AFROTC PDT: Ops Air Force vs. USAFA ESET

[afrotc2022]

Hi y'all,

I'm a C/4C in AFROTC, and apparently, as a contracted cadet, I have to do Ops Air Force (or some PDT) this summer. I was nominated for USAFA SOAR but didn't make the cut. Our cadre just let us know that there are openings for GMC to go to Expeditionary Survival & Evasion Training (ESET) at USAFA this summer, so I turned in my availability and said I'd like to.
I'm trying to balance several summer things though: I've got an overseas trip for two weeks in June and trying to do a summer online class (likely 6 weeks long). Now I've gotta fit in a PDT on top of that.

So...
Question 1: As an aspiring AF pilot, does ESET or Ops AF make more sense as a PDT?
Question(s) 2: I've heard ESET is a somewhat toned-down version of SERE...M9 training, small unit tactics, the "infamous" killing of a rabbit , etc. What else is included? Pros/Cons? Is it worth three weeks of my summer? Will it improve FT performance maybe?
Question 3: How long is Ops AF? I've heard some say 2 weeks, some say 3. I've seen posts where people say they had enough free time to do an online class, so that might help me (can't do that at ESET for sure). Plus, shorter is better (ESET is 3 weeks).
Question 4: What are some of the high-points for Ops (obviously different for each base/group)? What base would you recommend for a fighter pilot hopeful?

Sorry, a bit disorganized. Bottom line, I've seen some stuff about Ops and ESET and I'm just looking for some more info to make an informed decision. Thanks y'all!

 

[Pima]

I've got an overseas trip for two weeks in June and trying to do a summer online class (likely 6 weeks long). Now I've gotta fit in a PDT on top of that.

I don't have answers to your questions, but what struck out to me was what I placed in bold from your quote. The fact is they will tell you when you will go. You are under the mis-conception you have a choice when you will go.

Have you talked to the cadre regarding your availability dates?

Are you under the assumption that your WANTS come before HQ AFROTC needs? You signed a contract as a scholarship recipient.

If you have not told the cadre regarding your summer plans, I would do so today.
~ Is the summer online course a need or a want? AFROTC scholarship and this assignment is a MUST to keep the scholarship.

I am not trying to be mean. What I am saying is that the AF will always take precedent over your 1st desires. They will own you for yrs to come.
~ You want to be a pilot. They may decide you will go CSO.
~ You want fighters, they may decide you get heavies.
~ You may want Charleston, but they send you to Dover.

My point is as a HS student you were able to choose your college and major. ADAF, you don't get that option. You are now getting a glimpse of that fact. This idea of you have to fit this into your summer schedule is kind of comical. They will decide it for you. If you do not clue in your cadre regarding your summer plans it might be bad for you.
~ Let's say they assign you Ops AF end of May for 2 weeks, but it will not end until 3 days after you are to leave overseas. What will you do? Will you say I can't?
~ Let's assume they understand that it is a family issue, and move your date. Now the next class opening they have is mid July, but at this time you are 3 weeks into your online class (not required, but your want) Do you say no again? How do you think that will look in their eyes?
~~ Remember if I am correct you have already approached your det @ switching from tech to non-tech, and they were opposed. Now you are asking to change a training position date as a scholarship cadet bc you WANT to take an online course that is not required over AFROTC training. As an AS 200 you will need their support for SFT. No SFT = high chance of disenrollment, loss of scholarship.

JMPO, and I am being completely honest. I think you need to look deep in yourself.
Again,I am not trying to be mean, rude or harsh. I am just looking at your posts and wondering, how on earth did you make these summer plans without talking to your cadre knowing you HAD to do summer training.

 

[afrotc2022]

I've got an overseas trip for two weeks in June and trying to do a summer online class (likely 6 weeks long). Now I've gotta fit in a PDT on top of that.

I don't have answers to your questions, but what struck out to me was what I placed in bold from your quote. The fact is they will tell you when you will go. You are under the mis-conception you have a choice when you will go.

Have you talked to the cadre regarding your availability dates?

Are you under the assumption that your WANTS come before HQ AFROTC needs? You signed a contract as a scholarship recipient.

If you have not told the cadre regarding your summer plans, I would do so today.
~ Is the summer online course a need or a want? AFROTC scholarship and this assignment is a MUST to keep the scholarship.

I am not trying to be mean. What I am saying is that the AF will always take precedent over your 1st desires. They will own you for yrs to come.
~ You want to be a pilot. They may decide you will go CSO.
~ You want fighters, they may decide you get heavies.
~ You may want Charleston, but they send you to Dover.

My point is as a HS student you were able to choose your college and major. ADAF, you don't get that option. You are now getting a glimpse of that fact. This idea of you have to fit this into your summer schedule is kind of comical. They will decide it for you. If you do not clue in your cadre regarding your summer plans it might be bad for you.
~ Let's say they assign you Ops AF end of May for 2 weeks, but it will not end until 3 days after you are to leave overseas. What will you do? Will you say I can't?
~ Let's assume they understand that it is a family issue, and move your date. Now the next class opening they have is mid July, but at this time you are 3 weeks into your online class (not required, but your want) Do you say no again? How do you think that will look in their eyes?
~~ Remember if I am correct you have already approached your det @ switching from tech to non-tech, and they were opposed. Now you are asking to change a training position date as a scholarship cadet bc you WANT to take an online course that is not required over AFROTC training. As an AS 200 you will need their support for SFT. No SFT = high chance of disenrollment, loss of scholarship.

JMPO, and I am being completely honest. I think you need to look deep in yourself.
Again,I am not trying to be mean, rude or harsh. I am just looking at your posts and wondering, how on earth did you make these summer plans without talking to your cadre knowing you HAD to do summer training.

No, I talked to cadre about my summer plans. They are well aware of them. And I'm also well aware that HQ will do whatever they want, really. Although they do let me put in my date preferences, which has to mean something. I'm just trying to decide whether I should actually try for ESET, which has only two class options, or Ops AF, which I assume has more dates than that.

Honestly, my cadre is pretty helpful and they understand that summer stuff is usually tricky to manage for a lot of us. I really don't think they won't support me for SFT (especially if I'm rated/tech EA + contracted) just because I asked for help to figure out my summer scheduling.

And I was never under the impression that I had to fit a PDT into my summer; sorry if that came out wrong, I just said "fit in a PDT" because I'm just thinking about putting in my preferred dates and constructing my own summer plan, and then waiting for HQ to come and blow it out of the water . Thanks for the perspective, though. Yeah, I'm getting used to not being able to "say no" so to speak, and being forced to do what HQ wants.