Hey guys, I've been researching to find a great source for info and this site seems to be the best in terms of speaking to real people about how different ROTC programs work, specifically the AFROTC. This is my first post.
I've been dreaming of becoming a pilot since I was young but my parents always shoved me away from joining any of the services. I love military technology and would love to make a career in the AF as a pilot, nav, or ABM.
Here's my backstory to give some insight:
I'll be 24 on July 25th. I graduated high school in 2007 with a great GPA (3.9) and received an academic scholarship to the University of Alabama and many other scholarships to the point that I was getting paid several thousand dollars a semester over what I actually needed. To sum it up short, I took advantage of my situation and it ended up putting me on academic probation and eventually I lost my scholarships. It sickens me to say that I left there with a 2.14 GPA, roughly 30 hours, and the title of sophomore after 4 semesters of school.
Fast forward 4 years:
I was recently laid off of a good job and it forced me to rethink my career. I've decided to pursue my dream of becoming an AF officer and have applied and been accepted back into the University of Alabama. I also spoke with someone (cadre) in the AFROTC office and they pretty much told me that I was still young enough to give pilot a try. From what I gather I will have to be younger than 29 before I commission.
I know the selection process to become a pilot is among the most competitive and I have fully committed to giving it everything I have to make it work. I know my 2.14 GPA is hideous and going in as a non-tech major I will need practically straight A's to remain competitive there. I feel like I can make the A's and bump my GPA up substantially in two semesters.
I have started a running/pushup/situp regiment to prepare for the Fall PFA. I currently run 1.5 miles in 11:00 but I know I can knock at least one minute off that time before the semester begins. I should have no problem maxing the pushup and situp portion.
My ACT score from many years ago was a 27. I most likely could have made a 30 if I had retaken it. I have always been a great test-taker so I feel like I could make great scores on the AFOQT. I started reading up on how to get my private pilots license simply to familiarize myself with the mechanics, terminology, etc of flight controls/operations. (My wife even told me that I could start taking lessons if I got all A's haha)
I want to be as competitive as I can be and was wondering what others thought about my chances at becoming a pilot (or nav).
Is there any advice that you could give on what to expect or what positions within the AFROTC may make you a better candidate for a FT spot?
Will it be weird for a 24 year old to possibly be in AS100 with younger people or is that a common occurrence?
Could my age possibly be a negative on the "whole person concept" that I read a lot about?
I know the road will be tough, especially given my GPA and age, but I am fully committed to giving it 110%.
Sorry for the long first post and thanks for reading. I look forward to hearing some opinions.
I've been dreaming of becoming a pilot since I was young but my parents always shoved me away from joining any of the services. I love military technology and would love to make a career in the AF as a pilot, nav, or ABM.
Here's my backstory to give some insight:
I'll be 24 on July 25th. I graduated high school in 2007 with a great GPA (3.9) and received an academic scholarship to the University of Alabama and many other scholarships to the point that I was getting paid several thousand dollars a semester over what I actually needed. To sum it up short, I took advantage of my situation and it ended up putting me on academic probation and eventually I lost my scholarships. It sickens me to say that I left there with a 2.14 GPA, roughly 30 hours, and the title of sophomore after 4 semesters of school.
Fast forward 4 years:
I was recently laid off of a good job and it forced me to rethink my career. I've decided to pursue my dream of becoming an AF officer and have applied and been accepted back into the University of Alabama. I also spoke with someone (cadre) in the AFROTC office and they pretty much told me that I was still young enough to give pilot a try. From what I gather I will have to be younger than 29 before I commission.
I know the selection process to become a pilot is among the most competitive and I have fully committed to giving it everything I have to make it work. I know my 2.14 GPA is hideous and going in as a non-tech major I will need practically straight A's to remain competitive there. I feel like I can make the A's and bump my GPA up substantially in two semesters.
I have started a running/pushup/situp regiment to prepare for the Fall PFA. I currently run 1.5 miles in 11:00 but I know I can knock at least one minute off that time before the semester begins. I should have no problem maxing the pushup and situp portion.
My ACT score from many years ago was a 27. I most likely could have made a 30 if I had retaken it. I have always been a great test-taker so I feel like I could make great scores on the AFOQT. I started reading up on how to get my private pilots license simply to familiarize myself with the mechanics, terminology, etc of flight controls/operations. (My wife even told me that I could start taking lessons if I got all A's haha)
I want to be as competitive as I can be and was wondering what others thought about my chances at becoming a pilot (or nav).
Is there any advice that you could give on what to expect or what positions within the AFROTC may make you a better candidate for a FT spot?
Will it be weird for a 24 year old to possibly be in AS100 with younger people or is that a common occurrence?
Could my age possibly be a negative on the "whole person concept" that I read a lot about?
I know the road will be tough, especially given my GPA and age, but I am fully committed to giving it 110%.
Sorry for the long first post and thanks for reading. I look forward to hearing some opinions.