Prior Enlisted Appointments

A1CGood

Appointee
5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
24
Just curious as to whether any current active duty airmen have received appointments yet? I've heard that many of us may not know until May. If true, this is saddening.

Also, is it true that all the "prior" slots are never totally filled? If so, is this due to the Academy lacking a desire for enlisted guys, or a lack of willing applicants?

Last question. Do any of you more seasoned cadets remember going through the C4C year with any priors? Were they required to identify themselves? How was their academy experience in comparison to the "normal" cadet?

Thanks.
 
Maybe I can answer some here for you.

1. Not sure if any enlisted have received appointments yet. Not too many on this forum.

2. Yes, it is true that rarely if ever are the full allotments of prior-enlisted academy slots filled. They are authorized 85, and it's usually around 50. Most times, it's simply a lack of applications. Yes, you get a couple losers who have really low EPR's and couldn't get endorsed by the BX; but normally it's simply not that many applicants.

3. Every cadet has had some experience with prior-enlisted cadets. They don't need to "Identify" themselves. a) They already know the basic concept of the academy (Military) and they stand out. b) When the cadets are in their blues; the prior enlisted are the ones that have ribbons on their shirt. (More than the basic one cadets get). As a prior-enlisted, you can't hide.

Hope this helps.
 
I don't want to steer this permanently off topic, but what you said about the ribbons reminded me of something I heard. Do you know if it's true that Eagle Scouts get a medal-ribbon-pin thing to wear with their blues?
 
i don't think they even look at the enlisted packages till end of march/beginning of april. So the soonest you can find out is mid april.

I am also waiting for the final answer because my assignment/deployment availability is on hold.

Goodluck though!
 
I don't want to steer this permanently off topic, but what you said about the ribbons reminded me of something I heard. Do you know if it's true that Eagle Scouts get a medal-ribbon-pin thing to wear with their blues?

Ribbons on a military uniform are for military related campaigns and achievements/accomplishments. Sorry; but boy scouts is not military related. And while we're at it, neither is Civil Air Patrol. Now I could be wrong, but I really don't believe I've ever seen a ribbon on a cadet's uniform that referenced being an eagle scout. Being an eagle scout has nothing to do with being in the military.

And please; don't read this as me dissing eagle scouts or the boy scouts. I think scouting is great. I did scouting from cubs to webelos to boy scouts. The only reason I didn't get past life scout and do my eagle, was because I ran out of time. "I graduated high school young, and went delayed enlisted at 16 and entered active duty at 17. So I have a lot of love and respects for scouting. But there are many who think that scouts, JrROTC, and CAP (Civil Air Patrol) somehow get you extra points and even an edge at receiving an appointment. Unfortunately, they don't. They are great extra curricular activities. They provide a path for enhancing and demonstrating leadership skills. But so does drum major in a marching band; captain of the football team; class president; etc... There are so many different activities available to demonstrate teamwork and leadership. Scouting, CAP, JrROTC, etc... are simply ones of many possible activities.
 
I'm prior enlisted and applying as well. I've been talking with my counselor and she has told me that there is a completely different selection board for prior enlisted airman and they don't meet until april.

Hope this helps.

Also, i went to visit the academy for the LEAD DVP program and it was great. The prior airman there that i met with let me know that their experience wasn't much different than a normal cadets. The only thing is you have the advantage of knowing your military stuff already and being more diciplined. But, all the preppies are at that level as well.

And, yes, you do wear your ribbons and occupational badge when wearing your blues, so you will stand out. Even in your ABUs you will stand out because you will have the occupational badge, and everyone else will have nothing.

Let me know if you have any questions. I met with almost every prior enlisted cadet at the academy ranging from preppies to firsties and they were able to answer EVERY question i could think of.:thumb:
 
Ribbons on a military uniform are for military related campaigns and achievements/accomplishments. Sorry; but boy scouts is not military related. And while we're at it, neither is Civil Air Patrol. Now I could be wrong, but I really don't believe I've ever seen a ribbon on a cadet's uniform that referenced being an eagle scout. Being an eagle scout has nothing to do with being in the military.

And please; don't read this as me dissing eagle scouts or the boy scouts. I think scouting is great. I did scouting from cubs to webelos to boy scouts. The only reason I didn't get past life scout and do my eagle, was because I ran out of time. "I graduated high school young, and went delayed enlisted at 16 and entered active duty at 17. So I have a lot of love and respects for scouting. But there are many who think that scouts, JrROTC, and CAP (Civil Air Patrol) somehow get you extra points and even an edge at receiving an appointment. Unfortunately, they don't. They are great extra curricular activities. They provide a path for enhancing and demonstrating leadership skills. But so does drum major in a marching band; captain of the football team; class president; etc... There are so many different activities available to demonstrate teamwork and leadership. Scouting, CAP, JrROTC, etc... are simply ones of many possible activities.
If you're currently in ROTC (not JROTC) and then go to the academy, and you have ribbons/pins from that, can you wear them? I have my arnold air pin/fitness ribbon...:rolleyes:
 
Ribbons on a military uniform are for military related campaigns and achievements/accomplishments. Sorry; but boy scouts is not military related. And while we're at it, neither is Civil Air Patrol. Now I could be wrong, but I really don't believe I've ever seen a ribbon on a cadet's uniform that referenced being an eagle scout. Being an eagle scout has nothing to do with being in the military.

And please; don't read this as me dissing eagle scouts or the boy scouts. I think scouting is great. I did scouting from cubs to webelos to boy scouts. The only reason I didn't get past life scout and do my eagle, was because I ran out of time. "I graduated high school young, and went delayed enlisted at 16 and entered active duty at 17. So I have a lot of love and respects for scouting. But there are many who think that scouts, JrROTC, and CAP (Civil Air Patrol) somehow get you extra points and even an edge at receiving an appointment. Unfortunately, they don't. They are great extra curricular activities. They provide a path for enhancing and demonstrating leadership skills. But so does drum major in a marching band; captain of the football team; class president; etc... There are so many different activities available to demonstrate teamwork and leadership. Scouting, CAP, JrROTC, etc... are simply ones of many possible activities.

I don't take any offense at all, I know scouts cut the military cord (compared to way back when it first started in England). They have their similarities and differences. I just heard somewhere that eagle scouts get a medal to show for it in the air force... No big deal, there are more ways to show that you are an Eagle Scout without having to wave a shiny medal in someone's face :thumb:
 
Maybe I can answer some here for you.

1. Not sure if any enlisted have received appointments yet. Not too many on this forum.

2. Yes, it is true that rarely if ever are the full allotments of prior-enlisted academy slots filled. They are authorized 85, and it's usually around 50. Most times, it's simply a lack of applications. Yes, you get a couple losers who have really low EPR's and couldn't get endorsed by the BX; but normally it's simply not that many applicants.

3. Every cadet has had some experience with prior-enlisted cadets. They don't need to "Identify" themselves. a) They already know the basic concept of the academy (Military) and they stand out. b) When the cadets are in their blues; the prior enlisted are the ones that have ribbons on their shirt. (More than the basic one cadets get). As a prior-enlisted, you can't hide.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the quick response Christcorp. I was mainly curious as to whether being enlisted would force you into "dorm chief" type roles. Is there any bennefit to being placed in a leadership position? What types of leadership positions are there in BCT and the C4C year?

i don't think they even look at the enlisted packages till end of march/beginning of april. So the soonest you can find out is mid april.

I am also waiting for the final answer because my assignment/deployment availability is on hold.

Goodluck though!


I'm prior enlisted and applying as well. I've been talking with my counselor and she has told me that there is a completely different selection board for prior enlisted airman and they don't meet until april.

Hope this helps.

Also, i went to visit the academy for the LEAD DVP program and it was great. The prior airman there that i met with let me know that their experience wasn't much different than a normal cadets. The only thing is you have the advantage of knowing your military stuff already and being more diciplined. But, all the preppies are at that level as well.

And, yes, you do wear your ribbons and occupational badge when wearing your blues, so you will stand out. Even in your ABUs you will stand out because you will have the occupational badge, and everyone else will have nothing.

Let me know if you have any questions. I met with almost every prior enlisted cadet at the academy ranging from preppies to firsties and they were able to answer EVERY question i could think of.:thumb:

It's great to know I'm not the only enlisted applicant surfing these forums.

The first question that pops in my head is: What kind of academic/extracurricular profiles did the direct entry prior's have (to help figure out if I'm competitive)?

Also, what was the general attitude of the prior's? Were they glad to be there, and feel that their time was well spent, or did they regret making the decision to attend?
 
If you're currently in ROTC (not JROTC) and then go to the academy, and you have ribbons/pins from that, can you wear them? I have my arnold air pin/fitness ribbon...

You won't retain any pins. That includes at the USAFA. The only badge you can retain is the jump badge once you go active duty.

There is no fitness ribbon that exists for active duty members, so you will not keep it.

It's great to know I'm not the only enlisted applicant surfing these forums.

The first question that pops in my head is: What kind of academic/extracurricular profiles did the direct entry prior's have (to help figure out if I'm competitive)?

Also, what was the general attitude of the prior's? Were they glad to be there, and feel that their time was well spent, or did they regret making the decision to attend?

Dude, i didn't meet one direct entry. You better face the fact that you are 99% going to the prep school.

I met one guy that was at the LEAD DVP program with me that they were STRIVING to get him directly in and only because he was 22. The admissions liaisons and even General Born let us know that at most they will usually put like 1 prior directly in, and that is only if they are at the age limit.

Every prior enlisted i met, was happy to be there. Even the fourthies and preppies. Dude, people make it up like it's pretty bad as a fourthie. Having gone through basic already, being deployed, putting up with all kinds of dicks and everything else in the active duty enlisted corps makes being a fourthie not look too bad. I was incredibly relieved when i got there because it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. That's just my opinion though, i know people that are major whiners and can't make it through a normal day without whining, so that kind of person would probably hate being there.

I think, you just have to want it. Being prior enlisted, its not just going to college and joining the military. It's furthering our career and bettering ourselves. Because either way, if you don't make it or if you do graduate, you going back to serve in the military. With those coming right out of high school, they have 2 years to get out of it and just go back to being a civilian.
 
Dude, i didn't meet one direct entry. You better face the fact that you are 99% going to the prep school.

I met one guy that was at the LEAD DVP program with me that they were STRIVING to get him directly in and only because he was 22. The admissions liaisons and even General Born let us know that at most they will usually put like 1 prior directly in, and that is only if they are at the age limit.

Every prior enlisted i met, was happy to be there. Even the fourthies and preppies. Dude, people make it up like it's pretty bad as a fourthie. Having gone through basic already, being deployed, putting up with all kinds of dicks and everything else in the active duty enlisted corps makes being a fourthie not look too bad. I was incredibly relieved when i got there because it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. That's just my opinion though, i know people that are major whiners and can't make it through a normal day without whining, so that kind of person would probably hate being there.

I think, you just have to want it. Being prior enlisted, its not just going to college and joining the military. It's furthering our career and bettering ourselves. Because either way, if you don't make it or if you do graduate, you going back to serve in the military. With those coming right out of high school, they have 2 years to get out of it and just go back to being a civilian.

What year are you in right now, if you haven't already graduated? What was your AFSC prior to attending (Any other prior/current enlisted feel free to answer this as well)?

I'm pretty desperate to get in, and am more than willing to do the prep school. It would be great to complete my education ASAP and push my career as far as possible... plus you can't beat getting paid to receive a $500k education, no matter what you have to go through (I can't believe every enlisted guy under age 23 isn't applying).
 
I'm applying right now! I'll be at the prep school this coming year (hopefully). What are you SAT/ACT/GPA/etc?

My AFSC is 3D0X1. What is yours + where you stationed at?

ALSO, your application is complete, correct?
 
I'm applying right now! I'll be at the prep school this coming year (hopefully). What are you SAT/ACT/GPA/etc?

My AFSC is 3D0X1. What is yours + where you stationed at?

ALSO, your application is complete, correct?

GPA: 3.48
SAT Verbal/Critical Reading: 720
SAT Math: 600
SAT Writing: 630
No ACT
Not amazing, but hopefully good enough : )

Do you enjoy knowledge ops?
I'm a 2W1x1, Aircraft Wpns at Whiteman AFB. Where are you?

Your Status: Candidate*
Your Application is: Complete

Hope to see you there man
 
Hope to see you there too!

I don't particularly like Knowledge Ops, because i'd rather be doing something more hands on, but meh. It's okay. I've gotten a lot of great opportunities in this job. I get to work directly with our wing commander and a ton of other officers that have given me so much insight into the USAFA and have helped guide me in the right direction.:thumb:

I'm stationed at Andrews AFB by the way.
 
I don't take any offense at all, I know scouts cut the military cord (compared to way back when it first started in England). They have their similarities and differences. I just heard somewhere that eagle scouts get a medal to show for it in the air force... No big deal, there are more ways to show that you are an Eagle Scout without having to wave a shiny medal in someone's face :thumb:

RyWalk-
As an Eagle and a Scoutmaster, I am glad to see you hit it right on the head.... There are some out there who lose sight of that all-important lesson of being an Eagle. The best compliment is to have someone not be surprised when they find out you are one.... Best of luck to you in all your endeavors from a brother Eagle....

Sorry for going off on a tangent....
 
Evil; let me clarify "WHY" I told RYWalk that i wasn't "Dissing" him being an eagle scout.

There's a lot of individuals who apply to the academies who think that certain extra curricular activities are better than some others when it comes to their applications. There's always someone asking if they should or shouldn't participate in certain activities. They are trying to jockey themselves into "Improving their odds". Most of the activities many believe "Give them an EDGE" in the application process is: "Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, and JrROTC". I can tell you that those 3 don't hold any more weight on the application, than the person who is president of their schools National Honor Society; Captain of the track team, or Drum Major for the schools marching band. The academy is looking for leadership, teamwork, and growth. Which activities you excel at to exemplify these attributes, are irrelevant.

So; my response was to the original question of whether cadets who were eagle scouts got to wear some sort of distinguishing pin/medal/etc... on their cadet uniform. If such a thing was permissible, it would in fact define eagle scouts as being "Better or More Important" than other activities. And that's why there isn't any special designation. Because it isn't any better or worse in the application process than any other activity that exemplified leadership, teamwork, and growth. Unfortunately, there are some people that seem to get a "Popped Bubble" when they start talking as if they are going to get an automatic appointment because they were an Eagle, or they received their Billy Mitchell award, etc... Unfortunately; this is a forum. Which means it's not a dialog. We can't always clarify on the spot to ensure clear communications. But as someone who spent more than 10 years in cub, webelos, and boy scouts, I admire any and all that achieve their eagle. Just like i do those who receive their JrROTC and CAP awards. But the same goes for those who have received achievements in their other selected activities.

I know RyWalk understood where I'm coming from. And I'm sure you do too. But usually I write in the pseudo 3rd-person. I try and anticipate what the lurker and other readers may be asking themselves. Anyway; best of luck to all. mike....
 
Christcorp-
I understood you clearly and no offense was taken by either myself or RyWalk. My comment was directed to his comment that there are better ways of showing you are an Eagle than by having a shiny medal. Unfortunately, there are too many who don't realize this all-important lesson.... I agree that all examples of leadership and commitment should have equal weight.
 
@good/johnd

Goodluck guys. I hope we all make it. Btw, my AFSC is 4B0X1 here at Cannon AFB. There are only 2 of us applying for the LEAD program from my base this year. I hope we all get accepted.
 
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