What does "Contacted" mean for a freshman

NewCollegeParent

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I'm new to this and trying to help my DS with some of the new Detail. He is a freshman and was awarded a Army ROTC 4 yr scholarship. He did a bunch of paperwork at orientation and took the APFT the second week of school. He passed.

They had a ceremony for contracted cadets that he was not present at because of his class schedule. He asked if he needed to contract and they said he did. However, each Thursday they seem to forget.

My question (s). As a freshman with a scholarship does he actually "contract" or do they call it something else?
Does the process of contrating include additional forms?
Does the process of contracting require the ceremony? (Like sweaing in)

Of coarse my motivation is I assume his scholarhip money is held up until the eyes are dotted and the tees crossed. And I'm curious if the contracting ceremony or status is part of the equation?

I was prepared to front the money for a while, I'm just concerned about the "forgetting". If someone is forgetting something that impacts his finances, then he needs to escalate it. Whom and how do you suggest? Or is everything likelty taken care of and the contract ceremoney is no big deal.

Sorry for the long set up and I appreciate the advice.:cool:
 
I'm new to this and trying to help my DS with some of the new Detail. He is a freshman and was awarded a Army ROTC 4 yr scholarship. He did a bunch of paperwork at orientation and took the APFT the second week of school. He passed.

They had a ceremony for contracted cadets that he was not present at because of his class schedule. He asked if he needed to contract and they said he did. However, each Thursday they seem to forget.

My question (s). As a freshman with a scholarship does he actually "contract" or do they call it something else?
Does the process of contrating include additional forms?
Does the process of contracting require the ceremony? (Like sweaing in)

Of coarse my motivation is I assume his scholarhip money is held up until the eyes are dotted and the tees crossed. And I'm curious if the contracting ceremony or status is part of the equation?

I was prepared to front the money for a while, I'm just concerned about the "forgetting". If someone is forgetting something that impacts his finances, then he needs to escalate it. Whom and how do you suggest? Or is everything likelty taken care of and the contract ceremoney is no big deal.

Sorry for the long set up and I appreciate the advice.:cool:

I have 2 son's in AROTC at the same university, one is a senior and one a freshman, both on 4 year scholarships. My older son took his oath in the PMS's office, the younger son took his at a ceremony the new PMS put together.

The ceremony is not required, basically if there paper work including the 104R form is complete and they pass the APFT they can contract. They don't need a ceremony just being sworn in by the PMS is enough.

If your son has everything complete I don't understand why they haven't sworn him in to complete the process. He won't receive any stipend, book money or tuition payment until contracting is complete and the stipend is not paid retroactive, it starts the day they contract.

I would have him check soon and often and try and get this complete as soon as possible.

There is a cadet at my son's school who is a 4yr scholarship cadet who did not pass the first APFT, the next test is next Friday. Unfortunatly he broke his ankle this week and has had surgery with a pin set. The problem is that he has yet to contract and because of the injury will not have a chance to pass the APFT before the first semester is over. Had he been contracted he would still be getting the benefits while he healed. You can see the importance of getting contracted right away.

Again they do not need any ceremony to contract, they just need to sign the contract and be sworn in.

Edit: One other question, has your son been paid a stipend yet, if so then everything has been completed, if not then they have not processed him yet.
Have him talk to the battalion ROO and find out what the situation is.

Sorry to keep adding to this. If i read your post correctly your son did not take the APFT until the second week of school. That is sure different then my son's school, they gave the APFT to the scholarship cadets during orientation 3 days before school started and contracted my son the same day. Unfortunatly my son was the only scholarship cadet that passed the APFT that day.
 
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speaking of which...

In reviewing that Contract (Form 597-3 July, 2005), there is some confusing language about reimbursement for travel from home to the school. I don't know what is a "USAR Control Group". Also, it appears the travel reimbursement is only applicable for travel from home to "Military Junior Colleges"... whatever they are, and one time rather than each year.

So, in plain English:

1) Does ROTC reimburse a scholarship cadet for travel costs to the school from home to report, and back home after the school year (or is it back home after finishing the ROTC program?)
2) If so, is this a one time deal, or apply each year?
3) How about from home to LDAC and back?
4) How about from home to any other summer training and back?
 
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speaking of which...

In reviewing that Contract (Form 597-3 July, 2005), there is some confusing language about reimbursement for travel from home to the school. I don't know what is a "USAR Control Group". Also, it appears the travel reimbursement is only applicable for travel from home to "Military Junior Colleges"... whatever they are, and one time rather than each year.

So, in plain English:

1) Does ROTC reimburse a scholarship cadet for travel costs to the school from home to report, and back home after the school year (or is it back home after finishing the ROTC program?)
2) If so, is this a one time deal, or apply each year?
3) How about from home to LDAC and back?
4) How about from home to any other summer training and back?

I think I can answer a couple of those based on my son's experience.

We live about 5 hours from the school, he never received any travel, of course he did not formally request it and it was never offered. The info regarding travel to school was son confusing we didn't even bother to ask.

The Army pays for the travel to and from LDAC, the cadet needs to tell them where they will leaving from and returning to.

The Army pays for travel to and from any summer school, again they need to tell them the same as above.

Make sure the cadet lets the HR person know where they are leaving from. Last summer my son's HR booked the flight leaving from the airport next to the school, that of course didn't work because he left from home to go to LDAC. They had to change the reservations.

They will make things work for the cadet. This year the day after LDAC my son flew to Ft. Bragg for CTLT. He was scheduled to come home Aug. 19th, the problem was that we were going to be at the school with our younger son at that time so there would be nobody to pick him up. They added a flight to bring him back to school, the Army paid for everything.
 
I have 2 son's in AROTC at the same university, one is a senior and one a freshman, both on 4 year scholarships. My older son took his oath in the PMS's office, the younger son took his at a ceremony the new PMS put together.

The ceremony is not required, basically if there paper work including the 104R form is complete and they pass the APFT they can contract. They don't need a ceremony just being sworn in by the PMS is enough.

If your son has everything complete I don't understand why they haven't sworn him in to complete the process. He won't receive any stipend, book money or tuition payment until contracting is complete and the stipend is not paid retroactive, it starts the day they contract.

I would have him check soon and often and try and get this complete as soon as possible.

There is a cadet at my son's school who is a 4yr scholarship cadet who did not pass the first APFT, the next test is next Friday. Unfortunatly he broke his ankle this week and has had surgery with a pin set. The problem is that he has yet to contract and because of the injury will not have a chance to pass the APFT before the first semester is over. Had he been contracted he would still be getting the benefits while he healed. You can see the importance of getting contracted right away.

Again they do not need any ceremony to contract, they just need to sign the contract and be sworn in.

Edit: One other question, has your son been paid a stipend yet, if so then everything has been completed, if not then they have not processed him yet.
Have him talk to the battalion ROO and find out what the situation is.

Sorry to keep adding to this. If i read your post correctly your son did not take the APFT until the second week of school. That is sure different then my son's school, they gave the APFT to the scholarship cadets during orientation 3 days before school started and contracted my son the same day. Unfortunatly my son was the only scholarship cadet that passed the APFT that day.

Thanks for the reply. He has not been paid the stipend yet, and I assumed that was just processing time. But sounds like he may have a problem and that is what I was concerned about. According to him he also was the only one of three to pass the APFT. I don't think they are used to Scholarship awardees at his school and the battalion is going through a command change. Everyone tells him they will look into it but there is no answer and everyone is changing jobs but the civilian admins.
 
Thanks for the reply. He has not been paid the stipend yet, and I assumed that was just processing time. But sounds like he may have a problem and that is what I was concerned about. According to him he also was the only one of three to pass the APFT. I don't think they are used to Scholarship awardees at his school and the battalion is going through a command change. Everyone tells him they will look into it but there is no answer and everyone is changing jobs but the civilian admins.

Just a tip;

At my son's school, and I would imagine it is the same at most schools, the HR/Admin person in the battalion (Civilian) is the person that handles all the paperwork. The Admin was the one that sat with my son, reviewed all the paperwork and had him sign the contract. The PMS basically poked his head in and asked if he was good to go.

I would deal or have your son deal with the Admin first, ask them what the hold up is and ask to have it taken care of quickly. Even during a change of command there is no excuse for letting this go or "Forgetting".

Reminds me of a speech the SecDef gave during last years budget debate. "It was always believed that it was a good Idea to pay the guys with the guns first"
 
You get paid one time to travel from your home to your school...one time, not each year.
Once he signs the paperwork he's on the payroll and will get his benefits. When he raises his right hand and takes his oath is not that big a deal. We usually formally swear the cadets in at a large public gathering, like parents weekend or dining out. Your son's situations sounds either really weird, or Mom is just not getting the whole story. You need to ask your son if he's contracted. If he says yes, you are good. If he says not yet, or I don't know start worrying, and ask him to find out. I personally go over the contract with each contracting cadet (I'm the ROO), so each school does it a little different.
 
Thank you. I expected a few weird things, and he does not want to make waves. But sounds like something may have fallen throught the cracks. They did ask him to redo another form for his class schedule about 3 weeks ago and told him that was needed for contracting. But nothing since. So you are saying that the formal swearing in is not a likely holdup, but to my knowledge he has not recieved a contract to sign since completing the APFT. Unless, it was signed during orientation, I'll have to ask him that.

Do you think I'd be too much of a helicopter parent if I called the Civilian HR Specialist and asked her advice? There is a lesson in here somewhere, but I don't want it delayed too long for silly reasons.
 
Thank you. I expected a few weird things, and he does not want to make waves. But sounds like something may have fallen throught the cracks. They did ask him to redo another form for his class schedule about 3 weeks ago and told him that was needed for contracting. But nothing since. So you are saying that the formal swearing in is not a likely holdup, but to my knowledge he has not recieved a contract to sign since completing the APFT. Unless, it was signed during orientation, I'll have to ask him that.

Do you think I'd be too much of a helicopter parent if I called the Civilian HR Specialist and asked her advice? There is a lesson in here somewhere, but I don't want it delayed too long for silly reasons.

Personally I don't think it would be a problem calling on behalf of your son, there are some things they may not discuss with you since he is over 18. All I can say is that I have always been helped whenever I asked a question, in this case it involves things that are of importance to both you and your son.

While my son was at CTLT this past summer I worked with the HR to have his travel plans adjusted on his behalf and had no problems with communications with the HR.

I would however make sure your son checks with them first to make sure he has completed all the paperwork and there is nothing on his end that is holding things up. I always loved those phone calls we received the first weeks of school saying something was wrong only to find out after asking a few questions that he had forgotten to complete something, there little heads can get scattered sometimes.
 
I'll ask the HR admin's advice. DS has worked with his cadet superiors but nothing has happened and he does not know where to go next. He sounds a bit frustrated and does not know what could be the hold up except that he is not in Lab because he has class at that time. (MIsses the first 2 hours) You are right and its entirely possible he has not completed some step in the process. I'd prefer he handle this, but as you stated it kind of effects both of us and it sounds like he has made 4 reminders. Agian, thanks, I'll le you know if I discuver the "weirdness".
 
Do you think I'd be too much of a helicopter parent if I called the Civilian HR Specialist and asked her advice? There is a lesson in here somewhere, but I don't want it delayed too long for silly reasons.

Only you can answer that question, but before you do ask yourself a few questions.

1. Do you trust your child to follow through with any suggestions?
~~~If so you have your answer about calling

2. When you were 18 would you have wanted your parents to call on your behalf, or would you have been upset if they did?
~~~ If so you have your answer.

3. Have you asked him what he wants, or are you going to follow the advice of strangers?
~~~ Again, you have your answer.
~I am not saying this forum isn't great for guidance and support, but the majority of people will tell you, let him do it. We also say that for the scholarship process because it will show you how much he wants it. If he blows it off trying to get it resolved than you must ask how seriously are you taking this?

Our DS 4 yrs ago had this issue, and it was a paperwork issue. It took @ 4 months to settle it out, and it really came down to a number inputted incorrectly into the system. Some times fingers do type to fast. The 1st shirt (NCOIC) had to go all the way to AFHQ DFAS to get to the root of the problem.

His det commander also got involved because the problem with the tuition is that if it is not paid, the university will usually "lock" the students account, and not allow them to register for the next semester. The commander contacted the bursar's office and verified to them that he was indeed scholarship, but an AFROTC issue, and they unlocked his account so he could register.

To me that was the worrisome issue as a parent.

As Jcleppe stated contacting them maybe spinning your wheels since even at our 2 kids schools, they will not discuss anything with me unless I am an authorized person on their student account. The student must set this up. They are 18 and as such seen as a legal adult with a right to privacy. I know it sounds crazy because they are still your dependent, but that is the law and they really adhere to it.
 
I'll ask the HR admin's advice. DS has worked with his cadet superiors but nothing has happened and he does not know where to go next. He sounds a bit frustrated and does not know what could be the hold up except that he is not in Lab because he has class at that time. (MIsses the first 2 hours) You are right and its entirely possible he has not completed some step in the process. I'd prefer he handle this, but as you stated it kind of effects both of us and it sounds like he has made 4 reminders. Agian, thanks, I'll le you know if I discuver the "weirdness".

Sent you a PM
 
All good advise--He seems legitimately confused and when he spoke to the Sgt this morning he told DS to remind him again on Monday. So- I chose to call the HR contact and just ask what advice she may have. She was very helpful and I'll share our problem in detail as it could be useful information for those recieving scholarships this year.

DS was awarded a scholarship to an extremely competetive state engineering school (Georgia Tech). His grades and ACT scores were marginal for him being accepted to that school and as we predicted he was not accepted 3.9 GPA and 27 ACT. He had listed Clemson and Auburn but the scholarship was not granted to these. We guessed that it would not likely be transferred out of state due to the extra costs.

When we recieved the scholarship letter it was titled engineering and said it had to be accepted at an approved engineering school.

With this dilema we sat down with the ROO. There are a couple other state engineering schools in GA but they are different ROTC Battalions and not at the same level of GT, which DS is still striving to go to. The best academic plan was to go to another school and transfer to GT after completing 30 hours of GT engineering classes (Calc, Physics, Chemistry, etc) Our ROO suggested staying in the GT battalion schools and we chose one that had ROTC classess on Campus, however it is not an "Engineering" school but does have the appropriate classes for the first 4 semesters to transfer to GT. We were told verbally by the ROO and CC that the transfer had gone through.

The problem with his contracting is that when the paperwork was submitted it was rejected by cadet command because his current school is not an engineering school.

We were told that the transfer went through to the alternative school and it did, however now it is being rejected. We are not sure if this mean she has lost the scholarship or if it will be reduced to a 4 year instead of a 5 year which apparently is a distiction of a named engineering scholarship.

So the advise to future scholarship awardees is to understand if they are awarded a enginering scholarship, that changing schools and/or your major to non-engineering will likely impact your scholarship in some way.

I will let you know the results when DS finds out. Apparently there are things going on in the background and the details were not communicated to DS as of yet. However it sounds like they have a plan to do so soon.
 
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