Does my GPA matter?

The answer is a resounding YES--GPA does matter.

Let's talk about GPA.

As many of you know, college is NOT high school. Even though every university is very unique, one thing seems to be similar across the board. That is, to succeed academically in college, you must be diligent, dedicated, and consistent.

All too often new freshmen begin their college experience with a backwards set of priorities. Parties, staying up late, dating, and fun seem to dominate their schedules. As an AFRTOC cadet, you must not fall into this trap. I repeat--you must not fall into this trap. Your GPA is vitally important for your success.

The chart here shows the criteria that make up your rank  "Order of Merit," as it relates to Field
Training Selection. If you aren't sure what Field Training is, I will discuss that in my next post. Essentially, your performance in these elements determine your competitiveness. We will discuss each piece of the pie later--for now, let's look at GPA.

Your GPA makes up 20% of your Order of Merit. It is the second largest piece of the pie, after Commander's Ranking (CC Rank). Quite frankly, your GPA matters a lot.

But it's not just the fact that it is a whopping 20%. Rather, it is important to note that GPA is one of the only pieces over which you have complete control. You determine your GPA. It is my belief that your GPA is a function of time and effort. When you begin a new semester, you go to class and your professors tell you what is expected, when the assignments will be do, etc. If you want it bad enough, you CAN get a 4.0. And I will tell you--there is a very strong correlation between ROTC success (meaning, you get the job you want), and academic success. Those who succeed in school are likely individuals possessing the qualities that will lead to success in other areas of life; e.g., dedication, work ethic, focus, mental toughness, etc.

The AFRTOC Field Training selection is quite literally a "rack and stack" of Order of Merit scores. In other words, after the pieces of the pie are calculated, your score (out of 100) is put next to all the other cadets in the nation competing in your graduating timeline, and then those above the cutoff are selected for Field Training (FT). Those below the cutoff are not selected.

It is imperative that you control the things that you can control. GPA is one of those things. Your GPA will directly affect your success in getting the job you want. For example, when you compete for a "pilot slot," the Order of Merit changes slightly, as follows:

I will discuss this in a later post, so don't get confused about the PCSM, AFOQT, etc. But notice that GPA is still 10% of your Order of Merit.

Bottom line: don't let your GPA fall. Your main job in school is to graduate.

It All Starts With Your Personal Vision

In my opinion, the most important thing you need to know before going into ROTC is WHY you are doing it. WHY do you want to be in the Air Force?

1. Understand your personal why--your personal vision.

• In my experience, success comes to those who are sure. Cadets who understand why they are in ROTC seem to do better than those who aren't quite sure. This seems logical, but it is often undervalued. In ROTC--and in all aspects of life--you will be asked to do many difficult things. Not only that, but it is a highly competitive environment. Your personal vision will become the source of your drive; it will become the source of your desire and will power to push through the difficult tasks. It all starts with your personal vision. 
• As you begin ROTC, start by sitting down and writing out your vision. Here is one version of my personal vision:

To explain what inspired me to make the choice to become a leader in the USAF, I will describe what I refer to as my “personal vision.” This is synonymous with my “personal why,” because it answers questions such as: “Why do I want to be an officer in the Air Force?” and “Why do I choose to do hard things?” This vision has changed and developed as I have gone through the AFROTC program. It has become sacred to me, as it is the source of my desire, determination, and will power to succeed.        

First, my vision involves flying. I often picture in my mind’s eye, in vivid detail, the following: putting on the flight and G-suit, walking out to the flight line,  climbing up the ladder into a powerful jet, pulling on my helmet, taxiing that jet out to the runway, lining up on the center line, pushing the throttle forward as I’m forced into my seat, reaching that critical rotation speed, pulling back on the stick, and then… the world disappears in a blur behind me as I climb high through the clouds, suddenly breaking through to a brilliant blue sky. I have imagined that exhilarating experience for as long as I can remember. This inspires me to become a USAF leader.            

Flying is only the top layer of my vision, however. Next, my “why” is encapsulated with self-improvement, leadership, and heritage. Without a doubt in my mind, I understood that by choosing to become a leader in the USAF, I would become the very best version of myself that I could possibly become. This is a challenging career path and I wouldn’t want it any other way. With eight younger siblings, I understood the importance of leadership at an early age. This path allows me to hone my leadership skills. My circle of influence will be much greater in the USAF than it would otherwise have been. The Air Force has a very large impact on the world. This means that I will be able to help more people than perhaps in any other career. And finally, when I consider the men and women who gave their lives for my freedom, I am always humbled that I get to wear the same uniform. It is a sacred privilege and duty to continue our proud heritage. This inspires me to become a leader in the USAF.          

Lastly, my vision includes my family and my religion. Knowing that there are people on this earth who would destroy my family and my freedom motivates me beyond anything else to not only become a leader in the USAF, but to be my very best. This job will allow me to protect my family and our liberty. It allows me to influence the world for good. And truly, that is what it is all about for me: when I am finished with my career, I want this world to be a better place for my family and for our great nation.

Figure out why you want to be in ROTC. And then, commit. Don't look back. This is your future, and your dream, so work hard for it. When you get up in the morning, look in the mirror and remember your vision. Then go, and work to realize that vision. 

September 11th - A Reflection

September 11, 2001.

I'll never forget.

I was thirteen years old, in eighth grade, and was as careless as anybody else. That morning, I remember a sudden stir passed through the school, like an ever-increasing wave of anxiety. What was going on, I thought. Something must be wrong. My teacher picked up the phone, and after a short pause, hung up. She went directly to the television set and turned it on. The North Tower stood, surrounded by clouds of smoke. "An airplane has crashed into the World Trade Center."

9:03 AM

Suddenly, something happened. The murmurs in the classroom got quiet. " ... another airplane has hit the World Trade Center. ... this has to be deliberate."

That day changed my life. I'll never forget how I felt as I walked home, anxious to feel the comforting presence of my mom. We watched the news all day. She cried. I watched. I felt. The world was suddenly serious.

That day, I realized that there are people -- human beings -- who wanted to destroy me, my family, my country, my religion, and everything I care about. Terrorists, they're called. And the worst part is that they truly believe what they do is "righteous." They're as committed as we are.

Now, I wear the uniform as a defender of my Nation. September 11th set me on this path.

Next year, I will be going to Air Force Pilot Training, to learn how to kill terrorists. Do I want to kill? No. However, this nation needs men and women of moral integrity who are willing to do what needs to be done to protect our freedom. My family, my country, and my religion are so important to me that I will kill to protect them. And I will be good at it. This is my calling.