Enlisted to AFROTC

Jen2277

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Dec 10, 2018
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I'm an enlisted airmen in the Air Force and I want to apply for SOAR and ASCP this year at Embry-Riddle in FL. The whole process seems very fuzzy to me. I found a checklist online but where do I turn my package in at? I believe the packages are due sometime in October but I have no real date. Also, do I have to take the AFOQT prior to applying or is it optional? I have good ACT scores if that can take its place. I meet all the basic qualifications but if anyone has experience in SOAR and ASCP I just need guidance on how this all works.
 
Not that I know anything about it, but what does your chain of command say? Aren't you going to have to work with them at some point anyway? Might as well start now, unless you already have and they sent you to do the research.
 
You will have to take the AFOQT.

Everything you need to know, including the process, the required package, deadlines, and the official people to contact for additional questions is available on the AFROTC page here. The applicable AFI is 36-2013. I strongly suggest you read the AFI for yourself and understand it, including keeping an eye out for future changes. I found many on-base personnel (who should know better), unknowingly pass along outdated or superseded information that can quickly derail an application.

POC-ERP is another route, as-is just finishing your degree on AD and applying to directly to attend TFOT.

As @kinnem mentioned, you will need command approval for this. Begin with your First Shirt, your direct supervisor, and your Base Education office.

Lastly, if you took an enlistment (or re-enlistment) bonus, selection to an officer accession course almost always triggers a forfeiture of future payments, and may trigger a repayment of what you've received. If you have less than 4 years (active duty years, i.e. 365 days x 4) TIS, then I'd suggest timing your package to drop after you hit that milestone. O-1E pay is much higher than O-1, and the O-1E pay after 6 years TIS is MUCH higher (close to O-3)

Persistence pays off. If you don't get in this year, keep applying and working toward your degree in the meantime. Good luck!
 
I agree you need to talk to someone in your chain. Tbpxece may know the real answer. He may chime in, but if not, I would reach out to him via a pm as soon as you get enough posts to pm.

JMPO, I would take the AFOQT. You will need it later on in AFROTC. There are certain things to understand about the AFOQT.
1. It is more akin to the ACT than the SAT.
~ 4 portions and all timed. Qualitive, Quantitive, Pilot and Nav.
2. You can purchase study guides like the ACT.
3. Unlike the ACT where you can take it as often as you want/can afford, you can't with the AFOQT
~ You can only take it 2x, unless you receive a waiver
~ The test can only be taken 180 days apart. That means if you wait until you get into AFROTC the clock is ticking regarding when you are eligible to retake it again.
4. If you do amazing on the 1st shot AFOQT prior to enrolling in AFROTC, impo it can give you an edge.
~ Strong scores will be in your file, and the AFROTC CoC will see them. 1st impressions always matter. ACT scores are nice, but the CoC knows that the AFOQT matters more.
~~ Not to be rude, but they may also have in their mind it has been yrs since you took that ACT, and are out of the standardized test taking world like you were in HS.
~~~ This could be a double edged sword. Do poorly and they see it too....see above about purchasing study guides.
~ You will have a job in AFROTC as a cadet. Your CoC may see you differently than another AS100. Come your AS200 yr you will need to go to SFT. The CoC's ranking is a big chunk of that score for the selection board.
~ If you do well on it, than you will have less stress on your back. You won't need to re-take it again. Thus, while other cadets are studying and fretting over the AFOQT, you have checked the box, and can spend time on your academic classes...again, the cgpa will be part of the score for the selection board.
~ Unlike TBAS, AFOQT does have study guides. You can shine here within the det. Don't be "that guy/gal", be a mentor to these young cadets and tutor/study/mentor them. The cadre will see this. It shows not only initiative on your part, but peer bonding and leadership. See above regarding CoC ranking for SFT.

xposted with tbpxece
 
Also, you only get two attempts at the AFOQT, so make sure you take plenty of practice courses.

I know smart folks that froze up on their first go-round and bombed it. The time limit for each section can be problematic.
 
Tbpxece, hence why I said buy the study guides.

To add in why this score matters. You cannot commission without passing SFT. You can't go to SFT without passing the AFOQT. Caveat: You can get a waiver, but you might as well buy one powerball ticket and believe you own the winning ticket.

The SFT selection board is broken down into 4 categories.
Tech/rated - highest % selected.
Tech/non-rated and Non-tech/rated - basically the same % selected
Non-tech/non-rated - lowest selection rate.

If memory serves me correctly AFOQT scores are 15-20% of the whole score. I can't recall the breakdown specifically. I am sure Tbpxece knows it, but it was something like 40% CoC rank, and than the remainder % included cgpa, PFA, and the AFOQT.
~ A tech major gets an academic edge. 3.0/3.1 is in the ball park. A non-tech you need to be in the 3.3/3.4
~ PFA scores are typically no lower than a 95 avg for any of the 4 cats.

The board is masked. IOWS they will not care if you are a scholarship, SOAR or walk on cadet because nobody on the board knows your background. It is all about the points.
 
Tbpxece, hence why I said buy the study guides.
And you're dead on the money, ma'am. :)

As for SFT selection, this is another reason to ask any prospective college's cadre what their previous years' selection rates were. If those rates were <90% and/or are dropping, that'd be a red flag. Any solid Det should have a heavy focus on making sure their cadets are squared away well in advance of the time their package goes up to the board.
 
Now they're offering waivers for three tries.
Yeah, that option has always been there, but you have to show a "life event" that indicates the third time will be different. I personally have never met a third time tester, but I've met plenty of folks who commissioned to a different branch because their waiver was denied.

If you've bombed it twice, odds are you will bomb it a third time. That test really is not that hard if you prepare.

The only other scenario is when they switch test versions. There are a couple of versions that were invalidated after the fact. The select few who had taken that version (and not commissioned with it) were given one of their attempts back after a certain date.
 
Now they're offering waivers for three tries.
Yeah, that option has always been there, but you have to show a "life event" that indicates the third time will be different. I personally have never met a third time tester, but I've met plenty of folks who commissioned to a different branch because their waiver was denied.

If you've bombed it twice, odds are you will bomb it a third time. That test really is not that hard if you prepare.

The only other scenario is when they switch test versions. There are a couple of versions that were invalidated after the fact. The select few who had taken that version (and not commissioned with it) were given one of their attempts back after a certain date.
Agree, its an easy test even without much prep. I personally knew one guy that took it three times, never passed.
 
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