
After reading your son's post a couple of weeks ago, I called admissions at the USAFA and asked specifically whether 4 degrees would be dis-enrolled for academics after only one semester and was told that only in very extreme situations would a 4 degree not be given another semester to improve their grades...even during the current AF RIF and the USAFA's interest in reducing total cadet enrollment. This officer repeated several times that in almost all examples that he could recall, that 4 degrees received a second semester to improve their GPA.

I had the distinct impression that I was not the first 2015 parent to call and ask about how the USAFA's new enrollment goals were going to affect the already smaller class of 2015. I was told that getting into the USAFA was going to become even more competitive but that for the classes of 2015 and later the requirements to continue at the USAFA would be the same as usual. Nothing was mentioned about the current "over enrolled" classes.

The suggestions given by many on this forum about staying competitive in ALL areas is IMHO very solid advice.....and that applies to whether you are already in the USAFA, have an appointment for 2015, are enrolled in AFROTC or have received your commission. Do your best....give 100%....and don't look over your shoulder because there is a line of people ready to take your "spot" if you fail. Good luck everybody! :thumb:
 
This is great advice...like the line-up of classic cars in the Karate Kid...before Mr Miyagi says "choose" it takes a lot of work.

Don't get cynical, retain the passion and desire you have as an applicant, and in the end, you may just get what you wish for.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy.
 
By October 2012. The class of 2011 and 2012 will have graduated. This will leave 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. With the lower number of cadets entering the academy and normal attrition rates the academy number should be close to the goal of 4000. 2013 will lose many cadets before comminment. 2014, 2015, 2016 will be smaller classes at the start.
 
Please know that my son's GPA was a 1.2 and his Military GPA was 2.9 He had NO conduct issues. There are very few second chances given, so you need to know this.

He was placed in Chemistry 110 which combines both chem's into only one semester and he should have been placed in Chem 100 his first semester (normal Chemistry and had an A average this semester before disenrolled). He has a great Spanish background but made the choice to become more valubale to the AF by taking a DOD critical language (Russian). He could not get his books for 4 weeks for this Russian class, so that was a factor.

He had a D in Cal, a C in English, a B in Engineering. If this was your cadet, what would you expect the AFA to do? Hopefully, help them learn from there mistakes and let them prove themselves the second semester. He had upperclassman who had a GPA of only a .5 the year before and they were allowed to stay. He could have easily re-taken the classes during the summer, but an option to do this was not offered.

I am suggesting that if your cadet really wants to stay at the AFA as mine did, they really need to stay very focused on academics. We are adjusting to this but I must say; it was a shock to us all and our community. Please do all you can to encourage your cadets to focus on the big picture.
 
If this was your cadet, what would you expect the AFA to do? Hopefully, help them learn from there mistakes and let them prove themselves the second semester.
Exactly what I'd want/expect from the USAFA for four degrees after only one semmester. And after reading your son's posts a couple of weeks ago exactly why I called (for the first time ever) the USAFA to find out how they were handling this kind of situation. I relayed in my previous post what I was told and to be honest I have no idea why they seemed to have been so hard on your son. Have you (or the MOCs that called) received any explanation why he wasn't allowed a second semester to get his GPA together when others usually are? I have to say I am somewhat nonplussed about the difference in how your son was treated compared to what the admissions officer told me on the phone.
 
If that's the full story, I'd say his AOC might have thrown him under the bus.
 
I want to be crystal clear about this thread. I am only stating facts and will NOT speak poorly of the AFA, or anyone there. Yes, there decision has been very tough on my family but it was there decision. I also think he had a very fair AOC whom I met at Parents Weekend. His AOC even stated on my son's discharge papers that he would make a good officer.

My son has owned up to his part in this and realizes if he had done more while he was there he most likely still would be. A good example is missing a passing grade in Russian by only 1 point. He now knows he should have been meeting with that professor, but it's too late for him now. But it's not too late for your cadet.

As I stated throughout this thread, please encourage your cadets still there to stay in contact with each of their professors so they will not get to the end of the semester and be surprised at their final grades. The AFA is a great place and I hope my son can return. Please be praying to that end.

Thanks
 
I am only stating facts and will NOT speak poorly of the AFA, or anyone there.
Would it be necessary for you to speak poorly of the USAFA to help us understand why your son was NOT given a second semester to improve his GPA when evidently that is the usual custom at the USAFA?

I can understand if this is something you no longer wish to discuss but please keep in mind that you (and your son) brought up the subject of his dis-enrollment, the reasons for it and the lessons the rest of us can learn from your experience. I think most of us already knew our sons/daughters had to do well academically. What we (I) may not understand is WHY the USAFA refused your son a second chance (despite supposedly that being their usual policy) and whether that is something that our children may also experience as a result of the USAFA "looking" for reasons to reduce the cadet enrollment.

I would venture to guess that most (all?) appointees to the USAFA for the 2015 class have many excellent college alternatives to the USAFA that include generous college based merit scholarships and ROTC scholarships. If our sons/daughters are going to be treated less "fairly" than expected then alternative college choices begin to look very attractive. Which is why I called and asked specifically about the USAFA academic policy concerning 4 degrees. If I was given incorrect information I'd appreciate you honestly helping me understand how the system is actually working and why your son seems to be an exception to the usual policy. Thanks.
 
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