I have a problem with the statement:
Really something they should express to cadets early on.
I am old school. It really should be up to the cadet to approach their staff early on. As a cadet you need to be in charge of your future. It even seems more unrealistic regarding that statement since for the past 2 years regarding SFT selection cadets were required to state their intention of going rated/non-rated. The board meets spring semester of their sophomore year. This would be conversation fall semester sophomore year.
Are you inferring that they should express it AS100? What about the 250?
I am not trying to antagonize or flame, just trying to understand when they should inform? Just trying to get when does the baton be passed from them to a cadet if you want to go rated.
I get it. Your unit may hold back until they have an SFT/EA slot. However, ADAF is not about plotting the next step (SFT), it is plotting the step after that, assuming you will get that 1st step. It is now as an AFROTC cadet plotting your POC year and your AFSC.
~ It creeps up on you faster than you know.
~~ Cadets that want rated will come back from SFT and immediately start the board selection again as an AS300.
For his POC years this is how it played out.
~ Feb. 300 rated board meets
~ Mar results released
~ Mar/April started his TS clearance
~ July Wright Pat for FC1,
~ Aug FC1 cleared
~ Aug/Sept TS cleared
~ Nov. AS400 year told which UPT base
~ Mar. EAD
~ April new EAD
~ May new EAD.
~ May Commissioned
Winged 23 months and 28 days after commissioning. IOWS 2 years. Reported to his 1st Op base 2 years and 9 months after commissioning.
I also say this to illustrate how many more hurdles you will take to go rated. UPT makes college look like 1st grade. You need to be all in. No fleeting.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for defending this great nation.