Sketch
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Posts posted by Sketch
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If you get a Rated EA and you are medically DQed or you do not get selected for rated duty, you will just get assigned a different career field. You will only be disenrolled if you refuse to compete in the rated boards. The only exception to this is if you get selected by a board for certain a career field (ALO, CRO, STO, OSI, etc.), you are not obligated to compete in the rated boards.
We were told almost the same, except if you don't get a rated slot there is a chance you will be disenrolled. The only way you will be able to stay is if there is a nonrated EA available from someone else who dropped out. They did say our chances are decent so its not the end of the world if we don't get a rated slot, its just not out of the question to be disenrolled (even if we do compete for the rated board).
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We are just now getting some more information from our CC.
From what he heard, everyone will get preference over non-rated, non-technical. If they are able to fill all of their EAs with "rated" people, then non-rated, non-technical people might not even be considered. He talked to the #1 guy in our class and "suggested" that he opt-in for the rated EA because otherwise, he may not be competitive.
19/21 200s in our det are trying for rated or are on scholarship. The 2 who don't want to go rated are at the bottom (and are non-tech), so they probably don't have very good chances.
It will be interesting to see how this all works out, but I suppose we will find out in about 5 weeks.
I went ahead and signed up for the non-tech rated EA, since my main reason for joining ROTC was to fly and I would've applied for rated slots anyway. I also have an uncompetitive GPA so I need the boost. It remains to be seen how that impacts my application. Our det/cc said yesterday that this is still not 100% guaranteed to happen.
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Just confirmed via the newly released 2014 FT Manual - going home TD23 instead of TD28. Biggest difference is graduation will be at Camp Shelby instead of Maxwell like normal.
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After you go to FT, you'll realize just how dumb this statement is. Meaning it is highly unlikely you'll have to draw on that emotional reserve, unless you're A) an incredible ###### or B) tempted to bail because of the overwhelming lameness.
Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Like anything else its more difficult for some people than others. Some said it was 28 days of hell, others have said it was so easy they couldn't believe they were actually at FT. It ultimately depends on the individual (with some luck of the draw for CTAs and FTOs) and most importantly their attitude. If you show up already convinced that you'll hate it for being a waste of time and going full retard than you probably will. Or, you can show up with the mindset that you'll make the best of it, help your teammates do the same, and if theres even a .01% chance that it might make you a better officer you'll weave through the BS to find it.
Yup...waste of a summer month...
Its a means to an end, nothing more. Just play the game and go home. But, if it means getting a shot at being a pilot than its worth it to me.
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Alright, so I guess I got a little ahead of myself by talking about FT before going - my mistake. Looking forward to
2823 days of fun in Alabama!! -
So to summarize...you're a cadet and you have not yet been to field training, yet you feel confident enough in your vast experience to comment on what it takes to succeed at field training, the purpose of field training, how to prepare appropriately for field training, the appropriate length of field training, who should apply to field training, the true purpose of the GMC program, and what constitutes a "high stress" environment. Did I miss anything?
Normally I refrain from responding to call-outs like this, but seriously? So after reading my comments this is all you got from it? Other than the "what it takes to succeed" part (which I get requires having gone through) I don't see how any of those subjects can't be discussed by someone whose done their homework. Most of what I said comes based off information gathered from dozens of folks who've graduated FT or is public knowledge. I've been around longer than most GMC and I've also been exposed to certain aspects of FT at maxwell so I'm not blindly guessing as your comment might suggest.
I fail to see what the problem is with having some SA as a cadet and looking beyond the basics.
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Granted its been a few years since I graduated ROTC...but I wouldn't characterize my first 1-3 years as "fighting hard". Especially when compared to life on active duty.
I agree with you, though, that if it takes someone 1-3 years to realize "its not for them"...then something is wrong. That's a lot of wasted time/effort/money on the AF's part.
I get where you're coming from, especially regarding AD. But, I'm assuming its been atleast 3-5 years since you've graduated - based on everything I've heard the atmosphere here has changed dramatically since you've been in. If I have my timing right, you were applying for Field Training back when almost everybody went, as long as you met the requirements and had a half-way decent GPA (pre-2009 when the cuts started). Its not the same anymore. Cadets can no longer just skate by anymore and go to FT, we are constantly having to go neck and neck for high commanders rankings and keep up with the ever rising GPA requirements. Scholarships are drying up, opportunities for extra programs like soaring and incentive rides have vanished, and at this rate I bet its only a matter of time before non-tech majors will no longer have a place in ROTC. New GMC are showing up day one being told that the odds are they won't be able to finish the program.
Atleast for me, I'm biased because the amount of work I've had to do just to be able to compete for EA is probably more than most people have to do their entire cadet career. I've fought tooth and nail for half a decade to be where I am today, and I still might not make it through the program. But I'm actually excited for FT, because when I feel like quitting all I have to do is remember how hard I worked to be there.
So, when I say that we've been "fighting hard" of course some people have different experiences than others, but in general its an uphill battle for cadets today.
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I think the primary benefit of being treated like shit is to weed out those who don't really want to be there or can't handle stress. 3 weeks will probably work about as well as 4 for that purpose.
While this might be true for the other commissioning programs, I would argue that FT doesn't necessarily serve that purpose in ROTC. Cadets who show up on TD-0 have already fought hard for 1-3 years to be there and generally know that this is what they want. We already know beforehand what to expect and have been previously exposed to the high-stress environment through FTP. FT isn't a place for cadets to go and learn whether or not they can hack it, thats what the GMC program is for. If local detachments aren't adequately preparing cadets for FT thats the dets fault, not the FTU staff's. In other words, if you get to Maxwell and find that "this isn't for you" you never should've applied to begin with.
And besides Det CCs don't want cadets going to FT unless they're confident that they will succeed due to the extremely limited number of slots available.
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Honestly, I don't really care how long/short it is (within reason) as long as I get to go. Its just another stepping stone to becoming an officer, nothing more. That being said, it depends on the cadet. Some might benefit from a longer FT session (those with no prior military exp) while others its better this way (prior enlisted). I would say 28 days was OK as long as they realized that the game they play isn't a great indicator of AD performance. I don't see a problem with 23 days, its significantly shorter than everybody else but if it accomplishes the training I'm all for it.
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For those concerned about Eczema: I was able to pass my AFROTC DODMERB eval (yes!!!) and I have a mild form of Eczema that I did identify. I specifically said in my medical evaluation that I do NOT take prescription meds (I did for many years), but rather an over the counter medication that works just fine. The issue wasn't brought up again and I passed without issue in that category. No waiver needed.
My advice, if your condition fits into the Eczema/atopicdermatitis category but is not terribly nasty try and find an OTC treatment that you can substitute for prescriptions. I discovered Selsun Blue about 2 years ago and I must say its a miracle worker. It mightve very well saved my career, because the doc said if I was still using prescription meds when I did my tests I would've been DQ'd and needed a waiver. Again, even if you're currently taking px's try to find a shampoo that works for your condition and if it suppresses it enough tell your doctor that you no longer need px.
Hope this helps. Good luck to everyone!
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So this is what our Det CC told us. He said theres about 90% chance this will happen based on info he received from AFROTC HQ/Air University:
Like Middleton said, for those applying for EAs this year, there will be 3 separate boards consisting of the following: 1. Technical degrees, scholarships, and foreign languages, 2. "rated" EAs, and 3. everything else. The FT numbers aren't out yet but he already said expect at least a few hundred slots cut which we already knew was coming.
According to him rated EAs will work like this: When you go to apply for an EA this year you will be given an option to commit to applying to the rated board in FY15. This means that you will be required to apply for ALL rated positions (you can give your preference but you can't pick and chose which ones, like pilot only for example) and come this time next year your package will automatically be sent to the rated board. Opting to chose this approach will give you a slight boast in the PSP system but not dramatic or anything. The catch is, if you are awarded a EA, go to FT, come back and don't meet the rated board theres about a 95% chance you are out of ROTC altogether. You won't be reclassed to another AFSC like you normally would. He did say they would try and find a non-rated EA lying around but chances are you're done. So its essentially an "all or none" option for those who REALLY want to go rated. He advised us that if we are even the least bit on the fence about going rated we should NOT apply for this, because once you commit you are locked in.
Of course you can still not take the deal and apply for the rated board like you normally would. This system is really for those who don't have the strongest standing for FT and are hoping to become rated someday.
Hope this helps.
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Apparently in addition to significant FT cuts HQ AFROTC is altering the EA selection process and possibly adding a new system for rated selections as well. More details tomorrow following a Det CC standup.
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Saw this on the Camp Pendleton website:
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Maj. Robb McDonald receives the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest combat valor award, for his role in repelling an enemy attack inside Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. McDonald was serving as the executive officer of Marine Attack Squadron 211, III Marine Aircraft Wing. The ceremony took place at the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion command building at Camp Pendleton Dec. 9. According to the award citation on Sept. 14, 2012 15 insurgents infiltrated Camp Bastion and attacked the coalition forces stationed there. McDonald took charge after the commanding officer, Lt. Col. Christopher Raible, was mortally wounded. He risked his life to lead Marines away from a building that could have become a death trap had the troops remained there. He later shot and killed one attacker and directed two helicopter attacks that killed several other insurgents. http://www.pendleton.marines.mil/Photos.aspx?igphoto=2000760040Glad we still have guys like him on the front lines and RIP to the Avengers who were killed in the attack.
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Read it a couple years ago, excellent book. The stories of the interlocking, interwoven layers of bureaucracy and security laid on the Skunk Works, by the AF, during the Have Blue/F-117 development made me wonder how the hell we actually ended up with hardware on the flightline.
I thought the same thing when I read that part. He said those years of developing the nighthawk were some of the worst of his life, but in the end they pulled it off largely because of how extraordinary the stealth turned out to be in defeating radar. In the last 2 chapters he also talks about how much of a mess the B-2 program was because of bureaucracy (it was supposed to cost 400 mil per jet, not 2.2 bil). I bet if he saw the JSF program today he'd probably have a brain aneurysm.
I'm re-reading Red Eagles right now and I'm not surprised that Steve mentions some of the same issues in dealing with AF brass.
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Just finished "Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years of Lockheed" by Ben Rich and Leo Janos. Absolutely incredible book that gives an extremely in-depth look at the years of blood, sweat, & tears it took to get our most secretive aircraft off the ground. Rich talks a lot about the extraordinary technological breakthroughs they made during the Cold War and how he couldn't go home and tell his wife about them. He also gives great insight into the AF Acquisition process, specifically some of the problems associated with limited budgets, extensive oversight, Pentagon bureaucracy, and maintaining a cloak and dagger over such massive top secret projects like the SR-71 and the F-117. Highly recommend.
http://www.amazon.com/Skunk-Works-Personal-Memoir-Lockheed/dp/0316743003
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Not to detract from the discussion (that video was insane, glad everybody got out) but its completely normal to see general aviation aircraft flying formation routinely including around populated areas like LA. I've seen everything from Cessnas and Piper Cubs flying fingertip to Stearmans doing formation aerobatics around the harbor. Not sure how many of those guys were ex-military, but its nothing unusual.
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Oh dear, you were on a roll.
The Wing isn't doing incentive rides due to AF policy.
Yeah, they told me it was the Wing King's directive, but that makes sense. Its a shame since MX/award winners should fly as often as possible. Whats even worse is they fly with too many empty backseats anyway because Maintenance Group doesn't send them enough requests. Granted I mentioned that I don't want to cut any lines when I was offered the ride and that was the answer I got. I'm sure its different with other wings.
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AFI 11-401, ACC SUPP if you want to fly ACC aircraft. Table 2.1. Not sure the line number. Says Wing CC is approval level. Just need your det to request the flight, usually with OSS OSO. Easy.
Thanks alot! I actually got an offer to fly which is why I was asking. Their wing currently isn't doing incentive rides per the WG/CC but my POC said I should get the process started now for when that policy gets lifted.
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Anyone? Bueller?
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Does anyone know where I can find the official paperwork that AFROTC Det Commanders have to sign to allow Cadets to participate in fam/incentive flights?
Edited for clarity.
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Just found out today that due to the gov't shutdown all DODMERB-related activities have been suspended until further notice. This includes cadets currently going through the waiver process (like myself) due to the DODMERB staff being mostly civilians. Not sure how this will affect EA selection next spring.
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Has anyone read Guardian Angel by SMSgt William Sine? I've been looking for good books pertaining to USAF Pararescue and so far the reviews I've read all highly praise it.
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WTF is an EA? He said a bad GPA will hurt your career, it will not. It may now keep you from graduating or continuing in ROTC, but once you graduate they do not put your GPA on your OPRs.
Enrollment Allocation... essentially your golden ticket into Field Training.
Is there any proven correlation between a bad GPA in college and poor academic performance in UPT, or is it apples and oranges?
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Why would he need an EA if he's already graduated? I'm pretty sure it was a joke anyways.
I wasn't talking to Butters, but even if it was a joke I was being serious. I've seen more than one cadet get removed for having a GPA below a 2.5. Depending on the Det cadre might have varying levels of strictness on the standard but in general if your GPA is below that number you can't compete for FT and therefore cannot stay in the program. And even if someone did manage to get barely above a 2.5 theres no way they're getting an EA. It sucks for us cadets that the AF is trying to cut down on officers right now, but I guess thats the way things are.. timing is everything right?
Edit: Can't spell good
2014 ROTC Field training length cut short, thoughts on this?
in ROTC & OTS Lounge
Posted
Has anyone received word on their EAs yet? I know that in the past the results have typically started being released around this time. Max dates have also been posted for those who were wondering.
MAX
DATES
Max 1
21 May - 13 Jun
Max 2
4 - 27 Jun
Max 3
18 Jun - 11 Jul
Max 4
2 - 25 Jul
Max 5
16 - 8 Aug