AFROTC vs. NROTC Commissioning

PrivatePilot172

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2014
Messages
6
My main goal is to be a commissioned officer in either the Air Force or Navy. Assuming that everything else is equal (e.g., I would be equally happy in the Air Force or Navy considering career options, life style, and culture), which of the two routes (NROTC or AFROTC) are most likely to lead to a commission? I have been awarded ROTC scholarships for both AF and Navy. My observation (right or wrong) on this board is that AF is in a significant downsizing mode and that even a scholarship cadet must get accepted to Field Training which can itself be challenging. From the Navy perspective, my understanding is that scholarship cadets, if they maintain minimum GPAs, will not have to face an equivalent Field Training hurdle (is this correct?). Obviously Navy can still downsize, but I’ve not seen nearly as much on these forums regarding Navy downsizing as AF. In addition, Navy ROTC cadets have the opportunity of summer cruises and according to my local AFROTC Detachment, similar programs do not exist for AFROTC cadets. So, what is the most likely route for commissioning, AFROTC or NROTC?
 
My main goal is to be a commissioned officer in either the Air Force or Navy. Assuming that everything else is equal (e.g., I would be equally happy in the Air Force or Navy considering career options, life style, and culture), which of the two routes (NROTC or AFROTC) are most likely to lead to a commission? I have been awarded ROTC scholarships for both AF and Navy. My observation (right or wrong) on this board is that AF is in a significant downsizing mode and that even a scholarship cadet must get accepted to Field Training which can itself be challenging. From the Navy perspective, my understanding is that scholarship cadets, if they maintain minimum GPAs, will not have to face an equivalent Field Training hurdle (is this correct?). Obviously Navy can still downsize, but I’ve not seen nearly as much on these forums regarding Navy downsizing as AF. In addition, Navy ROTC cadets have the opportunity of summer cruises and according to my local AFROTC Detachment, similar programs do not exist for AFROTC cadets. So, what is the most likely route for commissioning, AFROTC or NROTC?

I think you have a good handle on some of the key aspects of the programs. As far as likelihood of commissioning, that's more up to you than to the programs. If you work hard and apply yourself you will more than likely commission. If you don't, you won't.
 
My DS is an AF Cadet so I am biased toward the Air Force. But to be completely honest, just meeting the AF scholarship standards does not guarantee a FT slot. Just take a look at past years regarding EA selections and you can see what I mean. Where as with the Navy Scholarship as long as you are meeting standards, you will commission. So if you have equal feelings about both branches, than NROTC will give you the higher probability of commissioning.
 
DS will commission Navy in May. To me it seems the Navy budget is in better shape. All tuition has been paid early, stipends on time and almost all mids on full scholarship. Over the last few years they have actually increased the number of in school scholarships. After graduation, there seems to be very little to no delay before duty and are paid as 0-1"s right after graduation. Don't know if its my perception or the fact the Navy is much smaller and they have maybe handled the sequestration better.
 
Actually the AF is the smallest of the big three. As far as reduction in numbers the AF will be decreasing by 8% over the next 5 years. By the time the OP comes on line the AF will have met their numbers.
~~~ Understand it is done by year groups and as far as the AF is. Concerned they need to cut 14 and probably 15 yr group.

Now, as for the SFT it is true you need to make that cut, and a lot will also depend on if you are a tech or non-tech major. However, as kinnem stated if you pull a 3.0/3.1 cgpa as a tech major you will be fine.

In both cases you will go AD upon commissioning. The real question to me is do you want to serve on a carrier/sub or on land. The lifestyle will be different, and most likely you will be away from home more with the Navy than with the AF. You will still deploy with the AF, but typically it is for a shorter duration.
 
Thank you everyone for the help.

Your advise has been very insightful, but its going to be a difficult decision.
 
Back
Top