AFROTC Transfer to USAFA

[craiyan2]

Hi- I'm only a sophomore but I'm planning future contingencies if I don't get accepted by the ever-so-selective Academy straight out of high school.

I have multiple questions about AFROTC, so bear with me.

1) If I decide to attend a civilian university, is the AFROTC a worthwhile program and is it difficult to get a pilot slot out of the corps?
2) If I transfer out of AFROTC to the USAFA am I a 4th degree cadet or, 3rd?
3) If I have a scholarship from the AFROTC(Type 2,7..etc), do they allow transfers, or would I have to pay for the money that they had compensated?


Thanks everyone, beforehand. I would love answers from anyone who had to deal with transferring to USAFA.

 

[goforspaatz]

AFROTC scholarships allow you to drop out of AFROTC (and go to USAFA) anytime before you complete 2 years in the program. No repayment. AFROTC is worthwhile - they still call AFROTC officers sir and ma'am You will still be a 4th degree cadet and go through plebe year/BCT if accepted at USAFA. Note: It will not be transferring to USAFA, more like reapplying. You will still have to go through all 4 years at USAFA.

 

[craiyan2]

Thanks a lot spaatz, for this answer and the one on my other post.

 

[zrh177]

AFROTC is a definitely a worthwhile program- it'll get you a bonafide commission just like USAFA grads have!!! If nothing else, having experience in the military, let alone the Air Force, will prove quite valuable when you finally show up at the Academy. And not to mention, being in college for a year will you help you refine your study and time-management habits. Just one tip: if you're going to reapply, be up front with your Detachment cadre: your supervisors/ superior officers want to help you succeed (and that applies for the Air Force in general), so let them know what your goals are.

As for a pilot slot, I'm not sure about the numbers, but I was once told by an Academy grad, "If you have a pulse at USAFA, are in the top 50% of the class, and pass the medical, you'll get a pilot slot." (Although beware, I think USAFA recently changed how it gives out AFSCs, i.e jobs; might be worth looking into) AFROTC isn't quite as simple from what I understand. Nonetheless, plenty of pilots did NOT go to the Academy, so if you work hard, of course you can do it.

Best of luck, and way to explore your options. Not every road is straight, but as long as it gets where you need to be, you'll be in the right place.

 

[robnbay]

AFROTC is a definitely a worthwhile program- it'll get you a bonafide commission just like USAFA grads have!!! If nothing else, having experience in the military, let alone the Air Force, will prove quite valuable when you finally show up at the Academy. And not to mention, being in college for a year will you help you refine your study and time-management habits. Just one tip: if you're going to reapply, be up front with your Detachment cadre: your supervisors/ superior officers want to help you succeed (and that applies for the Air Force in general), so let them know what your goals are.

As for a pilot slot, I'm not sure about the numbers, but I was once told by an Academy grad, "If you have a pulse at USAFA, are in the top 50% of the class, and pass the medical, you'll get a pilot slot." (Although beware, I think USAFA recently changed how it gives out AFSCs, i.e jobs; might be worth looking into) AFROTC isn't quite as simple from what I understand. Nonetheless, plenty of pilots did NOT go to the Academy, so if you work hard, of course you can do it.

Best of luck, and way to explore your options. Not every road is straight, but as long as it gets where you need to be, you'll be in the right place.

From what I understand USAFA class of 2016 was scolded by the commandant because not enough of them wanted to be pilots. Apparently over 50 pilot slots went unfilled. So if you have a pulse and are PQ your chances are excellent. We had a casual Lt from the class of 2015 tell us that the person second to last in her class received a pilot slot. Get an appointment, work hard in school, stay out of trouble, be medically qualified and the chance of going to UPT are excellent.