Do to some circumstances, I will not be able to submit for a rated position for this years February board (I want pilot). I graduate may 2015. Does anyone know how the supplemental/alternate board generally fairs (to my knowledge it is around September) ? Also, if I were to commission without a rated slot, are there any career fields that have a higher selection rate over to pilot or is it the same all around? Any help is great, thanks.
AFROTC Rated Selection
- Thread starter afi123123
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There aren't really any non-rated AFSCs that inherently have a better chance to cross-train into rated. In order to cross-train, you'll have to be released by your primary AFSC...so that means if you're in a non-rated AFSC that is under-manned, you aren't going anywhere. Then again, if you're in an AFSC that has too many officers in your year group, they will be more willing to let you go.
The trick to that in these times is that we're about to undergo a force shaping board (FSB) for Lts and junior Capts, and a reduction in force board (RIF) for mid-level Capts and Majs. So if you want to play the game by purposely going into an over-manned AFSC, you could end up getting released from the Air Force altogether vs. just getting released from your non-rated AFSC.
If you really want the best shot at getting a pilot slot, I'd say do your four years in a non-rated AFSC, then get out of active duty and apply to a bunch of guard units somewhere that fly platforms you like. You'll undergo a hiring process with each unit and if you show that you were a sharp comms/mx/space/intel/security forces/whatever officer, then they might hire you and send you to UPT.
That makes sense, appreciate the insight. So it seems like getting picked up for this supplemental board is going to be my best bet! Do you know how that board generally fairs? (Selection rates/trends?) I know its hard to say every year until it actually happens
I don't know what the percentages are, but I wouldn't rule you out. There's a long way to go before all those folks [who initially get pilot slots] will commission. And they all need to pass their flight physicals, which by no means is a guarantee. There will definitely be slots available, but I guess it'll just come down to how high you are on the list.
You could approach the NCOs/officers at your Det...specifically the ones who have been there a while, and ask what has been the norm in the last few years...how many people got picked up, what their stats were like. Other than them, the only real way to get solid numbers is directly from AFPC. And its hard for active duty SQ/CCs to get straight answers from AFPC, much less ROTC cadets.
Good luck!
Pima
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A couple of things.
1. Although the AF is downsizing the fact is they expect to have a pilot shortage due to airlines finally hiring again compared to the last 12-13 years. This works in your favor.
2. When you apply for rated you have to be willing to also take CSO, RPA and ABM. You can't now back out because you got ABM and decide yo would rather be non-rated and try later on once ADAF.
There was a cadet that went to the supplemental board the yr DS commissioned in 12. He got RPAs. As much as UPT is undermanned, RPA is too, maybe even more.
This works in the AF's favor because as I said you have to accept any rated. Gone are the days you can say pilot only.
The AF is giving or was at least gave out ABM/CSO scholarships in the past few years. That should tell you at least a yr or two agom AFPC decided they were short there too. I don't know how the cuts are impacting them, but if they are not on the RIF list you need to place this career field option into the equation. Remember, CSO school is about a yr., add in IFS, SERE, water survival, FTU, it can take two yrs before you are MQ. Do 2 yrs operational, and you are at the same 4 yr marker as the non-rated before you meet the UPT board. So take the time and research all of the rated positions they canon assigned you to before you apply for the supplemental, because it is likely either way if you don't get UPT it will be about 4 years before you have the ability to go to UPT.
~ our friends's DS applied OCS, commissioned in Sept. He was given a CSO slot and was told for his board (JULY 2012) that no pilot slots were given because they filled the numbers needed. You will be going with supplemental, which goes after the 300s and after OCS summer.
~~~Just putting it out there that there will be two rated boards, AFROTC and OCS.
Lastly there is a pipeline problem occurring right now at UPT and CSO. Class dates are being backed up by months. There is a thread on the AFA forum discussing this. Laughlin and Vance are definetly backing up. Dec start class is beginning next week. Our friend at p'cola was to start in Dec., than Jan., than Feb., now the start is March.
I agree with Nick talk to the det., but don't be shocked if they can't give you guidance since right now they don't know what this yr rate will be. Nick and our DSs yr it was close to 100%. They probably will have a better insight when the 300's are released next 6-9 weeks.
~~~If I recall correctly this is the first yr PCSM 2.0 will be used. The amount of flight hours matter a lot more now. Do you have any flight hours at all?
Again, a reason why not they may not be able to give you any insight until the board results are released to see the differentiate from the old PCSM to the new.
Nick is also correct the physical opens up slots. This exam is an FAA Flight Class 1 physical. AFROTC will fly you out to Wright Pat for a 3 day physical. Everything from eyes, ears, dental to EKGs will be performed. Waivers for the DoDMERB exam will feel like a cake walk compared to this exam. If you have any qualms get your medical records in order now.
Hope this helps by giving you even more insight than Nick has given you.
1. Although the AF is downsizing the fact is they expect to have a pilot shortage due to airlines finally hiring again compared to the last 12-13 years. This works in your favor.
2. When you apply for rated you have to be willing to also take CSO, RPA and ABM. You can't now back out because you got ABM and decide yo would rather be non-rated and try later on once ADAF.
There was a cadet that went to the supplemental board the yr DS commissioned in 12. He got RPAs. As much as UPT is undermanned, RPA is too, maybe even more.
This works in the AF's favor because as I said you have to accept any rated. Gone are the days you can say pilot only.
The AF is giving or was at least gave out ABM/CSO scholarships in the past few years. That should tell you at least a yr or two agom AFPC decided they were short there too. I don't know how the cuts are impacting them, but if they are not on the RIF list you need to place this career field option into the equation. Remember, CSO school is about a yr., add in IFS, SERE, water survival, FTU, it can take two yrs before you are MQ. Do 2 yrs operational, and you are at the same 4 yr marker as the non-rated before you meet the UPT board. So take the time and research all of the rated positions they canon assigned you to before you apply for the supplemental, because it is likely either way if you don't get UPT it will be about 4 years before you have the ability to go to UPT.
~ our friends's DS applied OCS, commissioned in Sept. He was given a CSO slot and was told for his board (JULY 2012) that no pilot slots were given because they filled the numbers needed. You will be going with supplemental, which goes after the 300s and after OCS summer.
~~~Just putting it out there that there will be two rated boards, AFROTC and OCS.
Lastly there is a pipeline problem occurring right now at UPT and CSO. Class dates are being backed up by months. There is a thread on the AFA forum discussing this. Laughlin and Vance are definetly backing up. Dec start class is beginning next week. Our friend at p'cola was to start in Dec., than Jan., than Feb., now the start is March.
I agree with Nick talk to the det., but don't be shocked if they can't give you guidance since right now they don't know what this yr rate will be. Nick and our DSs yr it was close to 100%. They probably will have a better insight when the 300's are released next 6-9 weeks.
~~~If I recall correctly this is the first yr PCSM 2.0 will be used. The amount of flight hours matter a lot more now. Do you have any flight hours at all?
Again, a reason why not they may not be able to give you any insight until the board results are released to see the differentiate from the old PCSM to the new.
Nick is also correct the physical opens up slots. This exam is an FAA Flight Class 1 physical. AFROTC will fly you out to Wright Pat for a 3 day physical. Everything from eyes, ears, dental to EKGs will be performed. Waivers for the DoDMERB exam will feel like a cake walk compared to this exam. If you have any qualms get your medical records in order now.
Hope this helps by giving you even more insight than Nick has given you.
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Ok thanks. And yes I understand that you have to apply for all rated positions, although this year you can now put in a "low" "medium" or "high" preference, which I have. Fortunately for me, I have over 100 flight hours and may be able to reach over 200 by the time I submit for supplemental. Does anyone know what happens to all the spots after people get disqualified medically? Is there another board that meets after the supplemental board? I know for us, last year we had everyone go get medically cleared after the supplementalboard met, and then 3 got disqualified, so who got their slots?
Pima
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These are questions that your det can answer. The fact is unless something has changed the board also has alternates. I doubt they have a supplemental board for the supplemental board. IOWs 3 boards for one AFROTC yr group.
May I ask why you are not meeting the rated board on time since it appears you are commissioning on time with the current 300s. If it is a medical issue, you really need to talk to the cadre and investigate the FC1 requirements.
May I ask why you are not meeting the rated board on time since it appears you are commissioning on time with the current 300s. If it is a medical issue, you really need to talk to the cadre and investigate the FC1 requirements.