January 4, 2011 AROTC Board

Something to keep in mind going forward (and a defense for high cost private schools) many times a state school recipient will get more benefits from going non scholarship SMP than by going scholarship. One thing in the email I read today said that they plan to increase instate public, but the next line said they also wanted to increase tier 1 schools (whatever that means). So, I'm going to sit back and see how many offers start showing up in our system by the end of the week and try to figure it all out from there.

One other bit of good news that might help...our Brigade "found" some new funds, so we will be boarding he cadets in the program and sending up OMLs (order of merit lists) for additional 3 and 2 year scholarship. So, I think some funds will still be available in the future, but it will be up to cadets to be participating fully, and good Battalions being ready to get more than their share of what is available, by having a good handle on who to send up.

Hope that helps a little...I'm guessing we'll be ready to make some phone calls by Monday, but that's just a guess.
 
goaliedad said:
OK counselor, please reread my quote and note that I didn't call anyone crazy, but said the thinking was getting crazier. Perfectly sane people can have crazy thoughts. Stress can bring that out in people.
Click to expand...

I am sorry, goaliedad. I thought you were picking on me and jojo603 for suggesting an alternative procedure for next year. I wrongly jumped the gun with my post. Sorry.

But back to my post about flowing more money into the public coffers and away from the private schools, it was not based on stress. My DS has multiple, multiple plans in place. Yes, I wish this process would happen faster so he can make some decisions sooner, but stress is not affecting my thinking one bit.
 
Last edited:
We are set, have a process path drawn up in a flow diagram with all the options. DS's school, major and accommodation is set for next fall. The plan is still a commission when all is said and done but there are many paths that lead down that road. Actually the option that involves zero ROTC was the preferred path of his JROTC Colonel.
 
clarksonarmy said:
Something to keep in mind going forward (and a defense for high cost private schools) many times a state school recipient will get more benefits from going non scholarship SMP than by going scholarship. One thing in the email I read today said that they plan to increase instate public, but the next line said they also wanted to increase tier 1 schools (whatever that means). So, I'm going to sit back and see how many offers start showing up in our system by the end of the week and try to figure it all out from there.

One other bit of good news that might help...our Brigade "found" some new funds, so we will be boarding he cadets in the program and sending up OMLs (order of merit lists) for additional 3 and 2 year scholarship. So, I think some funds will still be available in the future, but it will be up to cadets to be participating fully, and good Battalions being ready to get more than their share of what is available, by having a good handle on who to send up.

Hope that helps a little...I'm guessing we'll be ready to make some phone calls by Monday, but that's just a guess.
Click to expand...

clarksonarmy, early in my post-Army career, I had an opportunity to learn a lot about the considerations that went into the closing of military installations across the United States (I was serving as the clerk/aide to a United States Circuit Judge who was dealing with a case filed by the local MOC, looking to save the local Navy installation in the NJ/PA/DE area).

Do you foresee a similar contraction happening in the next 4-5 years with respect to ROTC units? We have a $14 trillion deficit to deal with, and I would not be surprised to see tough choices down the road. Scholarships are one thing, but I expect it is even more expensive to keep all these units running.
 
FloridaDad said:
We are set, have a process path drawn up in a flow diagram with all the options. DS's school, major and accommodation is set for next fall. The plan is still a commission when all is said and done but there are many paths that lead down that road. Actually the option that involves zero ROTC was the preferred path of his JROTC Colonel.
Click to expand...

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
patentesq said:
Do you foresee a similar contraction happening in the next 4-5 years with respect to ROTC units? We have a $14 trillion deficit to deal with, and I would not be surprised to see tough choices down the road. Scholarships are one thing, but I expect it is even more expensive to keep all these units running.
Click to expand...

I would be amazed if the number of ROTC units wasn't reduced. Its not cost effective to have 10+ Army staff and admins, plus CC costs for ROTC units of minimal number of cadets. Just have more large units in State schools and have a scholarship pool for the private schools.
 
patentesq said:
I am sorry, goaliedad. I thought you were picking on me and jojo603 for suggesting an alternative procedure for next year. I wrongly jumped the gun with my post. Sorry.

But back to my post about flowing more money into the public coffers and away from the private schools was not based on stress. My DS has multiple, multiple plans in place. Yes, I wish this process would happen faster so he can make some decisions sooner, but stress is not affecting my thinking one bit.
Click to expand...

Quite all right, patentesq. I was speaking more as a whole for this thread. The more delays that get announced, the wilder the speculation as to what is causing it. I don't think anyone would be suggesting much of this stuff if the boards went as announced originally.

And yes there are some very sound ideas about how things could be improved (at least in our opinions :wink: ). Let's face it though, when you see how the AROTC scholarship process keeps changing over the past few years, I don't think any of us can be sure of what will be in store next year.

Looking back on what we went through last year, what was expected from the year before that was no where close to what actualy happened. Things have worked out very well for goaliegirl, but nothing like we would have envisioned it going in.

Those who are flexible and have an open mind (sounds like your DS qualifies here) should find something to be happy about in the end.
 
goaliedad said:
And yes there are some very sound ideas about how things could be improved (at least in our opinions :wink: ).
Click to expand...

I suspect strongly that CC is monitoring this thread.

goaliedad said:
Let's face it though, when you see how the AROTC scholarship process keeps changing over the past few years, I don't think any of us can be sure of what will be in store next year.

Looking back on what we went through last year, what was expected from the year before that was no where close to what actualy happened. Things have worked out very well for goaliegirl, but nothing like we would have envisioned it going in.

Those who are flexible and have an open mind (sounds like your DS qualifies here) should find something to be happy about in the end.
Click to expand...

Boy, are you RIGHT about changes!! My DS originally listed only ivy-league schools in his AROTC application (in addition to a co-pending USMA application). A month or so, I thought that this was a fatal mistake with the AROTC option. Now, with clarksonarmy's "tier 1" comment, I'm not so sure any more. We'll see how the coming week shakes out.
 
I do like the approach of mailing the offers and stopping ROO's communicating it out. Prepare the entire board results and let the postal guys pick them all up the same day.
 
Don't shoot the messenger. http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/145611-engine-defeat-alarms-gop

Also, anyone who has unfinished business that would involve communicating with DoD civilians (e.g., unfinished DoDMERB, changing school choices at CC, etc.), it might be advisable to wrap that up before next Friday, just in case there is a shutdown and the civilians are told to go home for an indefinite period and are no longer available.

I would expect that DoDMERB has a shutdown plan, though.
 
patentesq said:
clarksonarmy, should we keep this thread going? Or do we start a new "Let the games begin" thread? My vote would be that we keep this one going!!!
Click to expand...

We must keep the thread alive. Its all I have to live for.:yllol::shake::yllol:

Seriously, I am pleased to see goaliedad and aglages where here earlier- it means the world that you are out there with us too. I read your thread from last year and it gave me so much information and insight into how a thread like this can help so many other families go thru this mess. Now, granted, as I've stated, it wasn't supposed to last 2 months worth of posts, but in the end it will all be okay.

DS has calmed down and we've talk a lot about being open to all possibilities and even worse case, an out right denial of scholarship. He's gonna be okay no matter what.

Clarkson's posts have been a blessing, I hope the warning helps prepare for the differences we may see in the coming week or so as actual offers are made.
 
After scholarships are issued and this thread is put to rest finally. I'm thinking of starting an SAF addiction support group
 
FloridaDad said:
I do like the approach of mailing the offers and stopping ROO's communicating it out. Prepare the entire board results and let the postal guys pick them all up the same day.
Click to expand...

The USPS isn't perfect. Two years ago we almost lost out on our DD merit scholarship, paper got lost in the mail...good thing I'm OC about following up:smile: If you don't know to expect something in the mail however, you wouldn't know to follow up. Email is a little better, but also not without draw backs. What do you see as the problem with ROOs contacting their offers?
 
Ohio2015Parent said:
What do you see as the problem with ROOs contacting their offers?
Click to expand...

Because idiots all start pestering the hell out of every ROO in the country the minute someone posts they have found out on a forum. :wink:

Certified mail for all the scholarship offers would be cheaper than several hundred Army personnel spending a few days answeing phones.


BTW - I would probably be one of the idiots.
 
FloridaDad said:
Because idiots all start pestering the hell out of every ROO in the country the minute someone posts they have found out on a forum. :wink:

Certified mail for all the scholarship offers would be cheaper than several hundred Army personnel spending a few days answer phones.


BTW - I would probably be one of the idiots.
Click to expand...

Yes, ROOs at every university must HATE the SAF. Love the change of color for the last comment you made.:cool:

DS found out today that CC has twitter too, so they could tweet, post on facebook, mail and email now. Yep, its a digital age for sure.


OH, and to get the speculation and craziness level up to high alert(what color would that have been??) the new DoDMERB page is partially loading again, tried a minute ago after seeing a post on their forum from earlier today, Mullen even confirmed its getting closer.
 
FloridaDad said:
Because idiots all start pestering the hell out of every ROO in the country the minute someone posts they have found out on a forum. :wink:

Certified mail for all the scholarship offers would be cheaper than several hundred Army personnel spending a few days answeing phones.


BTW - I would probably be one of the idiots.
Click to expand...

I resemble that remark
 
SMC's?

Carkson, in your opinion, will the amount of scholarships allocated to SMC's change?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top