AFROTC accepted tech majors list

[CGA applicant 2024]

I received a type 1 tech scholarship, and I initially chose Computer Science as it is listed on the AFROTC website as a tech major option.

I would love to major in Cyber Operations if possible, as I feel it would more directly correlate to a career I am interested in with the Air Force. Does anyone know the chances of my scholarship technician allowing this? It is not a huge deal as my hope is to achieve a pilot slot, but would love to change my major to this if possible before I begin in the fall.

Is there someone else I should contact other than the scholarship technician?

 

[Poirot74]

As long as it is still one of the listed technical majors, you will be able to change it. I did that last year (before school started) by changing from mechanical to aerospace engineering with my type 7 tech. The scholarship technician is the person to talk to.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Just recommend you follow the guidance above, and be very specific in confirming what exact major/ course of study at a specific school you can use the scholarship with, to ensure it aligns with your scholarship guardrails. Computer Science is on the highly desired majors list, https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/desired-majors/ and choosing that earned you an advantage over others in your application. Cyber Ops isn't on that list, unless I am overlooking so you may or may not be able to switch - probably depends on whether they consider Ops as technical given some take that path and role with an administrative vs technical focus. Please let the board know please what you find out when you look into this directly, in case it may help others.

 

[CGA applicant 2024]

So my scholarship technician got back to me that since it is not on the list I cannot start AFROTC with a Cyber Operations major. However, he said my unit may allow a change in major after my first year with Computer Science.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

So my scholarship technician got back to me that since it is not on the list I cannot start AFROTC with a Cyber Operations major. However, he said my unit may allow a change in major after my first year with Computer Science.

Thanks for sharing an update back with the board on what you found. Good luck.

 

[Pima]

However, he said my unit may allow a change in major after my first year with Computer Science.

Unless something has changed, the unit may submit the change to HQ AFROTC, but HQ AFROTC will determine if they will allow it. Typically, HQ has said NOPE!
They do this for a couple of reasons.
1. AF likes to have @80-85% in tech degrees.
2. Fear that if they make this a pattern, candidates for the HSSP will "GAME" the system.
~ IOWS, apply as a HS sr for a tech degree, than after their freshmen yr., switch to non-tech.

would love to major in Cyber Operations if possible, as I feel it would more directly correlate to a career I am interested in with the Air Force.

You state that you want to become a pilot. My husband flew fighters for 21+ yrs and my DS now flies heavies. Hubby was an aerospace major, DS was dual major of govt and politics plus international relations. Their undergrad degrees had/have no impact on their career. Either you can handle the stick as a pilot or you can't.
~Your 1st few yrs (5-6) will be all about flying. It takes about 2 yrs before you become operational (UPT/SERE/Water Survival/Air frame school house). The 1st op tour base is about getting you up to speed and higher ratings, such as flight lead/ left seater/AC/IP. By the time you are flying less, your job is going to be tied to getting you promoted to major. I.E. Flight Commander, Scheduling Chief, Weapons dept., etc. Nothing that has anything to do with your undergrad degree.
~~ If you decide to bolt the AF as a pilot you will be a decade out from your undergrad degree. Anything you learned during your undergrad yrs will be long outdated. You will need to get a new degree if you decide to fly a chair post ADAF life.

Personally, I would not change from a tech to a non-tech major, unless you really can't handle the course load. The reason why is simple. SFT.
The way it has worked in the past is:
~ Tech majors usually get selected with a 3.0/3.1 cgpa. Non-tech cgpa is usually @ 3.3/3.4
~ HQ will break the selection down into 4 categories. They are tech/rated, tech/non-rated, non-tech/rated, non-tech/non-rated.
~~ The highest selection rate has always been tech/rated. The next 2 categories are about the same. The last is the lowest percentage.
~~~ It has been hovering in the overall selection rate in the 90s percentile, but when you look at the break down, it is almost a guarantee if you carry a 3.1 cgpa as a tech major wanting a pilot slot. The next 2 categories basically mimic or are close to the national selection rate. The last cat and it is below the nat avg.
~~~~ Nobody knows what the selection rate will be in 2 yrs from now. The impact of CoVid is yet to be seen. I.E. typically when the economy takes a down turn, recruitment and retention rate ticks up, yet the numbers they need in the military remain the same. If the pool size for class of 2024 is larger than let's say 2023, yet the number for SFT remains the same, it is only logical to realize that the selection rate will be reduced. You need to see that you will be safer for selection is tech either as rated or non-rated.

Good luck and thank you for wanting to defend this great nation.

 

[CGA applicant 2024]

Unless something has changed, the unit may submit the change to HQ AFROTC, but HQ AFROTC will determine if they will allow it. Typically, HQ has said NOPE!
They do this for a couple of reasons.
1. AF likes to have @80-85% in tech degrees.
2. Fear that if they make this a pattern, candidates for the HSSP will "GAME" the system.
~ IOWS, apply as a HS sr for a tech degree, than after their freshmen yr., switch to non-tech.

You state that you want to become a pilot. My husband flew fighters for 21+ yrs and my DS now flies heavies. Hubby was an aerospace major, DS was dual major of govt and politics plus international relations. Their undergrad degrees had/have no impact on their career. Either you can handle the stick as a pilot or you can't.
~Your 1st few yrs (5-6) will be all about flying. It takes about 2 yrs before you become operational (UPT/SERE/Water Survival/Air frame school house). The 1st op tour base is about getting you up to speed and higher ratings, such as flight lead/ left seater/AC/IP. By the time you are flying less, your job is going to be tied to getting you promoted to major. I.E. Flight Commander, Scheduling Chief, Weapons dept., etc. Nothing that has anything to do with your undergrad degree.
~~ If you decide to bolt the AF as a pilot you will be a decade out from your undergrad degree. Anything you learned during your undergrad yrs will be long outdated. You will need to get a new degree if you decide to fly a chair post ADAF life.

Personally, I would not change from a tech to a non-tech major, unless you really can't handle the course load. The reason why is simple. SFT.
The way it has worked in the past is:
~ Tech majors usually get selected with a 3.0/3.1 cgpa. Non-tech cgpa is usually @ 3.3/3.4
~ HQ will break the selection down into 4 categories. They are tech/rated, tech/non-rated, non-tech/rated, non-tech/non-rated.
~~ The highest selection rate has always been tech/rated. The next 2 categories are about the same. The last is the lowest percentage.
~~~ It has been hovering in the overall selection rate in the 90s percentile, but when you look at the break down, it is almost a guarantee if you carry a 3.1 cgpa as a tech major wanting a pilot slot. The next 2 categories basically mimic or are close to the national selection rate. The last cat and it is below the nat avg.
~~~~ Nobody knows what the selection rate will be in 2 yrs from now. The impact of CoVid is yet to be seen. I.E. typically when the economy takes a down turn, recruitment and retention rate ticks up, yet the numbers they need in the military remain the same. If the pool size for class of 2024 is larger than let's say 2023, yet the number for SFT remains the same, it is only logical to realize that the selection rate will be reduced. You need to see that you will be safer for selection is tech either as rated or non-rated.

Good luck and thank you for wanting to defend this great nation.

Thanks for the info! Cyber Operations is a tech major, ABET accredited with a Bachelors of Science at Cedarville University. Newer degree so many people don't know about it. Basically computer science with a cyber security emphasis. I know that I likely would not have received a Type 1 Scholarship had I pursued a non-tech major, and don't plan to change that.

If I receive a pilot slot (plan A) I would go aviation all the way and never look back, and I realize my major won't have a huge effect how well I can fly a plane. I earned my solo wings last year through Civil Air Patrol and plan to give everything I have to pursue aviation. This is absolutely something I want to do, and I am aware of how challenging it is to become a pilot and to live as one.

I simply want to major in cyber operations so that if for whatever reason a pilot slot doesn't happen, I could possibly pursue a career in the Air Force related to Cyber Security. (plan B) I love technology and STEM, and handled college Calculus well through dual enrollment, and physics was my favorite Science.

Big picture I know that whatever my goals are the needs of the Air Force and our nation come first, so trying to stay flexible and prepare for whatever happens.