I’m retired USAF, SMSgt, so I’m not disrespecting the enlisted corps as I was one.
I’ve known some young airman who failed at the USAFA but that was academic failure, and they were outstanding troops, but I do see your point.
I just hate how this whole thing was handled, and how he was able to get a free education with no payback.
I am retired AF. I was a Mustang, E-5, when I left to go to ROTC for two years.
There was a really good troop in my ROTC detachment who really wanted to be in the Air Force but just could not cut the academics in his Senior year. He asked to have his contract fulfilled and they activated his enlistment. He was happy as a clam and I heard he did really well.
That is more than acceptable reason to have someone enter the enlisted force. Doing so to punish someone is a slap in the face of the enlisted ranks (IMHO).
As an aside, my most memorable and the best times I had in the AF were my enlisted years.