AFROTC Field Training

[TopDawg]

Good morning. I am currently going through my options and trying to decide what my plan is after high school. For a while, my Plan A was to go to USAFA if I ended up receiving an appointment in the near future, and my Plan B was to participate in AFROTC (I already have a scholarship). However, I am now debating the two plans and am preparing to make a difficult decision if I receive an appointment.

One of my big questions is about the selection process for AFROTC Field Training. I believe that if I go to USAFA, I will commission as an officer as long as I do everything right (get good grades, pass physical test, not do anything stupid, etc.), however if I join AFROTC, I will not only have to do everything right, but also be at the mercy of the field training selection board, which is out of my control. And, from what my local detachment has told me, field training is very competitive now compared to when my dad was in AFROTC, and the selection rate is about 50%. Of course, if I excel in the AFROTC, my chances of being selected increase, and I am not that worried about slipping in academics or PT, since it is in my control. I am worried about the possibility of not being selected for field training because of the low selection rate.

Does field training selection depend on the needs of the Air Force? Do scholarship cadets typically have a better chance at getting selected for field training? Is the low selection rate due to COVID? If I am not selected for field training, is the end of line regarding commissioning as an officer via AFROTC? Any information would help and thank you!

 

[Mdm26]

1. Yes.
2. Not sure.
3. Last years selection rate was low and was apparently due to less officers retiring than was expected which was due to Covid.
4. I was told that this year the selection rate is about 82%.
5. In the vast majority of cases I believe the answer is yes.

 

[kinnem]

1. Yes
2. No
3. Indirectly. The drop in air travel kept pilots from leaving the military, therefore fewer JOs are needed.
4. Not necessarily. They may decided to carry you another year and see if you can get a shot the following year.

 

[ArngeDrank]

Oh boy was the PSP selection for this year stressful. Why? Because of this low selection rate you're mentioning. Everyone including my cadre members thought it was going to be the same, if not, worse than last year. Everything worked out though (for me at least) and I ended up getting selected this year. The selection rate was about 82%. In my detachment? 95%. The percentage doesn't matter, though... Whether you get selected or not is something you can control! If you're an academy reject (like me) or just choose AFROTC over USAFA, then you suddenly start on a clean slate. Get good grades, get a good AFOQT score, volunteer in your detachment, and work on your leadership skills to obtain a high commander's ranking. The past two years have been the most productive of my life because I realized these facts. If you really want it to happen, then you can make it happen.. and in my case maybe pick up an in-college type 2 scholarship along the way!

Only one cadet in my detachment did not get selected for field training this year. I admire him because he's continuing the program as an AS500, which is another option you have. If you don't get picked up the first time around, you can try again! And you'll go in even stronger than before.