what if i want a second chance at an academy

militarygirl

5-Year Member
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I've applied to several academies and for an AFROTC scholarship. If I don't get into an academy but I get an AFROTC can i accept it and still reapply to the air force academy after my first year of college? I don't mind if they make me pay my first year back if they allow it. I just want to know if its a possibility because an academy is my dream college.
 
You'll Be Fine

No, you can still apply and lots of people do. In fact my son and I talked to a Major at an AFA briefing over a year ago and she encouraged him that even if he didn't get an appointment, to join ROTC (even w/o a scholarship) and try again. That is viewed as dedication and commitment. In fact, it is harder to go to the academy as a HS graduate than any other way.

As for ROTC payback, I believe that you don't incur a financial obligation until you are contracted as a Jr - but you should check on that. Between Soph and Jr year you have to compete to continue. And a lot of ROTC candidates drop during or after their freshman year once they realize it's the military and it's hard!
 
No, you can still apply and lots of people do. In fact my son and I talked to a Major at an AFA briefing over a year ago and she encouraged him that even if he didn't get an appointment, to join ROTC (even w/o a scholarship) and try again. That is viewed as dedication and commitment. In fact, it is harder to go to the academy as a HS graduate than any other way.

As for ROTC payback, I believe that you don't incur a financial obligation until you are contracted as a Jr - but you should check on that. Between Soph and Jr year you have to compete to continue. And a lot of ROTC candidates drop during or after their freshman year once they realize it's the military and it's hard!

Even if OP doesn't make it when reapplying and decides to re-apply as a sophomore and is accepted, no financial obligation is incurred. If you go to the academy you don't need to repay the tuition scholarship (at least that's my understanding - but OP will have plenty of time to confirm it if it comes to that).

I will warn the OP, don't be surprised if you fall in love with your college and your unit and decide not to re-apply. However, there are far worse fates than that. :smile:
 
I've applied to several academies and for an AFROTC scholarship. If I don't get into an academy but I get an AFROTC can i accept it and still reapply to the air force academy after my first year of college? I don't mind if they make me pay my first year back if they allow it. I just want to know if its a possibility because an academy is my dream college.

Kind of seems underhanded to accept a 4-years AFROTC scholarship with the intention to drop it as soon as you get an appointment. You took a slot from someone else in that mission set.

Besides, I know plenty of people who came into AROTC with the intent to migrate to WP, but as Kinnem said they fell in love with college and ROTC. :shake:
 
Kind of seems underhanded to accept a 4-years AFROTC scholarship with the intention to drop it as soon as you get an appointment. You took a slot from someone else in that mission set.
Might seem that way to you, but it's not. There is a reason why the AF selects someone for an AFROTC HSSP. There is also a reason why the AF allows AFROTC HSSP recipients a year to determine whether it is right for them and why they allow a cadet to reapply to USAFA. It is not underhanded to decide whether the AF is right for you and whether AFROTC or USAFA is the correct career path for you. I suspect the AF knows what its doing and if they don't have a problem with it I can't imagine why anyone else would.

As far as taking someone else's "slot"; the OP is taking her own slot that she earned and which was awarded to her after careful review by the AF.
 
Might seem that way to you, but it's not. There is a reason why the AF selects someone for an AFROTC HSSP. There is also a reason why the AF allows AFROTC HSSP recipients a year to determine whether it is right for them and why they allow a cadet to reapply to USAFA. It is not underhanded to decide whether the AF is right for you and whether AFROTC or USAFA is the correct career path for you. I suspect the AF knows what its doing and if they don't have a problem with it I can't imagine why anyone else would.

As far as taking someone else's "slot"; the OP is taking her own slot that she earned and which was awarded to her after careful review by the AF.

I assume it is the same with the AF, but in the Army there is a mission set that has to be met each year. Attrition of any form is an issue for ROTC and the issue of losing a "slot" occurs when a cadet withdraws. I am not sure if the money is re-incorporated back into a pool but either way it's a loss for the Det/Batt. Obviously there is a one years window to leave or stay (that's why they over recruit) but I am saying in a real world situation it is not wise to walk around any ROTC as Freshman with the attitude, "Yeah ROTC is nice for now but I want to go to the academy. As a book answer it might be fine but it also might ruffle some feathers of the cadre and upperclassmen. That wouldn't be a big deal if they had no impact on your app but I am pretty sure the commander will have to write a memorandum or at least a letter of recommendation down the road.

My advice to this applicant is to proceed tactfully and do whatever she think is best with her career choice. Anecdotally I am just stating that we had a cadet (4 year winner) walk around and constantly talk about how he's going to go to WP and how great WP's training was compared to ours (apparently he visited the summer before) and that did not sit well. He didn't get into WP and was booted for grades a year later. He is currently a PFC at Bragg I think.

I took a nursing school slot with the intent on med school after and I got a lot of flak for that. Someone who wanted to be a career RN lost out. Was it OK for me to do that? Looking back I am not so sure and I find this case similar. Now just trying out AFROTC with no scholarship seems perfectly fine..
 
My advice to this applicant is to proceed tactfully and do whatever she think is best with her career choice. Anecdotally I am just stating that we had a cadet (4 year winner) walk around and constantly talk about how he's going to go to WP and how great WP's training was compared to ours (apparently he visited the summer before) and that did not sit well. He didn't get into WP and was booted for grades a year later. He is currently a PFC at Bragg I think.

So he at least did achieve the goal of Active Duty Regular Army. Good for him! :biggrin:
 
I would agree that it does not make sense to belittle any organization to the other members of that organization. That said, I'm not sure tactfully mentioning that you are reapplying to USAFA is going to ruffle any feathers. If that is your dream/goal and you're willing to spend 5 years (or more) in college just to attain it...more power to you. Certainly the cadre should already know this is your intent.
 
underhanded? Only if OP does not discuss the goal of reapplying to the USAFA with the Unit, and more importantly the context of the choice to join AFROTC.

Of course the cadre understands that a person might prefer the Academy to ROTC, and likewise understand that after participating in AFROTC, the cadet might choose to remain in the ROTC program.

Attrition: every unit has built in attrition factors. One of those sources of attrition is losing a cadet to an Academy after first year. Others are cadet choice to separate, and Cadre initiated separation for grades, attitude, PFT, weight standards, and performance within ROTC.

My advice to OP is to join AFROTC and let them know you will participate 100%, but also that you will be reapplying to the USAFA. You will need the LTC's ROTC nomination slot for the Academy. There is nothing to be gained, and a lot to lose, by not informing the Cadre of your intention to reapply to the Academy.
 
Our DS in HS had 4 noms to the AFA, and an AFROTC scholarship in hand in Dec. He visited the det with his Dad as soon as he was accepted to the college in Jan. AFA had yet to even close out. He was up front with them about it being between the two.

The CoC told DS and DH that in the end of he decided to go AFROTC over the AFA, but regretted the decision come fall, he would have their full support, including a ROTC nom.

Their reasoning was their job is like the AFA's job to produce the best officer. They are not in competition with each other.

After DS met with him, and spending an hr with C300/400's in the lounge, met up with his Dad at the student union. He asked his Dad 1 question. Can we go to the Bursar's office to put a deposit down?

They did and he never looked back. In Sept. the CoC was true to his word, he came to him and asked...well, do you want to apply for the AFA?

He didn't.

The following yr. that same det. supported a cadet who was appointed to the AFA.

There is nothing wrong with applying once in AFROTC. Just be up front with them right off the bat. You will want that ROTC nom too, along with any other nom.

If the SA's didn't expect this to occur they wouldn't have a ROTC nom.
 
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