Air Force ROTC vs Army ROTC for CS majors

AROTC vs AFROTC


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JohnZh

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Oct 28, 2018
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Hey, first of all, thank you for reading. I am a college sophomore majoring in Math and Computer Science. I am interested in joining an ROTC program. Both ROTC and AFROTC are cross town for me, but since I live in NYC it is not really that much of a big deal. I have some trouble deciding which one to go with. I did some research on my own and found out Air Force usually provide better STEM positions, but the catch is, if I want to complete AFROTC I will have to graduate one semester late and then spend another semester as a civilian(to complete the final semester of the program, which allows you not to be a full-time student). For ROTC, I can enroll right now and graduate on time. I know army just created a cyber branch but apparently, it is extremely difficult to get in. Any advice is appreciated, thank you very much.
 
Hey JohnZh, I am currently a contracted Army ROTC sophomore. Regarding your question, I think the best option is to go and talk to the ROO at both programs. I cannot speak much for Airforce, but I know yes cyber branch is fairly competitive. However, if you keep a very good GPA, PFT, and extracurricular in and outside the ROTC program you should have a good chance at branching it when you commission. Of course, there are other factors on the OML and other assessments such as advance camp but GPA and PFT are a good bulk of your OML when it comes time. It's also important to remember nothing is a guarantee and everything is based on the needs of the Army and how you match up against every other ROTC cadet in the nation for your graduating class year. It is also pretty tough with time management. A lot of the engineering and STEM majors at my program end up switching majors or quitting ROTC because the coursework/ROTC is too much. At my program we PT mon-thurs and conduct our labs on Friday. Also take into account for both ROTC programs you will be required to take their military science course which will lessen your free space for classes. And already being a sophomore I believe you would need to make up the first year military science class as well (dont quote me on that though). Stop by both programs and talk to the ROO they'll help you gauge things better. Best of luck
 
If you don’t get cyber the Army also has a signal corps. As a signal officer I worked on planning, designing, and installing communications networks. A Comp Sci or Comp Eng is usually a good fit for the Signal Corps.
 
If you don’t get cyber the Army also has a signal corps. As a signal officer I worked on planning, designing, and installing communications networks. A Comp Sci or Comp Eng is usually a good fit for the Signal Corps.
Thank you very much for this information. I looked up signal corp and that seems like a good choice.
 
Hey JohnZh, I am currently a contracted Army ROTC sophomore. Regarding your question, I think the best option is to go and talk to the ROO at both programs. I cannot speak much for Airforce, but I know yes cyber branch is fairly competitive. However, if you keep a very good GPA, PFT, and extracurricular in and outside the ROTC program you should have a good chance at branching it when you commission. Of course, there are other factors on the OML and other assessments such as advance camp but GPA and PFT are a good bulk of your OML when it comes time. It's also important to remember nothing is a guarantee and everything is based on the needs of the Army and how you match up against every other ROTC cadet in the nation for your graduating class year. It is also pretty tough with time management. A lot of the engineering and STEM majors at my program end up switching majors or quitting ROTC because the coursework/ROTC is too much. At my program we PT mon-thurs and conduct our labs on Friday. Also take into account for both ROTC programs you will be required to take their military science course which will lessen your free space for classes. And already being a sophomore I believe you would need to make up the first year military science class as well (dont quote me on that though). Stop by both programs and talk to the ROO they'll help you gauge things better. Best of luck
Thank you for your reply! Yes, I will definitely talk to them :)
 
If you don’t get cyber the Army also has a signal corps. As a signal officer I worked on planning, designing, and installing communications networks. A Comp Sci or Comp Eng is usually a good fit for the Signal Corps.
Thank you very much for this information. I looked up signal corp and that seems like a good choice.
Communications officer in the Marine Corps would be a good match as well. Essentially the Marines equivalent to the Army's Signal Corps. Keep in mind that a degree in Comp Sci is not required for these roles. They teach you everything you need to know. My son was a history major but is serving as a Marine Communications Officer at present. Being familiar with what he does it's an extremely logical fit for someone with a Comp Sci degree. In fact I was concerned he didn't have one when he started, but he's done great. He always had a natural bent for that stuff but didn't like it as a major.
 
As usual, @clarksonarmy and @kinnem are on target.

My DS, Army ROTC, commissioned in 2015 as a Signal Officer. He changed his major from Chem E to Chem specifically to take more CS and foreign language classes. He was not assured of branching Signal, but that was his first choice, because it gave him the best chance of deploying overseas the soonest.

His job involves setting up and maintaining communications networks, which he has done in the US and the Middle East. I can't speak for Cyber, but I can tell you that branching Signal will not cost you Army/civilian career options. In fact, branching Cyber may actually preclude options that would otherwise be available to Signal Officers. My son got side-glance looks at Army Airborne School, but he was there.

You will not lose your CS cache. Within Signal, you may actually be able to leverage your CS credentials. Computer code is mathematical proofs and proofs are another word for problem solving. The Army needs and wants problem solvers...who can pass a drug test and a physical fitness test.

Most important, you will not find a job in the civilian world which will give you, as a recent college graduate, the managerial experience of an O1/O2 as you will find in any of the military branches.

Best of luck!
 
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