WannaBeOfficer
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2014
- Messages
- 60
Does anyone have the total number of initial slots given out? Percentages and stuff?
Ask your cadre. Last year they gave us the stats as soon as we got our EAs.Does anyone have the total number of initial slots given out? Percentages and stuff?
In total there were a little over 200 more slots added to the initial drop.It was posted in the first few pages. Supposedly the original drop was @1800 out of 2100 so @85%. So if they added 100 more slots that would bring the rate up over 90%.
I would like to take an alternate approach. Do your best at SFT and care in the sense of preparing, doing your best, and being and asset for your flight. Nobody like the DG or SP hunters. From the stories I've been told it is fairly easy to butter up the instructors by saying the right thing at the right time. The thing is that nobody will like you for doing it. So for everyone going to SFT, please just be a plus one for your flight and we will all get there.If that is the case, than the % is going to be over 95%. 1800 +200 leaves only @100 of the 2100 SOL.
I have always said the AF is bulimic. I am not making light of this disorder, so please no flaming.
If you look at the AF, or the military for that fact, over 20/30/40 years they have a cycle. 1991 Gulf I occurred, a year later the AF purged (RIF/SERB). 1996/97 they went and said Oh Sheeaattt we cut too hard, time to binge. For the next few years they threw money hand over fist to ADAF. Heck, they even gave WSOs a bonus on top of flight pay!
FFWD 10 years. The big warning sign for AFROTC cadets showed up on this site in 2009? USAFA went from 1650+ appointments to 1350. Basically a 20% reduction. Bigger still was USAFA was not asking for permission to go over the max of 4400.
~ 3 years ago it was 93%. 2 years ago it was 55%. Binge/purge
Now lets get back on topic.
~ Very few bust SFT. However, come next year you will face another board if going rated. If not it will be fall semester of your 400 year.
Buckle down and aim for the top. your ranking out of SFT will be placed into your OML. Be smart dont care about the %, care about SFT ranking.
Don't get me wrong, I agree completely that the AF is cut throat. I can max my PFA, know everything in the D&C manual, FT manual, and airman's manual without being cut throat. These simple facts can make anyone a DG without being "that guy." The AF may be cut throat and we should all expect and prepare for it but that doesn't mean we should not be pushing people in the opposite direction. In short I was just trying to say don't be that suck up and do your best in everything possible without leaving the idea of teamwork in the dust.Sled,
This is probably going to come across wrong, but here goes.
Do you honestly believe that this doesn't happen in the ADAF?
Do you believe the AF is not cut throat? In the flying world they are cut throat. That when up for promotion or a coveted position (Shop Chief, FC, ADO, DO, etc) they will not throw anyone under the bus if it means a better chance for the position, promotion or PME?
DG and SP hunters are doing it for 1 reason impo...they want to have a higher OML and nobody is going to stop them.
I am not disagreeing with you, just saying they exist and will exist for your entire AF career. They are not stupid and can see through the brown nosing. Some will buy into it, but the true leaders will not. They will see the AF like you for the brethren.
You and only you are in control of your career, and unfortunately sometimes the good guys do finish last. Your advice is wise, but I think it would be wiser to say be prepared for those DG and SP hunters for your own career.
~~ OBTW my DS was an SP. He did not hunt for it. He just knew that for rated his ranking out of SFT would matter. He is an AF brat and believes like his Dad ....teamwork. They saw that in him and he graduated top 10% of his class.
~ Would love to say it was altruistic, but than again he had a goal and knew that for UPT this would up his chances.
Are you truly saying lets just make it through as a team regardless of being ranked at graduation? Or are you saying do not kiss arse? 2 different things
Pima,I agree that you shouldn't be "that guy". The problem is I don't think that "that guy" ever believes they are "that guy". And if they know they are "that guy" rarely if ever do they care that they are being called that because the only thing they care about is getting their goal, and if it means playing the game they will.
Now of course, when they go AD, especially if they go rated, they will learn insanely quick that brown nosing does not work when it comes to the flying world. They actually notice not only the student that handles the stick the best, and has high academic scores, but the ones that work as team members within their class.
~ It is very common for students to do study groups. To socialize out of the squadron.
Just the cynic in me... or maybe years of watching them when Bullet served.
what do you mean?^^^^Careful, those groups can get you in a lot of trouble.
CTA's can get in there and will use anything they can against you. One year there was a HUGE deal about maps being posted when there weren't supposed to. This affects the training environment as you can imagine. One cadet made a particular comment one time and a CTA saw it. What do you know, the first two days that cadet was flight commander. Join the group if you feel the need but don't say anything. I would say PM people if you really want to talk.what do you mean?