DS Decision is in!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
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<p>DS spoke to our Senator this week, they have not been notified as of yet for our state and expect the results very soon, thus we do not know his results, however, DS has decided after speaking with the ROTC detachment commander, that he will most likely go ROTC. They basically guaranteed a pilot slot… I am sure the fact that he is about to solo helped in the decision.</p>

<p>DS may still change his mind, but he likes the collegiate program that is at the university where he intends to go.</p>

<p>For those who do not know, ROTC commanders make the decision of who gets a pilot slot. </p>

<p>It was not an easy decision, but in the end, it was a personal one. There will be people who do not understand why he would make his decision before finding out from AFA, but it was about what was best for him and what he wanted. Believe it or not we are very excited for him and incredibly proud.</p>

<p>We wish all of you the very best of luck, and hope that DS will see you as AD Officers. Who knows he may still change his mind…I doubt it though.</p>

<p>To all of you still waiting good luck and G Bless…thank you for the fact that you want to serve.</p>

<p>To all of you who thought choosing Plan B —ROTC was a default, there are many who actually want to take this route as Plan A.</p>

<p>To all of you who believe that the AFA is your only chance to get your dream…research ROTC, if they want you they will fight for you!</p>

<p>To all of you who believe only AFA grads have golden careers, tomorrow night we are having a friend over for dinner, he is an AFA grad of 87, WSO and did not get promoted to LtC., it is what you do in your career that will help you in promotions.</p>

<p>To the AFA cadets, my hat is off to you and you are truly extraordinary people. You make me proud to be an American!</p>

<p>Bullet and I will still chime in, who knows, DS next yr can turn and say, this was the wrong decision and we might be in the process again. We will remain at Service Academy forums.</p>

<p>Thank you for your support, laughter and help.</p>

<p>Pima</p>

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<p>Congratulations. I'm sure he'll do well wherever he decides to go.</p>

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<p>Yes, big congrats! Big congrats!</p>

<p>There is no right or wrong choice just your DS's choice and it is his to make. Yes, be incredibly proud.</p>

<p>Please be sure and stay here on this forum. You are part of the bigger family of the AF and these cadets and we parents need you! Stop sounding like you are saying good-bye......please. :)</p>

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<p>Congrats to him on Plan A, Pima!</p>

<p>But it doesn't sound like his decision is made yet from your words.</p>

<p>
[quote]
...he will most likely go ROTC....</p>

<p>...DS may still change his mind....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What would change his mind? An appointment to USAFA?</p>

<p>:confused:</p>

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<p>DS has been told this by the ROTC at his school, he wants to see the detachment. They have been actively recruiting him since Sept. He wants to see the numbers to make sure it is not a line they are feeding him.</p>

<p>An appt to the AFA will not change his mind, only if the ROTC det. can prove that he can't get the slot.</p>

<p>He loves the AF, but as a dependent I think he gets what the AF life is like. He understands that even through ROTC you can become a flyer and have a successful career (Bullet flies the F-15E and is an LtC)
A little back story DS originally wanted to be a JAG for the AF, this also allows him more freedom to decide if he wants to fly or be a lawyer...either way since he was 10 he wanted to be an AF Officer.</p>

<p>Bullet and I are so happy for him, because when he was told he would get a pilot slot the biggest smile came across his face. He immediately frowned after that by saying what do I say to XXX (his ALO), that I will not go to the Academy...we told him, that you will become an AF Officer!</p>

<p>I love our son, but this is a better fit for him...Good luck to everyone else, we hope that you are as thrilled and excited as we are wherever you go.</p>

<p>This has been an amazing ride, and we are over the top happy with how it turned out! Between all of us, I am going to go to bed tonight Thanking G*d for making DS so happy!</p>

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<p>Best of luck to DS! My son is following his Plan A also....Army ROTC at Indiana!</p>

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<p>congrats to both!</p>

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<p>WOW!!! that is amazing how a person that hasn't even taken an oath yet already knows that he will qualify to fly. i was under the impression that maintaning grades and physical fitness were also some of the requirements. live and learn</p>

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<p>I'm amazed also that a ROTC commander can guarantee a slot. That's scary. Make sure you get it in writing exactly what DS wants to fly.</p>

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<p>Well, yes you need to maintain grades and physical fitness, that is true for the academy also.
ROTC commnaders give the recommendations, so if the commander says I will suport you for a pilot slot, than you have a 90% chance of getting it at this detachment. This detachment is quite large, so this maybe why they can give promises. Bullet also went there and was guaranteed his flying slot in his freshman year.</p>

<p>Of course DS wants fighters.</p>

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<p>Let me also give you an actual experience. Bullet went ROTC, he never even thought of going to the AFA, "didn't want to walk the pavement", in other words not the type of life he wanted. Bullet took 5 yrs to graduate because he had alot of fun, a little too much. he got his flying slot (UNT), and there were times because of his grades they could have pulled it. At the exact same time his cousin went to USNA. His cousin graduated near the bottom due to grades, and he didn't get a flying slot. The academies hand out slots by class rank, so in that case he went on a boat for 2 yrs and than got accepted for pilot training. Grades will also matter at the SA's.</p>

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<p>Many congratulations to your son, bulletandpima!!! I know from your posts that he has put a lot of thought into this decision. He has my admiration and sincere congratulations!! :) :) I wish him fair skies and the best of luck with his AFROTC detachment!!</p>

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<p>"The academies hand out slots by class rank,"</p>

<p>Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you had a better chance of a pilot slot regardless of class rank at the SA's. I thought at an ROTC university, it was a must to finish at the top of your class.</p>

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<p>For ROTC the detachment commanders will weigh in and "support" you for your slot. Of course you need to score well on the AFOQT, but in the end you still need their support. For DS he has a leg up by getting his ppl, which is a huge plus in the ROTC world. This shows to the det. that when they do FSP, he will have no problem, since he is already past that point. I think that is where you are not understanding why they are so confident in him and can feel comforatble in saying maintain a 3.0 and be involved in ROTC than you have a 90% chance of getting a flight slot.</p>

<p>Also, understand that for DS, from the time he was in 4th grade he wanted to go AF, but it was always to be a JAG, only in 11th did he start the dream of flying (yep, he has watched Dad wear the bags for 17 yrs., stood on flight lines with little flags to wave him home, sat in the cockpit, but he still wanted to be a lawyer) He has spent his summers doing national leadership programs for law. </p>

<p>DS loves the collegiate program, and we have stressed to him, that don't spnd 4 yrs getting a degree you don't like or enjoy. We had a long conversation on the 1st of Mar. and flat out asked him why the AFA...his response because I can get a flying slot. Our response was what if ROTC could guarantee it, where would you go, there was no hesitation and it wasn't the AFA. We asked then why are we going through this? Remember, you can get injured, go on academic probation, you need to say I WANT TO GO TO AFA In his case, that wasn't true. I also want to remind everyone you will always wear the blue before the bag DO NOT GO THIS ROUTE IF YOU ONLY WANT TO WEAR A BAG! Bullet and I know many guys that during the course of their career something happened and they lost the ability to wear the bag.</p>

<p>I understand your doubt and curiosity, it is redundant, but this is a personal choice. I need to believe that we are not being lied to, I do, because Bullet is an LtC., I don't think they would feed him a line. I also believe it because Bullet graduated from this university, was given his slot when he entered. We also have no reason to believe that they are lying.</p>

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<p>What does it mean to wear the bag?</p>

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<p>Blue is the service uniform</p>

<p>"The BAG" is the flightsuit. You will love them, because no ironing or dry cleaning is involved, nor do you get it tailored (it's all velcro to size it to your body, you get it in your size, for guys 40/42/44, etc and S/R/L.</p>

<p>Thus, when I said you will always wear the blue before the bag, I meant you will be an officer first, flyer second</p>

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<p>Good to here! So I get to have some extra fun in the next year with him, no? :)</p>

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<p>Nope you will have to wait until you are his flight doc!</p>

<p>He signs his papers this week on Friday. I don't know who is more excited, him or us. Bullet can't wait to go to Terp football games, as soon as DS said he was going to UMD, Bullet was online looking to buy season tickets.</p>

<p>Another reason DS decided to go this route was the fact that everyone gets the same commission now. Back in Bullet's day, that was huge draw for the SA's because they received full commissioning, now everyone gets the same, thus I think it really came down to him having to eat at attention, have a clean room, and getting up way too early :D. Or might be the fact he can now take his xbox with him ;)</p>

<p>Truth is being accepted to the honors program for a degree he wants and the guarantee was what won him over. DS is good at science, but he never wanted to be an engineer. He loves Physics, but hates Chem and CALC. He enjoys history and politics, and that is the program he was accepted to, International relations. The summer internships that they offer to work on embassy row also was a factor</p>

<p>We will see you all in many years when we visit him at his operational bases!</p>

<p>Have you heard about your summer yet?</p>

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<p>Gotcha! Good luck to him!</p>

<p>Got some good news as of TODAY for summer. Nothing about Ops yet, dunno which base. However, instead of leave 1st period, I will be on a funded trip to Israel! WOOT! So, Japan for spring break, israel for summer. Can I ask for more?!</p>

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<p>Congratulations Hornetguy- sounds like you will have an awesome summer and your hard work is paying off ;-)</p>