Sad about your TWE? Read this.

Hello everyone!


Probably just like yourself, I was a die-hard USAFA fan dreaming every single day to one day become a cadet at USAFA. I first applied to USAFA 2021’ straight out of high school, I had a ton of extracurricular and leadership experiences to add to my application- JROTC, Civil Air Patrol, Student Government, Varsity sports, ect..- I had a good amount. Unfortunately, out of the 4 or 5 friends that I had who also applied, I was the ONLY one who was denied. Seeing all your friends prepping for in-processing was a HUGE punch to the gut. The important thing was, bouncing back from failures is something I always lived by and still currently live by. So, I decided to enroll in college, pursue AFROTC, and reapply next year for USAFA 2022’.


This time around for my application, I had a job, college experience, and leadership in AFROTC to add to my resume; more so, I kicked butt on the CFA. Even started off college with a 4.0 GPA and improved my SAT score a nice amount. After doing all this and going through the dreadful process all over again, I once again received a TWE. When people tell you: “It’s ok”, “You’re still out to do great things”, “Don’t worry, you should still be proud”, do me a favor and PLEASE listen to all of them. To those who aren’t that sad or extremely devastated just remember that you’re not even close to the end of your road.


Some of you may ask, “you just received your second TWE, how’re you still so happy”. The answer to that is because I honestly believe everything DOES happen for a reason. I can attest to this because of what I experienced just 6 DAYS before receiving my TWE. After going through a semester of AFROTC, my detachment decided to select me for an AFROTC scholarship. Did I see this coming? NOT AT ALL. I’m sitting in a large classroom while the detachment commander is standing up in front of the room talking about scholarships and how it pays to be first and all of sudden my name appears on the screen. For those who may possibly have the mindset of how being in ROTC would be nowhere near as great as being a USAFA cadet, although I can’t make the comparison, I CAN say that I am having an AMAZING experience in AFROTC. Just yesterday we came back from a base visit where we:


1. Worked out with PJ’s and CRO’s – Some who were involved in Operation Red Wings

2. Spent some time in some AWESOME simulators

3. Had a good time with Security Forces and their dogs

4. Messed around in C-130’s and Black Hawk helicopters

5. Toured ALL OVER Cape Canaveral and ALMOST had the opportunity to see a rocket launch- but it got postponed to the day after.

6. Messed around on the computers in the mission control room


Overall, what I’m trying to say is believe that your TWE IS NOT the end of your line. you can still join AFROTC, have incredible experiences and In four years’ time, commission as an officer in the world’s greatest Air Force.


I had a great time meeting and stressing with countless people on this forum, but now it's time for me to move on and go my seperate way from the USAFA threads. Thank you to every single person who ever answered any of my questions. Keep striving and AIM HIGH.

Awesome —good for u!!— I have one son in his junior year in AFROTC at Texas Tech amd one about to enter USAFA class of 2022– both will have had differ experiences but both will hopefully become officers in the end— again awesome

LOVE YOUR SPIRIT!!! Thank you for the post. Will read this to my DS who received his TWE on April12th. He is off to college and AFROTC. Best of luck always!

Wow! So impressed with your optimism and continued drive to succeed! You will be a huge asset to the USAF when you commission! Best of luck, AFROTC is lucky to have you.

coach86 said:

Awesome —good for u!!— I have one son in his junior year in AFROTC at Texas Tech amd one about to enter USAFA class of 2022– both will have had differ experiences but both will hopefully become officers in the end— again awesome

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lrecono4 said:

LOVE YOUR SPIRIT!!! Thank you for the post. Will read this to my DS who received his TWE on April12th. He is off to college and AFROTC. Best of luck always!

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starzandstripes said:

Wow! So impressed with your optimism and continued drive to succeed! You will be a huge asset to the USAF when you commission! Best of luck, AFROTC is lucky to have you.

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Thank you guys! I really appreciate the replies. @coach86 That's awesome for you to have one in AFROTC AND USAFA. I hope to see them both in the field one day! @lrecono4 I really appreciate you sharing this with your son! Feels great for my message to be passed on to others who have gone through the same experience. @starzandstripes I appreciate the reply! Thank you for those words.

Thanks for your post. I have a cadet in the Class of 2020 and one who just received his TWE. I don’t know who was more disappointed my cadet or the one who received the TWE. That being said he went and met with the officers and some of the cadets at his school of choices AFROTC and has become very excited about all the possibilities. He too is reapplying next year but who knows he may find out he really likes where he is at. Added bonus he just found out my 2020 DS’s roommate is doing an AFROTC exchange and will be there with during his first semester! They are already making plans!

Congratulations on your scholarship and best of luck to you on your AF career!

Thank you so much for your post! My son received his TWE and was truly heartbroken, but has begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am going to have him read your post and hopefully he will be as inspired as I am right now. Good luck and congratulations to you!

Thank you for your post. I'm hoping my DS can eventually feel the same. It is tough right now as he did everything he was told he needed to do to get an appointment and the TWE arrived on April 12th here also. Sounds like a broken record but 4.0+ GPA (3.9 something adjusted), 34 ACT, 1500 SAT, 4 year letter in two sports, C/LtCol in CAP AND an eagle scout, and still very active in both organizations. All kinds of leadership, etc, etc. Had this goal since a little boy when the jets from the nearby base flew over our house daily. Has been to the USAFA for CAP numerous times - so knows what he wants and what he will be missing. Has never wanted anything else. Is not very enthusiastic about Plan B, and I'm not either because of the cost. Some have said you will be at the same place after 4 years of AFROTC - true but with perhaps over $200,000 of debt if no scholarship. (Long story but misinformed about process of applying for ROTC scholarship so none here). Hopefully this feeling of complete devastation will eventually be replaced by at least a bit of enthusiasm for the future. Maybe some day we can also believe that it was for the best and all happened for a reason.

Usafadreamer said:

Thank you for your post. I'm hoping my DS can eventually feel the same. It is tough right now as he did everything he was told he needed to do to get an appointment and the TWE arrived on April 12th here also. Sounds like a broken record but 4.0+ GPA (3.9 something adjusted), 34 ACT, 1500 SAT, 4 year letter in two sports, C/LtCol in CAP AND an eagle scout, and still very active in both organizations. All kinds of leadership, etc, etc. Had this goal since a little boy when the jets from the nearby base flew over our house daily. Has been to the USAFA for CAP numerous times - so knows what he wants and what he will be missing. Has never wanted anything else. Is not very enthusiastic about Plan B, and I'm not either because of the cost. Some have said you will be at the same place after 4 years of AFROTC - true but with perhaps over $200,000 of debt if no scholarship. (Long story but misinformed about process of applying for ROTC scholarship so none here). Hopefully this feeling of complete devastation will eventually be replaced by at least a bit of enthusiasm for the future. Maybe some day we can also believe that it was for the best and all happened for a reason.

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Our DS’s story first time through as well. He can reapply next year. Take a look at the thread of appointments here and you’ll notice many reapplicants now with appointments for the Class of 2022. I know it’s devastating, bc it has been years of making sacrifices, the right choices and decisions, but it does not have to be the end of his dream to attend USAFA if that is his dream. We didn’t know reapplying was even an option. The extra year of preparation allowed our DS to tweak some things like his essays, CFA, etc, and he was accepted a year later. The extra year was a blessing even though at the time it didn’t seem that way. In reapplying to USAFA, your DS could also apply for ROTC scholarships as a back up for his remaining college years. Feel free to pm if you’d like more details about our reapplying experience. Blessings to your family!

Usafadreamer said:

Thank you for your post. I'm hoping my DS can eventually feel the same. It is tough right now as he did everything he was told he needed to do to get an appointment and the TWE arrived on April 12th here also. Sounds like a broken record but 4.0+ GPA (3.9 something adjusted), 34 ACT, 1500 SAT, 4 year letter in two sports, C/LtCol in CAP AND an eagle scout, and still very active in both organizations. All kinds of leadership, etc, etc. Had this goal since a little boy when the jets from the nearby base flew over our house daily. Has been to the USAFA for CAP numerous times - so knows what he wants and what he will be missing. Has never wanted anything else. Is not very enthusiastic about Plan B, and I'm not either because of the cost. Some have said you will be at the same place after 4 years of AFROTC - true but with perhaps over $200,000 of debt if no scholarship. (Long story but misinformed about process of applying for ROTC scholarship so none here). Hopefully this feeling of complete devastation will eventually be replaced by at least a bit of enthusiasm for the future. Maybe some day we can also believe that it was for the best and all happened for a reason.

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There is another option...my son enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and after two years he applied through the LEAD program. He already has his associates degree and was only one year away to his bachelors in Computer Networking. Your son would have his GI Bill money and tuition assistance to help with college this year. My son received top honors in basic training and at his tech school. He applied for the Academy this fall and received a direct entry last week. This route took a bit longer, but he is debt free and ready to pursue his dream of flying planes. This is a very viable option. Look at the LEAD thread in this forum. I agree all things happen for a reason...but this might be worth checking into!

All I can say is it isn’t over till its over...

DD’s first attempt for USAFA resulted in a TWE, and then 30 days later a Foundation Scholarship offer came in. She accepted, went to a Texas prep school for a year and is now finishing her Junior year at USAFA.

DS’s first attempt for USNA resulted in first being wait listed... then TWE. He went to NROTC for a year and was then offered a USNA appointment on his second year application.

I am amazed more at the commitment and perseverance of these two kids than anything. Yes, its great they ultimately both are where they wanted to be - im telling you they worked there buts off after HS to get there.

Its overwhelming how dedicated and committed they were to the ultimate goal of an appointment - and an additional year of hard work and focus to get there.

Your journey is not over yet - even when you get the first TWE... I used to always ask the kids as they were growing up - how bad do you really want it?

Hang in there, you will be amazed at the options and doors that will open up.

ussaX2 said:

All I can say is it isn’t over till its over...

DD’s first attempt for USAFA resulted in a TWE, and then 30 days later a Foundation Scholarship offer came in. She accepted, went to a Texas prep school for a year and is now finishing her Junior year at USAFA.

DS’s first attempt for USNA resulted in first being wait listed... then TWE. He went to NROTC for a year and was then offered a USNA appointment on his second year application.

I am amazed more at the commitment and perseverance of these two kids than anything. Yes, its great they ultimately both are where they wanted to be - im telling you they worked there buts off after HS to get there.

Its overwhelming how dedicated and committed they were to the ultimate goal of an appointment - and an additional year of hard work and focus to get there.

Your journey is not over yet - even when you get the first TWE... I used to always ask the kids as they were growing up - how bad do you really want it?

Hang in there, you will be amazed at the options and doors that will open up.

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Amazing! Thank you. It really is about how much they really want it. I think TWE can be a valuable life lesson.

Nam333 said:

Thanks for your post. I have a cadet in the Class of 2020 and one who just received his TWE. I don’t know who was more disappointed my cadet or the one who received the TWE. That being said he went and met with the officers and some of the cadets at his school of choices AFROTC and has become very excited about all the possibilities. He too is reapplying next year but who knows he may find out he really likes where he is at. Added bonus he just found out my 2020 DS’s roommate is doing an AFROTC exchange and will be there with during his first semester! They are already making plans!

Congratulations on your scholarship and best of luck to you on your AF career!

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futureafamom said:

Thank you so much for your post! My son received his TWE and was truly heartbroken, but has begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am going to have him read your post and hopefully he will be as inspired as I am right now. Good luck and congratulations to you!

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Nam333 - Perfect plan! Pursue AFROTC and reapply. I'm sure USAFA loves seeing AFROTC on a resume'. And what a coincidence your DS's roomate is doing an exchange with your other DS's ROTC detatchment. That's just plain awesome haha. Thank you for the reply. God bless.

futureafamom- It was my pleasure writing this post. I honestly did'nt expect so many to view/reply haha. Also, I would feel honored if you shared this post with your son, please reassure him there are still countless opportunities and experiences waiting for him in the near future. USAFA or ROTC, he's gonna love the ride. Take care!