I am assuming that you will be joining the AFA reapplying club.
The PFA/PFT is different than the AFA CFA.
Spend the summer doing the CFA in their precise order, and in all types of weather and different hours. In other words do it when it is 95 degrees at 6 pm. do it at 6 am (ROTC hours). If he does that he will ace the PFA. No waivering here...if there is 2 minutes rest between push ups and sit ups after the run, you do the 2 minutes. I don't recall the order, but you get my drift. Also no short cuts on the push-ups or sit ups, ROTC will not count a sit up if it is not to the reg.
There is nothing to study.
Yes, contact the det ASAP.
The fact is there is a AFROTC nom too. If you don't talk to them, but your child comes to them in mid-Sept and it is due 1st October, the Commander is not going to be thrilled.
By approaching the commander now, they will be able to watch them and have a stronger packet for the ROTC nom.
Remember some dets, like our DS's could have 50 cadets. They show up the last week of August, and it is highly unlikely that 3 weeks later they can put a face with a name for the new cadets.
CoC's do not harbinger any resentment if the cadet opts to apply for the AFA. They try to do everything in their power to mentor them.
If you go down the path that telling the det this is your goal, you will only do detriment to yourself. It is a fallacy that CoC's don't support cadets who want to try the AFA route.
I have stated before our DS opted ROTC over the AFA and his CoC gave their word they would support him if he decided that he chose the wrong path. We met/told the CoC Feb. He kept his word. Our DS elected to stay. He is a C300 (jr) and in the past 3 yrs they have had 3 cadets out of 3 get that support.
Trust them.
No officer likes to be blind sided if they have to write a rec short notice. Not contacting them now = blind siding in the fall.