Is there an interview for AFROTC?

[Packer]

Additionally, I stated ask the commission rate? That will give insight, even for the scenario you posed.




OBTW, I don't think any SMC tries to disguise the stats. I am sorry if you took it that way. I am saying that if you use %, you will be able to compare the SMC to the traditional college.

Not trying to argue but the three SMC's we have talked with have all said it is a bit difficult to compare them to a traditional college ROTC program. In their words the SMCs are a "different animal". Don't be surprised if the first SFT stats you hear for last year are ~35%. No that is not a realistic number but when you take the whole class size as the denominator that is about what you will get. A little questioning and you will get a sense of what a realistic number is but it is not something they can or will put in writing. Commissioning rate will be a similar story but you can get a sense if you work at it.


I was only trying to keep someone from thinking I was implying they disguise the facts. Had nothing to do with what you wrote.

 

[Packer]

Pima
I have been talking with my ALO and he said he as never dns an afrotc for the 2 years he has been an ALO. So what should I do now?

A local university ROTC unit will "own" your interview rights in their words but "typically let ALO's do it for academy applicants". Contact the ROO and/or Commander at a local university. They should know.

 

[Pima]

SJBD,

Packer is correct, HOWEVER, I would ask your ALO for guidance.

The fact is you are applying for both AFROTC scholarship and AFA. I am befuddled that in 2 yrs your ALO has not come across this scenario. Most ALO's have the majority of their AFA candidates apply for AFROTC as plan B. Not being able to direct you leaves me with questions.

I have been talking with my ALO and he said he as never dns an afrotc for the 2 years he has been an ALO. So what should I do now?

Again, sorry, but I am pretty sure 95% of his AFA candidates are applying AFROTC scholarship. Has he had only 1,2 or 3 candidates for the past 3 yrs? Is he working with you to apply for AFROTC, or does he only care about AFA?

If I am correct, knowing NC and where you live, it will be UNCCH. That was our DS's, when it came to ALO AFROTC only. I could pull the paperwork, but it has been yrs, so I am sure they are already PCS'd.

However, in the end understand this.

You can call everyday for weeks upon end, until AFROTC puts your name on their list, you will not get interview. In essence you are spinning your wheels.

We know you want to move this along, but honestly it is all about your stats now and if AFROTC HQ feels you are a viable candidate, you will have an interview. End of subject.

 

[sjbd94]

right after I walked out the door from my NROTC interview i received a call from AFROTC command and they said that make sure everything is submitted and i will be contacted by a college soon. So like you said, i guess i just need to wait. Hopefully i'll be able to do my AFROTC and AROTC interview on the same day, but will see how that works out. After talking to the NROTC officer who did my interview i am almost leaning more towards the navy for ROTC. Air force Academy is my #1 choice, but for NROTC there is no SFT and things like that, the guy even said, its meant to be fun! Also it seems becoming an officer through AFROTC is getting harder every day, so idk im looking forward to see how things pan out!

 

[alparent]

Pima, Please excuse my ignorance where all this is concerned. (I'll be stopping the bookstore to see if there is a "ROTC for dummies book" tomorrow ) If I understand this right... you go before a board to get into ROTC (AFROTC) initially...once selected, before your Jr year, you go before a board again to see if you are selected for SFT (based on grades, leadership, work ethic, etc)...if you don't get selected you may go before board again as a rising senior. SFT is a must to commission, but grades, SFT, class rank, etc are what determines your odds of getting one of the career choices you select?? Am I even close to understanding this?? or totally off base??

Also, when you mentioned transferring branches...how common is this? I would think you would have to put in for a different scholarship with the new branch? Is there a chance the SMC/school wouldn't want you then? We are trying to read up all we can on the ROTC route, but until we understand the basics it all just seems very foreign.

 

[aglages]

I'll try to answer some of your questions until Pima can weigh-in with more knowledgable information.

If I understand this right... you go before a board to get into ROTC (AFROTC) initially...

No. If you are applying for a HSSP (while in high school) scholarship you are evaluated by the AFROTC scholarship selection board and a determination is made whether to award you an HSSP Scholarship. If you do not receive a scholarship then you can still join AFROTC (without being reviewed by a "board") simply by contacting the AFROTC Detachment at the college you will be attending. There is some paperwork....but nothing too major.

...once selected, before your Jr year, you go before a board again to see if you are selected for SFT (based on grades, leadership, work ethic, etc)

This review for SFT actually occurs after the 1st semester of the sophomore (200) year (Jan/Feb). Supposedly both scholarship and non-scholarship cadets stand an equal opportunity of being selected. Although you did mention grades, leadership, work ethic, etc....your college major (technical vs non-technical) is hugely important and commanders recommendation is a substantial portion of the evaluation.

...if you don't get selected you may go before board again as a rising senior.

Yes. After your first semester of your junior year (again Jan/Feb). At this point you are considered a "250" cadet and are actually behind where you need to be in the AFROTC program. The chances of being selected for SFT as a 250 are not good and if selected you may need an extra year of college to "catch up' with your AFROTC classes. It is generally at this point (before the end of sophomore year) when cadets that are not chosen for SFT will consider changing branches or leaving ROTC all together. Of course some will come back as 250 cadets and take another shot at getting SFT. Another year of college may not be too bad if you are using it to tackle one year of your Masters degree.

SFT is a must to commission, but grades, SFT, class rank, etc are what determines your odds of getting one of the career choices you select??

Yes. After you successfully complete SFT you will compete nationally for your AFSC.

Also, when you mentioned transferring branches...how common is this?

Not very? Depends on the person. If they are determined to serve in the military and they are willing to serve in a branch other than the AF, then they can apply to a different program.

I would think you would have to put in for a different scholarship with the new branch?

If you had an AFROTC scholarship and changed branches, your AFROTC scholarship would end. You could apply for a scholarship from whichever branch you transfered, but the in-college scholarships for all branches are getting rarer. Of course you can apply to (and join) another branch's ROTC program without a scholarship.

Is there a chance the SMC/school wouldn't want you then?

If your academic CGPA is above a 2.0 then most colleges won't care whether you are in ROTC or not. However, if you are asking whether other ROTC programs will want you or not....that will depend on where you are in college (which semmester) your major, CGPA and how well you can convince them that their branch was what you really wanted all along.

I should mention that my answers to your questions may not be completely accurate in regards to SMCs. They all have different policies and you would need to evaluate each individually.

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions. Some how we all had to learn the same things you want to know. Every question you ask (and that gets answered) is probably helping some candidate/applicant and their parents.

 

[alparent]

WOW! Thank you so much, aglages!! That clears it up tremendously! I'm printing off your response now for DH and DS and review too, and adding it to our folder. This forum is awesome, and we really appreciate you all taking the time to explain things to us. (maybe a bunch of you can get together and write "ROTC for dummies". I know I would buy one!)

 

[Pima]

I agree with AG on every point except 1.

It is common to switch branches if the cadet does not get SFT. The reason why is they see the writing on the wall.

1. The scholarship will most likely be revoked due to budget issues.
2. They already know that they didn't make the cut, and fear that if they stay 1 more yr the result of getting SFT will be less likely than it was the yr before.

Most AFROTC cadets will jump over to AROTC.

 

[aglages]

Not very? Depends on the person. If they are determined to serve in the military and they are willing to serve in a branch other than the AF, then they can apply to a different program.

I agree with AG on every point except 1.

It is common to switch branches if the cadet does not get SFT. The reason why is they see the writing on the wall..

We may not disagree on this point either. I think it depends on whether a cadet wants to serve in another branch. I wasn't suggesting that they were not able to change. Just a guess, but I'd bet that most cadets that don't get SFT choose to leave ROTC altogether as opposed to joining another branch. At least that was true at my daughter's school this past Spring. Has it been different at your son's school?

I agree that most of those that do change branches tend to go AROTC.

 

[bpanter94]

My application tracker changed yesterday to this "•Congratulations! You are an eligible applicant in the AFROTC Scholarship Program. Someone from an AFROTC Detachment will contact you soon to schedule your interview. If you have not been contacted within 30 days, notify this office."

 

[Pima]

Congrats.

Don't over think the interview. Be prepared, but just remember they know you are a HS student, and not a Nobel prize recipient.

 

[bpanter94]

Thanks Pima, I appreciate all the advice and insight you give. I will probably be coming to you for more helpful information as the process progresses. I have learned alot already by just reading previous posts from everyone.