AFROTC Enlisted Commitment Question

[uvp1]

I had a question about the repayment of scholarships if a cadet is disenrolled after the point of no return. I've been able to find out about the monetary repayment of scholarships, but no one I've spoken to seems to be able to answer my questions about potential enlisted commitment.

If a cadet is disenrolled for grades, PT scores, not going to field training, etc. how likely is the mandatory enlisted commitment over monetary repayment? I know the Air Force is trying to increase its numbers so will it become more likely if a cadet were to be disenrolled in the near future? If a cadet does incur the enlisted commitment are they allowed to finish school on their own dime, or do they have to leave immediately? Finally, would they have free pick of any enlisted job they could have gotten if they had enlisted normally, or are they just forced into a track based on the AF's needs?

Sorry for so many questions, we just want the full picture as my son makes his decisions on college and AFROTC. And the detachment wouldn't/couldn't give us decent answers to these questions.

Thank you in advance for your help, we really appreciate it!

 

[AROTC Parent]

Mandatory enlistment is not likely. Monetary repayment is likely. Allowed to finish school on their own dime. Little choice on enlisted job if that option, though unlikely, is offered.

Remember the AFROTC scholarship is 2 + 2 so if performance (grades, pt) is an issue they could be dropped with no commitment after two years.

 

[uvp1]

Thanks for the help. Do you know if that would hurt chances at future enlistment or OTS? It just seems like a lot can go wrong when you have the added stress of ROTC on top of college, when OTS is the same result but you're doing it one step at a time.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Thanks for the help. Do you know if that would hurt chances at future enlistment or OTS? It just seems like a lot can go wrong when you have the added stress of ROTC on top of college, when OTS is the same result but you're doing it one step at a time.

Remember that there is a hierarchy to "filling the tank up" with commissioned officers. Generally speaking the first to be utilized are the SA grads, then the ROTC graduates, finally the OTS/OCS. My point is that If the branch is downsizing, then why opt for the last group to be tapped on? (unless you are filling a specialized need, JAG, MD, Veterinarian, Chaplain, etc.)

 

[Zero]

If you are removed from ROTC, it will be on your OTS app. Does not mean you wont get it but they will see it. Almost 100% sure there is a "have you applied to a commissioning source before" box to check when I looked at the application process. Also you asked if you can keep going to college, yes ROTC has nothing to do with your admission to the college unless its a military academy. Lastly if you do enlist, they should make you take the asvab and let you know what jobs you qualify for and what is available. Its not like they throw you into some job you don't want, but they probably wont make miracles happen for you either. There are a lot of jobs out there with openings, just depends on what you want and what they have available.

Keep in mind if you do enlist it will pay for college, and look good on your OTS app. Always something to consider if you don't think ROTC is the way to go.

 

[5Day]

@Zero they were asking about the likelihood of being forced to enlist.

 

[Zero]

@Zero they were asking about the likelihood of being forced to enlist.

There's quite a few more questions on this thread than that in regard to what happens after. I answered part of the rest (you should probably read it?), nobody here knows (unless they have very recently done the process) what the AF does because as times change their decisions change. Their cadre would know that answer and what the current process is right now. Last year a cadet enlisted (by choice) instead of paying it back. It just depends. I don't believe they often mandate enlistment, but I don't know enough about that.

 

[derek44]

@gokings814 The Air Force is not downsizing, officer accessions are on the rise. AFROTC just saw a 100% Enrollment Allocation selection rate. OTS is seeing a surge in admitted applicants as well.