January 4, 2011 AROTC Board

[czs21]

FloridaDad, some might suggest that it's the inconsistent information that is most annoying!

I try to stay positive and keep reminding myself that delays are actually a very, very, very good thing. I suspect that many DS/DDs have listed multiple schools on their AROTC applications and haven't yet received admissions decisions from many, if not most, of those schools. If any of these DS/DDs receive the nod from CC in March, they won't have to go through the SWAG drill of selecting a school to which the scholarship is to be applied without knowing whether they've been admitted to that school. Am I the only one who views this as the silver lining?

!

As an applicant, I completely agree that this is a silver lining for many people. It will help many by allowing them to find which schools have actually accepted them when they receive the scholarship. Unfortunately, I have been accepted to my #1 since October 20th. This wait, has taught me very much about myself. And although I don't know whether I have or have not received a scholarship, I do know one thing: come fall semester, I will be doing AROTC at my school. And that fact blurs out the majority of anxiety.

 

[Pima]

I suspect the reason this thread has gained so many views is that folks want to make decisions. And they want to make them now!

I agree.

It is so hard for kids and their parents right now because many of the class of 15 are doing their new student tours, making plans to visit over spring break, etc., and they know where they will be in Aug., yet, because your child has decided to defend the country, they sit in some sort of penalty box waiting to get called back in. It kind of feels like you are getting boffed by the military.

Just see the silver lining, that in the end they will get it all...their school, the scholarship, and paid to live their dream (stipends, book allowances, etc) + a job waiting for them in 4 yrs.

How many of their friends on graduation day from HS will be able to say the same.

Isn't that worth the frustration of waiting?

Yes, some will not get a scholarship this yr, but there is always next yr from in college. Like I said, it is never over until you decide it is over.

 

[wth51]

Pima, You are a calming voice of reason. All of your posts are very thoughtful and we are lucky to have your insight. Thank you and God Bless.

 

[Pima]

No, I am not a calming voice...ask my kids

I just have walked those 10 miles (months) in your shoes, and by the end, I was at my wits end, screaming LET ME OFF THIS FREAKING RIDE.

I remember every day of looking up at the sky and waiting for the shoe to fall....or the walk to the mailbox with my stomach in knots thinking "is this the day our DS screams for joy, or the day I hold him and say it isn't over".

It is hard enough to go through the college selection process for any parent, harder still when it is tied to a 3rd party (scholarship), even harder understanding that your child is willing to sacrifice their life for this country and they are 17/18.

Strangers and family members don't get it. You spend your time, at least we did, explaining this is their dream, and as a parent I need to do everything I can to see it through for them...this is their life, their choice...we raised an intelligent child to fly on their own, and this is the way we want to fly.

That is why this site is so great. It is hard to explain to a friend or a family member why you would place your child in the military (danger) and not just take a loan. They don't get it. You are not placing them there, they are placing their self there. They have shown more maturity than the avg adult.

Wherever their road takes them, this my advice...tell them that people like me are so thankful for people like them. We are so thankful that they are/were willing to be stationed on the DMZ for Xmas as we carve our turkeys and hams.

Again, for some there will be happy news when the list is released. For some not so happy. For the not so happy it isn't over! Join AROTC, and try again.

Look at Colin Powell, he was not a WP grad, he was an admitted C student..."e received his Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the City College of New York in 1958 and was a self-admitted C average student". He just decided he was unwilling to take NO for an answer when it came to his life.

OBTW, I respect everyone who chooses what is best for them, off/on the ride, I get it. Life is a balancing act and eventually the balance will tilt.

For those that stay, it is important to get it isn't over...come Dec. when grades are out the next thing will be are they in jeopardy of losing the scholarship...than it is LDAC, than it is career paths. It doesn't end just with the scholarship.

 

[patentesq]

If you don't think this is a tough year in terms of military finances, take a look at what's going at USAFA (see posts #27 and #28): http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?p=165069#post165069

 

[FloridaDad]

FloridaDad, some might suggest that it's the inconsistent information that is most annoying!

You would need to have information for it to be inconsistent. The status site is practically useless with the interview message up for months. Who knows if they ever received all the deliverables or if the candidate was ever boarded?

 

[bjkuds]

If you don't think this is a tough year in terms of military finances, take a look at what's going at USAFA (see posts #27 and #28): http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?p=165069#post165069

Can't imagine...
..I really feel for the cadets and their parents...This waiting is tough but that would be horrible to be a kid with a 2.2 and wondering

 

[patentesq]

You would need to have information for it to be inconsistent. The status site is practically useless with the interview message up for months. Who knows if they ever received all the deliverables or if the candidate was ever boarded?

I actually meant the inconsistent messages that are flowing out of CC through the ROOs to the applicants and their parents. To date, we've heard -- through ROOs -- about delays attributable to weather, budgets, moving to Ft. Knox, computer problems, etc. I sure hope someone at CC is eye-balling this site and seeing that, next time, they need to get a consistent message out to the waiting room. You're right, silence is not the better approach when lengthy delays are at hand. No one, though, is to be faulted, because my personal belief is that CC is being whipsawed just like the rest of us. I truly believe that everyone up and down the chain has their heart in the right place and is simply trying to get information out; the problem is that the information is not coordinated.

 

[FloridaDad]

My DS college haven't had a single freshman cadet for this fall yet. They are expecting an allocation of 18. I think the delay will cause a short fall in freshman class for many colleges, and there will be more 3/3.5 year in schools offered.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

February 14th

If you don't think this is a tough year in terms of military finances, take a look at what's going at USAFA (see posts #27 and #28): http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?p=165069#post165069

Can't imagine...
..I really feel for the cadets and their parents...This waiting is tough but that would be horrible to be a kid with a 2.2 and wondering

I spoke with DS about this situation. We are both sympathetic to these families situation, but, were surprised that a 2.0 is a cut level. Most other scholarships we are aware of have 2.5-3.5 requirements to maintain.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

You would need to have information for it to be inconsistent. The status site is practically useless with the interview message up for months. Who knows if they ever received all the deliverables or if the candidate was ever boarded?

The lack of information is the most annoying thing. The AROTC status page doesn't even let you know if the application was board ready, or was reviewed by the board. We could be sat here waiting for results and our kids haven't even been reviewed yet.

On the plus side the delay has allowed time to explore other options.

I actually meant the inconsistent messages that are flowing out of CC through the ROOs to the applicants and their parents. To date, we've heard -- through ROOs -- about delays attributable to weather, budgets, moving to Ft. Knox, computer problems, etc. I sure hope someone at CC is eye-balling this site and seeing that, next time, they need to get a consistent message out to the waiting room. You're right, silence is not the better approach when lengthy delays are at hand. No one, though, is to be faulted, because my personal belief is that CC is being whipsawed just like the rest of us. I truly believe that everyone up and down the chain has their heart in the right place and is simply trying to get information out; the problem is that the information is not coordinated.

My DS college haven't had a single freshman cadet for this fall yet. They are expecting an allocation of 18. I think the delay will cause a short fall in freshman class for many colleges, and there will be more 3/3.5 year in schools offered.

The lack of information being issued directly from CC is my only problem. It seems the AF and Navy can get the message out to their applicants about board readiness and a quick "sorry you don't qualify this year" message out with no problem. I don't believe CC/Army does this to be unreasonable, I just don't feel they are using their resources to the best outcome. Any message relayed through word of mouth will be corrupted by the "telephone game" principle. No conspiracy, just simple opinion.

I do hope the new DodMERB system helps with some communication, although, DodMERB/DodMETs were 2 of the most informative, helpful computer systems I've ever dealt with so they really didn't need to improve.

 

[longbowife]

DoDMERB status change

My son's status changed on DoDMERB to "complete-hold". Does anyone know what the hold means? He went up on the Jan 4 board along with everyone else. He was sent the packet the second week in Jan and completed all his appointments. anyone?

 

[patentesq]

Pima made a very good point yesterday about how positive this thread has been toward all the great things that CC is doing for our DS/DDs. I was a bit tired yesterday when I raised the point about the transmission of inconsistent messages. I'm sorry about that post and apologize for it (I'm human). We have to just keep reminding ourselves that none of us would be checking this thread on a regular basis if it weren't for the generosity of CC. Scholarships are not an entitlement.

In the Army, Soldiers often complained about the chow. But there wasn't a single one who didn't really appreciate it.

 

[Pima]

It seems the AF and Navy can get the message out to their applicants about board readiness and a quick "sorry you don't qualify this year" message out with no problem.

Combine the AF and the Navy together, they are still 200K short reersonnel compared to the Army.

The larger the organization, the longer the lag time.

The Army has over 1 million personnel. That is huge.

Stinks for you, but I hope that you can get why the AF with less than 475K can get the answer out faster than an organization with 1.1. million. Also, the AF does not tie scholarships to a school like the Army. It is easier for them to clear through the applicants based on a smaller pool and no school constraints.

I hope that helps to understand the delay. I hope that this ends soon.

Best thoughts and wishes, Happy Valentine's Day.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

My son's status changed on DoDMERB to "complete-hold". Does anyone know what the hold means? He went up on the Jan 4 board along with everyone else. He was sent the packet the second week in Jan and completed all his appointments. anyone?

I hope someone else in this part of the process can confirm, but I wonder if the "hold" part of the message has to do with the DodMERB system(where you will be directed to follow your son's paperwork thru the rest of the process)being down right now. There are 2 parts/websites, DodMETs to get thru the appointments, then they forward the exam results to the DodMERB system for the evaluation of fitness to standards. Hope this helps.

 

[Ohio2015Parent]

Pima made a very good point yesterday about how positive this thread has been toward all the great things that CC is doing for our DS/DDs. I was a bit tired yesterday when I raised the point about the transmission of inconsistent messages. I'm sorry about that post and apologize for it (I'm human). We have to just keep reminding ourselves that none of us would be checking this thread on a regular basis if it weren't for the generosity of CC. Scholarships are not an entitlement.

In the Army, Soldiers often complained about the chow. But there wasn't a single one who didn't really appreciate it.

Combine the AF and the Navy together, they are still 200K short reersonnel compared to the Army.

The larger the organization, the longer the lag time.

The Army has over 1 million personnel. That is huge.

Stinks for you, but I hope that you can get why the AF with less than 475K can get the answer out faster than an organization with 1.1. million. Also, the AF does not tie scholarships to a school like the Army. It is easier for them to clear through the applicants based on a smaller pool and no school constraints.

I hope that helps to understand the delay. I hope that this ends soon.

Best thoughts and wishes, Happy Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours also.

Yes, I understand about the size of AF/Navy vs Army, and the concept of appreciating an opportunity, but I don't believe openly admitting the process of communicating with "the waiting room" needs work is an ungrateful or overly critical. Sorry to those I offended.

 

[patentesq]

Pentagon delivering defense budget to Congress today: http://thehill.com/news-by-subject/...at-post-911-military-spending-spree-has-ended
This is for FY 2012. Pentagon runs out of money for FY11 on March 4, 2011, unless a new CR is negotiated (which it will).

Ohio2015Parent, you haven't offended anyone! Even if you did, you've engendered too much goodwill for helping others, so I don't think anyone would think ill of you. Plus, you're an SAF Movie Star now that this thread hit the top five today!!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

 

[Goodwinm]

Dodmerb

I went up for the January 4th board and haven't heard anything yet. I know that cadet command is having delays but I see that some applicants have already gone through Dodmerb. If I haven't gotten anything in the mail about scheduling an exam, does that mean that I didnt get the scholarship for this board?

 

[bjkuds]

I went up for the January 4th board and haven't heard anything yet. I know that cadet command is having delays but I see that some applicants have already gone through Dodmerb. If I haven't gotten anything in the mail about scheduling an exam, does that mean that I didnt get the scholarship for this board?

My DS hasn't heard anything from DODMERB yet either. From what others have said, it's not an indicator of scholarship status. The "norm" up until this year has been scholarship offer first then medical exam to follow. I really am not sure as to why some are medically qualified first this year.

 

[FloridaDad]

I wouldn't read too much into people getting Dodmerb packets, some people got them before the October board and are still waiting for a scholarship. I was told it was something to do with academy applications but some people have said they received a packet but didn't apply to the MA.