AFROTC at Pitt, UT Austin and UConn - Feedback?

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OfficerToBe750

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Feb 9, 2020
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Any opinions on the AFROTC programs at the universities listed above, either from a parent or student perspective, please let us know. We have not been able to visit any of these schools yet, but they are currently on a short list based on fit. I know UT Austin is somewhat of an outlier from the other two, but family is an alumni and lives locally and it's a great school, so it made the list. We know so little about ROTC programs, how to compare, what matters etc. any information would be useful. Thank you.
 
The usual mantra here, that I entirely agree with, is to pick the college, not the ROTC unit. If one will thrive at the school they will thrive in the ROTC program. If they are not happy at the school they won't do so well as a cadet or midshipman.
 
Yes, agree school fit is most important and all three schools are a possibility. As we get closer and narrow down the list, we will arrange visits. Still hoping to get a better understanding of what differentiates the AFROTC programs at these schools.
 
I was out at Pitt last week for a few hours / one meeting, and can just share a few general thoughts about the campus and high level program details.

Det 730 for AFROTC is a large group as they are the cross-town host site for more than a dozen area universities - great info on the official Pitt page - posting for those who may not have seen it: https://www.afrotc.pitt.edu/
Impressive campus, right in the city but with ample green space/ parks. Great part of town. Some quirky places to get great food within 2 miles of campus, like Peace, Love and LIttle Donuts. Very research focused campus. Don't wear your Penn State hat if you happen to go - there's just a wee bit of rivalry between the schools. Speaking with parents of a ROTC student from Pitt there, it sounds like the run a pretty organized and active unit.

fyi, I believe Pitt students participate in NROTC in a cross-town affiliation that make up a "Steel City" battalion, with Carnegie Mellon University- but AFROTC is on-campus (as is AROTC). General consensus is that Pitt is a school you can get out of what you put into it - a lot of opportunity. the regular student housing for year 1 is a little tight but honors housing is a little nicer. Tower of learning and honors community are impressive.

I've asked so many questions to this board and encourage you to do the same and I think you'll see people will do their best to answer. It's good to get as much info as you can - happy to help if I can, if you want to post a few of them. Good luck.
 
Herman_Snerd said:
I was out at Pitt last week for a few hours / one meeting, and can just share a few general thoughts about the campus and high level program details.

Det 730 for AFROTC is a large group as they are the cross-town host site for more than a dozen area universities - great info on the official Pitt page - posting for those who may not have seen it: https://www.afrotc.pitt.edu/
Impressive campus, right in the city but with ample green space/ parks. Great part of town. Some quirky places to get great food within 2 miles of campus, like Peace, Love and LIttle Donuts. Very research focused campus. Don't wear your Penn State hat if you happen to go - there's just a wee bit of rivalry between the schools. Speaking with parents of a ROTC student from Pitt there, it sounds like the run a pretty organized and active unit.

fyi, I believe Pitt students participate in NROTC in a cross-town affiliation that make up a "Steel City" battalion, with Carnegie Mellon University- but AFROTC is on-campus (as is AROTC). General consensus is that Pitt is a school you can get out of what you put into it - a lot of opportunity. the regular student housing for year 1 is a little tight but honors housing is a little nicer. Tower of learning and honors community are impressive.

I've asked so many questions to this board and encourage you to do the same and I think you'll see people will do their best to answer. It's good to get as much info as you can - happy to help if I can, if you want to post a few of them. Good luck.
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This is so helpful. Thank you. We visited Pittsburgh when our other child was touring Carnegie Mellon and Pitt seemed like a great campus in a cool city. Did you visit or do you have any opinions on the facilities? That was an area where we've been told ROTC can vary - some are just better funded/supported than others. Thank you again.
 
OfficerToBe750 said:
This is so helpful. Thank you. We visited Pittsburgh when our other child was touring Carnegie Mellon and Pitt seemed like a great campus in a cool city. Did you visit or do you have any opinions on the facilities? That was an area where we've been told ROTC can vary - some are just better funded/supported than others. Thank you again.
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Thanks @OfficerToBe750. I can give you an opinion from my flyover at 30000 feet so to speak but I was thinking about this, and instead I recommend your child reach out to the unit and ask if there is a student in your child's intended major and also in AFROTC that they could speak with - you'll learn a great deal directly from the students in the program on what they think of the facilities, the dorms, the food, the leadership cadre, the benefits and challenges of this program. Also recommend reviewing the sight https://www.afrotc.pitt.edu/ and seeing if they have perhaps a FB site too. They seem in my limited opinion to have a large, well organized detachment.

On a personal note I always hated running hills - and Pittsburgh las LOTS of 'em. Please keep the board posted with what you learn and I hope that suggestion is helpful.
 
Herman_Snerd said:
Thanks @OfficerToBe750. I can give you an opinion from my flyover at 30000 feet so to speak but I was thinking about this, and instead I recommend your child reach out to the unit and ask if there is a student in your child's intended major and also in AFROTC that they could speak with - you'll learn a great deal directly from the students in the program on what they think of the facilities, the dorms, the food, the leadership cadre, the benefits and challenges of this program. Also recommend reviewing the sight https://www.afrotc.pitt.edu/ and seeing if they have perhaps a FB site too. They seem in my limited opinion to have a large, well organized detachment.

On a personal note I always hated running hills - and Pittsburgh las LOTS of 'em. Please keep the board posted with what you learn and I hope that suggestion is helpful.
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Thank you for your response. Yes he has already done those things and is arranging to speak directly with current students, agree this will be most helpful. Will make sure to make note of the hills.....good to know.
 
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