AFROTC Time Between Commissioning and EAD

tibreaker

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I have a quick question about the time people have to wait to EAD. What's the normal amount of time that somebody typically has to wait to actually start their job? I'm hoping to go intel, and I heard that intel folks can wait up to a year. Is that true? Whats's the time frame like for other non-rated jobs? And will it make a difference that I'm going 4.5 years (graduating in December) instead of graduating in the Spring? It's still early for me to be asking this question (I'm a 300) but I just wanted to know this stuff before I put in my job preferences this upcoming semester. Thanks!
 
It honestly varies from AFSC to AFSC. Im an ABM LT who commisioned in July 2018 and my EAD isn't until Jan 2019. On the other hand I have a MX LT who commisioned with me and his EAD was 2 weeks after commisioning. It all depends on how fast/how populated your training pipeline is.
 
I have a quick question about the time people have to wait to EAD. What's the normal amount of time that somebody typically has to wait to actually start their job? I'm hoping to go intel, and I heard that intel folks can wait up to a year. Is that true? Whats's the time frame like for other non-rated jobs? And will it make a difference that I'm going 4.5 years (graduating in December) instead of graduating in the Spring? It's still early for me to be asking this question (I'm a 300) but I just wanted to know this stuff before I put in my job preferences this upcoming semester. Thanks!
This question is asked every year and the answer is always the same: nobody here will be able to give you an average time. It can vary depending on career field, comissioning source, year group, etc. You could be waiting anywhere from a week or two up to a year, it just depends.
 
+1 to Tex232

Commissioning in Dec., typically means you will wait until those that commissioned in the spring and summer have already started to report. The positive is that Dec is a much smaller commissioning group than compared to May, so that lag time maybe shorter than compared to a spring grad.

I would never change a career preference sheet due in part to how long you might have to wait. Your career will be 4 yrs at least, 24/7/365 days a yr. Waiting 3 or 6 months more to go AD in one career field compared to another should not be in the equation in my opinion.

I will say that our DS (UPT) had his report date changed 3 times before he got his final date. 1st date was 2 days after his finals, and 10 days before the actual commissioning service. HQ AFROTC was informed and they switched it again, this time to 2 days after commissioning....problem was according to the AF that was a 3 day travel (PCS), hence they pulled that one too. The third, was 8 weeks after commissioning. However, 1 month prior they pulled it, and pushed him back another month from that date.
~ Just saying if you change your preference list because somebody says you will go sooner in this career field, like Tex stated it changes all the time.
~~ In the AF there is a joke about PCSing...don't take those dates for granted until you arrive at the base and at in-processing they say WELCOME LT.XYZ, you are on our list. Not kidding. We had a friend in England, orders in hand to Panama, household goods and car shipped. He took 3 weeks leave at home in the states after PCSing out. While at home they notified him that they changed his orders and re-assigned him to Germany. His stuff had to be delivered to Panama because that was the original orders, the base than had to put it back on a ship and send it back across the pond. He was without his car and household goods for close to 4 months.
 
Interesting jobs may be had if one has a long wait for AD. DS worked as a bar tender and tour guide at a local craft brewery. Best civilian job he ever had. He is way beyond being a mere beer afficianado.
 
Okay thanks for the information everyone, I wasn't planning on changing my AFSC preferences based on the wait time... I was just curious. Thanks again!
 
My NCOIC told us that the AF won't tell us no further out than 1 month before for our EADs (historically for our det). I know someone who had to EAD a week after commissioning/graduating and others a few weeks to a few months. Can't get a summer job because of the unpredictability of the EAD dates.
 
Can't get a summer job because of the unpredictability of the EAD dates.
I doubt that's actually a true statement. I expect you meant to say you can't get a job you want because of the unpredictability. You may need to go with a job that wouldn't be your top choice.

I'd say it's half true. Job market for college grads and high schoolers is garbage right now due to the high numbers of adults working in positions that young adults used to do. Especially for something short term.

Look at something like Wendy's. I see they are advertising nationally that they have daily pay and flexible work hours. Seems like that might be a little more tailored to temp work.

Otherwise, get an oncampus job, look at trying to get your local guard or reserve base to let you pull some days, etc.

If you're a year or so out from commissioning, get an internship (especially if you are an engineering student) and keep it until you ship out. That will typically let you carry over working until you get your EAD date. Plus you'll build some real world experience.
 
Interesting jobs may be had if one has a long wait for AD. DS worked as a bar tender and tour guide at a local craft brewery. Best civilian job he ever had. He is way beyond being a mere beer afficianado.
Did He live at home? And how did he explain his situation, or did he bring uothat he was temporary? My son got Intel and will be in the same boat.
 
That's interesting that your det only gives you a month notification. Our DS's det dropped their EADs in Mar., regardless if they were going rate of non-rated. Now, that was just a tentative date and it could change when the orders drop, which is typically 6 weeks out from their RNLTD.

I agree with kinnem, I expect you can get a job, but not the one you necessarily want. During spring break his senior yr he spent he thought at that time he had his RNLTD of 08/01 set in stone. He applied to golf courses, aero clubs, to restaurants and dept stores during that week of spring break. He landed up working for a major retailer, basically as a grunt worker dealing with the store renovation. He had no problem with it. It was great pay, and 9-5. They knew when they took him on he would only be with him until end of July. When his orders slid back to Sept., they allowed him to stay on with no issues.

OBTW, There are many reputable companies that hire people as temporary workers. You sign up with the company and they assign you different jobs that you can turn down or accept. One job could be answering phones for a week at XYZ company and the next week you could be doing data entry for 2 weeks at ABC company. Think of it like substitute teachers. You are being brought in to hold the fort down while the teacher is away.

I would strongly suggest to also try anyway you can to at least find a part time job. Or at least be very smart when you receive your career starter loan. Pay is paid in the arrears. Using my DS as an example. DS reported mid sept., after the cut off for the 10/1 pay date. That meant his earliest pay date would be 10/15. It also can take a while for them to process your travel pay. Meanwhile, he had to pay his way to get to his 1st base. He had to pay to set up his 1st household, that means buying not only food, but also sheets, towels, pots, pans, dishes, etc. This does not include paying any deposits for an apt., or utilities or cable. Nor does it include your car pmt., your car ins., cell phone etc. Now add in all those costs, plus not going paid for at least 2 weeks, and having to live only on your savings, you will be happy you took any job to fill up your bank account.
~ DS probably spent 3 K that 1st few weeks out of his own pocket before he got paid. Just the 3 nights/4 days travel set him back 500-700 bucks between gas, tolls, food and hotels. The 1st commissary shopping set him back 300 bucks for the bare mins ---it is shocking to many how expensive it is that you take for granted everyday. Ziploc baggies, salt, pepper, sugar, spices, toilet paper, paper towels, aluminum foil, laundry detergent, household cleansers, etc are not something you buy on every shopping trip, but you will need them in the beginning for everyday living. Now add in, actual food like bread, milk, eggs, cereal, meat, etc. He than went to the BX and had to buy pots, pans, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, towels, and bed linens, including pillows. He also purchased a tv. He was up to @2k and payday was 2 weeks a way, yet at the same time he had to pay his car pmt., insurance and cell phone bill. Plus, the deposit for his cable bill and of course gas for the car, buying lunch at BK, hanging out with friends on the weekend. It tallied about another 1K. Totaling @3K before he got paid by ADAF.

Not trying to go off topic, but trying to illustrate why you want to find ANY summer job you can so you have that floater. Or at the very least, keep a nice chunk in your bank account to set up life. It is called a career starter loan for a reason. They know how much it costs to start up your 1st home. FWIW, DS took 5K out of that loan and placed it into his savings account in case he did not work during the summer as his safety net upon reporting. Because he did work, he never touched it. Instead it was used to buy his GF her engagement ring a few months later.

Just saying, impo, even being a busboy at Olive Garden for 2-3 months is worth it. DS followed his Dad's footsteps. He was upfront and honest and told them this was going to be short term. They hired them anyway.

Sorry for the diversion and the novella, but it is best you also make a long term plan regarding what happens if you have to wait 6-9 months.
 
Did He live at home? And how did he explain his situation, or did he bring uothat he was temporary? My son got Intel and will be in the same boat.

Our DS lived at home. As I stated in my last post, our DS was upfront and honest with the employer. Just say, I am commissioned in the AF and I am waiting to go to my 1st base assignment, with an expectation date of reporting XYZ. Most employers hire summer staff. They expect them to leave by early fall. It is a win win situation. The employer only wants them for the summer and the ROTC grad only wants to work for a few months.

The other option that I have seen grads do is start their Master degree, on their own dime. They start it wherever they are living or on-line. Once they report they just take a step away for a while. Later on they transfer their credits to whatever college they will finish their degree with using Tuition Assistance. They do this because if they decide to bolt at the 4 yr ADAF point, they now leave with not only work experience, and probably a TS clearance, but also a Master degree. GS and contractors care about all 3. A TS clearance is very expensive and only valid for 5 yrs. His peers at the same age may have the same level management, and a Master degree, but not the TS. If wanting to leave at the earliest opportunity this is an option I would consider if working is not available.
 
Did He live at home? And how did he explain his situation, or did he bring uothat he was temporary? My son got Intel and will be in the same boat.
He lived at home. They also knew he was temporary, but it's an industry with a rapid turnover anyway. They were glad to have him for his brawn, his charm, and his vast beer knowledge. He really only needed gas and spending money to tie him over. He also only worked 20-25 hours a week, which left him plenty of time for non-beer fun! It really was a perfect job for him. I'm sure plenty of temporary jobs are out there.

EDIT: I would add that they knew he was only temporary up front. He actually stumbled into this job over Christmas break. To keep it short we ended up at this craft brewery while it was closed but a gal let us in and was pouring us free flights anyway. They were chatting about various beers and hops for about 10 minutes. She offered him a job then and there. Turns out she was the HR gal. He couldn't take it then because of college, so she asked "What about this summer?" and the rest is history.
 
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Interesting jobs may be had if one has a long wait for AD. DS worked as a bar tender and tour guide at a local craft brewery. Best civilian job he ever had. He is way beyond being a mere beer afficianado.

Was that Gizmo by any chance? I think they are from your part of NC, and I've had a few of their beers that came through the specialty shops where I live. Pretty good and interesting.
 
Thanks for all your inputs. I would love to go back to my previous internship at a major defense contracting firm (worked at their Advanced Concepts Lab ~"skunkworks"), but I doubt they will hire me knowing that I'll likely be out in <10 weeks.

Any tips on moving/renting/buying things for your first PCS?
 
Thanks for all your inputs. I would love to go back to my previous internship at a major defense contracting firm (worked at their Advanced Concepts Lab ~"skunkworks"), but I doubt they will hire me knowing that I'll likely be out in <10 weeks.

Any tips on moving/renting/buying things for your first PCS?

Other than avoiding rent as much as possible (always buy, mortgage payments will be lower than rent, and you can always sell to the guy PCSing in), stay light while a junior CGO. Makes it easier to jump on last minute career-broadening opportunities if you don't have to worry about a pet, storing lots of stuff, etc.

Do DITY's as much as you can. Don't buy expensive cars.
 
We never bought while AD and too many people we knew who did ended up regretting it. But, there are arguments on both sides. For a differing viewpoint on whether to buy while on active duty, read this blog (the author is a prominent financial blogger in the military community): https://the-military-guide.com/dont-buy-home-active-duty/?fbclid=IwAR3MLrzfxocaId2Gv4gQGFkZs9A0he8QlbeQtV1z2ZtTSwwh5AXAxYHImbA

Always good to have an opposing viewpoint. My assumption is 2-3 years between PCS, taking advantage of the current low interest rates, not buying too much house, and buying something that is convenient to the base.

With that in mind, it's always better to make housing payments towards your equity rather than someone else's in my experience. I know a lot of folks that made out well that way while AD. That includes a few that retired with 7 figures in the bank, but that was 2006/2007.... I don't think we will see that wild ride in housing prices for awhile, but still even with no appreciation, you will get some of your money back after selling.

There is no ROI for rent money.
 
We always bought if we would be there for at least close to 3 yrs. Purchased 5 homes. and on avg we walked away with 18K per home. Only wrote a check once for 15 bucks. We always bought the smallest house in the best neighborhood, and always below the BAH.
~ Note 18K on avg. We would parlay that to the next house.

Only 1 x did we have to rent, and that was in 08 when the market collapsed. We did rent it at the BAH about 350 a month more than the mtg. It never sat empty. Renter moved out on Monday, new renter was in on Wednesday.
~ Meanwhile I got to deduct the mtg interest, and real estate taxes too on top of banking that 350 every month.

In our yrs., I would say the only people that rented knew they would not be there for 3 yrs +. I can count on my fingers on one hand that rented or lived on base with each tour in the AF.

Honestly, it is a crap shoot. However, as someone that worked in the real estate world, and family members that are either mtg brokers or in the finance world (high up in it) I would say buy if you will be there for 3 yrs. Rent only means you are paying their mtg and get no bennies, while they get every bennie, tax wise.

Now back on topic and tied to the off topic.

tibreaker,
You need to start thinking about life after AFROTC. It is not just about the EAD. It is also about finances and career progression.
~ My DS never thought as an AS 200 he would be married as an O1. It happened. He never thought as an AS300 he would own a home as an O2. It happened. He never thought as an AS 400 he would have a child 3 months after pinning on O3. It happened.

Life is funny. It gets in the way while you are making plans.
 
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