Anyone done, doing or know someone doing ROTC as a graduate student?

[BrasilianPaisa]

Greetings,

Ive already graduated university, so if I wanted to do rotc it would have to be through a graduate program. I was wondering if rotc programs allowed graduate students to do rotc. Seems there is conflicting info on this.

 

[clarksonarmy]

You can, but because a grad program is usually 2 years you would need to make up the first two years you missed. This is normally done by going to Basic Camp. So, as a ROO I would want to talk to you the Spring before you were to start your grad program. I would get you qualified to go to basic camp over the summer. If you successfully completed basic camp then when you start your 2 year grad program the following fall you would contract and be on track to commission when you graduate. You may or may not be offered a scholarship, but currently you would be eligible for a $5k bonus if you didn’t get the scholarship.

Make sense?

 

[BrasilianPaisa]

You can, but because a grad program is usually 2 years you would need to make up the first two years you missed. This is normally done by going to Basic Camp. So, as a ROO I would want to talk to you the Spring before you were to start your grad program. I would get you qualified to go to basic camp over the summer. If you successfully completed basic camp then when you start your 2 year grad program the following fall you would contract and be on track to commission when you graduate. You may or may not be offered a scholarship, but currently you would be eligible for a $5k bonus if you didn’t get the scholarship.

Make sense?

Thanks for your reply.

One more question. What is the age limit for joining AFROTC?

 

[BrasilianPaisa]

I just did a quick check. Seems it's the same as enlistment (39) but that you just can't get a scholarship if older than 28-29 (31 by commission).

 

[Tbpxece]

Thanks for your reply.
One more question. What is the age limit for joining AFROTC?

For Air Force ROTC (AFROTC), you have to commission by age 31.

Otherwise you are looking at OTS, and the age limit there is generally that you have to commission by the day before your 40th birthday.

As you have your bachelor's degree, then only thing between you and a commission is the actual officer training. Doesn't matter if you get that via POC or TFOT.

 

[Tbpxece]

I just did a quick check. Seems it's the same as enlistment (39) but that you just can't get a scholarship if older than 31.

Yes, but I don't know why you would go ROTC unless you wanted the scholarship to pay for grad school.

Active duty Air Force pays 100% tuition assistance plus a paycheck. With a degree already in hand, that would be something to consider.

 

[Tbpxece]

https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2011/afi36-2011.pdf

Everything about the AFROTC process is in there.

 

[BrasilianPaisa]

I just did a quick check. Seems it's the same as enlistment (39) but that you just can't get a scholarship if older than 31.

Yes, but I don't know why you would go ROTC unless you wanted the scholarship to pay for grad school.

Active duty Air Force pays 100% tuition assistance plus a paycheck. With a degree already in hand, that would be something to consider.

One would go to ROTC as its a way to become an officer (much easier than OTS on average). Regardless of scholarship or not. Active duty pays a lot less than a commissioned officer.

What do you mean tuition assistance? I already have a degree and it has already been paid for. I assume you mean if I went to grad school during or after my enlistment? My only reason for going to grad school at this time would be as a vehicle to be in AFROTC.

So I am going back to the original question. Would a 34 year old with a degree be able to join AFROTC (without a scholarship)?

I am interested in the official rule and what is allowed/possible vs not allowed/possible.

However, seems this topic gets different responses and maybe different schools/rotc programs do things differently.

 

[Tbpxece]

I just did a quick check. Seems it's the same as enlistment (39) but that you just can't get a scholarship if older than 31.

Yes, but I don't know why you would go ROTC unless you wanted the scholarship to pay for grad school.

Active duty Air Force pays 100% tuition assistance plus a paycheck. With a degree already in hand, that would be something to consider.

One would go to ROTC as its a way to become an officer (much easier than OTS on average). Regardless of scholarship or not. Active duty pays a lot less than a commissioned officer.

What do you mean tuition assistance? I already have a degree and it has already been paid for. I assume you mean if I went to grad school during or after my enlistment? My only reason for going to grad school at this time would be as a vehicle to be in AFROTC.

So I am going back to the original question. Would a 34 year old with a degree be able to join AFROTC (without a scholarship)?

I am interested in the official rule and what is allowed/possible vs not allowed/possible.

However, seems this topic gets different responses and maybe different schools/rotc programs do things differently.

I gave you a link to the AFI. That will provide the official rules better than anyone on this forum and answer a lot more questions.

You are wrong about OTS being harder. With OTS, you would receive your commission in 8 weeks rather than 2+ years. The application requirements between the two are identical. I was not suggesting you enlist, but instead apply for OTS directly.

Sounds like you already got an idea of what you want to do, though. Boa sorte.

 

[BrasilianPaisa]

I just did a quick check. Seems it's the same as enlistment (39) but that you just can't get a scholarship if older than 31.

Yes, but I don't know why you would go ROTC unless you wanted the scholarship to pay for grad school.

Active duty Air Force pays 100% tuition assistance plus a paycheck. With a degree already in hand, that would be something to consider.

One would go to ROTC as its a way to become an officer (much easier than OTS on average). Regardless of scholarship or not. Active duty pays a lot less than a commissioned officer.

What do you mean tuition assistance? I already have a degree and it has already been paid for. I assume you mean if I went to grad school during or after my enlistment? My only reason for going to grad school at this time would be as a vehicle to be in AFROTC.

So I am going back to the original question. Would a 34 year old with a degree be able to join AFROTC (without a scholarship)?

I am interested in the official rule and what is allowed/possible vs not allowed/possible.

However, seems this topic gets different responses and maybe different schools/rotc programs do things differently.

I gave you a link to the AFI. That will provide the official rules better than anyone on this forum and answer a lot more questions.

You are wrong about OTS being harder. With OTS, you would receive your commission in 8 weeks rather than 2+ years. The application requirements between the two are identical. I was not suggesting you enlist, but instead apply for OTS directly.

Sounds like you already got an idea of what you want to do, though. Boa sorte.

Admittance into OTS is MUCH harder than admittance into ROTC. Well it was last I checked 8 years ago.

 

[Pima]

8 yrs ago is not the same as today. I would suggest you visit a recruitment office. AF does 2 boards a yr. for both rated and non-rated. Many years ago they did indeed cancel the July non-rated OTS board, but I have not heard of them doing it anymore.

Put that aside why do you want to join the AF now? Is it a way to pay for grad school?

Personally I would advise my child at 34 to go OTS. As stated you start getting paid as soon as you step foot on Maxwell AFB. ~ROTC will not pay you as a cadet, except for a stipend. Hard to live on 500 bucks a month as a 34 yr old.
~ OTS means you will be AD within months, and once you do school training you can start your TA for grad school. Granted it will be on line, but honestly companies don't care as much as you think. Sure, if you go to Harvard or UPenn that is a big deal, but otherwise they checking boxes when it comes to job candidates.
~~ You will have a military security clearance, you will have leadership positions, you will have your Master degree.
~~~ TA runs concurrent with your military obligation. If you owe 4 yrs for commissioning and finish your grad school (on base/on line) you basically will be in for 5 yrs total. Now if you get a waiver for AFROTC, get your grad degree you still owe 4 yrs. Do the math. OTS at 34 + 5 (TA) you can walk at 39, while you are earning a salary and they pay 75% for the degree. 34 + 2 in AFROTC = 36 + 4 yrs ADAF, and you might wait 6-9 mos to report. You are now 41.

On top of that you need to think about it from a different aspect. The avg age in a ROTC unit is below the alcohol drinking age. It is hard to connect with an 18 yr old when you are 34. The avg age for OTS is higher. Some are recent college grads. some are prior enlisted.

If you want AFROTC I hope you get the chance.

 

[BrasilianPaisa]

8 yrs ago is not the same as today. I would suggest you visit a recruitment office. AF does 2 boards a yr. for both rated and non-rated. Many years ago they did indeed cancel the July non-rated OTS board, but I have not heard of them doing it anymore.

Put that aside why do you want to join the AF now? Is it a way to pay for grad school?

Personally I would advise my child at 34 to go OTS. As stated you start getting paid as soon as you step foot on Maxwell AFB. ~ROTC will not pay you as a cadet, except for a stipend. Hard to live on 500 bucks a month as a 34 yr old.
~ OTS means you will be AD within months, and once you do school training you can start your TA for grad school. Granted it will be on line, but honestly companies don't care as much as you think. Sure, if you go to Harvard or UPenn that is a big deal, but otherwise they checking boxes when it comes to job candidates.
~~ You will have a military security clearance, you will have leadership positions, you will have your Master degree.
~~~ TA runs concurrent with your military obligation. If you owe 4 yrs for commissioning and finish your grad school (on base/on line) you basically will be in for 5 yrs total. Now if you get a waiver for AFROTC, get your grad degree you still owe 4 yrs. Do the math. OTS at 34 + 5 (TA) you can walk at 39, while you are earning a salary and they pay 75% for the degree. 34 + 2 in AFROTC = 36 + 4 yrs ADAF, and you might wait 6-9 mos to report. You are now 41.

On top of that you need to think about it from a different aspect. The avg age in a ROTC unit is below the alcohol drinking age. It is hard to connect with an 18 yr old when you are 34. The avg age for OTS is higher. Some are recent college grads. some are prior enlisted.

If you want AFROTC I hope you get the chance.

Interesting that you seem to be stating OTS is not difficult to enter now a days. As before it was highly competitive and not at all easy to get accepted to.

If what you say is true, seems I should apply for OTS as option number 1. Then ROTC as option number 2.

I have always been interested with the military and air force. After graduating university my goal and dream was to travel the world. Ive done that the past 10 years. Now I am ready for the next phase of my life. Starting a career, settling down, etc.

I have money and support so money during my ROTC years wouldn't be an issue.

I am pretty young spirited and still look young. I would have no problems with connecting with younger men as I do and still like alot of things I did when I was younger.

 

[Pima]

I can't recall what year it was, but it was @7, 8 or 9 yrs when they canceled the July OTS board for non-rated.

A few yrs ago the SecAF stated they were going to double the numbers for OTS.

You need to do what is best for you. Tapping out.

PS you might not have a problem connecting with them, but they may have a problem connecting with you. My DS entered ROTC as an 18 yo, his Dad just retired at 42 (21 yrs ADAF). He was living in the dorms. He was being an 18 yo. I love my DS, but I can tell you emotionally, mentally, maturity wise he was not on par with a 34 yo. He would have treated you like you were a friend of his parents because you would be closer to my age when you enter than his age. IOWS he would have given respect to you due to your age, but never would hang with you outside of ROTC.

 

[Tbpxece]

@Pima, thanks. Well said.

Only correction would be that TA pays 100% now, and the final FY18 OTS board was cancelled. Other than that everything else is on point.

OP, go talk to an AD recruiter about OTS, and then an ROTC det about AFROTC. Pick whichever gets you commissioned first (and yes, you can attend ROTC and still apply to OTS up to a point) . Based on the information you've provided I'm struggling to follow your overall reasoning.

In light of that, and the clear reality that you already have a preconceived notion of what you want to do, I will follow @Pima 's lead and leave you to it. Again, good luck.

 

[BrasilianPaisa]

@Pima, thanks. Well said.

Only correction would be that TA pays 100% now, and the final FY18 OTS board was cancelled. Other than that everything else is on point.

OP, go talk to an AD recruiter about OTS, and then an ROTC det about AFROTC. Pick whichever gets you commissioned first (and yes, you can attend ROTC and still apply to OTS up to a point) . Based on the information you've provided I'm struggling to follow your overall reasoning.

In light of that, and the clear reality that you already have a preconceived notion of what you want to do, I will follow @Pima 's lead and leave you to it. Again, good luck.

Thanks for the info man.

My reasoning is simple. I would love to be an officer in the AF. I have lived my dream of traveling the world and now I am ready for a new phase of my life.

The best option would be OTS although I have always thought that was very competitive and difficult to get into ie STEM majors with high GPAs etc.

I know ROTC is not difficult to enter, so always knew that was a more likely option.

 

[kinnem]

OTS is a "relief" valve. When the Air Force needs more officers than it gets from AFA or AFROTC then they open the spigot more for OTS. When the opposite is true (ie they are getting plenty from their other commissioning sources) they close the OTS spigot a bit tighter. During draw-downs I'm sure they tend to close it altogether, so some years it will be hard to get in via OTS and others it won't.