Joining AFROTC as a Sophomore: Needs Advice

Marmalade

Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2015
Messages
11
Hi all :),
This may be a bit long.
I have recently decided to join AFROTC. I've always had joining the air force in the back of my mind, but could never really decide which route to go. I spoke to a recruiter for enlisting and a recruiter for AFROTC. My dad and I both liked what the AFROTC had to offer, but we agreed that enlisting could always be a back up.
I did XC my freshman year of HS, but I have been a couch potato for about the last 4 years. I'm working on getting back into shape before the October PFA. Ive already brought my mile down by a minute, but I still have a long ways to go. Any advice about preparing for PT would be greatly appreciated.
I'm also curious about ICSPs. What are my chances?
I am going to school for Social Work because I'd like to become a clinician.
I have a 3.63 GPA.
I will be retaking ACT this September (AFROTC recruiter suggested it). It is currently a 25 :/. I'm not the best at math.
I'm working on PT, but I know I can get to a 90+ score if I keep at it. Thank the Lord that I'm tiny & get the 20 points for a 27 in measurement.
I will be taking both the freshmen & sophomore level classes this year. I have done CAP, so I know I will be semi-prepared for AFROTC. Is there anything I should know beforehand? Any tips or advice?
I also was wondering what the averages were for the cadets selected for FT for 2015. I can't seem to find them :/.
Thank you :)
 
Hey there,

Here is my take on your questions.

1) PT: The best way to get better is simple. Practice. Run more then just 1.5, run 3 miles at a time. Get good at that, then 1.5 is easy. There is no shortcut to it, just lots of hard work. Don't ignore the push-ups and sit-ups, do some every day. Add an extra rep every few times, build up to the max, keep track of your progress. The people who max the PFA are not some crazy genetically gifted individuals, they simply work the hardest on physical fitness.

2) ICSP: Honestly, no one can tell you for sure what your chances are. The number of ICSP's change every year. Just be aware they prefer tech majors. It's not impossible to get a non-tech scholarship, I received one my sophomore year. Your best bet is to have a great GPA and PFA score. Equally important is to stand out at your detachment. You need to volunteer, go the extra mile, and help out everyone around you. Cadre will notice, and it will only help your chances of getting a scholarship. However, remember that at the end of the day the goal is not the scholarship. The goal is to get into Field Training and eventually commission. You don't need a scholarship for that. Field training selection is actually blind to who has/doesn't have scholarships.

3) Preparation for AFROTC. After 4 years in the program and commissioning, I found out there is one major difference between cadets who commissioned versus those who failed out. The ones who commissioned are usually the ones that wanted it the most. Simple as that. If you really want this, I mean really want it, your actions will follow accordingly. Its hard waking up at 0430 for training multiple times a week while balancing work and school. But if this is something you want, you will find a way to juggle everything. Also, help out everyone around you. Wingmanship is HUGE in AFROTC. If you are looking out for only yourself, it will become apparent very quickly. Try to bring up the cadets around you without seeking recognition, and eventually, someone will take notice.

Note about CAP.... I am also a former CAP cadet. CAP did help prepare me for certain aspects of AFROTC. However, please never say the following phrase, "In CAP, we did things this way.". No one cares, the only thing that matters is can you accomplish the task at hand. If an experience in CAP helped prepare you, then great! But don't flaunt it, simply show you are a capable AFROTC cadet and that will speak more then anything you have done in CAP.

Also... just off the top of my head the percentage of cadets accepted to Field Training this year was high 80%-low 90%... but the year before that was 50%-60%... last years averages mean nothing honestly. Don't try to predict it, simply give everything you have and leave nothing on the table. That's all you can do, and if you aren't selected at least you can look back and know you did everything you could.

I hope this helps!
 
Hello, just some advice:

First, work on running, push-ups, and sit-ups. Also do a lot of cardio. Work on getting your body into the best shape possible. Since you'll be going in as a 250, you won't have as much time to get ready as everyone else does.

I wouldn't bother retaking the ACT, you take a test called the AFOQT, and they use whichever score is higher. Study for that instead. As that score gets calculated into you FT package. Since you HAVE to take the AFOQT, it's better to do that and not pay to take another ACT.
 
Hey there,

Here is my take on your questions.

1) PT: The best way to get better is simple. Practice. Run more then just 1.5, run 3 miles at a time. Get good at that, then 1.5 is easy. There is no shortcut to it, just lots of hard work. Don't ignore the push-ups and sit-ups, do some every day. Add an extra rep every few times, build up to the max, keep track of your progress. The people who max the PFA are not some crazy genetically gifted individuals, they simply work the hardest on physical fitness.

2) ICSP: Honestly, no one can tell you for sure what your chances are. The number of ICSP's change every year. Just be aware they prefer tech majors. It's not impossible to get a non-tech scholarship, I received one my sophomore year. Your best bet is to have a great GPA and PFA score. Equally important is to stand out at your detachment. You need to volunteer, go the extra mile, and help out everyone around you. Cadre will notice, and it will only help your chances of getting a scholarship. However, remember that at the end of the day the goal is not the scholarship. The goal is to get into Field Training and eventually commission. You don't need a scholarship for that. Field training selection is actually blind to who has/doesn't have scholarships.

3) Preparation for AFROTC. After 4 years in the program and commissioning, I found out there is one major difference between cadets who commissioned versus those who failed out. The ones who commissioned are usually the ones that wanted it the most. Simple as that. If you really want this, I mean really want it, your actions will follow accordingly. Its hard waking up at 0430 for training multiple times a week while balancing work and school. But if this is something you want, you will find a way to juggle everything. Also, help out everyone around you. Wingmanship is HUGE in AFROTC. If you are looking out for only yourself, it will become apparent very quickly. Try to bring up the cadets around you without seeking recognition, and eventually, someone will take notice.

Note about CAP.... I am also a former CAP cadet. CAP did help prepare me for certain aspects of AFROTC. However, please never say the following phrase, "In CAP, we did things this way.". No one cares, the only thing that matters is can you accomplish the task at hand. If an experience in CAP helped prepare you, then great! But don't flaunt it, simply show you are a capable AFROTC cadet and that will speak more then anything you have done in CAP.

Also... just off the top of my head the percentage of cadets accepted to Field Training this year was high 80%-low 90%... but the year before that was 50%-60%... last years averages mean nothing honestly. Don't try to predict it, simply give everything you have and leave nothing on the table. That's all you can do, and if you aren't selected at least you can look back and know you did everything you could.

I hope this helps!
Thank you for the advice! :). I run everyday & try to work in more than just push ups & sit ups.
I plan on giving it my all, so I do get selected. The only way to get what you want is to work for it. I didn't plan on mentioning CAP much. The person I talked to made a funny face when I said I did do 2 years of CAP to answer his question about any JrRotc, CAP, Scouts awards.
 
Hello, just some advice:

First, work on running, push-ups, and sit-ups. Also do a lot of cardio. Work on getting your body into the best shape possible. Since you'll be going in as a 250, you won't have as much time to get ready as everyone else does.

I wouldn't bother retaking the ACT, you take a test called the AFOQT, and they use whichever score is higher. Study for that instead. As that score gets calculated into you FT package. Since you HAVE to take the AFOQT, it's better to do that and not pay to take another ACT.
Going in as a sophomore is whats worrying me. I'll work on doing more cardio and abs. Thank you :). I was thinking that AFOQT would be more important than ACT, but maybe he suggested it purely for scholarship reasons. I plan on doing a lot of studying either way! Thanks again :)
 
Most of the advice above is great. For a sophmore entry just be ready to work hard. 100/200 classes are easy, just do what's neccesary and be prepared for class, easy 4.0s. The not using CAP is gold, different organization. Good for you for doing it but we had some who did as well, some didn't make it and others struggled. Just make sure AFROTC is the priority if you continue to do it. PT, no sweat. Just work on it. Also going in without a scholarship and non-tech - my advice is be prepared to NOT get a scholarship. Why you ask? Then if you get one your better off, but you won't quit or can't finish if you don't.

Google study guides for AFOQT. Study now while it's summer so you don't stress, as a 250 you have to take it soon.

Lastly, you do realize that you will probably not do anything regarding your degree right? I noticed you mentioned social work. Be prepared for that, could end up doing missiles etc. you have little say if not rated.
 
Most of the advice above is great. For a sophmore entry just be ready to work hard. 100/200 classes are easy, just do what's neccesary and be prepared for class, easy 4.0s. The not using CAP is gold, different organization. Good for you for doing it but we had some who did as well, some didn't make it and others struggled. Just make sure AFROTC is the priority if you continue to do it. PT, no sweat. Just work on it. Also going in without a scholarship and non-tech - my advice is be prepared to NOT get a scholarship. Why you ask? Then if you get one your better off, but you won't quit or can't finish if you don't.

Google study guides for AFOQT. Study now while it's summer so you don't stress, as a 250 you have to take it soon.

Lastly, you do realize that you will probably not do anything regarding your degree right? I noticed you mentioned social work. Be prepared for that, could end up doing missiles etc. you have little say if not rated.
Yea, I realize that. Once I get my Masters & get my license I can use it. Also the Air Force does have internships and the HPSP does include the Masters of Social Work, but for now all I'm focusing on is getting on through AFROTC. Once I'm through I can focus on getting my Masters & then I can work on being comissioned as a Clinical Social Worker after I've done the required hours, intership, and licensing exam. Everybody makes "sacrifices" to do what they want & what they love. I love my country, the USAF, and doing what I can to help out. My passion is Social Work and that passion is unlikely to die. I will do whatever I have to do to serve even if it means waiting until after I've done my time to achieve my other dream. As I was told by the DC "follow your passion & do what you love; the rest will fall in line" and I plan to do so. I plan on keeping any references to CAP to a minimum. Very few people even know what I am talking about when I do talk about it. I'll look up study guides today. Thank you :)
 
Retaking the SAT/ACT will slightly help but I suggest you increase your GPA. The board for field training has multiple components, your commanders ranking has the most weight.

The SAT/ACT score will only matter if your AFOQT score is lower then they are. If your AFOQT score is lower, then your SAT/ACT score will be used.

Focus on achieving a 100 on the PFA and be involved in your detachment so the commander knows who you are and excel in both academics and PT to stand out amongst your peers
 
Retaking the SAT/ACT will slightly help but I suggest you increase your GPA. The board for field training has multiple components, your commanders ranking has the most weight.

The SAT/ACT score will only matter if your AFOQT score is lower then they are. If your AFOQT score is lower, then your SAT/ACT score will be used.

Focus on achieving a 100 on the PFA and be involved in your detachment so the commander knows who you are and excel in both academics and PT to stand out amongst your peers
I will do my best! Thank you :)
 
While the AFOQT Academic Aptitue subscore (math and english portions) converts to a SAT-Equivalancy score for the purposes of obtaining a FT slot, and there are no AFSC dependent minimums outside of the rated portions, do not completely blow off the AFOQT, you will still need to pass it.

Especially because a 25 on the ACT is below the minimum qualification for scholarship nomination, which is a 26/1180 ACT/SAT, you will need to retake the ACT if you want a scholarship. And 25 is not very competitive for field training.
 
While the AFOQT Academic Aptitue subscore (math and english portions) converts to a SAT-Equivalancy score for the purposes of obtaining a FT slot, and there are no AFSC dependent minimums outside of the rated portions, do not completely blow off the AFOQT, you will still need to pass it.

Especially because a 25 on the ACT is below the minimum qualification for scholarship nomination, which is a 26/1180 ACT/SAT, you will need to retake the ACT if you want a scholarship. And 25 is not very competitive for field training.
I'm aware and I'm already studying my butt off for this :). Thank you
 
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