Looks like I have to drop AFROTC for OTS, any advice?

[curiousas250]

I'm a noncontracted sophomore cadet who likely has to drop Air Force ROTC in the near-future because I cannot complete the degree program I want at my current school for various reasons; staying would basically leave me with zero Plan B for a career outside of the Air Force, force me to extend graduation by up to 2 years, and screw me if I don't get an EA (Complicated backstory that I won't get into here). I am not being removed from the program due to academic failure or anything criminal and feel that I likely would get an EA if I stay. Unfortunately life has tossed me a massive curveball and I don't see any other option at this point.

Here is my current status:
Major: Pre-Business (Finance & Banking)
CGPA: 3.2
PFA: 94
SAT/ACT (If it matters at all): 1450/33

I'm pretty involved in philanthropy through Greek Life and could easily point to a few examples of helping organize community projects and demonstrating leadership there. I also work for a real estate company and have helped acquire and manage over $200,000 worth of property, but this is something that I'm a bit iffy about putting on my application since due to it's "family-business" nature. I have gone through DoDMERB and finished the process without any need for waivers so I'm completely good on the medical side.

I've talked to my Colonel and he is willing to write me a strong letter of recommendation for OTS since he would've nominated me for Field Training anyways. I am considering asking for two more from my APAS and the AS800 who is currently in charge of me.

I have a few questions for the process:

- Would a voluntary drop from AFROTC have a negative effect on my OTS application?

- Can I apply for both COT and OTS at the same time? I am interested in becoming a 41a or a Public Health Officer if applying for a rated position doesn't work out.

- When is the earliest I should start contacting AF officer recruiters and local Reserve/ANG units?

- Would I have to do another DoDMERB when I apply for Air Force OTS when I've already passed my AFROTC DoDMERB?

- I have an AFOQT scheduled through my detachment later this month. Should I proceed with taking it or should I hold off since I know I'll be gone next semester?

- Should I put my experience in my family business on my application?

Thanks all.

 

[Tbpxece]

- Would a voluntary drop from AFROTC have a negative effect on my OTS application?

Yes, if your AFROTC involvement thus far counts as a commissioning attempt. You are only allowed one attempt per lifetime according to US Code. If it counts as an attempt, you will need a waiver for OTS. It's not hard but adds another 6-12 months to the OTS process.

- Can I apply for both COT and OTS at the same time? I am interested in becoming a 41a or a Public Health Officer if applying for a rated position doesn't work out.

No clue. COT is a waste of time if you have any desire to ever be a line officer. Unless you have a burning desire to be in one of the few COT professions and nothing else ever, wait and complete the real deal via OTS.

- When is the earliest I should start contacting AF officer recruiters and local Reserve/ANG units?

ASAP. For the ANG, there is no application for commission You instead apply for the local position that requires a commission. To do that, you will already need to have a degree in hand.
Keep in mind most ANG and USAFR units prefer to hire in-house first, and there are almost always plenty of local candidates You'd do better to enlist first into the local wing while you finish your degree.

- Would I have to do another DoDMERB when I apply for Air Force OTS when I've already passed my AFROTCDoDMERB?

Probably not. I didn't after I left ROTC and enlisted in ADAF. When I applied for OTS later, I did not have to do another DODMERB.

- I have an AFOQT scheduled through my detachment later this month.Should I proceed with taking it orshould I hold off since I know I'll be gone next semester?

Take it if you are prepared and will score well. Otherwise, hold off until you know what you are doing. AFOQT scores are only good for a few years until the test is changed, and there is no guarantee that you will have your two lifetime attempt count reset.

- Should I put my experience in myfamily business on my application?

Put everything on your application.

Also, an active commission is an active commission. Have you looked at other branches' ROTC? You can always switch to the USAF later in your career, and this would save you the headache of enlisting, waivers, delays in your degree, etc.

 

[kinnem]

Given he was never contracted I doubt it would be counted as a commissioning attempt.

 

[Humey]

- Would a voluntary drop from AFROTC have a negative effect on my OTS application?

Yes, if your AFROTC involvement thus far counts as a commissioning attempt. You are only allowed one attempt per lifetime according to US Code. If it counts as an attempt, you will need a waiver for OTS. It's not hard but adds another 6-12 months to the OTS process.

- Can I apply for both COT and OTS at the same time? I am interested in becoming a 41a or a Public Health Officer if applying for a rated position doesn't work out.

No clue. COT is a waste of time if you have any desire to ever be a line officer. Unless you have a burning desire to be in one of the few COT professions and nothing else ever, wait and complete the real deal via OTS.

- When is the earliest I should start contacting AF officer recruiters and local Reserve/ANG units?

ASAP. For the ANG, there is no application for commission You instead apply for the local position that requires a commission. To do that, you will already need to have a degree in hand.
Keep in mind most ANG and USAFR units prefer to hire in-house first, and there are almost always plenty of local candidates You'd do better to enlist first into the local wing while you finish your degree.

- Would I have to do another DoDMERB when I apply for Air Force OTS when I've already passed my AFROTCDoDMERB?

Probably not. I didn't after I left ROTC and enlisted in ADAF. When I applied for OTS later, I did not have to do another DODMERB.

- I have an AFOQT scheduled through my detachment later this month.Should I proceed with taking it orshould I hold off since I know I'll be gone next semester?

Take it if you are prepared and will score well. Otherwise, hold off until you know what you are doing. AFOQT scores are only good for a few years until the test is changed, and there is no guarantee that you will have your two lifetime attempt count reset.

- Should I put my experience in myfamily business on my application?

Put everything on your application.

Also, an active commission is an active commission. Have you looked at other branches' ROTC? You can always switch to the USAF later in your career, and this would save you the headache of enlisting, waivers, delays in your degree, etc.

Maybe I understood, but If you enlist in a national guard unit, arent you kind stuck applying to only that unit for a pilot spot. If you dont enlist, you can apply to every single National Guard unit that has an opening. While being one fo the unit may benefit you, I would think applying to 50 (making up a number) guard units would give you a higher chance of finding a place

 

[Tbpxece]

Blanket-applying to multiple ANG units for a pilot spot is not a great idea. Unless they are experiencing a critical shortfall, most ANG wings take the time to only hire potential pilots that they feel confident will stick around. If they catch a whiff that an applicant is shopping around just trying to get a ticket to UPT, they will likely pass.

Like I said there are almost always more local enlisted folks applying for pilot spots in an ANG flying squadron than there are spots.

The exception would be an existing pilot already rated on the local airframe.

Knowledge of the local unit manning document, number of authorized overages and projected vacancies helps a lot too, but at the end of the day, if you want to go to UPT via the ANG, it is very difficult to do so without developing rapport with the unit prior to applying. Easiest way to do that as a non-officer is to enlist as enlisted flightcrew, air evac, or aircraft maintenance.

The ANG is a very different organization than ADAF and USAFR.

 

[Tbpxece]

And I'll point out as well, that ANG commissions work the reverse of the USAF. You have to apply for and receive the position that requires a commission in order to go to OTS/TFOT. In other words, the commission package follows obtaining the position.

There is no way to just go to OTS and then be assigned an AFSC in the ANG, like how ADAF typically does it. It all boils down to the unit manning document.