impulse224
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2013
- Messages
- 55
They're still not out - Hopefully by Wed
I got to go to Flight Screening at Daytona. What a thrill, flying AND the Beach! It was great, until I discovered (or, it was pointed out to me), that I just wasn’t military pilot material AT THAT TIME. It just didn’t click for me fast enough, I was constantly behind the aircraft. Bottom Line: washed out, right out of the gate. You thought I was crushed before? I was DEVASTATED! (Ask Pima, we were dating at the time). And for one semester after that, I simply “gave up”. My dream was gone, why should I care?
But someone cared about me, Capt Chester A.A. Arther, my ROTC advisor (and I’ll NEVER forget him). He saw my dream, and saw how involved I was, and saw how I loved that life, all before that fateful summer. And here’s the kicker: he went to bat for me with the ROTC leadership, putting his rep on the line for a kid he knew would be an asset for the AF if given another chance. He came up to me, and said “Son, we’re giving you another chance. Here’s a Nav slot. Don’t let me down.”
And I didn’t: graduated the next semester, with Capt Arther giving me my Oath of Office in front of my proud parents and future wife-to-be. Went on to Nav school, and for me it suddenly “clicked”. Flying to me became easy, fun, happy and thrilled to be doing it. While others studied and studied, then struggled in the classroom and the sim and in the air, I sailed through with ease. It was what I was BORN to do; and I graduated #2 in my class (only because I miss-marked one lousy test answer; one lousy answer!). Selected for fighters as a Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) (Sierra Hotel!), F-111s (the only “fighter” available at the time). Went on from there, doing well in every job, loving every job, amazed that Uncle Sam was now paying me to do something I love! Did the Jump thing with the Army for a couple of years when the F-111s went “bye-bye” (actually, I loved that as well). Then I got to the Strike Eagle, and I thought I was in HEAVEN! Flew in Alaska. Went to Gosh-awful places with some of the best men and women I ever had the honor of knowing and calling “friend”. Did the Pentagon thing. Had a FANTASTIC career, not because I was flying, but because I LOVED being an officer and a member of the world’s greatest AF. I still bleed AF blue. And when I raised my hand several years ago to take my oath of retirement, ask Pima, I could barely get the words out I was so emotional that the joy ride was over
Okay, time to stop for a second.
Many of you may not have read my DH's post, but here it is and read it.
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=31226
If you are smart and click the link, this is what you will also read.
I posted this because I think many are giving up before the ball is called, and even if you get 500. That post was for AFROTC HS SRs. Bullet lost his scholarship, he was a 500. He became a DG at FTU, DG at SOS, in residence at Leavenworth for CGSC. Works on the 35 now. Retired as an O5 at 21, but he was AFROTC, so it was 20 ADAF.
If it doesn't happen, and you become a 500, I hope that you see Bullet and I get what you are all feeling, not as parents, but as what we lived through when Bullet was a cadet.
Bullets post is a great read and a lesson in determination.
Not really understanding to workings of AFROTC I have a question. One of the things Bullet did not address in his post was the EA slots. From reading your previous posts it looks like some cadets that don't get an EA slot may have the chance to stay in the program and try again, I think I remember seeing something about a 500. My question is, what happens to the cadet that does not get offered that 500 position, is there a way for this cadet to somehow continue chasing that dream or is that the end of the road. AFROTC sounds tough right now, being hit hard by the budget cuts leaving less of those EA slots and making the competition higher. So I guess I was just wondering, what options are there for the cadet that does not get the EA slot or the 500.
Thanks.
Here's your answer.crayola said:Does the AF really care that they are finding a way around this?
"We are cutting accessions on our enlisted side by 2.6 percent in FY13 and no reduction on the officer's side of the house because we think it is very important to maintain our seed corn as we go forward and we don't create bathtubs that we have to live with for 20 years," he said.
No results form Texas yet... I wouldn't be surprised if cadre pulls something April Fools related.
I was emailed a couple weeks ago these Max dates. These differ from the previous ones listed by just a couple days. Which one is correct?
Max 1: 10 May - 7 Jun
Max 2: 24 May - 21 Jun
Max 3: 7 Jun - 5 Jul
Max 4: 21 Jun - 19 Jul
Max 5: 5 Jul - 2 Aug
Max 6: 19 Jul - 16 Aug
Thanks Pima for the explanation, learn something new everyday.
So from what I understand, if you have a dream to become an Air Force Officer, there are many obsticles you can overcome, such as Bullet did on his path, but, if you do not eventually get an EA slot then that is the end of the road, no OTS, game over so to speak.
Now I understand the level of stress I see in these posts.
Ahh. Tomorrow I have to go in 15 minutes before PT with the rest of the contracted 200s and sign a form 16 about the stipend cut.
But maybe they'll have some good news to go with the bad!
I am confused with the question can't do it for financial reasons. If they are scholarship, the scholarship may stay in place as a 500. Additionally dets have scholarships for det only cadets.
Here's your answer.
"We are cutting accessions on our enlisted side by 2.6 percent in FY13 and no reduction on the officer's side of the house because we think it is very important to maintain our seed corn as we go forward and we don't create bathtubs that we have to live with for 20 years," he said.
I asked my CoC about OTS and ROTC, and according to him, what's listed above is incorrect. The only reason you wouldn't be able to go to OTS is if you were dismissed from ROTC for doing something bad i.e. an integrity violation or doing drugs.
What is a form 16?.. sign a form 16 about the stipend cut.