Will "not being considered for an appoint" be held against me for applying the following year?

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warden

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Hello, I am currently a senior in high school and began an application to USAFA. During my initial application I was also trying out for drum and bugle corps around my area to tour in the 2023 summer, and my plan was that if I got accepted into the drum and bugle corps, I would march there over the summer, withdraw my USAFA application (since drum and bugle corps would conflict with basic training), and then apply again the following year. I made an error on my part though, and did not fully withdraw my USAFA application, which resulted in me getting a letter that said I was not considered for an appointment because of "incomplete application items". I fully understand this and I realize it is my fault for not withdrawing my application properly (I contacted my ALO, emailed team silver, but I never withdrew it on the site). If I begin applying for class of 2028 when available and I am on top of my application deadlines and such, will this incident be held against me in the application process? Or will it be brought up, and if so, can I explain myself and apologize for not withdrawing properly?

Thank you for reading.
 
I don’t think it will matter. If you win your slate, you win your slate.

I would be prepared to answer (and maybe address in an essay) why drum and bugle was more important a priority than a service academy more so than why you didn’t withdraw your application properly.

What stopped you from applying for both properly, and making the decision which one you chose if you got both?

Did you tour drum and bugle in summer? Does USAFA have drum and bugle? Are you good enough to perform on it if they do?
 
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You would give up a Service Academy appointment to do drum and bugle? That makes zero sense to me. What is D&B gonna do for your future? Why would you not attack the USAFA application fully and accept appointment and then tryout for their D&B team? They practice everyday and travel a ton with the football team etc. It won’t affect your application next year, there are thousands that start an application then don’t follow through.
 
I don't like to get in the middle of this sort of question but if a candidate came before the congressional panels that I've sat on, a number of other panelists besides me would definitely have serious questions about the candidate's motivation to serve as they were putting D&B in front of serving in the Air Force.
Now to counter that question, the candidate could show a Community College or University record sowing how they improved themself or other worthwhile endeavor during the "gap year" but again, I think there would be questions about the candidate's motivation.
 
OldRetSWO said:
I don't like to get in the middle of this sort of question but if a candidate came before the congressional panels that I've sat on, a number of other panelists besides me would definitely have serious questions about the candidate's motivation to serve as they were putting D&B in front of serving in the Air Force.
Now to counter that question, the candidate could show a Community College or University record sowing how they improved themself or other worthwhile endeavor during the "gap year" but again, I think there would be questions about the candidate's motivation.
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To be more specific, the D&B that I am marching with this summer is a world-class drum corps that competes with Drum Corps International (DCI), where we will be touring across the entire east coast. The level and amount of work that they put into their craft is extraordinairy, and I feel as if this experience will help me to become a stronger candidate for USAFA and a better person overall. Also, DCI only allows members to march from ages 16-21, so if I did go to the academy, I would miss out on this opportunity that DCI has to offer. I had a friend who is currently at the academy who marched in DCI, and they said it greatly enhanced their application. However, they marched the summer before they applied, so they were not in the same situation as me. Do you think if I explained this in my personal letter, it would help combat that questionable motivation? I am extremely motivated to serve in the Air Force as well as the military in general, but I want to make sure that I do not come across as unmotivated.
 
Do you have opportunities for great leadership in your program (that it sounds like you made it into)?

I think you could frame your application to put forth the growth, leadership and personal experience you had with your summer. You will still have to take year of college, knocking it out of the park, including solid stem courses. With your plan, I would expect to see you joining an AFROTC program (I would also expect to see an application for the scholarship program, as it wouldn’t conflict with summer D&B travels), if serving is your desire.

And yes, you will have to address not closing out your application. That lack of attention to detail.

That’s what I personally would be looking for, from you, as a candidate next year, if I were interviewing you.
 
warden said:
Hello, I am currently a senior in high school and began an application to USAFA. During my initial application I was also trying out for drum and bugle corps around my area to tour in the 2023 summer, and my plan was that if I got accepted into the drum and bugle corps, I would march there over the summer, withdraw my USAFA application (since drum and bugle corps would conflict with basic training), and then apply again the following year. I made an error on my part though, and did not fully withdraw my USAFA application, which resulted in me getting a letter that said I was not considered for an appointment because of "incomplete application items". I fully understand this and I realize it is my fault for not withdrawing my application properly (I contacted my ALO, emailed team silver, but I never withdrew it on the site). If I begin applying for class of 2028 when available and I am on top of my application deadlines and such, will this incident be held against me in the application process? Or will it be brought up, and if so, can I explain myself and apologize for not withdrawing properly?

Thank you for reading.
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What are you doing next year? I imagine telling an admissions officer you value touring with a marching band for a few weeks more than an appointment to the Academy would leave them less than impressed. The good news is the game isn't over but you need to take a hard look at your priorities and make sure that next year you are doing incredible things.
 
DCI is more than a marching band. Way more involved and a huge time commitment. I agree with justdoit19. You know that DCI won't last all year and that you'll have (hopefully) go to college. Do well in difficult college courses and reapply. You won't know until you try. Good luck with DCI. What Corps are you trying for?
 
tchr5thgrd said:
DCI is more than a marching band. Way more involved and a huge time commitment. I agree with justdoit19. You know that DCI won't last all year and that you'll have (hopefully) go to college. Do well in difficult college courses and reapply. You won't know until you try. Good luck with DCI. What Corps are you trying for?
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Currently a contracted member of the Boston Crusaders.
 
The academy likes to see people who are special. I was surprised when I got to my Academy at how unimpressive a lot of people were. And that’s because I expected everyone to kinda be in the same boat as me, stellar ACT, class rank and sports; but there were people who had none of these or just one. What I didn’t realize is that the people who didn’t seem like classic Academy rock stars had something else special about them: a thousand hours of community service with special needs kids, wilderness firefighting, robotics national champions, chess whiz’s, and of course musical prodigies. The Academies like excellence in many categories. If you are excellent at music and have the success to show it and do decent in your other categories there is no reason that should hurt you. The maturity you gain doing such a high level program then doing a year of college will set you up to excel at the academy; don’t listen to the haters who don’t value the arts. It’s not that you are putting music as more important than AF just because you are delaying a year. The Academy wont have their feelings hurt because you are pursuing excellence in another category. Congrats on making the thing and good luck applying next year.
 
I can only speak for myself - I am not a “hater” of the arts. My niece - my son’s age - is as talented as most at the academies. She was as dedicated, if not more, in ballet than d1 athletes. I expect to see her on broadway.

My answer would have been the same for a person who applied to an academy and didn’t properly withdraw for an opportunity in sports for instance. From the initial post, I couldn’t tell if OP decided to withdraw because of acceptance into D and B or possible acceptance into D and B.
 
People are being awfully tough on OP without knowing much about what he pursued in lieu of his USAFA app. DCI is a very big deal, and it’s no picnic. It takes serious talent, musicianship, dedication and physical fitness. In fact, many DCI marchers would run circles around plebe-summer attendees — while playing music at a high level. Frankly, it’s a musical version of varsity sports, but on steroids.

OP, if you can craft a convincing story of how DCI made you a significantly better leader — and hence a better cadet and eventually a better officer — then more power to you! The SAs aren’t looking for “candidate purity” in which only those willing to come straight from high school need apply. They’re looking for people who can be part of a rigorous mission, deliver on their commitment, and perform at a high level individually and collectively.

That’s DCI in a nutshell, so make your case! Tell them about the daily, 10-hour practices in searing heat and humidity; the spartan travel and lodging; the enormous pressure to be precise and exacting; the unparalleled teamwork; the fact that your pulse doesn’t get below 150 for the entire 12-minute show; and how you do this non-stop for weeks. And best wishes to you.
 
A1Janitor said:
I can only speak for myself - I am not a “hater” of the arts. My niece - my son’s age - is as talented as most at the academies. She was as dedicated, if not more, in ballet than d1 athletes. I expect to see her on broadway.

My answer would have been the same for a person who applied to an academy and didn’t properly withdraw for an opportunity in sports for instance. From the initial post, I couldn’t tell if OP decided to withdraw because of acceptance into D and B or possible acceptance into D and B.
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It was possible acceptance. I talked to my ALO, and I realized that pursuing both academy application(s) and DCI was not a good plan for me specifically. Marching in DCI has been a dream of mine for years, and so has been attending USAFA. If I pursued both an academy application and drum corps audition at the same time, I would have to choose one over the other. I would of course take the appointment over drum corps, but then I would miss out on a fantastic experience with DCI that would help me become a better person (and future cadet). So, I decided to "withdraw" my academy application in order to march drum corps so I could get this important life experience, and use it to improve a later application to the academy.

My real question with this post was about my lack of attention to detail in not fully withdrawing my application, and if that would hurt my future application. I appreciate all the replies related to drum corps, and I think the different opinions from everyone will help me make better decisions for my application to the class of 2028. But this thread was not meant for that, it was just a question about the withdrawal.
 
warden said:
It was possible acceptance. I talked to my ALO, and I realized that pursuing both academy application(s) and DCI was not a good plan for me specifically. Marching in DCI has been a dream of mine for years, and so has been attending USAFA. If I pursued both an academy application and drum corps audition at the same time, I would have to choose one over the other. I would of course take the appointment over drum corps, but then I would miss out on a fantastic experience with DCI that would help me become a better person (and future cadet). So, I decided to "withdraw" my academy application in order to march drum corps so I could get this important life experience, and use it to improve a later application to the academy.

My real question with this post was about my lack of attention to detail in not fully withdrawing my application, and if that would hurt my future application. I appreciate all the replies related to drum corps, and I think the different opinions from everyone will help me make better decisions for my application to the class of 2028. But this thread was not meant for that, it was just a question about the withdrawal.
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Congrats on the acceptance to D & B.

And best of luck on future USAFA appointment.
 
I had no idea of the existence of DCI. I just watched a video of the Boston Crusaders. WOW. Good luck with them and re-apply.
 
Get on with your application this year. The only fly in the ointment is that you may have to wait until after July 1st to apply for the class on 2028. Since they often change policies year to year, you may be able to apply in March, but in years past if the computer had you as an applicant for a given year, it would not allow a second application until the original class applied for had entered and the database was purged. If you apply in March and you are rejected, submit it again after July 1st. Best of luck. You'll be a year older and wiser with new credentials that will enhanced your chances.
 
My suggestion is reapply and explain yourself. It sounds like you have an interesting perspective to provide. This is not a binary evaluation, so tell your story and be you. It sounds to me like you'll definitely be in the mix.
 
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