How long does out-processing take? How to expedite?

Tomorrow

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Sep 19, 2018
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I am a current cadet at USAFA who has decided to leave. I put a lot of thought into my decision; I do not mean for this thread to be about my decision. What I would like advice on is this: I need to get home and continue my life, get a job, and apply to colleges again. I have been out-processing for over a month and a half now. Is there anything that I can do to expedite the process?

I have already filled out my Form 34 and it is currently at the top of the chain of command. I only need one more signature which is supposed to be from the Commandant of Cadets, but since she is doing a five week training thing at the moment, I have been informed that it will be signed by the Vice Commandant after he has talked to the Commandant. I have been waiting on this particular signature for over a week now.

I understand that these are very important and busy people and that there is probably nothing that I can do to encourage them to sign my form, but I also understand that I will receive a checklist after my form has been signed. After the checklist is completed, I will be free to go, but I have little idea of what is on this checklist. So if anybody has any experience with out-processing and knows that there is something I can do to prepare for the checklist, please tell me. I have already picked up a package from the desk of the mail room that said out-processing students would need it.

If this post accomplishes nothing else, I hope this post better informs new cadets about how long it will take to out-process. Leaving is not something that will get you out of the challenges you are imminently facing. You still are required to do your cadet duties (go to class, attend training sessions, etc.) until you receive the checklist after the Commandant of Cadets has signed off on your Form 34. When I was considering leaving I was told that it would probably take only a few days. When I started out-processing, I was told that it would take between a week and a month. A couple of days later I was told between two weeks and a month. Near the one month mark, the expectation was moved to between a month and two months. I was told to expect this last signature to come Tuesday of last week, then last weekend it was moved to early this week, it was neither. I have not been well informed about the process, so for a month and a half I have been expecting to be home by the weekend and at the end of every day I think that tomorrow I will get word that I can begin working on the final steps to leave. I do not hate it here, but I need to get on with my life.

So thanks for reading; if you have any advice for me I would love to hear it.
 
Bummer........ I am positive our wait listed recruit would have enjoyed your slot. Good luck with your future endeavors.
 
Bummer........ I am positive our wait listed recruit would have enjoyed your slot.
Nice backhanded shot at a kid making a difficult choice. There are numerous threads from those in the know addressing why this isn't the case. People change their minds. Even someone who was 100% certain USAFA was the ONLY place for them have discovered it may not have been what they envisioned. Nobody "took a slot" from someone who didn't get in. USAFA has their criteria, and sees a good fit in every appointee, of which about 200 of each class don't make it through for any number of reasons. They also undoubtedly see something great in many they can't admit, including yours, because they only get so many. If your DD/DS really wants it, they should reapply and continue to work towards it. Admissions loves tenacity, from what I've seen.

To the OP - hang in there. You'll be on the track you want soon - best of luck.
 
@BBBRRRTT, stand down, please. The OP is not the first nor the last in his/her class to voluntary separate. That’s why the SAs have a two-year trial before signing “2 for 7.”

OP did not get what would’ve been your kid’s slot, nor is he/she responsible for your kid getting waitlisted. That’s on your kid and your kid only. Perhaps if your kid had earned a better WCS?
 
Tomorrow - I wish you the best with your future endeavors. I don't think that you will receive a lot of sympathy that it has taken a long time to out process, but I also don't think that was originally what you were looking for. Unfortunately, the tone of your post comes across that way in the end.

Everything in the armed services seem to move slower. I am not surprised that it has taken longer than you expected. The Air Force has invested a fair amount into you at this point. I think its reasonable that they set the time frame and terms at which you out process. Best of luck!
 
Bummer........ I am positive our wait listed recruit would have enjoyed your slot.
Nice backhanded shot at a kid making a difficult choice. There are numerous threads from those in the know addressing why this isn't the case. People change their minds. Even someone who was 100% certain USAFA was the ONLY place for them have discovered it may not have been what they envisioned. Nobody "took a slot" from someone who didn't get in. USAFA has their criteria, and sees a good fit in every appointee, of which about 200 of each class don't make it through for any number of reasons. They also undoubtedly see something great in many they can't admit, including yours, because they only get so many. If your DD/DS really wants it, they should reapply and continue to work towards it. Admissions loves tenacity, from what I've seen.

To the OP - hang in there. You'll be on the track you want soon - best of luck.
I like the way you rewrote "enjoyed your slot" to "took your slot":) Call it "back handed" but that slot will go unfilled for the remaining four years.
 
And for the record I did wish this individual "Good luck with their future endeavors". I was trying to be positive.
 
I like the way you rewrote "enjoyed your slot" to "took your slot":) Call it "back handed" but that slot will go unfilled for the remaining four years.

I'd edit my response if that would make you happy, but it doesn't really change my message. You're taking a shot at a kid that changed their mind, and assuming your kid was next up. USAFA counts on about 200 slots going unfilled over the course of 4 years, since they're limited by statute how many can commission each year. They're getting exactly what they expect.
 
I like the way you rewrote "enjoyed your slot" to "took your slot":) Call it "back handed" but that slot will go unfilled for the remaining four years.

I'd edit my response if that would make you happy, but it doesn't really change my message. You're taking a shot at a kid that changed their mind, and assuming your kid was next up. USAFA counts on about 200 slots going unfilled over the course of 4 years, since they're limited by statute how many can commission each year. They're getting exactly what they expect.
No offense taken, you don't need to rewrite a thread, I love the free flow of ideas.....but for the 200 slots that drop, I can say over the last 5 years if those 200 did not drop out, there might not be a 1000 pilot shortage in the usaf.
 
If USAFA has no attrition then the class admitted would be smaller. There would be even less slots to begin with. Every SA looks at all kinds of stats to come up with the formula for attrition and also their acceptance yield rate. Those items, among many others, are what are used to set a class size and eventually the amount of appointments being offered. For those of us who graduated long ago and had attrition in the 25-30% or higher range, our classes were even bigger. Those cadets leaving does not equate to a pilot shortage. The entire equation to pilot shortage has more to do with retention (among many factors) then new pilots entering the pipeline.
 
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Not to gang up on anyone either way, which has gone far enough for my tastes, my USMC officer son would say, "No one joins the Marine Corps they think they are joining". It doesn't match anyone's ideal of it, whatever that is. I'm sure the same is true for every service and academy.
 
Hey, so the checklist should primarily consist of things like linen turn in, uniform turn in, key exchange, CAC and proxy turn in, shipping coordination, etc. My guess is that it will take you one or two days to complete after you get it. Pack up all your stuff and organize the things you'll have to return like linens and uniform items. That's all I can really think of that can help you get a jump on the checklist.
 
I am a current cadet at USAFA who has decided to leave. I put a lot of thought into my decision; I do not mean for this thread to be about my decision. What I would like advice on is this: I need to get home and continue my life, get a job, and apply to colleges again. I have been out-processing for over a month and a half now. Is there anything that I can do to expedite the process?

I have already filled out my Form 34 and it is currently at the top of the chain of command. I only need one more signature which is supposed to be from the Commandant of Cadets, but since she is doing a five week training thing at the moment, I have been informed that it will be signed by the Vice Commandant after he has talked to the Commandant. I have been waiting on this particular signature for over a week now.

I understand that these are very important and busy people and that there is probably nothing that I can do to encourage them to sign my form, but I also understand that I will receive a checklist after my form has been signed. After the checklist is completed, I will be free to go, but I have little idea of what is on this checklist. So if anybody has any experience with out-processing and knows that there is something I can do to prepare for the checklist, please tell me. I have already picked up a package from the desk of the mail room that said out-processing students would need it.

If this post accomplishes nothing else, I hope this post better informs new cadets about how long it will take to out-process. Leaving is not something that will get you out of the challenges you are imminently facing. You still are required to do your cadet duties (go to class, attend training sessions, etc.) until you receive the checklist after the Commandant of Cadets has signed off on your Form 34. When I was considering leaving I was told that it would probably take only a few days. When I started out-processing, I was told that it would take between a week and a month. A couple of days later I was told between two weeks and a month. Near the one month mark, the expectation was moved to between a month and two months. I was told to expect this last signature to come Tuesday of last week, then last weekend it was moved to early this week, it was neither. I have not been well informed about the process, so for a month and a half I have been expecting to be home by the weekend and at the end of every day I think that tomorrow I will get word that I can begin working on the final steps to leave. I do not hate it here, but I need to get on with my life.

So thanks for reading; if you have any advice for me I would love to hear it.
Hey.
Why you want to leave?
 
If USAFA has no attrition then the class admitted would be smaller. There would be even less slots to begin with. Every SA looks at all kinds of stats to come up with the formula for attrition and also their acceptance yield rate. Those items, among many others, are what are used to set a class size and eventually the amount of appointments being offered. For those of us who graduated long ago and had attrition in the 25-30% or higher range, our classes were even bigger. Those cadets leaving does not equate to a pilot shortage. The entire equation to pilot shortage has more to do wit’s retention (among many factors) then new pilots entering the pipeline.
What attrition? Why? How? What can I do?
 
Not to gang up on anyone either way, which has gone far enough for my tastes, my USMC officer son would say, "No one joins the Marine Corps they think they are joining". It doesn't match anyone's ideal of it, whatever that is. I'm sure the same is true for every service and academy.
What are they joining then?
And what is the equivalent to USAFA and the SAs?
 
@BBBRRRTT, stand down, please. The OP is not the first nor the last in his/her class to voluntary separate. That’s why the SAs have a two-year trial before signing “2 for 7.”

OP did not get what would’ve been your kid’s slot, nor is he/she responsible for your kid getting waitlisted. That’s on your kid and your kid only. Perhaps if your kid had earned a better WCS?

I just read on the WCS now. There's the faculty appraisal score. What is that?

I was talking with my College Counselor and she told me on BI-like tests(You take it and pass the class). I can only take for Arts and Literature. Do they add to my Academic composite? I was thinking of dropping the SAT subject tests but after seeing this.. I know, it is not required, but..

And what else apart from the stuff you've guys told me can I do to avoid been the next?
 
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