AFROTC Vs. OTS

J

J3Rizzo

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Mar 31, 2019
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Hi all, I’m in a bit of a dilemma right now and I could use some help. I’m currently an AS200 in AFROTC but I am still debating on if I would like to stay. I know this has been said a million times, but my main goal is to fly and I genuinely think I wouldn’t enjoy doing anything else that rotc might give to me. Here’s a little background on me:
AFOQT 1st take pilot 57, don’t remember the rest, didn’t take the TBAS yet
FA: 82: I know this is atrocious
Major:3.2 in Criminal Justice
Flight Hours:55

I’m thinking of dropping rotc, transferring to a school with a solid aviation program, and getting my bachelors in Aviation science with an ATP certificate. Then would I apply to OTS or possibly the guard. Bottom line is I would like to be a military pilot, or an airline pilot, and I would not like to do anything else, this is why OTS appeals to me. I know that it is super competitive, so please do not think I’m trying to take an easier route. I have even considered army WOFT, and I wouldn’t be opposed to flying with the navy or coast guard either. Any advice helps! Thank you everyone!
 
You must first and foremost want to become an officer — an officer who may also be a pilot, but an officer most importantly. After commissioning and entering active duty, issues that are out of your control may conspire to prevent you from flying or curtail your flying. Then what? The military, regardless of branch, wants officers first, last and always.

So if there are aspects of ROTC that you find unappealing — pretty much anything that doesn’t involve flying, it sounds like — then you might be in for a rude awakening once on active duty. The military can’t guarantee you anything, whether it’s a pilot slot or flying hours or a certain platform. So if the “other stuff” is useless to you, you’re probably better off going another route.
 
I'd look into the Guard. I am definitely not a knowledgeable source on this, but pretty sure you sign up for a guaranteed job. Definitely talk to a recruiter and do your own research instead of listening to me, but that may be a good path.

If you decide to stay in AFROTC, heck yeah! It's a great program! That being said and as MidCakePa said, you'll commission as an officer first, pilot second (if you're lucky enough to get a slot). If you're not willing to accept another job, I'd recommend another pathway to becoming a pilot.

Responding to the OTS section, they get job selection last. Us AFROTC cadets get the leftover jobs from USAFA and the OTS people get the AFROCT leftovers. You'd probably have a better shot at a pilot slot in AFROTC, but be prepped to receive a different job in either AFROTC or OTS.

You could always transfer detachments to a school that has a solid aviation program and AFROTC. In the meantime (if you plan on continuing in AFROTC), focus on your GPA, PFA scores, and getting everything ready for the PSP board. I hope to see you at FT this summer.
 
Also in a similar situation as a current AS200 in AFROTC who has looked at WOFT and OTS. There are so many opportunities, just a matter finding the right fit.
 
MidCakePa said:
You must first and foremost want to become an officer — an officer who may also be a pilot, but an officer most importantly. After commissioning and entering active duty, issues that are out of your control may conspire to prevent you from flying or curtail your flying. Then what? The military, regardless of branch, wants officers first, last and always.

So if there are aspects of ROTC that you find unappealing — pretty much anything that doesn’t involve flying, it sounds like — then you might be in for a rude awakening once on active duty. The military can’t guarantee you anything, whether it’s a pilot slot or flying hours or a certain platform. So if the “other stuff” is useless to you, you’re probably better off going another route.
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AF active duty OTS guarantees pilot slots BEFORE coming under contract. The AF ANG/Res can not only guarantee a pilot slot but also a type of aircraft. You want a F-15C or C-5M in CALIF, apply to that particular unit, some 2Lt has to fly it. There are 3 guarantees right there before becoming obligated in serving. Competitive as all get out but done everyday successfully, are you the ONE?
 
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Let active duty WOFT be your last option in being a military pilot, I assure you.
 
Army Al said:
Let active duty WOFT be your last option in being a military pilot, I assure you.
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It really depends on what you want to do. The other branches will never use helicopters the way Army Aviation does, and there is a reason that top tier customers from every single branch don’t ask for Air Force or Navy SOF helicopter pilots. They ask for our SOF pilots. If you want to fly helicopters, the Army remains the best way to do it although I will give you there are lots of problems in the branch we’re working through that folks should educate themselves on prior to making the decision to assess as an Army WO or RLO in Aviation.

If you want to fly fixed wing, 100% there are better options. I just don’t understand wanting to fly more than 10’ above the treetops though.
 
J3Rizzo said:
Hi all, I’m in a bit of a dilemma right now and I could use some help. I’m currently an AS200 in AFROTC but I am still debating on if I would like to stay. I know this has been said a million times, but my main goal is to fly and I genuinely think I wouldn’t enjoy doing anything else that rotc might give to me. Here’s a little background on me:
AFOQT 1st take pilot 57, don’t remember the rest, didn’t take the TBAS yet
FA: 82: I know this is atrocious
Major:3.2 in Criminal Justice
Flight Hours:55

I’m thinking of dropping rotc, transferring to a school with a solid aviation program, and getting my bachelors in Aviation science with an ATP certificate. Then would I apply to OTS or possibly the guard. Bottom line is I would like to be a military pilot, or an airline pilot, and I would not like to do anything else, this is why OTS appeals to me. I know that it is super competitive, so please do not think I’m trying to take an easier route. I have even considered army WOFT, and I wouldn’t be opposed to flying with the navy or coast guard either. Any advice helps! Thank you everyone!
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Unable to fly USCG coming off the street. They also have no Reserve aviation units as the other services.
 
Army Al said:
AF active duty OTS guarantees pilot slots BEFORE coming under contract. The AF ANG/Res can not only guarantee a pilot slot but also a type of aircraft. You want a F-15C or C-5M in CALIF, apply to that particular unit, some 2Lt has to fly it. There are 3 guarantees right there before becoming obligated in serving. Competitive as all get out but done everyday successfully, are you the ONE?
Click to expand...
Understood, and I appreciate the explanation.

My larger point is this: The Air Force “hires” commissioned officers who happen to be pilots. Not pilots who happen to be officers. An officer’s commission is, first and foremost, about leadership, not a particular trade.
 
My perspective as a non-pilot AFROTC grad. I, and my close buddies all agree that if we were to do it over, we would have gone OTS instead of AFROTC. ROTC is a huge time sink that had a negative impact on our academics. We had an instructor cadre that had a negative view towards academics. Their attitude was that we would never use our degrees on active duty, so why waste our time. (By my count, we produced at least 2 PhDs, 2 MDs, and 1 JD out of a commissioning class of 19). Instead, they wanted us wasting our time on mickey mouse cadet activities that did little to prepare us for active duty. And when you take the amount of the stipend given to us, and divide by the amount of hours we were expected to put in, we were making less than minimum wage. On top of that, we had to pay for credit hours for the AS courses.

If you have a degree the Air Force needs, or are competitive for a career field the Air Force needs, then OTS is a better deal. You get to focus on your academics and build towards your post-Air Force career. And when it comes time to go to OTS, you don't have the distraction of having to complete your degree.
 
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