***Anyone have experience going from Active AF to ROTC?

F

Future400AFROTC

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Apr 14, 2018
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32 yr old looking to go Active Duty in the Air Force for 3 yrs to get the post 9/11 bill and go into AFROTC. Why? Because Universities are expensive.

MY ONLY CONCERN is my age.

It takes about 1 yr to ship out to BMT. I know I need 3 yrs of Active Duty to receive the post 9/11 GI BILL.

By the time I exit active duty with my GI BILL I will be 36.

I think AFROTC has an age limit for officers.

MY POINT:
Im worried I will be too old to get into AFROTC if I go active duty.

Can anyone clarify?
 
You will likely have to go OTS. The overall age limit to commission just went up to 40 in the USAF, but I've seen nothing saying ROTC raised their age limit. You are currently too old to attend ROTC and would have to find a waiver if it even exists.

There are several enlisted-to-commissioning programs you can apply for while active duty. Some are for ROTC, some are for OTS. Most pay you while in school. Also there is tuition assistance while you are AD that picks 100%.

Plan on going OTS. I seriously doubt you will be able to do ROTC at your age. OTS is the faster route anyway.
 
Tbpxece, OTS is the faster route, but the way I am reading the OPs post he will not have his degree once he finishes his AD commitment, thus, OTS will not be an option.

Personally, I would use the GI Bill, but not do ROTC. The reason I feel this way is that the age difference is going to be huge. You will be approximately close to the age of the CoC and older than most of the PMSs that are in charge of the cadets.
~ IE my husband made Major at the age of 31. Our DS is ADAF (AFROTC grad), he made captain at 26.

I do agree with Tbpxece and look into tuition assistance via AF. Basically they will pay 75% of your tuition. You will take classes on base or on line. On base they are reputable colleges, such as, ERAU, UMD, Webster, etc. The time commitment owed for the tuition assistance runs concurrent with your AF commitment. Plus, if you have even some college credits already these colleges may accept them and you can finish faster. From there you can apply for OTS.

I know they have upped the age limit, but BEWARE that changes all the time. It is tied to the needs of the AF. In 4 yrs that waiver might not exist.

I wish you the best.
 
Pima said:
Tbpxece, OTS is the faster route, but the way I am reading the OPs post he will not have his degree once he finishes his AD commitment, thus, OTS will not be an option.

Personally, I would use the GI Bill, but not do ROTC. The reason I feel this way is that the age difference is going to be huge. You will be approximately close to the age of the CoC and older than most of the PMSs that are in charge of the cadets.
~ IE my husband made Major at the age of 31. Our DS is ADAF (AFROTC grad), he made captain at 26.

I do agree with Tbpxece and look into tuition assistance via AF. Basically they will pay 75% of your tuition. You will take classes on base or on line. On base they are reputable colleges, such as, ERAU, UMD, Webster, etc. The time commitment owed for the tuition assistance runs concurrent with your AF commitment. Plus, if you have even some college credits already these colleges may accept them and you can finish faster. From there you can apply for OTS.

I know they have upped the age limit, but BEWARE that changes all the time. It is tied to the needs of the AF. In 4 yrs that waiver might not exist.

I wish you the best.
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Unless it's changed recently, TA should be 100% to any regionally accredited institution. There is a cap on annual benefits, and they've gotten stricter on grades and taking classes during duty hours but it is still a very good option.

The OTS programs I'm talking about are POC-ERP, bootstrap, ASCP (which is ROTC I know), etc. I haven't looked at the AF officer accession program website in awhile, so those might not be the exact programs around now.

Either way, I'm not a huge fan of someone enlisting just to get college bennies. Usually results in unmotivated Airmen, but whatever. Hopefully you also have a strong desire to serve, OP, and just worded that a little weird.
 
I need some clarification from the OP.
They state with other posts, that they are attending UH as a cadet at det. 175. If this is the case, talk to the cadre. They will not pass judgement. They will be able to give you true direct answers that come down from Big Blue.

They have stated they are looking into ANG.

I will defer from responding any further on this thread until the OP responds. No response to me equates to what I would call a troll. Just having fun on line and not respecting what this site exists for regarding their mission...to assist.
 
Pima said:
I need some clarification from the OP.
They state with other posts, that they are attending UH as a cadet at det. 175. If this is the case, talk to the cadre. They will not pass judgement. They will be able to give you true direct answers that come down from Big Blue.

They have stated they are looking into ANG.

I will defer from responding any further on this thread until the OP responds. No response to me equates to what I would call a troll. Just having fun on line and not respecting what this site exists for regarding their mission...to assist.
Click to expand...

No I am not a troll. If anything I am just trying to get all the information necessary to make an informed decision. I was looking at ANG but that turned out to not be a good fit for me.

I was planning to attend school in Oahu and join det 175 but ended up going to school in California. That had to do with cost of living (California is cheaper than Hawaii)

A couple years ago, my mom had a mental breakdown and was diagnosed with bipolar/BPD. Shes been on meds for the past 5 yrs and has had her medicines switched around but nothing seems to be working. So now I have to take care of her. We live with my uncle (her brother) whos also mentally ill and as a result is verbally abusive towards her and myself. I dont let it get to me but my mother having mental illness is very affected by his bs. So I am aware we have to move but I cant afford to bc i go to school full-time.

Despite my mothers illness, shes been able to hold a job (with the help of reasonable accommidations and H.R.).
However, she quit her job of 12 yrs due this March due to her worsening mental illness.

My mom is real paranoid and has extreme anxiety and her mood swings cause her to be loud (by loud I mean she argues a lot with people and they dont like that) and a lot of people cant handle that so we likely would have to have our own house or apartement (shes been kicked out of places for being argumentive and keeping odd hours due to her meds amking her sleepy or over active).

So now im feeling pressure to get my own place for my mothers sake and mine.
Feeling pressure to get college payed for. And seeing the Air force as my option.

And im here to get more information.
 
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Tbpxece said:
Pima said:
Tbpxece, OTS is the faster route, but the way I am reading the OPs post he will not have his degree once he finishes his AD commitment, thus, OTS will not be an option.

Personally, I would use the GI Bill, but not do ROTC. The reason I feel this way is that the age difference is going to be huge. You will be approximately close to the age of the CoC and older than most of the PMSs that are in charge of the cadets.
~ IE my husband made Major at the age of 31. Our DS is ADAF (AFROTC grad), he made captain at 26.

I do agree with Tbpxece and look into tuition assistance via AF. Basically they will pay 75% of your tuition. You will take classes on base or on line. On base they are reputable colleges, such as, ERAU, UMD, Webster, etc. The time commitment owed for the tuition assistance runs concurrent with your AF commitment. Plus, if you have even some college credits already these colleges may accept them and you can finish faster. From there you can apply for OTS.

I know they have upped the age limit, but BEWARE that changes all the time. It is tied to the needs of the AF. In 4 yrs that waiver might not exist.

I wish you the best.
Click to expand...
Unless it's changed recently, TA should be 100% to any regionally accredited institution. There is a cap on annual benefits, and they've gotten stricter on grades and taking classes during duty hours but it is still a very good option.

The OTS programs I'm talking about are POC-ERP, bootstrap, ASCP (which is ROTC I know), etc. I haven't looked at the AF officer accession program website in awhile, so those might not be the exact programs around now.

Either way, I'm not a huge fan of someone enlisting just to get college bennies. Usually results in unmotivated Airmen, but whatever. Hopefully you also have a strong desire to serve, OP, and just worded that a little weird.
Click to expand...
Yes I do have a desire to serve. Tried to enlist 9 yrs ago but was denied bc my diploma from an adult school was seen as a ged. I was told to go get college credits first. That detered me from joining. I wish i had been allowed to join! They reallt shouldnt have that sort of thing in place
 
I have to agree with @Pima. This whole topic has gone in a direction that leads me to believe it is not above board.

  • You are openly trying to find a way into gaming the Air Force to obtain a free college degree
  • You can't keep your facts straight
  • Your grammar swings wildly from post to post
  • Palace Front has nothing to do with ROTC; it also requires one to complete an enlistment
  • I strongly disagree with your take on enlistment requirements, and find them insulting
All the answers to your questions can be answered by any USAF recruiter. Why post on here?

If you actually do have any current military affiliation, I strongly suggest you stop this conversation.

I'm out.
 
Tbpxece said:
I have to agree with @Pima. This whole topic has gone in a direction that leads me to believe it is not above board.

  • You are openly trying to find a way into gaming the Air Force to obtain a free college degree
  • You can't keep your facts straight
  • Your grammar swings wildly from post to post
  • Palace Front has nothing to do with ROTC; it also requires one to complete an enlistment
  • I strongly disagree with your take on enlistment requirements, and find them insulting
All the answers to your questions can be answered by any USAF recruiter. Why post on here?

If you actually do have any current military affiliation, I strongly suggest you stop this conversation.

I'm out.
Click to expand...

My grammar?
Game the system?
Nothing like that. Im just trying to make an informed decision.

I dont want to join and regret it.
Its import to get all the facts.

I did try talking to recruiters.
All they was sugar coat things and lie to me.

Especially the ANG recruiters. Which is why I am here.
ANG tried telling me i would be able to go to school full-time with the G.I. bill but neglected to tell me I needed 3 yrs full time service to get the post 9/11 G.I. bill.

He also neglected to tell me about CDCs and pretended I could go back to college after tech school.

I went to different ANG recruiters and none of them were fully hoenst. They only admitted to things when directly asked. I really didnt like that at all. I got correct info from folks online.

As for my grammar im still learning. No need to rip my head off about that.

Anywho, like I said, im here searching for answers.
Theres no gaming anything. I have a desire to serve and always have. I have the credits now and am interested in becoming an officer in the future and making a long term commitment.

Can someone else comment?

This guy doesnt seem to want to hep which is fine.
 
Okay so i guess the correct term is palace chase, not palace front.

Sorry about that. Keep in mind im not enlisted. Im just trying to get information.

I was told I can apply for SOAR (enlisted commissioning program).

How difficult is it to get into SOAR?
 
If your Mom is reliant on you, how will you handle being stationed in Korea? If you declare her a dependent than it will be unlikely that they will send you overseas or deploy you unless you have a family plan approved by the AF in place. If you don't declare her as a dependent than who will take care of her wherever you are stationed.
~ Parents can be declared dependents, but there has to be an extreme reason, and you need AF approval. It is rare, but I have seen it occur. Main reason it is rare is the military member needs to prove that they are the only one that has the ability to care for them. Think of it like military children, they are dependents up to 22 if they are in school, 18 if not. After those ages the military believes that the children should be able to support themselves, thus they are no longer able to be eligible to use the Commissary, the BX or healthcare.

To the best of my knowledge there is no way to commission as an officer without a college degree. This leaves you back to the options that have been laid out.
1. Enlist and get your degree while you are on AD, expect that by taking TA your enlistment commitment will be extended. If you push hard, you would be able to complete your undergrad in @ 5 yrs. Leaving you at the age of 37
~ I am not sure if you can apply for OTS with that commitment for TA, but my assumption would be yes. However, there is no guarantee that you will be picked up for OTS.
2. Go to college on your own dime and do what others have done, take out student loans and grants. Live at home to save costs. You can start at the local CC and transfer 2 yrs later to a 4 yr college to complete your bachelors degree. Apply for OTS as a rising senior in college. OTS boards meet in Jan. and July. You will be 36 when you commission.
~ OBTW, at our local CC here in VA there are many ROTC cadets that go xtown to the host college. They than transfer to a 4 yr as a rising junior. However, for you I believe ROTC is not an option without an age waiver.
3, Enlist, hope they will allow you to do Palace Chase. Use your GI bill, complete college and apply for OTS. Hoping that the age requirements do not change because you will be approaching 40.
~ Yes, currently they are now waiving the age limit, but you don't know what it will like in 4 yrs, let alone 8 when you will need the waiver. Nobody in 2003 when the economy was running well, ffwd to 2007, the housing market tanked, the banking industry tanked, the auto industry tanked and unemployment was rising. When the economy tanks recruitment and retention rates in the military increase. Thus, they may not need a 40 yr old 1st lt.

Honestly, I would do scenario 1 if you really want to serve at get an education at the lowest cost. The worst case scenario out of that is you don't get picked up for OTS and you decide to separate from the AF. In that situation you still have career experience under your belt that will make you competitive for many companies, or the govt from an employment aspect. You will also have your GI bill so you can use that to get your Master degree while you work.

Finally, I think you need to also be honest about your future from a fiscal perspective. You will need to do some heavy duty savings if you plan to serve 20 yrs. Think about it, you will be approaching your mid to late 50s at that time. Most of your peers that commission as an officer will retire from the AF and start their 2nd career at the age of 42, whereas, you will only be an O2 at that same age. Many of them would have started investing the moment they commissioned at the age of 22. My DS has invested 17% of his pay since he commissioned That is on top of maxing out his and his wife's IRA. He is following his father's footsteps of what he did when he was ADAF. Our AF retirement pay is not enough to live off at the lifestyle we were accustomed to when he was ADAF. He needed to have a 2nd career. He was 43, so from an employer's view he was young. He could work for at least 20+ yrs. In your situation, although it is against the law to discriminate for age, the fact is it happens. If you apply for a job with the exact same qualifications and are 15 yrs older than the other candidate they will probably take the younger candidate. They can just state that the other candidate was a better fit for the company. Just saying, I would think about the age of exiting the military too.

I would lurk on the baseops.net website. It does have information about the ANG. I say lurk, because that site is very forward in their answers. They make this site look like we are handing out ice cream and unicorns with every post that a poster doesn't want to read.
 
Also, understand what a recruiter's job is, it is not to primarily recruit officers, but, instead to recruit enlisted. Very few recruiters have any idea of the process regarding the commissioning process, be it ROTC or an SA. They have certain amount of knowledge regarding OTS because you go to a recruiter to start that application process.

Recruiters have enlistment quotas to achieve monthly. It is in their best interest to sway you to enlist and not go ROTC. Additionally, the enlisted world is their field of expertise where they can answer questions that they know from their own experiences in the military.
 
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