Appointment rescinded...

THParent said:
$2,000.00 deposit? Do a lot of cadets get cold feet prior to reporting for R-Day?

There is nothing like that for USNA. It is strange how things (like this) are so different from academy to academy.
One would think that there would be a modicum of military standardization.
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USNA, some years ago, moved from a prepaid deposit to “an ACE loan for all” concept that required all plebes to take this couple thousand dollar loan on arrival, which covers all kind of start-up costs, issue items, services. The payback is taken in small increments from their pay, and scholarship money can be applied to it. The loan also ensured a USNA plebe-to-be could show up with the clothes on his or her back and $5 in their wallet, and they would be fine. It allowed any appointee coming in to not cause his family to pony up a chunk of cash in advance.
I know I have read here that any USMA plebe unable to pay that deposit would get relief. I do think USNA’s approach resolves it before it becomes an issue.
 
Those that can't afford the $2,000 deposit receive an advance from the USMA Treasurer to cover the deposit. The deposit covers part of the initial cost of items that cadets are required to pay for. It is then repaid through deductions from monthly pay. Everyone pays the deposit whether they realize it or not.

Don't know if it is refunded if appointment is rescinded or how hard they go after it if a cadet leaves before it is paid off.
 
Cadets who choose not to pay the deposit have a reduction in pay by $100 per month until the 2K is satisfied. USNA Mids receive $100 per month Plebe year while USMA cadets receive $200 per month if the deposit is paid. My son was adamant about paying his deposit on his own and did so. We have a 529 with his name as the owner which is unresolved with the future plans of it.
 
Update-

So, we're still trying to put the pieces back together and my son doesn't see the forrest through the trees yet. The good news is that there is an opportunity for him to attend MMI and reapply after his first year.

I'm praying he takes that path and uses this opportunity to further strengthen his resolve and desire to be the leader in our military he's always dreamed of being.

Many thanks to all for your prayers (please keep them coming over the next 12 months!!!), advocate ex and guidance.
 
BiggestAUfan said:
Update-

So, we're still trying to put the pieces back together and my son doesn't see the forrest through the trees yet. The good news is that there is an opportunity for him to attend MMI and reapply after his first year.

I'm praying he takes that path and uses this opportunity to further strengthen his resolve and desire to be the leader in our military he's always dreamed of being.

Many thanks to all for your prayers (please keep them coming over the next 12 months!!!), advocate ex and guidance.
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Thank you for the update.
Did USMA hold out the olive branch of forgiveness for sponsored prep? Or was self-prep and re-application the general suggestion?

Since he already did well enough to earn an appointment this year, I would advocate for regular college, tough Plebe-like courses and AROTC, even as a college programmer, if he can get in somewhere. That keeps him moving along a path toward being an Army officer, gives him college credits, and a shot at earning an ROTC nom for his re-app. But that’s just my free two cents’ worth.

I would guess he is still grieving the loss of his appointment. Hang in there while he goes through the stages of grief, not necessarily in this order:
- shock, denial, isolation
- anger
- bargaining
- depression, sadness
- acceptance

You’ll know he’s on the mend when he says “I lost my appointment because of my mistake, and now my plan is this” and not so much “they took it away.” He’s had a bad break-up, and all kinds of things are hurting. I am sure it has been no fun explaining to friends, family, teachers what happened.


One of my other favorite quotes:

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me….You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
—Walt Disney
 
I would agree with Capt. MJ (as usual). Enrolling in an AROTC program as a non-contract cadet (same as college programmer) gives him a second path to a commission while progressing towards a degree. If a reapplication to USMA doesn't work out, he still is on his way with a Plan B.

At least consider it by speaking to a ROO at a nearby college.
 
AROTC-Dad, if he goes that route, isn't it possible to apply for and be awarded and ROTC scholarship down the line?
 
Non-Contracted cadets compete for campus based scholarships. Like everything else in this world, nothing is really guaranteed. While I can tell you that most PMSs would like to offer all qualified cadets a scholarship (I have quite a few that are classmates) budget constraints can impact their decision. They never know how many they will have in a given year.

If your cadet shows up and performs well (grades, PT Test, participation in ROTC activities, demonstrated leadership potential) their is a good chance they will be awarded a scholarship.
 
Goat 965 said:
AROTC-Dad, if he goes that route, isn't it possible to apply for and be awarded and ROTC scholarship down the line?
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If the battalion has the budget, absolutely yes! (no guarantees as USMA 1994 says, but many cadets do succeed in earning a campus based scholarship).

My DS was TWE'd from USMA and USNA back in 2015. He was a "walk-on" ROTC cadet at his local college with no scholarship and ended up with a 3 year scholarship which was extended to 3.5 year by Spring of his freshman year. He bonded so well with his battalion, that he did not have any interest in reapplying to any of the SA's.

He commissions next Spring.
 
@AROTC-dad There is no application process for getting an in-school scholarship for AROTC, right? It's just those awarded by the battalion? Just trying to make sure I understand the process for AROTC since it seems so different from NROTC.
 
kinnem said:
@AROTC-dad There is no application process for getting an in-school scholarship for AROTC, right? It's just those awarded by the battalion? Just trying to make sure I understand the process for AROTC since it seems so different from NROTC.
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@kinnem - You are correct, there is no on-campus scholarship application form that I'm aware of. The ROO will identify non-contracted cadets who are the cream of the crop. He/she will ask the cadet to gather information such as SAT/ACT, GPA, and other information along with APFT scores and the cadre will make a decision in a committee.

During their MS-1 or MS 2 year they may be offered:
  • a DA 597-3 campus based scholarship contract or
  • during the MS 2 year, a DA 597-1 non-scholarship (stipend only) contract.
A scholarship contract or non-scholarship contract is required to progress to MS-3 (AROTC Advanced Course). Otherwise, you are out of the program.
 
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BiggestAUfan said:
Update-

So, we're still trying to put the pieces back together and my son doesn't see the forrest through the trees yet. The good news is that there is an opportunity for him to attend MMI and reapply after his first year.

I'm praying he takes that path and uses this opportunity to further strengthen his resolve and desire to be the leader in our military he's always dreamed of being.

Many thanks to all for your prayers (please keep them coming over the next 12 months!!!), advocate ex and guidance.
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I am so, so sorry for what happened. I am a FFR and this kind if situation makes my heart sink.
But - there looks like there is some light at the end of this dark tunnel. A chance to reapply.
One question - is West Point offering him an AOG scholarship to MMI?

(BTW - I am a big AU fan too!)
 
Lessons learned in this cautionary tale: while some are proud of the fact that their DS or DD "completed everything by themselves," it's never a bad idea to have a second set of eyes look over everything submitted. A local young man (who was a football recruit) filled out his dodmerb form checking everything he had ever had in his life (instead of current problems). There were simply too many issues to get waivered/rechecked in the time allowed.
 
mom3boys said:
Lessons learned in this cautionary tale: while some are proud of the fact that their DS or DD "completed everything by themselves," it's never a bad idea to have a second set of eyes look over everything submitted. A local young man (who was a football recruit) filled out his dodmerb form checking everything he had ever had in his life (instead of current problems). There were simply too many issues to get waivered/rechecked in the time allowed.
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Right on the money. DD filled out her form by herself, and while we encouraged that , in hindsight we should have double checked it, as she ended up getting DQ'ed and going through the waiver process. Luckily, with some perseverance, faith and probably a helping of luck, she worked her way through and ended up with an appointment. Probably a good lesson for her though, about sticking with it, and not giving up, but what little hair I have is gray due to it......
 
Just for reference, in section 14 (Selective Service) of the (SF)-86 worksheet, the question asks;
"were you born a male after December 31, 1959" ?

If you are filling out this paperwork for R-day or I-Day - you are most likely under 21 years of age - so your answer is going to be YES, and then you put in your Selective Service registration number.

If you wonder why they ask this, it's because the Selective Service was re-instituted in 1980 (as a response from President Carter to the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan), but registration was voluntary if you were born before 1960.

If you are 18 years of age, you should have already registered at: www.sss.gov
 
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BiggestAUfan said:
Hello. First I ask for your prayers at this difficult time.

My son received word Thursday that his appointment has been rescinded and he will not be joining his classmates with the class of '22 at R Day this July. He is, we are, devastated...

I am reaching out for any help, guidance or advice from any here who may have experienced this with their child.

Thank you in advance.
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At 18 I made a small mistake which created a criminal record for myself. When applying to USMMA that year I did not hide it and suffered the consequences of not even having my application acknowledged.

I was not dissuaded by that but applied the next year anyway and was accepted.

One never knows.
 
The reason I think your DS should accept the AOG offer of MMI as opposed to ROTC: it is a golden ticket. ROTC, which might prepare him academically, etc, is not. He has a far better chance of WP next year if that's his goal via the AOG offer. A year seems like a long time, but he will realize it is not. Most STEM majors take 4.-5 years in civvie colleges, so in the scheme of things, the extra year is "normal."
 
I don’t think we know if sponsored prep is being offered, or at least I didn’t see it as I did a quick skim over the thread.

If it is, I agree that’s the path to take.

If there is no prep offer on the table, and since his package had already earned an appointment, I lean toward AROTC as a way of showing unwavering commitment to becoming an Army officer, opening the door to an ROTC nom and other positive factors.
 
+1 Capt MJ

AOG was NOT mentioned by the OP, only that an "opportunity" at MMI existed. I took this to mean self prep.
 
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