LOAs

<p>One thing that is pretty important is to get your application in as early as possible. They will start giving out LOA's in October, so if your application is complete before then, you'd have a shot at getting one.</p>

<p>Hornetguy, it's people like you that make us proud. Growing up, no one really encouraged me to pursue college, academies, etc... Matter of fact, my cousins and I, (Same age), were the first in our families to graduate high school and really thought of college. I didn't have the money to go to college, and being from New Jersey we had dinky schools like Princeton and Rutgers. LOL!!! And being no one told me about options, I wound up joining the Air Force as enlisted. I have no regrets at all. Did 21 years, a few college degrees, lot of travel, lot of pride in what I did, etc...</p>

<p>I did promise myself however that I would make sure that my children had choices. Even if all they wanted to do was be the manager at Burger King. As long as it was their "CHOICE" and they tried to be the best at it, then I would support them. Nothing worse however than settling because you didn't have options. Both my daughter and Son have done very well. My daughter is a junior in college and has gotten scholarships through most of it. She didn't want the military however. She probably had too much traveling with my career. My son has maintained a 4.0 since 1st grade, IB program, sports, etc... Both of them now have choices and options. Neither one was it an automatic grade. They both worked their butts off.</p>

<p>I hope that if my son does get selected to go to the academy that he can have role models and mentors like you. It's important to learn from those around you. (Sometimes other than Mom and Dad). Thank you and the others on this forum who have made the comittment to become officers in the Air Force and to serve our country. There's a lot more appreciation from the citizens than the news media likes to report. As long as there are those like yourself with the comittment and right attitude, I feel that we are quite safe. later... Mike....</p>

<p>Well this has certainly become an interesting discussion. There are clearly some very experienced people on this forum with all kinds of input into things. I'm very glad I joined. </p>

<p>I think a lot of people would agree that the worst part of the application is the waiting. An early LOA would certainly alleviate some of the alacrity. For now, though, I've got nomination stuff to keep me busy =]</p>

<p>Thanks all!</p>

<p>I just went back and read what I said yesterday about my LOA to WP and it seems like it could be misunderstood by the way I worded it. WP had plenty of information to base an LOA on(transcript, resume, SAT scores, and DODMERB qualification, EC/athletic activities, etc.). My only point was that I was surprised to get one so early, but now that I think about it, they really did have a lot to base it on. I was extremely excited and proud to get the LOA from WP, and I'm very excited about that Academy.</p>

<p>another thing on team sports that i ironically discussed today in class:</p>

<p>07PETKO was right on. the military's purpose is to protect the nation, usually through battles. the key to winning a battle is to outwit your opponent. team sports, while providing the teamwork and leadership, force you to develop those skills to outwit your opponent. as Edward Luttwak put it, (something like) "what works well today won't work tomorrow because it worked today." if any sport a team gets overly predictable, they lose. they must change what they do or when they do it and make there opponent guess wrong.</p>

<p>wit. mind games. that is why team sports are used as opposed to jobs.</p>

<p>I could keep on making the same analogies to my job...</p>

<p>I don't doubt that team sports provide those good qualities, but I question the stance that team sports provide an infallible indicator of success.</p>

<p>I don't think team sports provide an "infallible indicator of success". Teams sports by their very nature indicate that there will be times when you don't succeed, Or in sport's terms; Win.</p>

<p>What "team" sports exemplifies is a group of individuals, each willing to put aside that individualism, to become a "Piece" in a puzzle of something much larger than themselves. But what's MOST important is their "Motives". They do it for the sole purpose of "Trying" to reach a goal. For the pure satisfaction that not only could they reach a particular goal, but that they have others with them that they can share the experience with. Others who know exactly how they feel because they feel exactly the same thing. For no other reason than that.</p>

<p>You may be fortunate that you have that type of work environment. Some people go a lifetime and never find that. That is part of what separates a Job from a Career. My question to you however is; "If they didn't pay you to do it, (Your job), would you still show up and do it"? I know that isn't a totally fair question because to some people the money is very important. On the other hand, there are a lot of teens who get jobs and it's not that they are extremely poor. The point is; with games and practice, a typical team sport will require between 15-20 hours a week. That is roughly the same amount of hours than many part time jobs take up. Yet, team sport athletes do this totally without monetary compensation. many times it costs them money such as for shoes, clothing, equipment, etc... If you truly feel that you, at your job, have the same level of teamwork, satisfaction, accomplishment, reaching of goals, etc... that a team sport has, would you do it "FOR FREE"?</p>

<p>That's part of the reason high school team sports are a good indicator or the type of teamwork, commitment, dedication, sacrifice, etc... that the military is looking for. Because it's totally voluntary. There are no compensation. There is no questioning the possible motives the athlete has. They aren't being paid to be there. They could easily be doing something else. There's a very good chance, especially at the high school level, that the athlete may not even get a chance to play. They may be on the bench all year. How many people would stay at a job where they bust their ass all the time and get no recognition and are not allowed to contribute to "The Team". And yet, they are being PAID to be there.</p>

<p>There is no argument that having a job can have many of the teamwork traits and skills that a team sport has. But they are not the same. They are totally different. After "Working" 21 years in the Air Force and the teamwork that you are referring to, I see a major difference now that I am back in the "Real World". And, having also played many sports, I know that feeling also. It is totally different. Money can't buy the feeling of participating on a team sport. Granted, it's not for everyone. Then again, neither is the Air Force or military in general. Again I ask; would you continue at your job, with the great teamwork it has, and give them 20 hours a week without any pay? The athletes are doing that exact thing. And it is done for more than "Fun". Later... Mike....</p>

<p>My situation is quite unique, and I would answer yes to all of your questions. My job for me would have to be one of those life changing activities that some kids are fortunate to experience. I hope I'm not stirring up any bad feelings because I'm enjoying the lively conversation and alternative views.</p>

<p>To continue the discussion, I agree with what you said about team sports, but I know many kids who participate just so it looks good on their applications. I therefore again have to disagree with admissions putting so much weight on sports.</p>

<p>The job will be considered, but they do have a process and use it to fairly evaluate each Candidate. The whole person is what they are looking at. Being on every sport or in every club (Quantity) or a few select teams and organizations (Quality) are all looked at. Your ALO is the first person to get an impartial look at you. You should remember the ALO can't get you in USAFA but sure can keep you out. That person has been trained by the Academy on what to look for and how to evaluate it. If they tell you team sports are needed you may wish to consider thier invaluable opinion. On the other hand if they tell you your job has developed the same qualities your OK. My point is none of us can give you the answer you seem to be looking for unless we will be your ALO or sit on the Admission Panel, but most of the people have had experience with the process, as applicants, parents, etc. Team Sports are so important becuase you will need both the physical ability, and skills developed in them to survive Jack's Valley and beyond. It may seem like an requirement that shouldn't carry so much weight, but it has a clear purpose.</p>

<p>Soylent, having followed this now for a few days, it seems folks here on the forum, especially those now at the Academy, are trying to give you the advice you seek. Look at it this way. Your application is sitting at the Admissions Board alongside another one of the 10-12,000 who are applying -- and that other application mirrors yours in every way -- same classes, same honors/AP/IB, same EC's even down to equivilant experiences, be they Boys/Girls State, Hugh O'Brian, community service, even the same leadership experiences in the same type of restaurant you work -- in other words your figurative "Twin." </p>

<p>All these folks are saying, is if your "twin" applicant has in addition, varsity sports experience in just one high school team sport -- that other applicant has an edge on YOU. </p>

<p>They aren't trying to justify it, argue with you whether it "shows" leadership or doesn't, or even whether it is philosophically "infallible" in guaging good potential candidates. They are just trying to help you be a better candidate and trying to help you achieve your goals!</p>

<p>Good luck -- I hope it's all academic in a few months and you're there the following year to welcome my son!</p>

<p>back to the LOA subject... i figure you guys can answer, since i've tried now for about 2 weeks to get my admissions counselor on the phone. i know ChristCorp has probably addressed this before..
all i have left to do for myself is the CFA.. the academy hasnt gotten my ALO evaluation or processed my english teacher's evaluation yet (sent in over a weekd ago), nor has my medical status been received. but the med status should be there soon, and i plan to have my CFA in by the first week of september. so. my question is this-- what all is necessary to be considered for an LOA? i'm sure everything will be in before mid-september, but i think i should get in touch with my ALO for my evaluation. any thoughts?</p>

<p>Don't quote me; But, I re-read a lot posts from a year ago on this forum from a lot of the NOW 2011 cadets. There were a few that mentioned that they got their LOA (Letter of ASSURANCE) and they only needed to get their nomination. So, as long as everything else is done, that should be all that will be required.</p>

<p>Had you NOT received your ALO evaluation yet, I'm not sure if they would process as far as an LOA. Maybe yes, I can't remember seeing anyone from last year that got an LOA without having that done first. Possible I guess.</p>

<p>Usually; "Get use to that term. You will hear it a lot on Active Duty. All things are subject to change"; the LOA is given out when the ONLY thing stopping you from getting an Appointment is a nomination. There are some nominations that are done outside of the Senators and Repr, so those individuals could get a direct appointment instead of an LOA.</p>

<p>I can't remember however if you can get an LOA if things like the medical or ALO eval hasn't been done yet. Maybe one of the cadets on board here did do that and can jump in. Later... Mike...</p>

<p>You can get an LOA pending nomination and DoDMERB. It means you have everything done on the Academy side and, assuming you get the rest, you're accepted.</p>

<p>Tacticalnuke; that definitely sounds right. Thx for the clarification. Is it safe to say then, that if you HAVEN'T gotten your ALO eval done yet, that you "Probably" won't get the LOA yet? Thx.... Mike.....</p>

<p>the alo interview is done, its just a matter of her sending in the evaluation. her son graduated from the academy in early august, and she's been with him this whole month</p>

<p>Excellent; then you should be good to go. I am still a little curious if the medical and nomination are the ONLY things that are allowed to be "Incomplete" to still get an LOA. It doesn't apply to my son, but it could to someone else in the future. I.e. they haven't gotten their CFA done yet or some schools, as posted in another thread, don't provide transcripts and class rankings until the start of the senior year.</p>

<p>If everything was complete except the "Official" transcript from the school, could the academy still consider you under early selection in October based on the information of gpa and ranking an applicant provided on their application? Or are students from those schools pretty much in the position that they will never be able to be considered during the early Oct-Nov selection and will have to wait until March? Curious!!! Later... Mike....</p>

<p>We're not on the admissions board ;P</p>

<p>*They will need an official score... they can't just take your word for it hehe.</p>

<p>Everything is required for the LOA except the nom and dodmerb. A transcript will be updated during the senior year. Always keep in mind that an LOA or an appointment can be yanked at any time for any reason the academy deems necessary. That could include flunking a couple of courses, a felony arrest, getting your girl friend pregnant, or dissing your school principal. The saddest story I've heard on this forum is about the candidate who lost his appointment when he was disciplined by his high school for pouring milk on cars in the school parking lot during freezing weather. Can't vouch for that, but it was reported here!</p>

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<p>That's offense is called "Failure to Use Good Judgement." Or in plain english, being immature and stupid.</p>

<p>......or 'urban legend'????</p>