Will the government shutdown affect nominations?

GoSox said:
@Lillian, a few thoughts. Telling someone "you have a terrible attitude" is, in fact, generally regarded as insulting (if on the low end of the insult spectrum). Scoutpliot, a combat vet who has done multiple tours, talks like a combat vet -- he doesn't sugarcoat things. That's standard for the military. I don't think you're a heartless or selfish person, but when you ask about how the shutdown affects your application, that's an inference some will make. And when you qualify any question in a military setting with "this may be a stupid question" I can guarantee you that someone will suggest, none too gently, that you are correct in that assessment.

It's the internet -- so you can "call out" whomever you please -- but you could also take a deep breath and think about why someone might have reacted negatively to your question, and maybe make your explanatory post about your good motives, etc., without lashing out. Not because you don't have the right to do it, but because if you are serious about a career in the military you will need to swallow a lot of criticism, not all of it accurate or fair.

Good luck to you in your efforts to attend USAFA.
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+1 Great Post! I might keep this in my back pocket on my first tour just in case I ever feel the need to bite my tongue. This will force me to reflect.

Honestly though Lillian, I'm not trying to be rude at all but I would hazard a guess that Congress is going to be extremely busy trying to handle both the government shutdown and the debt ceiling debate which will start in 2 weeks on October 17th. I would assume (you know what they say about assumptions :wink: ) that this would slow the nomination process down a bit, especially if federal civilian employees working in these offices such as secretaries, interns, or assistants are told not to come to work.

I don't believe that you are a selfish person but I would recommend that the next time you post, you give a bit of background to your question and flesh out your worry or opinion rather than using "..." or "idk." I know its an internet forum but using text messaging language or a lack of complete sentences/grammar may affect how people respond to your question.
 
goflya said:
According to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, furlough decisions are dictated solely by the law, which only permit commands to direct civilians to work if they are required to continue supporting military operations or if they are required to protect DOD personnel and property."
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Sec def is still a politician. There are six or seven catagories for excepting DoD employees from furlough. I bet my furlough pay check that there are plenty of DoD employees that should have been furloughed but didn't get furloughed.
 
GoSox said:
@Lillian, a few thoughts. Telling someone "you have a terrible attitude" is, in fact, generally regarded as insulting (if on the low end of the insult spectrum). Scoutpliot, a combat vet who has done multiple tours, talks like a combat vet -- he doesn't sugarcoat things. That's standard for the military. I don't think you're a heartless or selfish person, but when you ask about how the shutdown affects your application, that's an inference some will make. And when you qualify any question in a military setting with "this may be a stupid question" I can guarantee you that someone will suggest, none too gently, that you are correct in that assessment.

It's the internet -- so you can "call out" whomever you please -- but you could also take a deep breath and think about why someone might have reacted negatively to your question, and maybe make your explanatory post about your good motives, etc., without lashing out. Not because you don't have the right to do it, but because if you are serious about a career in the military you will need to swallow a lot of criticism, not all of it accurate or fair.

Good luck to you in your efforts to attend USAFA.
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Could not have said it better myself. Better get a thicker skin , good luck
 
kinnem said:
Sorry, but that doesn't make a lot of sense to me. What you say about the impact to the admissions staff is true enough, but that has nothing to do with nominations made by members of Congress. That was what Lillian asked. Nominations will continue, although the process may be a little bit slower. Deadlines will remain the same I am sure.
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You're right. I stand corrected. I was thinking about the process in general. I have no idea if congressional staff, at least that's who I dealt with, are impacted by the shut down.
 
Jcleppe said:
Has there been any talk as to whether this shut down will follow suit with the last Gov. shut down. Gov. employees were paid retroactively for the days they were off work. It's the ripple effect that flows down to the non Gov. employees that will have the largest impact on the short term economy if this thing drags on for long.
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Retroactive pay, if happens, won't help with payments that are due now. Furloughed employees should get their regular pay check this coming pay cycle, but the next pay check will be zero. My agency furloughed pretty much everyone so no one to process last week of FY 13 plus first week of FY 14. Some folks live pay check to pay check.
 
GoSox said:
@Lillian, a few thoughts. Telling someone "you have a terrible attitude" is, in fact, generally regarded as insulting (if on the low end of the insult spectrum). Scoutpliot, a combat vet who has done multiple tours, talks like a combat vet -- he doesn't sugarcoat things. That's standard for the military. I don't think you're a heartless or selfish person, but when you ask about how the shutdown affects your application, that's an inference some will make. And when you qualify any question in a military setting with "this may be a stupid question" I can guarantee you that someone will suggest, none too gently, that you are correct in that assessment.

It's the internet -- so you can "call out" whomever you please -- but you could also take a deep breath and think about why someone might have reacted negatively to your question, and maybe make your explanatory post about your good motives, etc., without lashing out. Not because you don't have the right to do it, but because if you are serious about a career in the military you will need to swallow a lot of criticism, not all of it accurate or fair.

Good luck to you in your efforts to attend USAFA.
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Lillian gets a lecture and Scoutpilot gets a pass!

Lillian, contact your congressman and both senators offices. Contact your BGO/ALO. If you have the information contact the local parents group. There is a wealth of information out there. Great question and I am sure many in the admission pipeline have the same concerns.
 
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MemberLG said:
Retroactive pay, if happens, won't help with payments that are due now. Furloughed employees should get their regular pay check this coming pay cycle, but the next pay check will be zero. My agency furloughed pretty much everyone so no one to process last week of FY 13 plus first week of FY 14. Some folks live pay check to pay check.
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Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with you on this one. Whether these employees receive retro pay doesn't help much when the bills are due now. Those that have rent to pay, heating and water bills, will be scrambling with not much sympathy from those asking for their money. This shut down, if it lasts more then 2 weeks will have a huge negative effect on these employees even if they do receive retro pay. Those companies and employees that do not work for the government but benefit from these workers will see the effects during this time as well, as an added burdened they will not see any retro pay.

There are no winners in this, except the Congress that continues to be paid.
 
Jcleppe said:
Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with you on this one. Whether these employees receive retro pay doesn't help much when the bills are due now. Those that have rent to pay, heating and water bills, will be scrambling with not much sympathy from those asking for their money. This shut down, if it lasts more then 2 weeks will have a huge negative effect on these employees even if they do receive retro pay. Those companies and employees that do not work for the government but benefit from these workers will see the effects during this time as well, as an added burdened they will not see any retro pay.

There are no winners in this, except the Congress that continues to be paid.
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Many banks and credit unions are offering zero interest loan for furloughed gov't workers.
 
Oh, the predictable outrage.

It's a big world, kids (some of whom are parents). Servant leadership means putting yourself last by choice. It's a mentality you can never learn too early. You eat chow last. You pick the worst spot for your bedroll. You pull the longest hours. The first shall be last is a real thing, in the Army anyway. In the USMC too. Perhaps it's not part of AF culture, but I'm willing to bet it is.

Instead of worry about whose feelings might be hurt on the internet, think about people hurting for real as a result of this mess. Only Lillian knows if her first thought was of herself. If it was, this is a good chance to recage the attitude indicator.
 
scoutpilot said:
Oh, the predictable outrage.

It's a big world, kids (some of whom are parents). Servant leadership means putting yourself last by choice. It's a mentality you can never learn too early. You eat chow last. You pick the worst spot for your bedroll. You pull the longest hours. The first shall be last is a real thing, in the Army anyway. In the USMC too. Perhaps it's not part of AF culture, but I'm willing to bet it is.

Instead of worry about whose feelings might be hurt on the internet, think about people hurting for real as a result of this mess. Only Lillian knows if her first thought was of herself. If it was, this is a good chance to recage the attitude indicator.
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I am sure Lillian is not alone in her concern about how the budget fiasco will effect the nomination process. This is an opportunity to assist applicants during this once in a lifetime crisis. I thought this site was establish to assist in navigating the admission process to the academies not judging the values of the those applying. We have no idea if Lillian has been personally effect by the gov't shutdown. Giving a snide remark is your right but is it helpful or welcoming to others who may have questions or concerns. Was your remark helpful?
 
This is a forum for the US Air Force Academy. She asked a question that is relevant to the forum. Where is the issue here?
 
aseanag said:
I am sure Lillian is not alone in her concern about how the budget fiasco will effect the nomination process. This is an opportunity to assist applicants during this once in a lifetime crisis. I thought this site was establish to assist in navigating the admission process to the academies not judging the values of the those applying. We have no idea if Lillian has been personally effect by the gov't shutdown. Giving a snide remark is your right but is it helpful or welcoming to others who may have questions or concerns. Was your remark helpful?
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Quite. It consisted of two parts:

1. A reminder of the plight of people truly affected by this
2. A statement that nominations will be fine

It was the most frank, realistic, and instructive advice she will receive on this subject.

A once-in-lifetime budget crisis...that between CRs and sequestration has thrice in my lifetime. I get it--motherly outrage is your thing. It's a hallmark of many parents on here. Try to remember that the world exists beyond the internet and the perceived slights on it.

As for "judging" the attitudes and aptitudes of candidates, every one of us does it. If a candidate came on here and talked about how much he wants to use USAFA to jump start a political career, he would be pilloried by all, yourself included. I just happen to worry about more nuanced attitude issues.
 
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scoutpilot said:
Quite. It consisted of two parts:

1. A reminder of the plight of people truly affected by this
2. A statement that nominations will be fine

It was the most frank, realistic, and instructive advice she will receive on this subject.

A once-in-lifetime budget crisis...that between CRs and sequestration has thrice in my lifetime. I get it--motherly outrage is your thing. It's a hallmark of many parents on here. Try to remember that the world exists beyond the internet and the perceived slights on it.
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1. People like her are also truly affected by this
2. I think the nominations will also be fine since congress is still working

Your remarks were not helpful and there was no advice on the subject at all.

While you are in the middle of the academy application process this is a one and a lifetime crisis. Motherly outrage is my thing.....maybe and being harsh and rude is your thing. Try and remember your audience and respond accordingly.
 
DCHillin said:
It was crowded today, but tomorrow it should be empty
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My ride (Red Line) wasn't too crowded, just about normal. Except, true to the Red Line, there was a broken down train, and a train with a sick passenger ahead of us... so it wasn't a good measurement today.
 
aseanag said:
2. I think the nominations will also be fine since congress is still working
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Congress is "working" but Congressional staff? Maybe not. I would expect a slow down in this area, but that's speculation on my part, and not based in fact.
 
Core Values

I am a mother of a cadet. I have family who have been or are in the military in a variety of settings, none of whom would have responded in a degrading or disrespectful manner to someone posting. I am baffled as to why being on a "military tour" (or several) justifies this. I have not been on the AFA forum for a while (and have made very few posts). Why? I am discouraged that each time I visit, I witness comments and statements that inaccurately lump "military" personnel as one, lump "parents" as one, and I too often witness comments that are disrespectful as some are in this thread.

This a forum. I request that we consider, "Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence in All We Do" before we write.
 
aseanag said:
I am sure Lillian is not alone in her concern about how the budget fiasco will effect the nomination process. This is an opportunity to assist applicants during this once in a lifetime crisis. I thought this site was establish to assist in navigating the admission process to the academies not judging the values of the those applying. We have no idea if Lillian has been personally effect by the gov't shutdown. Giving a snide remark is your right but is it helpful or welcoming to others who may have questions or concerns. Was your remark helpful?
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I have been a FFR for about 10 years. One of the hardest things I did as a FFR was to tell my RC not to give waiver to a candidate. With the waiver, this candidate would have gotten an appointment. I didn't want to make that call, but I did because I had to make a decision.

I tell applicants that I worked with that I used a type writer to apply. I had a paper catalog, no internet, no SA forum. Come on how many stupid questions do we get on this forum? Do we really believe that somehow some of immature applicants will suddenly mature when they get appointed.
 
MemberLG said:
I have been a FFR for about 10 years. One of the hardest things I did as a FFR was to tell my RC not to give waiver to a candidate. With the waiver, this candidate would have gotten an appointment. I didn't want to make that call, but I did because I had to make a decision.

I tell applicants that I worked with that I used a type writer to apply. I had a paper catalog, no internet, no SA forum. Come on how many stupid questions do we get on this forum? Do we really believe that somehow some of immature applicants will suddenly mature when they get appointed.
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Lillian questions wasn't stupid. I am sure that many applicants were thinking the same thing. And yes immature applicants do mature once they get older. Well maybe some do!

It's strange that a simply question is so irritating.

Original poster in my opinion that was a great question. Don't be discouraged.
 
Let's get this thread back on topic. If for some reason you do not like the question, then please feel free to refrain from posting.

Thank you for your time.

-TN

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