AFROTC vs NROTC

Which is the more viable option: NROTC or AFROTC?

  • Navy ROTC

    Votes: 10 83.3%

  • Air Force ROTC

    Votes: 2 16.7%
  • Total voters
    12
  • Poll closed .
J

john.sor77

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2021
Messages
11
Hello all,

I'm currently preparing to attend NSI and do NROTC at Boston College, but was also awarded an AFROTC foreign language major Type 2 scholarship, so ~60k a year for three years with a tuition of ~200k. Obviously, the Navy makes more sense financially (full tuition all 4 years), and I have flexibility with my major (not mandatory to major in a language in NROTC). This is good for me, because I'll be in their business school come Fall and am not too keen on majoring in a foreign language. That said, if I decide that the Air Force is a better option I am fine with double majoring (not the end of the world). However, I'm assuming there's a good reason behind NROTC offering full ride scholarships to its winners, which brings me to the main point of this post:

How does NROTC compare with AFROTC? In terms of rigor and frequency of classes, difficulty and frequency of PT? What about general standards (is the Navy more strict and stringent about certain things, rather than the AF?) The best example that I could think of is the NSI. While I have to go to a three-week "boot camp" for the Navy over the summer, I'm not sure the AF has anything like this. I'm wondering if the intensity of NSI reflects the general stereotype of the Navy as being the "most intense" or most "militarily integrated" branch. Another example: I know NROTC mandates that you take one semester of Calculus and another of Calculus-based physics. STEM isn't really my thing, although again, it isn't the end of the world if I have to take these two classes. Are there any other stipulations between the branches to be aware of?

Long term, what's a better option in terms of job placement and broad range of opportunity? This is a more open question since I know less about what happens after ROTC (as I'm still trying to figure out what happens in ROTC), but I'm curious. Is one branch better for a certain career field/job than the other? Or are you going to end up with relatively the same opportunities in whichever branch you choose? Other things to consider that I have heard: That within the Air Force you lead more of a "civilian" life (not as tied to the military), their bases are the nicest/most funded, uniforms look the cleanest ;). Also, how does it work out financially in the end? You're saving money in ROTC by not taking out loans, but at the same time, your starting salary after college is likely less (for me, majoring in business I would expect to make ~60k+ first year). Then again, the military benefits like health care and paid-for resources on base help out a ton.

I know this is a lot to take in, and some parts may or may not be fully accurate, but I would appreciate any clarification, feedback, or guidance. If there are certain resources, like websites, people to talk to, places to visit, movies to watch/books to read that could also help me make an informed decision, that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you!
 
Graduating without student debt is HUGE! So, even if you may make less as an AD Officer in either the AF or Navy, you will not have to worry about student loans. Also, AD military get a housing allowance and health care.

But, bottom line is you must have the desire to serve. All the financial perks will not matter if you don't have the desire or temperament to serve.
 
My son did AFROTC so I have no idea about NROTC. However, I really doubt there will be much of a difference between the two in terms of rigor and frequency of classes. My son's major required Calculus so he had to take it anyway. Dont know if AFROTC required it, but he was going to have to take it regardless. I wouldn't get into which is better in terms of programs. My bigger issue would be what do you want to do in the military. Which branch will allow you to do this. I mean if you want infantry, the Navy isn't going to work out for you. Even if more than one branch has the same job as Cyber, each has its own focus and each is going to have different hurdles. The other part then becomes assuming you want Cyber but don't get it, which branch has other jobs you will be interested in. So my advice is to focus on what the end is and figure out which branch will get you there. As a way of life, yes the AF has more civilian feel with 9-5 type hours (of course it depends on the job) Bases are usually better as well as the facilities. On the other hand, bases are usually in the middle of nowhere while the Navy has bases in San Diego and Hawaii. My son has been in the AF for 3 years and has been in Enid, OK, Shreveport LA, and Minot ND. None of them are hotspots. As for money, everyone makes the same based of rank and year in. While you wont make 60k, starting out, a 2nd lt just starting out makes 40750 in salary with an additional 15200 in housing and food allowance. Thats about 56000. However the 15200 is tax free so if you were to gross It up, it would be no less than 20k. So 20,000 plus 40750 in salary is 60,750. So the money isn't bad. Obviously, the sky is the limit when you are working in the private sector and military salaries are standardized based on rank and years served, but starting salary isn't bad. In the end if both branches are going to get you to the same placed, go with the one that gets you the most college money
 
I can't answer some of your questions, partially because the answers are subjective and what is best for one is not necessarily best for another. Some of your questions about ROTC programs and post commissioning opportunities are are things you should have considered prior to now and figured out your preference. Perhaps you have and are now having seconds thoughts as the time draws near. This seems normal to an extent. DS just commissioned NROTC and thoroughly enjoyed his experience. It was right for him. My dad was career Air Force, so I grew up in that environment.

Parts of your impressions about bases and life in the services sounds based on stereotypes. Again this is subjective. Is a base in Minot North Dakota with a nice golf course, movie theater and softball fields more appealing than a base with facilities that aren't up to date, but are located in San Diego. I'm just making up the actual facilities. I've never been to either location, but was just giving examples, since I know Air Force has a base in Minot and Navy has bases in San Diego.

NSI was not around when DS started, so I can't speak to that, but DS thoroughly enjoyed his NROTC experience. It wasn't all sunshine and roses and there were some less enjoyable patches, but the difficult times were part of his development. PT was either 2 or 3 days/week, unless you were below standard. He had time to do things outside of NROTC, even while holding various leadership positions. You will have to explore the culture and opportunities of each service for yourself, because you know what is important to you. For Navy, NROTC is there to commission unrestricted line officers. This means surface warfare, submarines, aviation and special warfare (SEALs/EOD). In general, Navy probably means being away from home more as you are on sea duty. Does that work for you. One thing I liked about the NROTC scholarship is that, as long as you keep up your end, you will commission at the end. With AFROTC you have to be selected for field training at the end of your sophomore year. From what I have learned technical majors and those going rated have a higher chance of being selected. If not selected for field training, you are out of the program and the scholarship goes away.
 
Important consideration - if you stay within NROTC standards (academic, military & physical), you keep your scholarship and will commission when you graduate. To continue in AFROTC after sophomore year, you MUST be selected for Summer Field Training (SFT). There are very limited exceptions to this, and even if you are allowed to stay in AFROTC to try again for a SFT slot you still lose your scholarship.

SFT Selection is scholarship status blind and is linked to attrition rates in the the AD USAF. In good years, pretty much everyone that wants a SFT slot can get one. In bad years, half the sophomore class can find themselves out of AFROTC. This year was a bad year, although bad press seems to have made them reconsider and offer more slots. If you have not done so, you should check out this thread: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/afrotc-summer-2021.80709/
 
hokiesfan said:
Important consideration - if you stay within NROTC standards (academic, military & physical), you keep your scholarship and will commission when you graduate. To continue in AFROTC after sophomore year, you MUST be selected for Summer Field Training (SFT). There are very limited exceptions to this, and even if you are allowed to stay in AFROTC to try again for a SFT slot you still lose your scholarship.

SFT Selection is scholarship status blind and is linked to attrition rates in the the AD USAF. In good years, pretty much everyone that wants a SFT slot can get one. In bad years, half the sophomore class can find themselves out of AFROTC. This year was a bad year, although bad press seems to have made them reconsider and offer more slots. If you have not done so, you should check out this thread: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/afrotc-summer-2021.80709/
Click to expand...
This! For anyone who has multiple offers: AF vs Army vs Navy. Always pick the offer that isn't AF, as the AF scholarship is not guaranteed, even if you are meeting all the requirements/standards.
 
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