LEAD Program C/O 2023 Thread

Can any prep schooler or former shed light on how appointments for priors at the prep school work?

If you preform well at Prep School, do they give you a direct appointment, or do you have to go through a nomination from your congressman as well?

This document is a few years old, but I don’t expect the policy will have changed. It’s a primary source. Page 4. You can always contact the LEAD POC to confirm.

https://www.academyadmissions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/USAFA-LEAD-Handbook-2011-12-2.pdf

Source: Google search string “USAFA LEAD nomination”

Thank you for your fast response. I was reading a Prep School parent thread that appeared to have Preppies applying for a second nomination so I was unsure.

hey there,

I'm currently at the prep. We DO have to get a congressman nomination even though we applied through the LEAD program. From my understanding they do have alternate options for those who do not get one. The bottom line is that if you do well at the prep, get above a 2.5 GPA and above 250 on your PFT, you should get an appointment.

Though they cautioned us numerous times that they only have "so many nominations" that they themselves can give and because of that they've encouraged everyone to get one from their home state. Basically they said that if enough of us DONT get a nomination, they wont have enough of their own to give out. I dont know how true that statement is but I wasn't going to leave it to chance and fortunately I earned one from my state.

That being said, worry about getting that acceptance letter first. If/when you get accepted to the prep, then you should immediately start looking at your state to see when the application deadlines are due! Some of the priors here said their applications were due as basic started and so obviously they can't get a nomination the normal way now.

Wait. What?

I got accepted last month without letter from a Congressman .
 
Wait. What?

I got accepted last month without letter from a Congressman .

If you were offered an appointment to USAFA without a nom you applied for through your own efforts, the Superintendent used one of the discretionary noms on you!
 
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Can any prep schooler or former shed light on how appointments for priors at the prep school work?

If you preform well at Prep School, do they give you a direct appointment, or do you have to go through a nomination from your congressman as well?

This document is a few years old, but I don’t expect the policy will have changed. It’s a primary source. Page 4. You can always contact the LEAD POC to confirm.

https://www.academyadmissions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/USAFA-LEAD-Handbook-2011-12-2.pdf

Source: Google search string “USAFA LEAD nomination”

Thank you for your fast response. I was reading a Prep School parent thread that appeared to have Preppies applying for a second nomination so I was unsure.

hey there,

I'm currently at the prep. We DO have to get a congressman nomination even though we applied through the LEAD program. From my understanding they do have alternate options for those who do not get one. The bottom line is that if you do well at the prep, get above a 2.5 GPA and above 250 on your PFT, you should get an appointment.

Though they cautioned us numerous times that they only have "so many nominations" that they themselves can give and because of that they've encouraged everyone to get one from their home state. Basically they said that if enough of us DONT get a nomination, they wont have enough of their own to give out. I dont know how true that statement is but I wasn't going to leave it to chance and fortunately I earned one from my state.

That being said, worry about getting that acceptance letter first. If/when you get accepted to the prep, then you should immediately start looking at your state to see when the application deadlines are due! Some of the priors here said their applications were due as basic started and so obviously they can't get a nomination the normal way now.

Wait. What?

I got accepted last month without letter from a Congressman .

This is possible through the LEAD program yes. I'm speaking specifically from the perspective of someone who applied through the LEAD program and is currently attending the preparatory school. Even though I already submitted an application last year, they are still asking us to get congressional nominations for when we redo our applications this year.

To be clear, we dont have to "redo" the whole application. Our last one is already in the system. They're just asking us to get congressional nominations if we can.

If you got directly accepted to the academy then as the other guy said, you got a nomination from the super. If you got accepted to the prep then you'll do what I described above. It's annoying but as I already said, the Air Force isn't going to spend a year on you at the prep and then NOT send you to the academy....
 
Hey!

I am a prior enlisted, who is currently at the USAFA Prep School.

If you have any questions about the process or about anything USAFA related let me know!
When did you get notified you were accepted into the prep school? And if/when you are accepted do you just go through a similar process of PCSing to another base?
 
Hey!

I am a prior enlisted, who is currently at the USAFA Prep School.

If you have any questions about the process or about anything USAFA related let me know!
When did you get notified you were accepted into the prep school? And if/when you are accepted do you just go through a similar process of PCSing to another base?

Everyone gets notified at different times.
I got notified in May of last year.

Every prior enlisted gets notified from their commander before it is annotated on the portal.

The process will look very similar to PCSing as far as the paper and out processing you will do at your base.

Some very noteable differences however is the change of your AFSC. Your orders will change you 9T0000. This is the same as when everyone was in tech school. With this there are personal codes that are attached that are not required to come to the Prep School. The requirements include: 1 year retainability extension, valid PT test, and a few other things. Your MPF will fight you to accomplish these but they are not necessary. (The reason these become a problem is because the majority of you will be looking at an expedited PCS due to your orders dropping only a couple weeks before you report in July.

In processing here will be different then what you are used to. The majority of inprocessing will he handle in house at the P.

In regards to the PPC code for extension paper work:
If you fall under this criteria I HIGHLY recommend you take the extension.

Less than 3 years TIS
With an Enlisted Contract of 4 years.

Reason:
As prior enlisted personnel, you will acrew TIS whole at the P, and continue to serve time on your enlisted contract. Upon arriving at USAFA you will continue serve time on your enlisted contract but WONT add time to your TIS for retirement.
The prep school is currently trying to change this policy to where the time you under your enlisted contract at the Air Force academy will count to TIS for retirement.

Why this is important:
Any enlisted personelle who has atleast 4 years and 1 day of TIS toward retirement on the day of their commissioning we receive O1E pay. This pay is significantly higher than O1 pay in regards to allowances.
 
GOFORRO - Very good advice (considering that extension is not really "costing" you anything as long as you graduate). I am glad to hear that the P is pursuing that COA. I know there are laws about this but it never passed my logic test. Why would the time at USAFA count toward your active duty enlistment obligation and then not count toward retirement? Just does not make sense - similar to getting a longevity ribbon when you graduate USAFA for 4 years of service (even though it will only be about 47 months) and then that time does not count toward retirement.

Even if you do not reach the O1E milestone your enlisted time and prep time will count towards years of service pay and ultimately towards military retirement. Those numbers are huge during and after a career if you invest that money as if you never had it. Additionally, if you separate from active duty (not retire from the military) and get a federal civilian job you can "buy back" your prior enlisted time (and academy time in this case) and count that toward a federal civilian retirement.

This may be too much detail for those starting their service - just take it from an old guy - if they offer you the opportunity to do an extension I would follow GOFORRO's advice and do it. Only goodness can come from it.
 
Hi everyone! I am also applying for LEAD (obviously) but the problem is that my DoDMERB isnt complete yet. I emailed the technician assigned to me, and she basically said it's a waiting game. Is there like a specific date on when the clearance should be received by USAFA? The rest of my package is already complete.
 
Hi everyone! I am also applying for LEAD (obviously) but the problem is that my DoDMERB isnt complete yet. I emailed the technician assigned to me, and she basically said it's a waiting game. Is there like a specific date on when the clearance should be received by USAFA? The rest of my package is already complete.
Have you been in touch with your admissions counselor? They will have the best information about any deadlines.
 
I
Hi everyone! I am also applying for LEAD (obviously) but the problem is that my DoDMERB isnt complete yet. I emailed the technician assigned to me, and she basically said it's a waiting game. Is there like a specific date on when the clearance should be received by USAFA? The rest of my package is already complete.
Have you been in touch with your admissions counselor? They will have the best information about any deadlines.

I have emailed him last week, but he hasnt replied yet. I'll try give him a call to see if he reaches out to me.
 
I
Hi everyone! I am also applying for LEAD (obviously) but the problem is that my DoDMERB isnt complete yet. I emailed the technician assigned to me, and she basically said it's a waiting game. Is there like a specific date on when the clearance should be received by USAFA? The rest of my package is already complete.
Have you been in touch with your admissions counselor? They will have the best information about any deadlines.

I have emailed him last week, but he hasnt replied yet. I'll try give him a call to see if he reaches out to me.
I have found that calling usually get the quickest responce even if it is just leaving a message.
 
I
Hi everyone! I am also applying for LEAD (obviously) but the problem is that my DoDMERB isnt complete yet. I emailed the technician assigned to me, and she basically said it's a waiting game. Is there like a specific date on when the clearance should be received by USAFA? The rest of my package is already complete.
Have you been in touch with your admissions counselor? They will have the best information about any deadlines.

I have emailed him last week, but he hasnt replied yet. I'll try give him a call to see if he reaches out to me.

It’s a little late for me to say this now, but I consistently called my councilor and if she wasn’t there to answer I’d call another regions councilor.

Most of the ones I called were always really nice and helpful. Though you could tell when they were using the scripted responses to answer certain questions.

The DODMERB is a waiting game for sure. If you completed it then it’s on the doctor to send it and the academy to receive it.

It was easily the most stressful part of the application because there was no telling when the doctor would get around to sending it. It took mine a week before he called and told me something was messed up and that I’d have to come back down.

I don’t remember the exact timelines though. I do know February is when they start reviewing applications and giving out acceptance letters though. So make sure to keep the pressure up on your end. There’s only a few months left! Fight hard!
 
Any enlisted folks hear about their application status yet? It's March! We should hear our status this month or in April! :bounce1:
I have yet to hear anything, but ALS is keeping me busy. I keep getting texts and hoping it is my CC or supervisor letting me know of change. Other threads have mentioned March 11-13 as the large appointment times.
 
Hey!

I am a prior enlisted, who is currently at the USAFA Prep School.

If you have any questions about the process or about anything USAFA related let me know!
When did you get notified you were accepted into the prep school? And if/when you are accepted do you just go through a similar process of PCSing to another base?

Everyone gets notified at different times.
I got notified in May of last year.

Every prior enlisted gets notified from their commander before it is annotated on the portal.

The process will look very similar to PCSing as far as the paper and out processing you will do at your base.

Some very noteable differences however is the change of your AFSC. Your orders will change you 9T0000. This is the same as when everyone was in tech school. With this there are personal codes that are attached that are not required to come to the Prep School. The requirements include: 1 year retainability extension, valid PT test, and a few other things. Your MPF will fight you to accomplish these but they are not necessary. (The reason these become a problem is because the majority of you will be looking at an expedited PCS due to your orders dropping only a couple weeks before you report in July.

In processing here will be different then what you are used to. The majority of inprocessing will he handle in house at the P.

In regards to the PPC code for extension paper work:
If you fall under this criteria I HIGHLY recommend you take the extension.

Less than 3 years TIS
With an Enlisted Contract of 4 years.

Reason:
As prior enlisted personnel, you will acrew TIS whole at the P, and continue to serve time on your enlisted contract. Upon arriving at USAFA you will continue serve time on your enlisted contract but WONT add time to your TIS for retirement.
The prep school is currently trying to change this policy to where the time you under your enlisted contract at the Air Force academy will count to TIS for retirement.

Why this is important:
Any enlisted personelle who has atleast 4 years and 1 day of TIS toward retirement on the day of their commissioning we receive O1E pay. This pay is significantly higher than O1 pay in regards to allowances.

Re: TIS and pay upon commissioning, my kid is at the P school, but is not a Prior. Will this pay thing apply to him too? Or is it just for Priors?
 
Hey!

I am a prior enlisted, who is currently at the USAFA Prep School.

If you have any questions about the process or about anything USAFA related let me know!
When did you get notified you were accepted into the prep school? And if/when you are accepted do you just go through a similar process of PCSing to another base?

Everyone gets notified at different times.
I got notified in May of last year.

Every prior enlisted gets notified from their commander before it is annotated on the portal.

The process will look very similar to PCSing as far as the paper and out processing you will do at your base.

Some very noteable differences however is the change of your AFSC. Your orders will change you 9T0000. This is the same as when everyone was in tech school. With this there are personal codes that are attached that are not required to come to the Prep School. The requirements include: 1 year retainability extension, valid PT test, and a few other things. Your MPF will fight you to accomplish these but they are not necessary. (The reason these become a problem is because the majority of you will be looking at an expedited PCS due to your orders dropping only a couple weeks before you report in July.

In processing here will be different then what you are used to. The majority of inprocessing will he handle in house at the P.

In regards to the PPC code for extension paper work:
If you fall under this criteria I HIGHLY recommend you take the extension.

Less than 3 years TIS
With an Enlisted Contract of 4 years.

Reason:
As prior enlisted personnel, you will acrew TIS whole at the P, and continue to serve time on your enlisted contract. Upon arriving at USAFA you will continue serve time on your enlisted contract but WONT add time to your TIS for retirement.
The prep school is currently trying to change this policy to where the time you under your enlisted contract at the Air Force academy will count to TIS for retirement.

Why this is important:
Any enlisted personelle who has atleast 4 years and 1 day of TIS toward retirement on the day of their commissioning we receive O1E pay. This pay is significantly higher than O1 pay in regards to allowances.

Re: TIS and pay upon commissioning, my kid is at the P school, but is not a Prior. Will this pay thing apply to him too? Or is it just for Priors?
Based off of how I read @GOFORRO s post It will only apply to prior enlisted because we signed a contract to serve for either 4 or 6 years and they count USAFA towards time served on our contract but not yet towards our time in service (TIS).
 
Question for anyone who is at USAFA or the P shcool. If you were to be selected for the LEAD program what would happen to your leave accrued? Do you go on terminal leave before you inprocessed at the school you got selected for? Are you forced to sell it back to the Air Force? Or would it be in like a grey area where you can't use it while at USAFA but once you graduate you have all of your leave you didn't use?
 
Question for anyone who is at USAFA or the P shcool. If you were to be selected for the LEAD program what would happen to your leave accrued? Do you go on terminal leave before you inprocessed at the school you got selected for? Are you forced to sell it back to the Air Force? Or would it be in like a grey area where you can't use it while at USAFA but once you graduate you have all of your leave you didn't use?

In short you want to save roughly 30 days of leave.
Once you graduate in May of 2020, you will have roughly 30 days until you report to USAFA for BMT.
Unless you are on leave Status you will put into an unpaid status.

Additionally you will have an opportunity to extend some of your leave period by a day or two so it is good to have some fluff there.

For whatever reason if you still have leave left over at the end of the summer you can in fact sell your leave.
In regards to selling your leave. Per the AFI you are allowed to sell it once a career. However since you will have and officer career and enlisted career. It is on time per each.

Once you arrive at USAFA after prep school. Leave is handled in a completly different way. It’s still through leave web but you don’t acrue a balence. So not it would not carry over once you graduate.
The reason for this is that our enlisted and officer careers are techinically seperate. Additionally we will all hit the weird grey area when our contracts expire where we are discharged. And in that case your leave would be null and void.
 
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