ALO's message about RRS mailings today
Okay...
Actually I'm a bit surprised an ALO told a candidate this, as it was supposed to be "close hold" information: not disseminated by anyone OTHER than USAFA/RRS.
That being the case...
It is true. USAFA/RRS (selections) is mailing out "close to" 500 BFE's today along with "status" letters for those "not qualified" for appointment. I can't give you the precise number but it's over 3K. Yes, these are the dreaded TWE's.
Next week, they will start to send out "TWE's" to those candidates that were "fully qualified for appointment but were not selected for whatever reason."
As a past recipient of the "TWE" I know how this feels. You've busted your A** for SOOOOO long to reach your goal, done everything you could, put yourself in the upper stratosphere of USA students...and then...a TWE arrives. And it's crushing...
IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD!!!
Let me repeat that: it is NOT the end of the world. I received TWE's from USAFA, USMA, USNA, USCGA, when I was a senior in HS. I had to sit and make a HARD choice...what to do now as plan "B?" I chose to attend Northwestern Prep...gave up my "4-year guaranteed FULL RIDE AFROTC scholarship with a Pilot Slot" to go to a prep school that didn't even count for college.
In the end, I received BFE's from USAFA, USNA, USMA...
I recently received an invitation to a friends retirement from active duty. He was a "full bird" colonel, and had decided to retire to be with his family more and to try "new challenges." Plain English? He wasn't selected for Brigadier General. I mention him because he received the TWE...and wasn't afforded the opportunity to go to any of the prep schools. So he went to college (no scholarship) and enrolled in ROTC. After 2 years he was on full scholarship...and he never looked back!
I'd say retiring as a full colonel after 26 years is a pretty excellent career!
For those of you about to receive the BFE...your world is about to change; more than you know.
I want to congratulate ALL OF YOU!!! Whether you receive a BFE or TWE...
LOOK BACK AT WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED!
You've become so much more mature, more focused, more "attuned" to the world around you, have limitless options in front of you, and you've learned how to prioritize, set goals, meet them, etc...
I'm VERY glad I don't have to compete with ANY of you...I couldn't keep up!
You ALL have my highest respect!
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83