Ben Bolton PWO

[T2P_Priceless]

For those not in the know:

Army (or the United States Military Academy) is located in West Point NY. app 50 miles north of NYC on the west bank of the Hudson River. I am not actually "visited" but have seen it from across the Hudson while visiting friends in Phillipstown. Looked impressive from afar.

The United States Naval Academy is just east of Washington DC, in Annapolis, Maryland. Visited there when a good friend's son graduated from there. I have to say this; If you are a fan of great architecture? You will definitely enjoy visiting either academy.

I have never been to the Air Force Academy. Just haven't been out that way yet. But if someone has been there? I defer to their experience.

I’ve been to the AF Academy several times. I was stationed at Schriever AFB in Colorado Springs. It’s a very nice installation and a good visit, especially if you have a kid considering an Academy for college

 

[SSVol]

To clear up a few things. I was a cadet at the Air Force Academy. At some point, believe Junior year, if the US entered war, other requirements, cadets are sworn in and take the oath as enlisted. I have a DD-214 annotated as a veteran. Not 10 points but, annotated veteran. I was at the Academy for a year and decided to leave to attend UT and pursue a degree that was not going to be offered to me. My choice. I went on to serve in the Army with military in operations. Went on from there to 36 year career in the USAF as a Squadron Commander, Base Civil Engineer, and Technical Director. Supervised some outstanding enlisted and officers while serving the USA. I was never sworn in as an enlisted or officer. My father served 21 years as MSGT in the Air Force. My uncle died at Iwo Jima. Please be careful knocking people to you have all the facts. I know some special instances where civilians were put in a lot more difficult and deadly positions than most in the military. They deserve a little respect.

I was enlisted, and left active duty to get an ROTC commission and return as an officer. By your MS4 year, all cadets had attended basic and advanced camps, many had attended jump school, and a few had even attended Ranger school. Imagine telling an Airborne Ranger he hasn't earned the right to wear a military rank! I also served (as a cadet) in the HHC of the 228th Signal Brigade during Desert Storm. The war ended before we were deployed, but from what I could tell from the meetings happening at the HHC, we were expected to deploy if the war continued. As far as I was aware at the time, I would have deployed with unit.

 

[Mr French]

When I was a cadet actively serving in a Guard unit, I was just as much of a soldier as anyone else in that unit. I didn't say anything about saluting, just that to characterize cadets as unranked isn't strictly correct.

Makes sense now, you went green to gold. Cadets can't deploy though. They belong to their institutions of higher learning not the government yet. Having been in the army the past 8 yrs along with the deployments and LFX's and STX's, JRTC, weekend FunJumps, I can easily tell a senior "cadet" they're not soldiers yet regardless if they go to ranger school in the summer and get it. They're still college kids and I don't expect them to run my platoon worth crap or have a clue as to what they're really doing.

 

[SSVol]

Are you talking about your job shadow where you get implanted with a platoon for a few weeks? No, Ive been in both the 82nd and 10st and it's not the same thing at all. Cadets are not deployable for anything. It's summer camp and it's more cadets getting exposure to what it's like more than anything from my experience. Unless you were Green to gold and I'm completely misunderstanding you.

No. I was in the HHC of the 228th Signal Brigade, SC National Guard. I drilled monthly and was paid as an E-5. It was not a shadow. I have a DD-214 and an Honorable Discharge from my time in that unit.

 

[Mr French]

No. I was in the HHC of the 228th Signal Brigade, SC National Guard. I drilled monthly and was paid as an E-5. It was not a shadow. I have a DD-214 and an Honorable Discharge from my time in that unit.

Interesting, I guess the guard has a different program from the Active Component.

 

[drvenner]

I have been enlisted, cadet, and officer in the Army. When I was a cadet, I was classified and paid as an E-5 during all active duty training and while serving in the National Guard.

Same story for me. As a cadet, I was paid as an E5 in the Army Reserves.

 

[drvenner]

Cadets aren't soldiers yet. I don't salute them until they wear a butter bar signifying they're actually an officer.

You don't have to salute them. They still are a member of a military unit and are getting paid for it. I went to drill every weekend, just like everyone else. I was in A Co, 844th Engineer Battalion in Knoxville. I was enlisted in that unit prior to joining ROTC. It was called the Simultaneous Membership Program at that time in the 1980s. After I was commissioned, I switched to a different unit because mine did not have a slot.

 

[SSVol]

Interesting, I guess the guard has a different program from the Active Component.

It wasn't a program, per se. I left active enlisted to enter ROTC. During my MS4 year I wanted to guarantee branching Signal and learned I could join a Signal guard unit to do so. I found the closest Signal guard unit and joined as a cadet. They had next to zero clue what to do with me...imagine being a cadet in a brigade HHC company where the O-3 company commander and the O-2 XO were the lowest ranked guys there. If I recall, the brigade commander was an O-7. Regardless, I was in that unit, as a cadet, paid as an E-5, with an actual DD-214. Obviously I was a rarity, but the OP's assertion that cadets aren't really in the military is provably false in some cases.

 

[Mr French]

You don't have to salute them. They still are a member of a military unit and are getting paid for it. I went to drill every weekend, just like everyone else. I was in A Co, 844th Engineer Battalion in Knoxville. I was enlisted in that unit prior to joining ROTC. It was called the Simultaneous Membership Program at that time in the 1980s. After I was commissioned, I switched to a different unit because mine did not have a slot.

Yeah that's not a thing for Active duty, that's why I never heard it. It's a pretty cool program though because it let's you work off your obligatory time while you're going to school instead of waiting upon graduation.

 

[drvenner]

Yeah that's not a thing for Active duty, that's why I never heard it. It's a pretty cool program though because it let's you work off your obligatory time while you're going to school instead of waiting upon graduation.

It does not count towards your obligation. It does count for retirement and you do get paid.

 

[Mr French]

It does not count towards your obligation. It does count for retirement and you do get paid.

That's a bummer somewhat

 

[vegasvolfan]

Cadet is a military rank. Good grief! My father is a USAF and war-time veteran. I attended the Air Force Academy. I have a DD-214 with honorable discharge that indicates my veteran's status. Not ten points but, still annotated veteran. I went on to serve in the Army and Air Force. Served as a Squadron Commander, Base Civil Engineer, and Technical Director. Supervised enlisted and officers. Greatest job on earth. Greatest people on earth .Please check your facts before you spew.

Huh? I said thank you for your service?

 

[T2P_Priceless]

I have been enlisted, cadet, and officer in the Army. When I was a cadet, I was classified and paid as an E-5 during all active duty training and while serving in the National Guard.

I was all those as well. If you’re civilian or enlisted and go to officer training you get paid as E-5 if you’re currently E-5 or below. If you’re E-6 or higher you still get paid as your current rank until you commission and then get paid at your new O rank (usually O-1) unless you’re a doctor, lawyer, etc

 

[LittleVol]

Chair Force !! hehe

 

[VOLinCO]

For those not in the know:

Army (or the United States Military Academy) is located in West Point NY. app 50 miles north of NYC on the west bank of the Hudson River. I am not actually "visited" but have seen it from across the Hudson while visiting friends in Phillipstown. Looked impressive from afar.

The United States Naval Academy is just east of Washington DC, in Annapolis, Maryland. Visited there when a good friend's son graduated from there. I have to say this; If you are a fan of great architecture? You will definitely enjoy visiting either academy.

I have never been to the Air Force Academy. Just haven't been out that way yet. But if someone has been there? I defer to their experience.

I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting West Point or Annapolis. But, I lived for several years within 45 minutes of the AFA and visited the campus on a number of occasions. It has some stunning examples of modern architecture. As a fan of that style, I highly recommend stopping by there if you ever have the opportunity.

 

[TNnative]

I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting West Point or Annapolis. But, I lived for several years within 45 minutes of the AFA and visited the campus on a number of occasions. It has some stunning examples of modern architecture. As a fan of that style, I highly recommend stopping by there if you ever have the opportunity.

Thanks. I will put it on the bucket list. Want to go to Denver to watch some Avalanche games anyway, so I can easily do both on the same trip.

 

[TNnative]

Huh? I said thank you for your service?

Yeah, I was thinking what got under his craw. Made me think of that Gene Hackman POW movie; "Agent Orange"

 

[LittleVol]

Yo...have you all seen this kids SR tape?

He's a monster. I thought I was looking at a 4* TE.

All over the field. Plays with great energy! A ton of confidence. Smart athletic, and very competitive.

This is an absolute steal. I like this kid as a defender just as much as Elijah Herring and as an offensive guy more so than that!

 

[LittleVol]

Embracing the idea of playing special teams tells me I will have no problem rooting for him.

I don't want to get carried away.
I'll just say this kid is going to have a huge impact. He will be a scholarship guy sooner rather than later.
a 6'2 220 lbs kid that can play WR and has 4.0 GPA...had offers from the academies and ivy leagues.
Physical. Look at him and you can tell the boy takes the gym seriously.

Either at TE or ILB he will be in the 2 deep by 2023...Compare his tape to 3 star Derek Taylor from Greenbriar. Honestly, its not even close. Bolton is a superior player.

Not sure why so many schools passed on him. This dude has future team captain written all over him.
Great on paper and on tape. Hell of a pickup

 

[Fan4TN]

I don't want to get carried away.
I'll just say this kid is going to have a huge impact. He will be a scholarship guy sooner rather than later.
a 6'2 220 lbs kid that can play WR and has 4.0 GPA...had offers from the academies and ivy leagues.
Physical. Look at him and you can tell the boy takes the gym seriously.

Either at TE or ILB he will be in the 2 deep by 2023...Compare his tape to 3 star Derek Taylor from Greenbriar. Honestly, its not even close. Bolton is a superior player.

Not sure why so many schools passed on him. This dude has future team captain written all over him.
Great on paper and on tape. Hell of a pickup

Agreed

 

[VOLED]

I don't want to get carried away.
I'll just say this kid is going to have a huge impact. He will be a scholarship guy sooner rather than later.
a 6'2 220 lbs kid that can play WR and has 4.0 GPA...had offers from the academies and ivy leagues.
Physical. Look at him and you can tell the boy takes the gym seriously.

Either at TE or ILB he will be in the 2 deep by 2023...Compare his tape to 3 star Derek Taylor from Greenbriar. Honestly, its not even close. Bolton is a superior player.

Not sure why so many schools passed on him. This dude has future team captain written all over him.
Great on paper and on tape. Hell of a pickup

He looks a player to me. Glad we are getting him.

 

[loosecannon]

Glad we have him. To be honest, his athleticism doesn't jump off the page. He is in no way or shape a WR in college, but he could be a TE. Defensively I am not sure where he fits in. I don't see explosive power necessary to be a good DE. As a LB I am not sure that his lateral quickness is SEC level. Looks to be a touch and smart player though. I am sure they will find some place for him to play.

 

[vegasvolfan]

Yeah, I was thinking what got under his craw. Made me think of that Gene Hackman POW movie; "Agent Orange"

Copy!

 

[allvolrecruiting]

We got it Ben.

LMAO

 

[Fan4TN]

Latest metrics are 6’3”, 215, as per Knox News. 11 Division I offers besides TN (per Hudl. All non SEC). Who knows if this is right. I do know Lausanne (Eric Gray etc,) has a great program.