I am a current cadet at USAFA who has decided to leave. I put a lot of thought into my decision; I do not mean for this thread to be about my decision. What I would like advice on is this: I need to get home and continue my life, get a job, and apply to colleges again. I have been out-processing for over a month and a half now. Is there anything that I can do to expedite the process?
I have already filled out my Form 34 and it is currently at the top of the chain of command. I only need one more signature which is supposed to be from the Commandant of Cadets, but since she is doing a five week training thing at the moment, I have been informed that it will be signed by the Vice Commandant after he has talked to the Commandant. I have been waiting on this particular signature for over a week now.
I understand that these are very important and busy people and that there is probably nothing that I can do to encourage them to sign my form, but I also understand that I will receive a checklist after my form has been signed. After the checklist is completed, I will be free to go, but I have little idea of what is on this checklist. So if anybody has any experience with out-processing and knows that there is something I can do to prepare for the checklist, please tell me. I have already picked up a package from the desk of the mail room that said out-processing students would need it.
If this post accomplishes nothing else, I hope this post better informs new cadets about how long it will take to out-process. Leaving is not something that will get you out of the challenges you are imminently facing. You still are required to do your cadet duties (go to class, attend training sessions, etc.) until you receive the checklist after the Commandant of Cadets has signed off on your Form 34. When I was considering leaving I was told that it would probably take only a few days. When I started out-processing, I was told that it would take between a week and a month. A couple of days later I was told between two weeks and a month. Near the one month mark, the expectation was moved to between a month and two months. I was told to expect this last signature to come Tuesday of last week, then last weekend it was moved to early this week, it was neither. I have not been well informed about the process, so for a month and a half I have been expecting to be home by the weekend and at the end of every day I think that tomorrow I will get word that I can begin working on the final steps to leave. I do not hate it here, but I need to get on with my life.
So thanks for reading; if you have any advice for me I would love to hear it.
I have already filled out my Form 34 and it is currently at the top of the chain of command. I only need one more signature which is supposed to be from the Commandant of Cadets, but since she is doing a five week training thing at the moment, I have been informed that it will be signed by the Vice Commandant after he has talked to the Commandant. I have been waiting on this particular signature for over a week now.
I understand that these are very important and busy people and that there is probably nothing that I can do to encourage them to sign my form, but I also understand that I will receive a checklist after my form has been signed. After the checklist is completed, I will be free to go, but I have little idea of what is on this checklist. So if anybody has any experience with out-processing and knows that there is something I can do to prepare for the checklist, please tell me. I have already picked up a package from the desk of the mail room that said out-processing students would need it.
If this post accomplishes nothing else, I hope this post better informs new cadets about how long it will take to out-process. Leaving is not something that will get you out of the challenges you are imminently facing. You still are required to do your cadet duties (go to class, attend training sessions, etc.) until you receive the checklist after the Commandant of Cadets has signed off on your Form 34. When I was considering leaving I was told that it would probably take only a few days. When I started out-processing, I was told that it would take between a week and a month. A couple of days later I was told between two weeks and a month. Near the one month mark, the expectation was moved to between a month and two months. I was told to expect this last signature to come Tuesday of last week, then last weekend it was moved to early this week, it was neither. I have not been well informed about the process, so for a month and a half I have been expecting to be home by the weekend and at the end of every day I think that tomorrow I will get word that I can begin working on the final steps to leave. I do not hate it here, but I need to get on with my life.
So thanks for reading; if you have any advice for me I would love to hear it.
Call it "back handed" but that slot will go unfilled for the remaining four years.
