January 4, 2011 AROTC Board

[Ohio2015Parent]

January 28th

Can't help but think that a lot of what we are seeing with the ROTC programs across the board (AROTC/NROTC/AFROTC) is due to the fact that the US Govt is operating on a Continuing Resolution (till at least March) and has not passed an FY 2011 budget in Congress. DOJ and other FED departments have announced hiring freezes and times are tight as far as FED govt spending is concerned. Maybe the military is a different beast, but they are still funded by tax dollars.

Good morning. Thank you hiker for sharing your insight. The budget mess in Washington could con't. past March, so without direction from CC - apparently even to their PMS/ROO staffs or more directly to the applicants via the website, we all still must have a plan of action.

DS will email his POC at CC sometime today or over the weekend. She has not responded to his last few emails(concerning other situtions)so do not expect much. Perhaps someone with a more attentive POC would also like to make contact to clarify/confirm this delay of results.

DS wants to follow the plans I posted earlier and pursue his 1st choice school without the AROTC scholarship. We will have more discussions about this over the coming weeks, so those teachable moments continue

This is the plan here in Ohio.

 

[Pima]

The military budget runs Oct 1 to Sept 30th. For the DoD they have been operating on the FY 11 budget since last Oct. It does not run Jan 1 to Dec. 31st.

The money that is alloted is there. What you are probably seeing is more in connection to the economy and the amount of applicants they are getting for these scholarships.

Boards, at least for the AFROTC program are conducted within a strict time frame. They have other jobs besides sitting on the scholarship board. When they say they are meeting X to Y date, that is how long they are meeting, they don't extend it to Z date.

The rule is like accounting FIFO; First In First Out. If it is a banner yr in applications it doesn't matter, they still can only review so many apps. If you submitted your paperwork in Nov., and they had 3K in front of you, but at this last board they only got to 2999, you will not meet the board.

Than of course you have some that are put in the maybe pile because they want to review the candidate again against a larger pool. AFROTC is known to send a letter stating at this time...

It is hard, but we are only in Jan. Most colleges give until March before the student must respond, you should know by that time whether or not you were awarded a scholarship.

I would suggest the applicant, not the parent contact the ROTC hq and ask if you met the board. They are the people who can give you a definitive answer.

 

[uniform 419]

I would suggest the applicant, not the parent contact the ROTC hq and ask if you met the board. They are the people who can give you a definitive answer.

Are you saying CC, at the Campus AROTC program, or elsewhere? For the Army, my point of contact at CC has been extremely tight-lipped, and the AROTC program staff have said that they aren't able to acess scholarship to much infromation aside from board ready/non-board ready.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

The military budget runs Oct 1 to Sept 30th. For the DoD they have been operating on the FY 11 budget since last Oct. It does not run Jan 1 to Dec. 31st.

The money that is alloted is there. What you are probably seeing is more in connection to the economy and the amount of applicants they are getting for these scholarships.

Most colleges give until March before the student must respond, you should know by that time whether or not you were awarded a scholarship.

I would suggest the applicant, not the parent contact the ROTC hq and ask if you met the board. They are the people who can give you a definitive answer.

Pima-thank you for sharing your information about the budget. At this point it is of little consequence WHY CC is not posting results. Most colleges require deposits and May 1 is the deadline for requesting refunds for most universities. The delay of results for an additional 4 or so weeks will backup their ability to offer the March boards results in a timely fashion - these families might be hit financially depending on the choices they make about deposits etc...but each applicant and their families must decide how to proceed.

Most of our current posters have been confirmed for this board-PMS seems to be the most reliable source for this information. Many of these files were boarded in October(ie have been before 2 of the 3 boards now). So few here doubt they were "seen". It is now up to the applicants how they proceed in light of the new timeline.

 

[Pima]

Clarkson is your go to person for AROTC. I will not even try to dip my toes in that pool.

My point was and is, FY 11 for the military actually occurred in 2010.

I understand the frustration, this has been a 6-9 month process; you just want to get off the ride and start enjoying the little time left you have.

Sometimes there is a clog in the system. I have been here for 3 yrs, and I have seen that occur, but on a whole by March that is clearing up and by April it is running smooth.

There is still time, and lots of it. Stinks to wait, but as a parent who has a child on scholarship, 4 months of waiting for an answer after the board is worth it compared to 4 yrs of paying tuition.

OBTW any long time poster that is a cadet or a parent of one will tell you at one time or another we beacched, screamed, vented during the scholarship process. Our DS is AFROTC, back in 08, it was @ 3 -4 months. He submitted his complete file in Nov, and got the letter the last week of January. Now, AFROTC has somehow amped up the turn around time. Great for these candidates now, sucked for us back then. Just saying, this yr for AROTC might be AFROTC 08.

Go out be with your kids, order in pizza and wings, play Mexican Dominoes, complain about the noise level of the tv or dirty laundry...these are things come Sept you will think about when they are gone, not this. And as sure as Bears go in the woods, 4 yrs from now when they raise their hand and take the oath, you will most likely not be thinking Feb 2. 2011 was the day they got that scholarship. You will be thinking about ordering in pizza, playing dominoes and wanting one more time to say pick up the wet towels off your bathroom floor.

I am just saying, I was there, and now our DS is weeks away from getting his career assignment, my regret and my reason to turn back time is that his sr yr was wrapped up in something he or us had no control over, I missed the much bigger picture. Don't be me and be Snoopy over the mailbox or searching for insight.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Clarkson is your go to person for AROTC. I will not even try to dip my toes in that pool.

My point was and is, FY 11 for the military actually occurred in 2010.

I understand the frustration, this has been a 6-9 month process; you just want to get off the ride and start enjoying the little time left you have.

Sometimes there is a clog in the system. I have been here for 3 yrs, and I have seen that occur, but on a whole by March that is clearing up and by April it is running smooth.

There is still time, and lots of it. Stinks to wait, but as a parent who has a child on scholarship, 4 months of waiting for an answer after the board is worth it compared to 4 yrs of paying tuition.

OBTW any long time poster that is a cadet or a parent of one will tell you at one time or another we beacched, screamed, vented during the scholarship process. Our DS is AFROTC, back in 08, it was @ 3 -4 months. He submitted his complete file in Nov, and got the letter the last week of January. Now, AFROTC has somehow amped up the turn around time. Great for these candidates now, sucked for us back then.

Thanks again for sharing your insight. If venting and screaming would change anything for any of the current AROTC applicants - I'd scream damn loud and long. Unfortunately, it won't. So, moving on to productive actions seems more appropriate.

 

[Pima]

I understand your position of moving on to productive actions, than with that in mind, it would probably be most effective if you contacted your Cong., and Sens to illustrate your frustration as a constituent and tax payer regarding this system.

Corrections can only occur in our society if we address it in the right channels. If enough people start demanding corrections using the correct channels, than it will occur. The thing is to do it in a proficient manner.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

I understand your position of moving on to productive actions, than with that in mind, it would probably be most effective if you contacted your Cong., and Sens to illustrate your frustration as a constituent and tax payer regarding this system.

Corrections can only occur in our society if we address it in the right channels. If enough people start demanding corrections using the correct channels, than it will occur. The thing is to do it in a proficient manner.

Perhaps later getting in touch with the powers that be might be helpful. Jousting with windmills is more than I can handle currently.

Just filed 2 FAFSAs and partially completed 2010 taxes (DH forgot to bring home his W2) so estimated numbers will have to do for now.

 

[paradoxer]

Life is Still Good

Top of this forum webpage flashes a hotel special: $81/night includes continental breakfast - use special code. Hotel is exact one we used last year to visit college/ROTC and planned to use again this year. So I click link, use code, price is right but no breakfast. Call hotel who says actually $83 and no breakfast included, never heard of the code. Go back to top of the webpage, offer there but not with breakfast or code and price now $83.

So I hallucinated a code that actually reduces price by $2?

Called hotel again today and will honor free breakfast at the $83 rate, so I guess hallucinations are not so bad ($32 savings). Actually I think the computer's cookies are producing deals just for me

Also, I still am able to watch DS play hockey for a few more weeks. Enjoying all I can knowing my days are numbered as he completes senior year. Where does the time go?

 

[jkcksoup]

My nickels worth

It seems that there are a few veteran scholarship families in this forum but I'm not clear if there are any active duty families here as well.
I ask because we are one. This, however, is our first time doing the ROTC drill for our kiddos.
My husband is active Army. He loves and is honored to be in his position. I thank God I'm just married to the military because I couldn't deal with all the bureaucracy. That being said, our family has learned over the years that the military is it's own. Just like family, there will always be days when it's challenging just to be in the same room with them.... but that emotion is temporary because your loyalty and love is stronger.
The Army has a saying; "hurry up and wait". When my DS started this process, this is what I expected. I didn't expect to find out anything until the announcement. But we have been fortunate to find out our wait will be longer than expected. We have been fortunate to have an advocate like L. Mullins. We are blessed to be able to participate in this journey... period.
SO, as I have mentioned before, I'm putting this in the hands of God (and Uncle Sam). I'm also doing what Ohio Mom has mentioned and using this as a teaching opportunity for my "cadet to be".
Stay strong (AND positive) everyone!
Hooah!

 

[57Redleg]

Adopt a Realistic Approach

I have been following this board all fall. Between some insight to CC and a son in the process this has been interesting to say the least. Given where the process is right now, and will probably head in the future, I would recommend all to take a reasonable look at your plans and options.

If anyone is waiting to submit deposits and pick schools based on these boards, you should start to moving forward. Pick a school from your student's application choices that they are excited about, that offers two or three majors that they are interested in, and you can afford as a family. Get the deposit in, start the enrollment process and prepare to send them off to college. This is the important part! If you have a school that you can only attend with scholarship then put the deposit in there too (it is a hedge, and it may cost you a lost deposit in the end, but that is what parents do). ROTC may give money or not, and ROTC may or may not be a good fit but the object is college first, and service if that is what they truly desire.

If your student is committed to ROTC and military service then there are a couple of really good options to work parallel to the board.

1) enroll at your school, show up, register for Military Science and attend classes with no scholarship. If money is available later, your student shows aptitude, maturity and achieves good academic performance they will be rewarded. If not, there is no requirement to have a scholarship to enroll in ROTC and commission - you and your student have to decide if that is the ultimate goal.

2) Go see a ARNG or USAR recruiter, enlist, attend basic over the summer, use the Reserve ed benefits and attend the same school selected above. Enroll in ROTC and then contract as a SMP cadet at the beginning of soph. year. Given that most states have very generous education benefits for their ARNG students; this is often more $$ lucrative than a 4-yr scholarship if the first year or two can be managed.

So many of you are really fixated on this process. Let it go. It might or might not work, but you should be proud of your students' inspiration to serve and their patriotism. Get them (and yourselves) committed to a school and then work the rest of the ROTC piece.

And, though I will draw great ire or this, if you don't do this you are not doing what you need to as a parent to help them manage their expectations.

 

[patentesq]

Excellent post, 57Redleg. I have been continuously reminding my DS to generate as many opportunitities as possible and to pursue each one as if it were his number one opportunity. In this process, doors have already closed for him (like not receiving a nom for USNA or USAFA), but he understands that there is a LOT of "dust and noise" in this process. Somewhere along the line, someone will open a door and invite him in. If multiple doors open, that's even better.

As for the deposit, I think everyone should do that -- even though colleges HATE that. If someone is planning for School#1 with AROTC scholarship and don't pay the deposit at the AFFORDABLE School#2, and they happen to break their wrist over the summer and thus get DQ'd medically, then the only option at that point is community college (which isn't the end of the world). I, for one, do not feel one ounce of guilt in purchasing what essentially amounts to a $200 insurance policy, because schools don't usually don't reciprocate (not when there are 1000 applicants standing in line to take DS's spot).

I'm just tickled to death that my DS wants to serve our country -- I don't care if that service is in the Marine Corps or in the Peace Corps.

 

[paradoxer]

It depends

As for the deposit, I think everyone should do that -- even though colleges HATE that.

Exception to every rule; we deposited spring 2010 for first choice school to secure a better financial aid package, just the paradigm that school operates under. So I don't know that schools HATE money and early depositers, as even the selective schools over admit as they know some will not show.

 

[pieterm]

Hey guys! I just emailed my POC at CC in regards to the moratorium, awaiting a response. I spoke with her on the phone but... believe it or not... it slipped my mind. But, I recieved a letter in the mail today from CC ! But not the BFE we are all hoping for It was dated January 24 and was asking my to pick two more colleges in addition to my number 1 choice. The letter reads, and I quote, "We must have the following items, documents, and/or scores in order to forward a complete application to the scholarship selection board." It has given me 15 days to correct this before my application was TERMINATED!! But all it took was a quick email and now everything is straight. I don't know the significance in them sending me a letter the 24th (the day before the supposed board would meet) saying "We have reviewed your application etc..." Does this mean that they are starting the process of review, or because I was alotted 15 days to correct my error that the board will be held in February like someone speculated? It sucks... Im the only one to hear from CC and its bad news hahahahahaha

 

[patentesq]

So I don't know that schools HATE money and early depositers, as even the selective schools over admit as they know some will not show.

What the schools hate is a student who pays the deposit, and after they have made plans for room/board for that student, they receive a call from the student's parents indicating that plans have changed. This may be dirty pool and perhaps I'm thinking about contingencies too much (but that's what I do every day at work).

Does this mean that they are starting the process of review, or because I was alotted 15 days to correct my error that the board will be held in February like someone speculated?

Sounds to me like your packet wasn't submitted in time for consideration by the Jan. 4 AROTC board.

 

[patentesq]

I have just learned from a very reliable source that the AROTC Board results have been delayed due to inclement weather in Kentucky. No expected date has been set for notification, but was advised to check the site next week.

In short, I don't think the results will be delayed until the end of February.

 

[Government]

Just got an email back from the ROO at UK. He said "I would expect you to know something by end of next week. I have been told the board is completed…and that Cadet Command is finalizing offers."

...

 

[leapyear]

My son got the same letter today as pieterm. He had previously received two emails stating that his package was complete and would be considered by the March board (he did not apply early enough for the previous boards.) He only listed two schools on his application, because they were schools he had already been admitted to, and are really the only two he wants to attend. I think the application said you could choose between 1 and 7 schools, so we thought everything was good to go. Today he got the letter saying his package was incomplete because he didn't choose a 3rd school, and giving him 15 days to do so. Don't know if this is a glitch or what...not really sure how to even add a 3rd school at this point, but he does have an email in to Ms Butler! If they insist, I guess we can always add Princeton

 

[patentesq]

If they insist, I guess we can always add Princeton

Now THAT's dirty pool!

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Hey guys! I just emailed my POC at CC in regards to the moratorium, awaiting a response. I spoke with her on the phone but... believe it or not... it slipped my mind. But, I recieved a letter in the mail today from CC ! But not the BFE we are all hoping for It was dated January 24 and was asking my to pick two more colleges in addition to my number 1 choice. The letter reads, and I quote, "We must have the following items, documents, and/or scores in order to forward a complete application to the scholarship selection board." It has given me 15 days to correct this before my application was TERMINATED!! But all it took was a quick email and now everything is straight. I don't know the significance in them sending me a letter the 24th (the day before the supposed board would meet) saying "We have reviewed your application etc..." Does this mean that they are starting the process of review, or because I was alotted 15 days to correct my error that the board will be held in February like someone speculated? It sucks... Im the only one to hear from CC and its bad news hahahahahaha

Unfortunately, Pieterm, I agree with Patentesq, it sounds like your applications wasn't considered "complete" for the January board (which sat 4-7 of January). You will be boarded now since you have completed their request and the next board is currently scheduled for Mar. 1-5 - results sometime before graduation. Continue to email with you POC to confirm this, if no other reason, your own peace of mind.

Redleg-thank you for putting into words what I wasn't able to voice earlier. The goal is college, commission and service. My DS is not thrilled with the turn of events, but he is still committed to the goal, however he gets there.

Everyone have a good night - its my 22nd wedding anniversary today and me and DH have plans for a date night