Dropped AFROTC... What Next?

[AFDUDE]

Hey everyone. Before I get into things, let me describe my situation.

I took the class for the AFROTC program during my first semester in college as a way to test the waters and see if ROTC was for me. I fell in love with the program and decided that this could be a legitimate career choice for me. I come from an Air Force family and I have a drive to serve my country and the military.

I fully joined the program for my second semester. I loved it all. I quickly learned however that the DODMERB process could really mess up your chances of staying in the program (I personally disagree with some of the stuff that I've heard people get disqualified for).

I unfortunately have asthma. The norm is that asthma is not disqualifying if you don't have it past the age of 13, but that's unfortunately not the case for me. However, my asthma is not severe. I take a puff or two of a preventive inhaler every night and I only flare up if I get a really bad cold. It's not exercise related, and I improved my PT scores from a 10:30 on the mile and a half run down to 9:00, with a composite score of 94. Asthma does not affect me on a day-to-day basis.

I'm pursuing a BS in Political Science with a minor in German, and I'm also interested in Computer Science as well. I'm a strong student with a 3.8 GPA, and I didn't miss a day during training hours.

I started my second year of college today. This past weekend however, I received notice from my Cadre that my medical waiver for the DoDMERB was denied. My last option was to drop or continue as an active cadet and retry for the waiver after taking a Methacholine Challenge.

I discussed this with my doctor. The Methacholine Challenge is used to determine if someone has asthma. While my asthma isn't bad, I know that either I won't pass the challenge, or my numbers wouldn't be good enough to pass the DoDMERB, and I'd only be left feeling like crap due to the challenge. So reluctantly, earlier today, I decided to drop the program.

I am very depressed about this. I was sincerely looking forward to an exciting career serving my country. The fact that I didn't even get to wear the ABUs greatly upsets me. I want to serve my country and protect people who can't protect themselves. I want a career that involves foreign affairs, intelligence, aerospace or international politics. My long term goal is to become a politician. Now that ROTC isn't a viable option for me due to these medical reasons, I've lost my chance at a dream career.

My question now is this: What should I do now? What can I do? How can I find a way to serve my country or be an active military participant?

 

[eljay60]

I would be surprised if any service would waiver a current asthma diagnosis. I was told they became more stringent during the first Gulf war, when people who had no symptoms since childhood had debilitating flare-ups in the Kuwaiti desert from the dust and unfamiliar allergens. It's hard to concentrate on the mission when you can't breathe. Thank you for your willingness to serve.

 

[kinnem]

Agree with eljay. I would add that you could become a danger to others during operations if you are not able to perform effectively.

I want a career that involves foreign affairs, intelligence, aerospace or international politics. My long term goal is to become a politician. Now that ROTC isn't a viable option for me due to these medical reasons,

I'm sorry, but I have to call bullsh#t on that. There is nothing about any of those goals that requires a career in the military. There are plenty of people in these fields who have not served in the military. In fact I know a kid in NROTC who wanted a career in foreign affairs who dropped from the program.... because he didn't see the military as necessary for his desired career path. He did an internship for a year in Kyrgyzstan last I heard of him. Politics certainly doesn't require it although it can be helpful. Take a look at our last two presidents.

Quit feeling sorry for yourself and go make your dreams come true anyway... that will show them!

 

[Humey]

Agree with eljay. I would add that you could become a danger to others during operations if you are not able to perform effectively.

I want a career that involves foreign affairs, intelligence, aerospace or international politics. My long term goal is to become a politician. Now that ROTC isn't a viable option for me due to these medical reasons,

I'm sorry, but I have to call bullsh#t on that. There is nothing about any of those goals that requires a career in the military. There are plenty of people in these fields who have not served in the military. In fact I know a kid in NROTC who wanted a career in foreign affairs who dropped from the program.... because he didn't see the military as necessary for his desired career path. He did an internship for a year in Kyrgyzstan last I heard of him. Politics certainly doesn't require it although it can be helpful. Take a look at our last two presidents.

Quit feeling sorry for yourself and go make your dreams come true anyway... that will show them!

I had the same reaction as you , but then I thought, is he saying he lost his dream job of being a politician or his dream job of serving in the Air Force. I gave him the benefit of doubt and figured he meant being in the Air Force. Honestly, any idiot (you can find them in both parties ) can be a politician. As for intelligence or foreign affairs, i have an acquaintance (my good friend's high school buddy) who got kicked out of the Air Force academy and is now working for state department and was stationed in one of our embassies in Africa.

 

[kinnem]

I had the same reaction as you , but then I thought, is he saying he lost his dream job of being a politician or his dream job of serving in the Air Force. I gave him the benefit of doubt and figured he meant being in the Air Force. Honestly, any idiot (you can find them in both parties ) can be a politician. As for intelligence or foreign affairs, i have an acquaintance (my good friend's high school buddy) who got kicked out of the Air Force academy and is now working for state department and was stationed in one of our embassies in Africa.

Good point, and if I misread the OPs message then I apologize.

 

[Pima]

My cousin's hubby was in AROTC and got the medical DQ as a sophomore. He graduated college and went to work for the Army as a civilian GS. He has had a wonderful career. They have been assigned to Peru and Germany along with being here in the Beltway. He has been sent to additional educational schools as his full time job (ie getting his Master degree) on the govt's dime.

Just saying, if you truly want to serve, you can do it, just in a different manner.

 

[brob]

Here's another idea - if he is interesting in teaching, the DoD has military schools all over the world. I taught in one for three years and it was a highlight of my career. I met many others who did make it a life-long career, either staying in one country or working at several different ones.

 

[Pima]

Here's another idea - if he is interesting in teaching, the DoD has military schools all over the world. I taught in one for three years and it was a highlight of my career. I met many others who did make it a life-long career, either staying in one country or working at several different ones.

It is insanely hard to get a DoD's teacher position these days. My DD (an AF brat) with a Master degree as a fellow and some military connections could not get her foot in the door. They are closing more and more schools.

 

[brob]

I was unaware of that. I did this back in 1989 - a long time ago!

 

[Pima]

Yes, it has changed drastically. I do agree that it is a great option, but realistically it would be very hard to do. I subbed at Leavenworth when my DH was there for CGSC back in 2001/02. I recall them stating that stateside there are only 7 DoD school districts left.

It is hard also because like any GS job, retired military members and AD spouses get points. IOWS, even though my DD was an ADAF military dependent, any AD spouse would have been given points over her bc they are spouses and she was a dependent child. There also is the program called troops to teachers which are given priority.

Back on track. If you want to serve connected to the military you can always look into positions on www.usajobs.gov Beware many of the postings are actually filled, but my law they must advertise the position. Thus, if you look at the jobs, you might see in the same dept. 2 openings. Typically it is the lower GS position that is really the opening.
~ I know this because Bullet (my DH) works at the Pentagon. We laughed 1 time because he was promoted and offered the new position, with the title "acting", and a few days later it showed up on the site, along with his old position. People that applied for his "acting" position had no idea it was already filled by him, and the only real position that was being filled was the one he just left.
~~ This just occurred again in his dept., because he has now left his position for school (govt sent him). The person that reported to him became the "acting" in DH's position, and his replacement's job (lower GS position) was the true opening. Yet, there it was again, advertising both positions for only 1 opening.


Just saying, you would be amazed on how many positions are available, but just realize how the system works. It is a great path if you can get into it. .

 

[Pima]

For the OP, since you are so young, you may want to see if you can double major in Poli Sci and GERMAN. The reason why is GERMAN may help you more if you want to work along side the military.

Going back decades ago, I knew an AFROTC cadet that left as a sophomore. She was a German major with a govt minor. Long story short, she was hired on as an interpreter to be stationed in Germany, at Ramstein AFB. She got promoted out of Ramstein to SHAPE in Belgium. I have lost touch with her, but the last I knew she was working at the UN as an interpreter for the State Dept.

 

[curiousas250]

Just a suggestion since you stated an interested in working with international politics, but you might want to look into becoming a Foreign Service Officer. You take an exam, write several essays detailing how your experiences fit the core precepts of the foreign service, and then if you pass both hurdles you get to go to D.C for an interview with the State Department. Pass that and you get put on a register and wait to be called off to begin training as a Foreign Service Officer. Keep in mind that this is pretty competitive, since usually only a fifth of those passing the initial exam pass the essays, and that number gets halved again in the final interview.

Another way to do it is to apply for the Pickering/Rangel Fellowships once you are a rising Senior in college. It's like ROTC in that the State Department pays for your Masters and in return you owe them two years of being a diplomat after you graduate.

 

[CrewDad]

AFDUSE. You’re a Patriot! You can serve the country in the Air Force Navy Army Coast Guard as a Civilian GS Employee. GS has a similar pay grade as the uniform service thus you can transition in your career likewise. Sometimes depending on your role you may out rank uniforms. I believe you will start as GS 9 through GS 15. SES is equal to that of Flag Officers. With your studies in Comp Sci, you can fit in nicely in Cyber Ops or Intelligence. Do not feel down or pity because you can’t serve in uniform. GS jobs also have excellent career in conjunction with the uniform service. I’m pretty sure you will enjoy working in GS jobs if service to the country is your ultimate goal.

You can get a GS job with DoD, State, Treasury, DHS, Executive Branch. If your long term goal is politics this can be a nice option. Service with the state dept to get diplomatic experience is nice but that would remove you from working with your local constituents. You may also work with local or state level govt. you have so many options. You just cannot be in a uniform service, for now. Pick up your chin and go check it out.