Appointed...Need Advice

9

90210

New Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2022
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2
After 3 long years of applying, I have just received an appointment to USAFA. As truly humbled and thankful I am to receive this appointment after years of toil, I am really at a crossroads on whether or not I should accept the appointment. I'll explain my current standing.

I am a 2nd year AFROTC cadet slated to commission in 2026. I have done quite well for myself in my detachment with a good commanders ranking, flight scholarship, very high chances at selection to go to field training and good PCSM score. I love the culture, wingmen, and mentors I have here, and can see myself getting a Pilot slot if I continue.

The academy has been a longstanding dream of mine and something I feel the need to "see through". I am familiar with the differences between Academy and AFROTC, and have a great respect for both commissioning sources. Virtually everyone around me has said that leaving to go USAFA would be a very foolish choice. Arguments that I have heard are that going would "set me back" 2 years, add more to my plate than necessary, anything I want out of the academy can be done through afrotc, everyones a 2nd Lt. at the end of the day, you'd have to start from ground zero, and so on. With that being said, for some reason I still have a desire to go.

I would hate to make an emotional, impulsive decision that I end up regretting in the future. I would really appreciate insight from people who have been in a similar situation as I or just would like to share some thoughts. Thank you very much!
 
90210 said:
After 3 long years of applying, I have just received an appointment to USAFA. As truly humbled and thankful I am to receive this appointment after years of toil, I am really at a crossroads on whether or not I should accept the appointment. I'll explain my current standing.

I am a 2nd year AFROTC cadet slated to commission in 2026. I have done quite well for myself in my detachment with a good commanders ranking, flight scholarship, very high chances at selection to go to field training and good PCSM score. I love the culture, wingmen, and mentors I have here, and can see myself getting a Pilot slot if I continue.

The academy has been a longstanding dream of mine and something I feel the need to "see through". I am familiar with the differences between Academy and AFROTC, and have a great respect for both commissioning sources. Virtually everyone around me has said that leaving to go USAFA would be a very foolish choice. Arguments that I have heard are that going would "set me back" 2 years, add more to my plate than necessary, anything I want out of the academy can be done through afrotc, everyones a 2nd Lt. at the end of the day, you'd have to start from ground zero, and so on. With that being said, for some reason I still have a desire to go.

I would hate to make an emotional, impulsive decision that I end up regretting in the future. I would really appreciate insight from people who have been in a similar situation as I or just would like to share some thoughts. Thank you very much!
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personally, i feel like internally you know you wouldn't have reapplied twice if you didn't really want it, but I've never been in your shoes so I have no idea.
 
We had a cadet when I was at the Academy that had done three years in ROTC at Texas A&M. His dream had always been the Academy, so he made the switch when he received his appointment and seemed to love everything about it. Trading one more year of college for four more at the Academy was a no-brainer for him.

Two of my best friends had a couple of years of college before going to the Academy, and I actually took a year away after my Sophomore year and then returned. I think it's an asset to be a little older and have more maturity going in, as it's a unique experience with far more opportunity than you can imagine. That extra level of maturity allows you to better take advantage of those opportunities and get the most out of the experience. Hopefully you'll have a long and fantastic career (in the military or outside) and adding a little time to the beginning of that journey isn't a bad thing in my book.

But only you can answer the question on whether or not it's the right decision for you. Weigh all the options, make a decision and don't second guess it. Just go forward as hard as you can with the path you choose, and it will all work out well.
 
90210 said:
I would hate to make an emotional, impulsive decision that I end up regretting in the future.
Click to expand...
Congrats on the appointment…a piece of that dream, realized!! My add, to your specific question, is to take your time making your decision. It doesn’t need to be made today.

As already stated, only YOU can make the decision. Maybe making a list of pros/cons can help with that? And sometimes we have to just ‘make a choice’, and go all in, moving forward (would the fact that you received the appointment appease your heart?).

As mentioned, in the big picture of life, a couple years is nothing. Alternately, getting out into the world and doing your real ‘job’ (FINALLY) is pretty cool.

You cannot go wrong with either option. What a blessing!
 
Congrats on your appointment! I think the fact that you re-applied again shows how much you want this. I worry that you'll look back with regret if you don't go. 2 years of your life, in the big picture, is just a small blip. Imagine the pride you'll feel upon graduation, knowing you fought to get there and make your dream come true!! All this Mom Advice aside, no matter what you choose you can be proud of the work you've put in to get to this point.
 
While I am applying as a 1st year ROTC cadet the choice (if I get it) will be a little easier for me. I can say that there was a 200 last year who transferred from our det to the academy. I don't know how much he liked ROTC or the academy but I do know he had an EA and was willing to make the switch. I know how you feel hearing "2 years wasted" even though I would hear 1 year. You can't think of it as going backward because you're not, you are just being put at the starting position on a different path, a path that you will have to decide if it's worth it to take. A couple of last points: While you probably do have a good shot at a pilot slot for ROTC generally speaking it is easier to get one out of the academy. Don't let anyone on this forum tell you "You would be missing the opportunity of a lifetime", as you know being in college prestige is more or less made up, while yes USAFA is great, is it great for you, that is all that matters. Lastly, these are 2 ways to commission, you end up at the same place. You have to think to yourself that if you continue through ROTC you will be commissioned and be at the same as USAFA grads, once you are commissioned it doesn't matter.
 
90210 said:
After 3 long years of applying, I have just received an appointment to USAFA. As truly humbled and thankful I am to receive this appointment after years of toil, I am really at a crossroads on whether or not I should accept the appointment. I'll explain my current standing.

I am a 2nd year AFROTC cadet slated to commission in 2026. I have done quite well for myself in my detachment with a good commanders ranking, flight scholarship, very high chances at selection to go to field training and good PCSM score. I love the culture, wingmen, and mentors I have here, and can see myself getting a Pilot slot if I continue.

The academy has been a longstanding dream of mine and something I feel the need to "see through". I am familiar with the differences between Academy and AFROTC, and have a great respect for both commissioning sources. Virtually everyone around me has said that leaving to go USAFA would be a very foolish choice. Arguments that I have heard are that going would "set me back" 2 years, add more to my plate than necessary, anything I want out of the academy can be done through afrotc, everyones a 2nd Lt. at the end of the day, you'd have to start from ground zero, and so on. With that being said, for some reason I still have a desire to go.

I would hate to make an emotional, impulsive decision that I end up regretting in the future. I would really appreciate insight from people who have been in a similar situation as I or just would like to share some thoughts. Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
You have had the dream of attending the USAFA for quite some time. Now you finally have the opportunity to attend with an appointment in hand. You fully understand your position being in second year AFROTC You are already on a great path to commission as a 2LT. Many people will tell you to stay the course and not “waste” the two years invested already towards that commission. You however are the one who has done all the work reapplying 3 times chasing your Academy dream while following through with your “plan b” ROTC. Only you know your feelings and desires. It would seem that attending the USAFA would be the logical choice based on your continued attempts at an appointment. Your ROTC experience has better prepared you ((similar to one year of prep school ) to do well at the Academy and thrive.
So take your time and listen to yourself not others. You don’t want any regrets, but you have already achieved so much, and will do well regardless of your decision
Best of luck and keep us posted!
 
1) Have you discussed this with your PAS? If not, you might consider doing that.

2) I am not saying this is happening, but I would say to be cautious that it isn't happening -- that obtaining an appointment has become the end itself rather than the means to an end. Your perseverance is extremely admirable, but don't become captive to it.

3) This is an ancillary thought, but one I wouldn't completely ignore -- where are you in school now? What, if anything, would you be giving up by not continuing at and graduating from that school?
 
I recommend reaching out to see if there's any ROTC now academy people. I have a friend in 2027 who went to prep school and did a year of ROTC before coming here on his third try. I had 5 people from my squadron who had either two or more year living their life. 1 remains. That's not to discourage or say this isn't a right fit but I would ask around to see what people miss, and dive deeper because while I didn't care that I couldn't leave base or credits dont transfer a lot of people do. Best of luck to you!
 
If you think the "what if" will always eat at you, I say take it the leap.
 
Considerations to go to USAFA:
- You want the USAFA experience that ROTC cannot offer (a full time military academy, unique opportunities, tight bonds that form a network after graduation)
- You want a guaranteed pilot slot
- You love academics, and given you will validate a lot of core due to your two years of college, you want to double major, add a minor or 2 or 3, or max your GPA in order to compete for named scholarships or other opportunities

Considerations to stick with ROTC:
- You are tired of academics and wish it would all end
- You are in a good school with a tight alumni network (e.g., Texas A&M, Notre Dame)
- You do not believe you will be denied your pilot slot or other ROTC outcome based on your current and expected performance
- You want to be a 2Lt ASAP
 
Six years of school is a lot, especially if you anticipate taking graduate school courses later as well. I loved school, but at some point I was ready to get to work. Be sure you're ready to be dealing with teachers and grades and the rest for another full four years. It's quite a jump, as the (non-academic) difficulty of your first year will be worse than what you recall from ROTC plus you'll almost certainly validate into some advanced classes that other doolies won't be much help with. Speaking of which you'll likely be able to bounce over a bunch of classes and have time for a minor or possibly a double major (depending on your academic abilities) so be sure to talk to admissions about that aspect soon. OTOH if you drop out for one reason or another you'll always have your current transcript to pick up and complete somewhere else.

I don't know, I wouldn't have the will to repeat two years of school these days, but I'm a cranky old guy. Even when 21 I think it would be more appealing to get to work than reset my school clock. You have to decide what you value, what you are willing to take on, what will or won't bother you. If it was a simple question you'd be on your way to active duty and would never have re-applied, so the secondary stuff is counting heavily in your estimation. Good luck with your choice.
 
Congrats!!! Both are great options, and there is no wrong answer. However, and take this with a grain of salt, I have read in this forum, that available pilot slots will be in short supply for the next couple of years, than should open back up in 3 years. Just something to research and consider if being a pilot is important to you. Perhaps someone with more knowledge about this could chime in?
 
You have one of life's greatest gifts: good options. You won't go wrong either way. Choose one and move forward without regrets or second-guessing.

I will, though, share this anecdote: DD made it her goal to attend an SA -- specially USNA -- back in middle school. She made it happen. She absolutely loved the whole experience. She wouldn't trade it for the world. But as graduation and commissioning approached, she very strongly believed: "I'm so glad I'm almost done. I can't wait to get out of here."

As always, YMMV. Best wishes.
 
First off, congratulations on the appointment. You have to do what’s right for you. My son applied 3 times and was also doing AFROTC. He really wanted the Academy, he is currently class of 2027. Someone else said you were persistent for a reason. Follow your dreams!!
 
@90210 Congratulations on your appointment! My son did one year at the Prep School but it is not the same. You are half way of your goal to becoming a 2LT. As per @104FW_QA comment, you will be competing with 2 or 3 thousand ROTC applicants for approximately 400+ pilot slots. At USAFA, you have the same number of slots, maybe more, but you are competing with a lot less applicants. Good luck with your decision!
 
90210 said:
After 3 long years of applying, I have just received an appointment to USAFA. As truly humbled and thankful I am to receive this appointment after years of toil, I am really at a crossroads on whether or not I should accept the appointment. I'll explain my current standing.

I am a 2nd year AFROTC cadet slated to commission in 2026. I have done quite well for myself in my detachment with a good commanders ranking, flight scholarship, very high chances at selection to go to field training and good PCSM score. I love the culture, wingmen, and mentors I have here, and can see myself getting a Pilot slot if I continue.

The academy has been a longstanding dream of mine and something I feel the need to "see through". I am familiar with the differences between Academy and AFROTC, and have a great respect for both commissioning sources. Virtually everyone around me has said that leaving to go USAFA would be a very foolish choice. Arguments that I have heard are that going would "set me back" 2 years, add more to my plate than necessary, anything I want out of the academy can be done through afrotc, everyones a 2nd Lt. at the end of the day, you'd have to start from ground zero, and so on. With that being said, for some reason I still have a desire to go.

I would hate to make an emotional, impulsive decision that I end up regretting in the future. I would really appreciate insight from people who have been in a similar situation as I or just would like to share some thoughts. Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Don't put a single cent toward the decision based on what others are saying around you. They're telling you what THEY would do (or might...I bet a few would take the offer if given the chance). You are not them. As far as setting you back "2 years"--what's the hurry? It's not a race. My son has a few ROTC guys in his squadron who are crushing it. You'll have the military aspect locked down. You already have some college experience so the academics won't be as massive a jump as the Directs from high school. ROTC places only half the number of pilots as the Academy. The other thing to consider is when will a chance to accomplish something of this level come along again? You can go to USAFA and then go back to ROTC and finish out there if it turns out it's not what you thought it would be. But you'll never have a second chance to go to the Academy. Good luck to you.
 
104FW_QA said:
Congrats!!! Both are great options, and there is no wrong answer. However, and take this with a grain of salt, I have read in this forum, that available pilot slots will be in short supply for the next couple of years, than should open back up in 3 years. Just something to research and consider if being a pilot is important to you. Perhaps someone with more knowledge about this could chime in?
Click to expand...
Oh this has changed! The supt let us know that 24 got almost all the slot they need just a sometimes with a two year delay. Meaning: they will do the job the dropped let's say Intel for two years then go to upt and become a pilot if they were on the waiting list
 
FlyFalcon said:
I recommend reaching out to see if there's any ROTC now academy people. I have a friend in 2027 who went to prep school and did a year of ROTC before coming here on his third try. I had 5 people from my squadron who had either two or more year living their life. 1 remains. That's not to discourage or say this isn't a right fit but I would ask around to see what people miss, and dive deeper because while I didn't care that I couldn't leave base or credits dont transfer a lot of people do. Best of luck to you!
Click to expand...
If it is who I think it is, he was determined to get in and mom/dad are broke now.. lol but hopefully he is living his dream
 
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