AFROTC Summer 2021

jaglvr said:
Looks like the current juniors are the ones that suffered the most according to this data?
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The big cut always happens between sophomore year and junior year for AFROTC cadets. It's annual, but usually the selection rates aren't this brutal (think 80%-90% selected). Being an underclassman in AFROTC is a "free trial." Once selected to continue as an upperclassman, you're locked into a commission.

Unfortunately, the Air Force decided it doesn't need a whole lot of officers in FY2023 (4 year students) or FY2024 (5 year tech students). That's also the reason I don't recommend placing much confidence in being selected for OTS for those cadets not selected in AFROTC this year. When they graduate and apply, it'll be 2023-24, and they'll be fighting the exact same obstacle that got them disenrolled in the first place: that surplus of officers for that year.

My recommendation would be Army or Navy ROTC if they offer opportunities, but the Air National Guard and Reserve are a pretty sweet deal as well.
 
Thunderbolt462 said:
The big cut always happens between sophomore year and junior year for AFROTC cadets. It's annual, but usually the selection rates aren't this brutal (think 80%-90% selected). Being an underclassman in AFROTC is a "free trial." Once selected to continue as an upperclassman, you're locked into a commission.

Unfortunately, the Air Force decided it doesn't need a whole lot of officers in FY2023 (4 year students) or FY2024 (5 year tech students). That's also the reason I don't recommend placing much confidence in being selected for OTS for those cadets not selected in AFROTC this year. When they graduate and apply, it'll be 2023-24, and they'll be fighting the exact same obstacle that got them disenrolled in the first place: that surplus of officers for that year.

My recommendation would be Army or Navy ROTC if they offer opportunities, but the Air National Guard and Reserve are a pretty sweet deal as well.
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Of course that obstacle might change by then if the retention rate drops as COVID clears up.... but then again it may not. Never hurts to try unless you've found another path to commissioning.
 
Thunderbolt462 said:
The big cut always happens between sophomore year and junior year for AFROTC cadets. It's annual, but usually the selection rates aren't this brutal (think 80%-90% selected). Being an underclassman in AFROTC is a "free trial." Once selected to continue as an upperclassman, you're locked into a commission.

Unfortunately, the Air Force decided it doesn't need a whole lot of officers in FY2023 (4 year students) or FY2024 (5 year tech students). That's also the reason I don't recommend placing much confidence in being selected for OTS for those cadets not selected in AFROTC this year. When they graduate and apply, it'll be 2023-24, and they'll be fighting the exact same obstacle that got them disenrolled in the first place: that surplus of officers for that year.

My recommendation would be Army or Navy ROTC if they offer opportunities, but the Air National Guard and Reserve are a pretty sweet deal as well.
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My son signed with AROTC this morning. They’ve already set up his DODMERB. AF was his dream, but he wants to serve.
 
kinnem said:
Of course that obstacle might change by then if the retention rate drops as COVID clears up.... but then again it may not. Never hurts to try unless you've found another path to commissioning.
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Also, the military isn't exactly known for long term accuracy with cuts or additions, so these year's cuts could mean 100% retention for next year's sophomores. :)
 
My son did not get an EA and is really confused right now. He was on his second year of scholarship and on track to an aerospace engineering degree. Fortunately we have his remaining tuition covered, so as the one paying the tuition I should be thankful for the 2 years of tuition.

This is really unfortunate. The boy was really looking forward to serving.

FWIW we checked with a family friend who is ex AF and now flying for United. He said United furloughed a large number of pilots this year which probably contributed to the high AF retention rate. He also added United circulated an email just this week saying they expect to have all of their pilots back by June and are looking to hire 300 to 600 more. So hopefully this year is just a bad anomaly.

Now to convince the boy he is still in a great place and to figure out the path forward.
 
Sailor Jim said:
My son did not get an EA and is really confused right now. He was on his second year of scholarship and on track to an aerospace engineering degree. Fortunately we have his remaining tuition covered, so as the one paying the tuition I should be thankful for the 2 years of tuition.

This is really unfortunate. The boy was really looking forward to serving.

FWIW we checked with a family friend who is ex AF and now flying for United. He said United furloughed a large number of pilots this year which probably contributed to the high AF retention rate. He also added United circulated an email just this week saying they expect to have all of their pilots back by June and are looking to hire 300 to 600 more. So hopefully this year is just a bad anomaly.

Now to convince the boy he is still in a great place and to figure out the path forward.
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FYI- My husband is retired AF and flies for Delta. They, too, offered early retirement to a large # of pilots who took it and did some major restructuring in aircraft/bases. He also has received some communication that Delta expects to have new classes of pilots trained by the end of the year. Now, these guys/gals could have already been hired and just had their training terminated/delayed last March. My point is, the spigot is started to slowly be turned back on for hiring. Once it gets fully opened, then the AF is likely to be in the same position they were pre-Covid (short on pilots).
I think this is a short-sighted decision by the AF and I feel for your son and others who didn't get their summer training slot. I would say he has a shot at OTS in the AF based on the above; but if his goal is to serve, the surer bet would be AROTC or NROTC.
 
emptynest2021 said:
My son signed with AROTC this morning. They’ve already set up his DODMERB. AF was his dream, but he wants to serve.
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Was he one of the ones who was affected by the AFROTC squeeze? If so, good for him! I'm curious what the procedure for him will be. Will he have to go to AROTC Basic Camp this summer? 2-year scholarship?
 
franknd said:
Was he one of the ones who was affected by the AFROTC squeeze? If so, good for him! I'm curious what the procedure for him will be. Will he have to go to AROTC Basic Camp this summer? 2-year scholarship?
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Yes, he got squeezed like a lemon ;) He lost his scholarship and won’t get one with Army. However, he will get a stipend. I don’t remember what he said about Basic though. He’ll figure it out and probably tell me a week before LOL
 
emptynest2021 said:
Yes, he got squeezed like a lemon ;) He lost his scholarship and won’t get one with Army. However, he will get a stipend. I don’t remember what he said about Basic though. He’ll figure it out and probably tell me a week before LOL
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Well, good deal. Glad he's looking forward. Basic Camp is normally for kids who are rising juniors and haven't been part of ROTC, so it's basically an accelerated 4-week camp that replaces the first two years of AROTC. Curious whether they'll still require that here or, instead, allow the two years of AFROTC to replace two years of AROTC.
 
kunger23 said:
After initially not getting a slot, my daughter found out this morning she DID get a rated slot this summer! Scholarship is safe! Whew!
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My son received a spot too but he got a summer engineering internship after the initial rejection and will probably turn the EA down since his commander told him it was optional that he accept.
 
rudycoon said:
My son received a spot too but he got a summer engineering internship after the initial rejection and will probably turn the EA down since his commander told him it was optional that he accept.
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Really? My daughter completely changed summer plans once she got a second chance for the EA.
 
rudycoon said:
My son received a spot too but he got a summer engineering internship after the initial rejection and will probably turn the EA down since his commander told him it was optional that he accept.
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thought you needed EA to commission?
 
rudycoon said:
My son received a spot too but he got a summer engineering internship after the initial rejection and will probably turn the EA down since his commander told him it was optional that he accept.
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But if he doesn’t accept, he won’t be able to continue with the program and commission in two years since field training is not optional.
Optional to accept, meaning he can continue without AFROTC I suppose.
 
emptynest2021 said:
But if he doesn’t accept, he won’t be able to continue with the program and commission in two years since field training is not optional.
Optional to accept, meaning he can continue without AFROTC I suppose.
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My son also got EA in the "second" round. When/how do cadets find out when they are going to field training? Thanks
 
DekeMalone said:
My son also got EA in the "second" round. When/how do cadets find out when they are going to field training? Thanks
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My daughter as well. I just asked her and she still has no idea. She’s frustrated because those that initially got slots in her detachment already got their dates.
 
OK thank you. Other cadets in his detachment haven't heard of field training schedule yet either...so I guess he hasn't missed anything yet...?
 
DekeMalone said:
OK thank you. Other cadets in his detachment haven't heard of field training schedule yet either...so I guess he hasn't missed anything yet...?
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Has he heard anything? My daughter still doesn’t know anything. So frustrating.
 
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