Class of 2015 - AFROTC FT/POC Question

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lrv61

Parent
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Son is currenting freshman in GMC. I am sure my son is getting this info from detachment but would like to know the process to enter POC/SFT? I assume a cadet makes an application for the POC? If selected he is sent to SFT? Is application made 1st semester sophmore year (or earlier/later)? Are there any prerequisites that need to be completed prior to application (i.e. updated DODMerb?) Any input would be appreciated so I know what questions to ask over the semester break :wink:
 
The process works like this... During your freshman year you do what GMC do. Motivate your flight, learn how to drill, PT, etc... Sophomore year you still motivate your flight, but are given a little more leadership and during sophomore spring semester, you are put up for a slot at field training. Here, at Embry riddle we have something called Field Training Prep spring semester. Once you go through field training in the summer of your sophomore junior year. You come back as a POC. This year, from my understanding, 35% of the packet for Field Training is SAT's/ ACT's 30% GPA 25% Commanders Ranking and 10% is PFA score. I'm currently an As200 so these facts are what our APAS told us. If you have any more questions let me know.
 
The short version of this is there is no formal application that he needs to do, it's just a matter of competition nation wide. For the long drawn out version, continue reading.

Your son will need to compete with other cadets across the nation for an enrollment allocation (EA) for field training (FT). All cadets must go to field training (ROTC's version of basic training) in order to become a POC, and eventually an officer.

There is no formal application process that he needs to do, he just needs to compete well with the rest of the country. As a freshmen entering his second semester this is a great opportunity for him to step up and get noticed by both cadre and current POC as the 200s will be off in field training preparation (FTP).

The statistics for this year's EA process are like this:
35% SAT/ACT/AFOQT (they take the best of the three)
30% GPA
25% Commander's Ranking (used to be 50%)
10% Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)

He needs to do his best to score well in all areas, especially GPA. Even though the PFA score is the lowest category, it is essential that he strive to score in the high 90s or max it. Every point counts.

Tech and non-tech major also has a play in the selection process as well, with techs having an advantage. If your son is non-tech (or for anyone who's reading this who is non-tech), don't worry so much about that - just do your best to score well in all areas. I personally am non-tech.

In terms of DoDMERB - if he has one already he should be good to go, particularly if he's contracted. Otherwise (for example, if he got DoDMERB but lost the scholarship for some reason) I believe they last for two years and may need to get another one. His detachment should notify him if that's necessary.
 
Irv61,

I am taking the assumption you have no military connection, or at the very least AF.

I do not know if this is your 1st or 5th child in college.

I will say this as a C400 AFROTC cadet with UPT assignment to Laughlin AFB Mom; your heart is in the right place, but misguided.

SFT is off their radar right now as a C100.
~~ His concern will be about jobs within the det, PFA scores and Commanders rack/stack

He will not even begin to comprehend/process SFT until his spring semester when he has his job in the det for next fall. When he has his new PFA scores. When he has his spring review with the Commander.

All you should be concerned about now when conversing with him for this issue is:

1. GPA
2. PFT
3. AFROTC job for spring semester
4. Rack/stack by the Commander that was given at the end of this semester.

I am positive you love your child. Discussing SFT may just create an additional burden.

Irv61 said:
Any input would be appreciated so I know what questions to ask over the semester break
Click to expand...

Just my opinion, but Bullet and I never broached the subject for SFT, rated, assignment etc. DS was AFROTC scholarship, endured that board plus...SFT, Rated, and assignment in 4 short years.

He will come to you and talk about it, follow his lead. You raised a great kid, he will talk and include you in his life, he is trying to figure it out for himself.

He will be your Northern Star.

Another cliche, but sometimes silence is golden.
 
lrv61 said:
Son is currenting freshman in GMC. I am sure my son is getting this info from detachment but would like to know the process to enter POC/SFT? I assume a cadet makes an application for the POC? If selected he is sent to SFT? Is application made 1st semester sophmore year (or earlier/later)? Are there any prerequisites that need to be completed prior to application (i.e. updated DODMerb?) Any input would be appreciated so I know what questions to ask over the semester break :wink:
Click to expand...

Thank you for asking these questions Irv61. I am sure many new AFROTC parents had many of these same concerns (myself included), and we received some great responses.
 
Thanks All...as a non-military parent just trying to understand "process" so I can be as informed as possible if/when my son needs advice. (I found the AFROTC website is somewhat cryptic...). As I mentioned I assume my son is getting all the info he needs from his Detachment.
 
An important thing to keep in mind is that while the det will never intentionally keep information from a cadet sometimes for whatever reason something doesn't get out to people or is overlooked in a massive amount of other information, so you have to seek it out.

If your son has a question then all he needs to do is ask. Even when a POC or cadre member didn't know something I had a question about, they went up the chain until they found someone who did and got back to me.
 
One thing I would discuss with him during his break is to find out if they have a mentor program at the ROTC unit.

At our DS's school. POC's are assigned GMC's. He is there for them to discuss their concerns on a one on one basis, he has 3. They like to align them with their majors and potential career fields.

In other words a non-tech cadet with a non-tech cadet. If they can they will do a non-tech rated cadet with a non-tech that wants to go rated.

They try to make sure that they are not in their flights, so they won't have the conflict issue of grading them. They want them to be their sounding board for their fears.

The other beauty is they are in the same/or near same academic program for their collegiate studies. Tech majors typically don't know the profs for non-tech. It allows them to also bond that way.

We didn't know about this program when he was a 100/200. Found out not from him, but one of his cadets that he mentors, who sent a yr end thank you gift to the house.

I would also talk to him not about SFT, but if they have military fraternities and to see if he is interested in any of them. There are 3 that I am aware of Arnie Air, Honor Guard, and Angel Flight. He may feel more open to discussing this than answering questions like:

What is the avg gpa for SFT
What is the avg PFT
What is your current ranking

In the end, let him spoon feed you at his pace. Think of him as your parent and you as his child. Nothing wrong with letting them take control, if anything it will help him become a leader as a POC.
 
Pima,

Yes, son has a POC mentor...was assigned soon after the semester started and he was assigned to a flight...son is non-tech, not sure about his mentor's major but I know he will be going to pilot training after graduation.

I know there are the societies you mentioned...he has not discussed them but he is pretty busy between ROTC, Honors Program and a club sport. I am not concerned about his GPA and he told me he scored well on fitness test (98/100). He has everything under control...and enjoys talking about ROTC to us (when he finds time to call home :smile:)

Son decliined the AFROTC tech scholarship to accept 4 yr University Scholarship that allowed him non-tech major. From what we gathered at orientation, scholarship - non-scholarship is not a factor...major is and he is aware of that. He had a recent advising session with a detachment captain...to discuss how school was going, and what he would like to do in the AF...so I believe he is getting alot of info/direction at the detachment.

Thanks for your input...
 
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