Should I take the offer?

Bitterguy

5-Year Member
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Aug 7, 2012
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I am a junior in highschool. I plan to AFROTC to either Georgia Tech or Penn State for comp sci. I recently took my asvab and got a call from the army recruiter today, they said I got a 76 and that qualifies me for any job I want. They also asked me about going to bootcamp this summer, I was wondering what does that mean as in, does that increase my odds of getting into ROTC sign me up for anything, get me anything or would it just be something I do? I plan on seeing some recruiters sometime soon but i'd like to here from some people here because (no offense to any recruiters on the forum) most of my dads side of the family and some of my moms were in the navy and I've heard some things from them about recruiters heheh.
Thank you in advance
 
I don't understand... you are considering enlisting in the Army ang going to boot camp after your Junior year in High School, and not even finishing High School?

My suggestion is to apply for an Army ROTC scholarship in another five months while you are in your 2nd semester, Jr. year. If you don't get a scholarship, then you can check out another plan... join ROTC without a scholarship, or join Army Reserves, and do the SMP program while in college.

I don't understand why anyone would want you to enlist before you've graduated from High School.
 
Dropping out and enlisting will not help your chances at getting an ROTC scholarship or with joining an ROTC unit. If your worried about just being taken on as a walk on at an AFROTC det, don't be. If you meet the requirements, all you have to do is sign up, no enlistment required. The hard part is getting into the college, not joining ROTC. It's not easy to stay in, but getting in should be a non-issue in your future plans.
 
I don't understand... you are considering enlisting in the Army ang going to boot camp after your Junior year in High School, and not even finishing High School?

My suggestion is to apply for an Army ROTC scholarship in another five months while you are in your 2nd semester, Jr. year. If you don't get a scholarship, then you can check out another plan... join ROTC without a scholarship, or join Army Reserves, and do the SMP program while in college.

I don't understand why anyone would want you to enlist before you've graduated from High School.

High schoolers can enlist only in the Reserves when they haven`t finished school. They go to BCT between junior and senior year, and AIT after senior year. He wouldn`t be dropping out. It`s sort of like SMP program for high school minus the ROTC.

Hope that clears it up.
 
I am a junior in highschool. I plan to AFROTC to either Georgia Tech or Penn State for comp sci. I recently took my asvab and got a call from the army recruiter today, they said I got a 76 and that qualifies me for any job I want. They also asked me about going to bootcamp this summer, I was wondering what does that mean as in, does that increase my odds of getting into ROTC sign me up for anything, get me anything or would it just be something I do? I plan on seeing some recruiters sometime soon but i'd like to here from some people here because (no offense to any recruiters on the forum) most of my dads side of the family and some of my moms were in the navy and I've heard some things from them about recruiters heheh.
Thank you in advance

The Recruiter's job is to get you to enlist. You should NOT be talking to recruiters if you are thinking about being an Officer. ASFAB id for enlisted only, it's not relevant to you.

There is a huge difference between Officer and enlisted. You should be talking to the Officers in the ROTC units - at the Universities you are interested in. And enlisting in the ARMY is not the way to be an Officer in the AIR FORCE. Do not listen to recruiters,

DO NOT ENLIST.
 
I have heard of this approach taken by recruiters from several different branches over the last three of so years. Essentially, enlist and also apply to ROTC if you want. Some claim it can even help your chances of getting the scholarship. If you get an ROTC scholarship, the enlisted contract is nullified. (or something like that). I am sure there are posters on here who know about the details of this path.

From reading your post details I note that you want to get a computer science degree and become an Air Force Officer (via ROTC).

Based on those goals, I would not enlist. I believe you would only be released from your obligation if you got an ROTC scholarship. Otherwise, instead of college you would begin your military career immediately as an enlisted man.

I agree with the other posters and suggest you wait and apply for the ROTC scholarship and apply to the schools you want to attend. You always have the option of enlisting if that path doesn't work out or you change your mind.

Don't be pressured into making a decision like this.
 
Bitterguy,

I have to agree with USMCGrunt. Wait until you have applied for your AFROTC Scholarship before talking with any recruiters.

If during the process you decide to apply for an Army ROTC Scholarship, there will be plenty of information regarding the SMP Program (This is for Army only) that will come up. Even if you apply to AROTC do not enlist in the reserves as a junior in high school, it will just mess up your plans. There is plenty of time to look at SMP even after you apply for the scholarships.

For the other posters, the program the OP was talking about is "Split Option" like 97133M stated, it is a program that allows Juniors in high school to enlist, attend BCT during the summer before their senior year and then AIT after their senior year. The issue with this is that he would then be obligated to the reserves, even if he did receive an AFROTC Scholarship, not a good gamble to take.

Best advice for now, stay out of the recruiting offices.
 
Wait...you want to do Air Force ROTC and you are talking to an Army enlisted recruiter? Make sure you understand that if you are an enlisted Army Reservist or Guardsman you will be obligated to them, and you will have some issues being able to do AF ROTC in college. You will also be deployable once you attend AIT, at least until you contract in ARMY ROTC. Is that really what you want?
 
Thank you all for clearing that up, the recruiter made it sound like something I could do for each branch to increase my chances of getting into rotc, I wondered why she seemed so quick to hang up once I said I was pretty set on AFROTC
(should have known not to trust those recruiters :p)
 
Bitterguy: I gave you a pass on the first incident but can't on the second.

I am sure your comments about recruiters are tongue in cheek and meant to be funny but the vast majority of these hard working men and women perform their duties with impeccable standards and class. The portrayal of a slick, unethical recruiter is a worn out stereotype.

Should you be fortunate to earn a career in the military, there is a strong chance you could find yourself with a tour in this type of work. Given the audience of this forum (retired, former, current active duty servicemen and women along with those who are committed to joining and those considering joining a branch of the military) I recommend you refrain from these comments - even if joking.
 
Sound advice from most folks here.

I think you are wise to "talk" to all the services...I'm sure most would agree with me that each are very different, even though there is some overlap at times.

We don't know your situation or why you are seeking an enlistment. As for myself, I was a poor lad who grew up on a farm and was quite ignorant regarding the military. I got hooked up with a USAR recruiter who had a "plan" for me to get financial help with college while earning a little funding each month as a reservist. Again, had no idea of ROTC scholarships.

I quickly chose the enlisted route and joined the SMP program thru my colleges ROTC program. As a non-scholarship cadet, my monthly drill pay went from E-2 to E-5 and I was treated like a "third" lieutenant, out in front of the platoon instead of standing in the squad line and was given more leadership roles.

Now, was this a more beneficial route? Who knows, it worked for me at that time, probably not for others. Had I applied for a 4yr AROTC scholarship, I likely would have gotten it, looking back, the scholarship would have been more financially beneficial (less student loans).

I failed to seek the other services and explore my options. However, I did jump ship to the Air Force a few years later...and retired back in '09. I cannot say enough great things about the Air Force. Again, its not for everyone, but it certainly was VERY good to me and my family.

My advice, as others have mentioned...compare the E vs O route and see what each branch has to offer. You'll find your way, once service will offer you a great deal. Best of luck
 
I don't mean to hurt your feelings or offend you, but a 76 ASVAB is not a stellar score. Take it again, if you have the chance. A 76 would definitely not qualify you for any of the advanced fields the Navy has to offer.
 
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