AFROTC Options

S

Sailor Jim

New Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2021
Messages
4
Just found out yesterday that after 2 years of AFROTC scholar ship my son failed to get an EA. I’m hoping I can get some insight to what this means and advice about a possible path forward, hopefully without all the nastiness of other threads.

He was told numbers were limited this year due to the high retention in the AF as well as Covid reducing the number of billets for training. His detachment told him his scholarship is stopped but so far little else.

I served 6 years Navy enlisted. I’ve chipped enough radioactive paint to have no illusions about how the military can be. I have no problem with such an abrupt decision or even the loss of scholarship money, I’m just hoping for advice on a path forward.

FWIW my son is getting solid grades in aerospace engineering. He has top physical fitness scores (the boy can run) and is a former eagle scout. We didn’t need the scholarship money, my 529 plans are overfunded. I asked him why he was wanted AFROTC and he told me “Because I want to serve”. I literally cried from pride.

He recognizes he could have been more involved in the program, but virtual classes really limited his options this year. From the sounds of things that might not have mattered given the numbers

So my questions are does this mean they will cut him loose, ending his time obligation with no requirement to pay back the scholar ship? What are his options for trying to get back into it?

If he tries for an EA next year, does that then mean a 5th year of college to finish up the required ROTC courses?

I don’t mind him working hard to earn a spot, but I really don’t want to see him follow up an engineering degree with a 4 year enlistment. We are looking for an approach to a commission that keeps his options open.

Thank for all helpful replies
 
Sailor Jim said:
So my questions are does this mean they will cut him loose, ending his time obligation with no requirement to pay back the scholar ship? What are his options for trying to get back into it?
Click to expand...

He could try to get a 500 slot. He would still lose the scholarship but could try to get an EA again next year. He would need to talk to his cadre about the availability of this option. In any case he will not be required to serve nor will he be required to pay back his scholarship. They broke the contract, not him.

He could also shoot for OTS after graduation. That's essentially three cycles from now and the retention problems will probably be gone by then.

Sailor Jim said:
I don’t mind him working hard to earn a spot, but I really don’t want to see him follow up an engineering degree with a 4 year enlistment. We are looking for an approach to a commission that keeps his options open.
Click to expand...

I'm assuming he wants to fly. He could also pursue AROTC, NROTC or NROTC Marine Option. It's my understanding that the Marines are short of pilots. I don't know where the Navy is at. Both have fixed wing and rotary options. Army has a few fixed wing but far more rotary options. He might be able to earn a commitment to a flight slot during his junior or senior year in NROTC. Of course he still has to successfully complete OCS, TBS, and then flight school but I doubt that would be an issue in his case.
 
Thanks for the reply. Read a couple of other threads on the topic and feeling much better informed. Need to talk to my son an calm him down.

One follow on question, my son asked for a non-rated appointment thinking it might increase his chances. Do you think that worked against him? I'm seeing posts that they seem to imply they give preference to kids who aspire to be pilots. Is that true?
 
Sailor Jim said:
Thanks for the reply. Read a couple of other threads on the topic and feeling much better informed. Need to talk to my son an calm him down.

One follow on question, my son asked for a non-rated appointment thinking it might increase his chances. Do you think that worked against him? I'm seeing posts that they seem to imply they give preference to kids who aspire to be pilots. Is that true?
Click to expand...
I believe that choosing the rated option, at least this year, helped quite a bit.
 
Non-rated, non-tech positions had the highest cuts. Rated, electrical engineer and nurses seemed to fare the best. @Sailor Jim, check out the Reddit AFROTC thread for more info as it helped our understanding of just how crazy competitive it was this year. At my DD’s det, the sophomores were cut in half and from what she told us, her command is also trying to figure out options for their non-selects. There were MANY exceptional cadets (including some AAS) who were cut, but with his drive to serve, I am sure your son will forge a path to do so. The graphic was shared on the Reddit thread for context

Attachments​

  • E22D0DCD-D1F2-477E-9AC6-80F3E7957202.jpeg
    E22D0DCD-D1F2-477E-9AC6-80F3E7957202.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top