Response to offer of appointment

Lewis95

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2012
Messages
50
I have been accepted to usafa but am greatly considering rotc at another school. Is there an option to 'defer' my appointment for the following year? I visited last weekend and some cadets said that on their online application they could choose to accept, deny, or defer the offer.

Thanks so much for the feedback,

Sam
 
You cannot defer this year's appointment to next year. You would have to decline, and then re-apply.

If you are having second thoughts, then USAFA might not be for you. You are in possession of a slot which many people want more than anything else. The worst thing you could do to those people is take it, and go in half-hearted.
 
I have been accepted to usafa but am greatly considering rotc at another school. Is there an option to 'defer' my appointment for the following year? I visited last weekend and some cadets said that on their online application they could choose to accept, deny, or defer the offer.

Thanks so much for the feedback,

Sam

You misunderstood what the cadets told you. There has never been an option to "defer" an appointment. I doubt such an option would even be legal under Title X.

Insider
 
You cannot defer this year's appointment to next year. You would have to decline, and then re-apply.

If you are having second thoughts, then USAFA might not be for you. You are in possession of a slot which many people want more than anything else. The worst thing you could do to those people is take it, and go in half-hearted.

This is very true and I definitely second everything he is saying, don't go and then quite because you don't like it, stealing someone's spot who is dying to be here is a terrible thing, and I have had the displeasure of seeing first hand. On the other hand, evaluate your reasons for wanting to be in the Air Force and realize USAFA will give you once in a lifetime opportunities, there is no better route to becoming an officer in the United States Air Force, 4 years is really not that long in the long term picture, so I challenge you to think long term and look past temporary difficulty and see how worth it the challenges are. If you aren't 100% convinced that they are worth, do not jeopardize taking someone else's dream. Best of luck in your decision making and congratulations on receiving an appointment!
 
I can add some insight found in my group of friends. While all of us are very gung-ho for the military, I am the only one going to a SA. While some wish to go and others don't, only two of us met the minimum requirements to get into a SA. I am going, and my friend chose NROTC. When I asked him why he didn't try for Annapolis (even though he had a shot!) he said, "I really do want to serve the Navy, but I've been looking forward to college my whole life and I wouldn't give up that experience for the world." Basically, he felt the way I do about USAFA for NROTC.

Don't think that it is wrong to prefer a ROTC route to become an officer! A SA is not necessarily a "better" choice. This is your decision, and if you think you want the ROTC route more, more power to you!

Also remember that if you are in an ROTC unit and decide you would like to join the SA, you still can! You also have a way to expose yourself to the military experience sub-full-throttle.

5 years from now, assuming you kept on course with one program or the other, we will all be called "Second Lt." regardless of where we earned it. You will, however, be remembered for how much dedication you showed in the process of getting there. If you choose USAFA and barely drag yourself over the finish line compared to graduating college with a 4.0 and a commission (because you would prefer to be in college), you probably should choose whichever you feel you can apply yourself more.
 
2 things I'd like to mention.

1. ONCE you're a cadet, it is possible to defer a year. This is actually pretty common. Some LDS (Mormons) and Catholics, have taken a year off to go on a church mission. Some individuals have had family issues where they had to take care of family problems. Some weren't sure if they really wanted to stay at the academy. None of these are automatic and are a case by case situation, but they do occur. But as said earlier, NONE.... REPEAT NONE.... of the individuals deferred an APPOINTMENT. You actually have to be a cadet to defer. Not an "Appointee".

As for the argument that taking the appointment and quitting later is "Taking an appointment away from someone who REALLY WANTED IT, is "Dying for it", wants it MORE than ANYTHING ELSE"..... Is ridiculous. Hate to tell you, but there are individuals every year who quit at the academy, and THEY TOO WANTED THIS more than anything. They TOO would DIE for it. Trying to lay a guilt trip on someone because they aren't sure if they should accept the appointment or not is just plain wrong. This individual EARNED THIS APPOINTMENT. They were obviously BETTER than their COMPETITION. They have every right in the world to decide what is best for them. They don't need to think about all the other applicants. Hell; do you think about all those Hungry Children in Ethiopia every night when you throw away some of the food you didn't eat for dinner?

Lewis; you make the best decision you can, FOR YOU!!! The air force and the academy has already taken into consideration that of all the appointees, SOME will turn it down. Some will accept and quit during BCT. Some will quit in the first 2 years. Some will be kicked out for academic and/or honor issues. And the overwhelming majority of these individuals, ALL WANTED THIS APPOINTMENT. They wanted it MORE than anything else. They figuratively would DIE for it. You aren't STEALING ANYTHING from ANYONE ELSE!!! You make the best decision, FOR YOU...... YOU EARNED THAT RIGHT!!! Congratulations on having such options. That proves that you EARNED IT. Some things, you have to do in life FOR YOU!!! This is one of them. Best of luck.
 
2 things I'd like to mention.

1. ONCE you're a cadet, it is possible to defer a year. This is actually pretty common. Some LDS (Mormons) and Catholics, have taken a year off to go on a church mission. Some individuals have had family issues where they had to take care of family problems. Some weren't sure if they really wanted to stay at the academy. None of these are automatic and are a case by case situation, but they do occur. But as said earlier, NONE.... REPEAT NONE.... of the individuals deferred an APPOINTMENT. You actually have to be a cadet to defer. Not an "Appointee".

As for the argument that taking the appointment and quitting later is "Taking an appointment away from someone who REALLY WANTED IT, is "Dying for it", wants it MORE than ANYTHING ELSE"..... Is ridiculous. Hate to tell you, but there are individuals every year who quit at the academy, and THEY TOO WANTED THIS more than anything. They TOO would DIE for it. Trying to lay a guilt trip on someone because they aren't sure if they should accept the appointment or not is just plain wrong. This individual EARNED THIS APPOINTMENT. They were obviously BETTER than their COMPETITION. They have every right in the world to decide what is best for them. They don't need to think about all the other applicants. Hell; do you think about all those Hungry Children in Ethiopia every night when you throw away some of the food you didn't eat for dinner?

Lewis; you make the best decision you can, FOR YOU!!! The air force and the academy has already taken into consideration that of all the appointees, SOME will turn it down. Some will accept and quit during BCT. Some will quit in the first 2 years. Some will be kicked out for academic and/or honor issues. And the overwhelming majority of these individuals, ALL WANTED THIS APPOINTMENT. They wanted it MORE than anything else. They figuratively would DIE for it. You aren't STEALING ANYTHING from ANYONE ELSE!!! You make the best decision, FOR YOU...... YOU EARNED THAT RIGHT!!! Congratulations on having such options. That proves that you EARNED IT. Some things, you have to do in life FOR YOU!!! This is one of them. Best of luck.

Thank you SO much. I have 9 short days to pick the direction of my life. This post means a lot. I want to attend the academy so bad, and Air Force rotc at my dream college seems much more fit for my personality and desires. I really don't appreciate the guilt side of things. I earned this because I want it so bad, but at the same time I like my other options.

Very respectfully,

Sam
 
Thank you SO much. I have 9 short days to pick the direction of my life. This post means a lot. I want to attend the academy so bad, and Air Force rotc at my dream college seems much more fit for my personality and desires. I really don't appreciate the guilt side of things. I earned this because I want it so bad, but at the same time I like my other options.

Very respectfully,

Sam

Best wishes, Sam. I hope you make the best choice for you so that you have no regrets. Sounds like either direction will be a 'win'. :thumb:
 
Lewis,

Our DS went through what you are going through back in 08. He opted to take his AFROTC and merit scholarships to attend his dream college.

For him it came down to a couple of things.
1. The dream college had a curriculum he really desired, with an internship guaranteed on the Hill. He looked at the AFA curriculum, and although he excelled in Math and Science (720 M SAT, 34 M, 36 S ACT), it was not his deisre. His major was govt and politics. Have you looked at the mandated curriculum at the AFA?

2. He was an AF child since birth, and for 4 yrs he wanted to be just a kid that still had ties to the AF, but that life where he wasn't breathing and eating it 24/7. He wanted to see the civilian world for once.

He always had intentions of serving 20 yrs., and knew because his Dad was an O5 F15E WSO (Aka CSO now) he could get the chance to fly out of AFROTC like his Dad.

It was a hard decision, but as I have always said if this is your path, than no matter what you do, it will be your path.

DS commissioned last May from his dream college. He is at Laughlin AFB right now for UPT. Right next to AFA grads of 2012. The big difference is their DOR will be earlier than DS because they go AD the minute they commission. DS went ADAF Oct 1st. He did casual status at Laughlin, they did it at other bases. Fencer's DS is in my DS's class.

Go because you want the curriculum and the lifestyle at the AFA. If you don't want it, there is no harm/shame in saying I want to take these 4 yrs to be an AFROTC college student.

The hard thing is if what is holding you back is fear, than you just need to jump in and understand come I-Day everyone is going to have all of the emotions, and they may be gung ho right now, but the minute they get on the bus, their nerves are going to be go at it. The difference for you is when you are on the bus, you will know without a doubt this is where you belong because you thought about it long and hard before signing.

I am not trying to offend anyone. I am just saying, it is normal to be nervous., and people go through it at different times.

OBTW, You are not taking anyone's spot by waiting. The fact is the AFA always offers more appointments than the number they expect for I-Day. I wish people would stop that kind of guilt trip. If the AFA drops below their number, they hit the waitlist. There are posters on here discussing how they found out a few weeks prior to I-Day.

You did not and will not be the reason that person who would kill for the chance didn't get the chance.

The hardest thing I think for our DS was telling us. The funny thing was, as parents our biggest concern for him was him attending the AFA because we didn't think it was a good fit for him. We were actually relieved of his decision. We were just as proud as him as any AFA parent the day he raised his hand and took the oath.
 
Last edited:
A couple of thoughts . . .

ROTC is a great program and is the right, even better, program for many people. Turning down a SA to attend ROTC is perfectly fine and I've had quite a few of my USNA appointees do it.

Some doubts about a SA are natural and normal. Severe doubt could be a sign that this isn't for you.

If you choose USAFA and then later realize it's not for you (hopefully, that won't happen), in all honesty, it is easier to go from a SA to a civilian school than the converse. This of course applies to those with SA appointments; different issue for those who were turned down or who realize while at civilian college that they want to go to a SA.

You have to go to any SA b/c YOU want it. Do NOT go b/c your parents, siblings, teachers, friends, etc. tell you that you "have to" take advantage of this opportunity. Most people who go in that way end up leaving.

Best of luck, whatever you decide to do. Lots of terrific options!
 
ONCE you're a cadet, it is possible to defer a year. This is actually pretty common. Some LDS (Mormons) and Catholics, have taken a year off to go on a church mission. Some individuals have had family issues where they had to take care of family problems. Some weren't sure if they really wanted to stay at the academy. None of these are automatic and are a case by case situation, but they do occur. But as said earlier, NONE.... REPEAT NONE.... of the individuals deferred an APPOINTMENT. You actually have to be a cadet to defer. Not an "Appointee".

Actually, this is not quite true. Any cadet that chooses to leave has to resign his/her appointment. They then have to "re-apply" if they want to come back (including getting a new nomination). This is true regardless of the reason, including Mormon missions. The re-application process is streamlined but is by no means guaranteed. USAFA routinely chooses not to accept former cadets that re-apply.

Insider
 
Thank you SO much. I have 9 short days to pick the direction of my life. This post means a lot. I want to attend the academy so bad, and Air Force rotc at my dream college seems much more fit for my personality and desires. I really don't appreciate the guilt side of things. I earned this because I want it so bad, but at the same time I like my other options.

Very respectfully,

Sam

Lewis I would recommend you read some of the AFROTC post in the ROTC section. There are possibilities that may come up during your 4 years that you should be aware. You should access all information pro and con of each pathway to becoming an AF officer. Each path has it plus and minuses. May you choose the path that is right for you!
 
+1 aseanag

The fact is there is a lot more uncertainty in AFROTC than the AFA.

AFROTC to be successful is not just show up for PT and LLAB. Less demanding than the AFA without a doubt, but still not 3 hrs a week if you want to commission.
 
Insider. Never said it was automatic. Simply saying each case is individual and it happens after beings cadet. Not as an appointee. I didn't get into the process because that wasn't relevant.
 
Back
Top