OTS after ROTC voluntary disenrollment?

bw2179

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May 1, 2019
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So, I voluntarily disenrolled from AFROTC as a contracted cadet. I was pretty excited when I received the scholarship and accepted it for my sophomore year but after being in a rut for a semester and still feeling like I wanted to explore more options for my future, I requested to be disenrolled from the program. I didn't do anything bad, my grades were and still are in the upper 3.9's, and my PT scores were consistently around 98. My disenrollment form says "should not be considered [for future officer training] without weighing the needs of the service against the reasons for disenrollment." I know things can change from year to year depending on the needs of the Air Force, but does anyone have any knowledge or experience regarding going to OTS after disenrollment from ROTC as a contracted cadet? Thank you for your time.
 
That 3 on your DD785 will cause some serious problems in getting your waiver through for OTS (yes, you will need a waiver). OTS is currently completely saturated for the next FY, and you will be bumped by pretty much everyone with that disenrollment rating.

I'd suggest either enlisting ADAF for 4-8 years(to build a case for your future waiver), or looking at sister service OCS. A commission is a commission, and transferring branches back to the USAF around the O-3 rank will be easier and faster than trying to get waivered into OTS on with a 3 on your DD785.

That rating seems very unusual for voluntary self-disenrollment under the circumstances you described. I'm also curious why you were even given a rating after only a semester-- usually anything less than a year would be "insufficient time to rate".

For anyone else that stumbles on this thread (or the other recent thread similar to this one) you should not get 3's on your DD 785. It will make things much harder to pursue a commission in the AF (or possibly even enlistment). Work with your command to bump you up to a "2" with comments, or something similar.
 
Okay thanks. Yeah I'll have to look into that, I had no idea a 3 would make things difficult in the future, and now I am also wondering why I was given such a rating. Thanks for your help
 
Okay thanks. Yeah I'll have to look into that, I had no idea a 3 would make things difficult in the future, and now I am also wondering why I was given such a rating. Thanks for your help
Appeal it.
 
I might. Also, I realized I didn't clarify, I was in ROTC for one semester before I got the scholarship, then during that second semester on scholarship I started the disenrollment process which was completely processed 5-6 months after. Does that change anything? Thanks again
 
I might. Also, I realized I didn't clarify, I was in ROTC for one semester before I got the scholarship, then during that second semester on scholarship I started the disenrollment process which was completely processed 5-6 months after. Does that change anything? Thanks again

No, it doesn't change anything. I'm surprised they hit you that hard after just two semesters in the program.

There may be more to your disenrollment backstory than either (a) you are aware, or (b) you are comfortable sharing online. Either explanation is fine, and I do not encourage you to share any more specifics in a public forum-- just be aware of them.

My advice remains unchanged-- appeal the rating. If that fails, then look at either a sister service commission or enlisting in ADAF. With your grades and PT scores, you should be eligible for nearly any other branch.

Keep in mind that the "DD" in DD785 means "Department of Defense"-- meaning that is a DoD-wide form, not just something AF-specific. Other branches will be obligated to balance your commissioning opportunity against the risk that you might waffle out again. OTS/OCS is shorter than ROTC, but much harder than the ROTC field training and 2-year POC route. If you couldn't hack it in ROTC, then you will be less likely to make it through OTS/OCS.

In light of the above, you will likely need to show a change of character and commitment versus when you self-eliminated. Unfortunately, there is no way to do this without involving the passage of time. That is where enlistment can come in handy.

6 years is enough time to:
  • enlist,
  • get fully trained,
  • PCS at least one time,
  • make E-5,
  • figure out what you actually want to do as an officer,
  • figure out which branch you actually want to be in,
  • supervise some troops, and
  • deploy a few times.

If you come out of that in solid shape with a few ribbons and medals, then your OTS waiver will not be an issue. Again, understand that a waiver will be required for a second USAF/ANG/USAFR commissioning attempt-- unless your previous attempt failed for an allowable reason (which are few and rare, and mostly medical/family emergency).

Other branches may be more permissive and not require a waiver for multiple commissioning attempts, but that DD785 rating will still come into play.
 
Ok, thank you so much for this detailed information, it is very helpful.
 
Ok, thank you so much for this detailed information, it is very helpful.
You're welcome. If you really want a second crack at it, then I hope you are given a second chance. Good luck, kid.
 
For others reading this thread, this is an object lesson on being very careful about "bailing out" of a commissioning program, when you aren't quite sure of yourself.

Clearly, the decision can have far reaching effects!
 
Okay thanks. Yeah I'll have to look into that, I had no idea a 3 would make things difficult in the future, and now I am also wondering why I was given such a rating. Thanks for your help
Appeal it.
Hi, I am looking into appealing the decision, and I'm supposed to have "new evidence" to help my case. Since it was a voluntary thing, do you have any advice for appealing the decision and what kind of evidence would be considered? Thanks
 
Hi, I am looking into appealing the decision, and I'm supposed to have "new evidence" to help my case. Since it was a voluntary thing, do you have any advice for appealing the decision and what kind of evidence would be considered? Thanks
Begin by meeting with your former cadre and asking why you were given such a low rating. If that is their standard COA for self-eliminating cadets (regardless of actual quality of tenure), then find out why.

If the evidence they give you is contradictory to your recollection, then start there in your appeal. You also need to make the case for why you should actually be let back in.
 
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