Benefits of Completing ROTC Application Early & Piloting

thederek

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Hey Folks,

I haven't really seen any information on the benefits of submitting my AFROTC application earlier than later. Does it work the same way as the academies in that the boards meet, and the earlier the board sees you, the more of a chance you have? Recently I finished my USAFA application, but have yet to make any real progress on my ROTC application.

I am also wondering the percentage or rates of becoming a fighter (or any type of) pilot for AFROTC versus USAFA. If anyone has some insight regarding that, it would help me out a lot. Basically I'm wondering how likely it is to be able to become a pilot through ROTC instead of the academy.

Thank you,
Derek
 
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Hey Folks,

I haven't really seen any information on the benefits of submitting my AFROTC application earlier than later. Does it work the same way as the academies in that the boards meet, and the earlier the board sees you, the more of a chance you have? Recently I finished my USAFA application, but have yet to make any real progress on my ROTC application.

There are multiple boards, so having your application in before the first board would give you more opportunity to get selected.

I am also wondering the percentage or rates of becoming a fighter (or any type of) pilot for AFROTC versus USAFA. If anyone has some insight regarding that, it would help me out a lot. Basically I'm wondering how likely it is to be able to become a pilot through ROTC instead of the academy.

Thank you,
Derek

Neither of the commissioning sources will give you an edge for a fighter airframe. That is dependent on how you do at UPT.

While I don't have any stats to back up my opinion, I also don't believe either commissioning source will get you better odds for a pilot slot. I think it's more important to get good scores on your AFOQT, TBAS, Commander's Ranking, Field Training, and your GPA.

I would recommend reading the BaseOps forums to learn more. Also Wantscheck will help you understand how these scores impact your selection.
 
The other reason to complete it early is that there is only so much money in the pot to share the wealth. With that said, there have many who have gone up for multiple boards, so don't be shocked if your paperwork is submitted, meets the Nov board and they reply that at this time you were not selected, but will go up again for the Dec board. The reason goes back to the pot of money. You maybe on the line for full ride or partial. They want to see if there are more coming down the pipeline and how you stack up against them. The ones that get it earlier are those that make the def pile...for example def full ride no matter who comes in, or def will be partial, but never make full ride. Get use to this, as you make the service your career that even happens with promotion boards, that is why those who get the DP IZ jump for joy when they read their PRF since they know that they will be promoted, but now sorted into a pile of school or no school and that is why you sit and wait on pins and needles for the results.

As far as UPT, afarldad is correct neither ROTC or the AFA will be an easier track to get through UPT or FTU. Bullet was an ROTC grad, out of a class of 16 at FTU, he was the DG, and also the student to be the first in over 30 yrs to get 2 EQs. He was double crewed with 2 AFA grads, 1 graduated, the other was FEB 2 weeks before graduation and lost his wings.

DS selected AFROTC over the AFA, but he had many reasons behind the decision. The 2 most important was that he did not want to spend 4 yrs taking engineering classes and walking the pavement, the 2nd was that he interviewed cadets graduating and with assignments (you get the track as a jr). There was only one cadet that did not get their 1st choice and that was due to his gpa. Talk to the det commander and see their historical data.

However, from our experience it is true your gpa and AFOQT will be the main components on whether you will get a UPT slot, esp. since you will be going up against others nationally. Think of it this way it is like applying to colleges, strong gpa, high SAT (AFOQT) and ECs (rank/responsibility in the det) with recs (commander will be a part of your review) will determine what you get. Skate by in college with a gpa below 3.2, score an 80 on the AFOQT and not being involved in the det will lower your chances sharply...to be honest you have a better chance of becoming the POTUS. You could have been the next Chuck Yaeger, but will never see the chance since they believe from historical data you won't make it through the academics. UPT and UNT is not just about flying, you will spend a majority of your time hitting the books, and it never ends even when you become operational, because you will upgrade during your craeer. Not saying it is only books, but don't believe that when you get there on day 2 you will be in an AC, because you will be sorely disappointed.
 
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Thank you very much for the input. I guess I'm still pretty hazy on the whole ROTC process. I am in the process of applying for the scholarship, which to my understanding can vary from 100% tuition to a small figure monthly. There is a way to join ROTC without a scholarship, right? I would still be eligible for pilot training the only difference would be the lack of money.

thanks again
 
I have no idea about the Army or Air Force. I would love to learn though if they do!

Don't know entirely for sure about Air Force, but know with Army you could join the Reserves and be in ROTC at the same time under the Simultaneous Membership Program and through the Reserves can recieve money for college. (Note that if in SMP you are non-deployable as well and are paid at the rank of E-5 Sergeant)
 
Thank you very much for the input. I guess I'm still pretty hazy on the whole ROTC process. I am in the process of applying for the scholarship, which to my understanding can vary from 100% tuition to a small figure monthly. There is a way to join ROTC without a scholarship, right? I would still be eligible for pilot training the only difference would be the lack of money.

thanks again

Yes, but think of being under contract as opposed to having a scholarship.

You can participate in AFROTC as GMC without being under contract. Once you attend field training and become a member of the POC, you'll being under contract. Cadets under contract will get a stipend and usually have some sort of scholarship.

The schloarship is for tuition, labs, books, and fees. I wouldn't consider it a small monthly figure. The type 7 will pay your tuition to an in-state public school. The scholarship is paid directly to the school at the begining of each term. All those that get a scholarship are under contract and will also get a stipend. The stipend is paid twice a month during school terms.

My advice is to get the scholarship application submitted asap. You don't have to accept it, but you won't have that opportunity if you don't apply. If it's the contract obligation that concerns you, if you are awarded a 4 year schloarship, you have a year before you're obligated for your service commitment.

If you don't get a scholarship, there are 3 year scholarships that can be awarded through your dettachment.

It sounds like you may have some reseverations. I would highly recommend that you go talk with the local Cadre, so they can address your concerns. My experience is that they are more than willing to discuss your personal situation, what are your chances, and what you need to do to improve those chances. Like Pima mentioned, they can also tell you the history of their Cadets in regards of getting pilot slots. They can also tell you what gpa and test scores of those that received pilot slots from the dettachment. Nothing is guaranteed, but if you exceed those stats, it would be highly likely that you would get a Pilot slot.
 
I would look at it a little differently from a det commander side. The cadet who has taken an ROTC scholarship has made a commitment to the branch. Even as a freshman and sophomore they give positions to these cadets. Now the commander has an option give it to you without a contract or to the ROTC cadet? Who will it benefit more? They will give it to the contracted cadet. Now when you come up to your jr yr, they will write a rec, if you have nothing in form of leadership because you did not want to commit until forced too, who will they support for UPT? You or the cadet that committed to them in Sept of their soph yr? Who will they being giving jobs to within the det? You or the kid that commtted? In a way, it is like them saying here's the payback for committing at an earlier time and not hemming and hawing if you want to get off the fence. It almost is a trust issue. You trusted us enough to sign on with blind faith.

I agree with afar, go and talk to the det. Also, as I always stress, don't ever do this to be a pilot, do it to be an OFFICER. The path will twist and turn. There will be many hurdles to clear, what will you do if you wash out of FTU, and still owe 8 yrs, will you be happy being the maintenance officer? It does happen, and it is not as rare as you think. Off the top of my cranium I can tell you of 4 people who were FEB'd at FTU. I think we saw at least 1 out of every flying tour. Your committment goes up to 8 as soon you graduate UPT. Out of those 4 that were FEB'd none of them were allowed to x train from Fighters to another airframe. They x trained from fighters to a chair.
 
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