MS1 here! Ask any questions you may have about ROTC

rayrotc

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Apr 22, 2018
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I’m a contracted Cadet on a 4 yr scholarship and on the Ranger Challenge Team

Since I’ve been helped so many times on this forum, I thought it would be nice to give back!

Ask away!
 
I’m a contracted Cadet on a 4 yr scholarship and on the Ranger Challenge Team

Since I’ve been helped so many times on this forum, I thought it would be nice to give back!

Ask away!

I remember you from your posts last spring. Congrats on your scholarship.

What advice would you give to kids to ensure their scholarship is activated and they start getting their stipend right away for the fall semester.

In other words, is there anything they can do before matriculating for the fall semester to set the conditions for the scholarship to be in place sooner rather than later?
 
I remember you from your posts last spring. Congrats on your scholarship.

What advice would you give to kids to ensure their scholarship is activated and they start getting their stipend right away for the fall semester.

In other words, is there anything they can do before matriculating for the fall semester to set the conditions for the scholarship to be in place sooner rather than later?

Yes. The key is to consistently workout in the summer and to eat healthy! Out of the 4 year scholarship winners, I was 2 out of 5 that passed the PT test. The reason for those that didn’t pass? It was because they stopped working out in the summer! Cadets need to put more emphasis on the PFT because this is what activates the scholarship and stipend.

Also, to maintain the scholarship, one must keep being in shape. However, you always want to improve for OML. PT isn’t really designed to get you better but designed to maintain your physical fitness. So I highly recommend working out outside of PT or trying out for the Ranger Challenge team.

So I can say I used my summer very wisely. I did hang out with friends but I worked out for 5 hours a day to improve my PFT scores. I would do a combination of running 20 miles a week, powerlifting, and body weight exercises.

Before:
1 Mile: 6:45
2 Mile: 14:51
2 min pushups: 71
2 min sit-ups: 55
Pull-ups: 20

After working out all summer:
1 Mile: 5:40
2 Mile: 13:12
2 min pushups: 82
2 min sit-ups: 64-70
Pull-ups: 24

*Also almost maxed the ACFT this week by scoring a 582/600 (equivalent to 291/300 on APFT)
 
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Yes. The key is to consistently workout in the summer and to eat healthy! Out of the 4 year scholarship winners, I was 2 out of 5 that passed the PT test. The reason for those that didn’t pass? It was because they stopped working out in the summer! Cadets need to put more emphasis on the PFT because this is what activates the scholarship and stipend.

Also, to maintain the scholarship, one must keep being in shape. However, you always want to improve for OML. PT isn’t really designed to get you better but designed to maintain your physical fitness. So I highly recommend working out outside of PT or trying out for the Ranger Challenge team.

So I can say I used my summer very wisely. I did hang out with friends but I worked out for 5 hours a day to improve my PFT scores. I would do a combination of running 20 miles a week, powerlifting, and body weight exercises.

Before:
1 Mile: 6:45
2 Mile: 14:51
2 min pushups: 71
2 min sit-ups: 55
Pull-ups: 20

After working out all summer:
1 Mile: 5:40
2 Mile: 13:12
2 min pushups: 82
2 min sit-ups: 64-70
Pull-ups: 24

*Also almost maxed the ACFT this week by scoring a 582/600 (equivalent to 291/300 on APFT)
Hey whats your workout plan look like
 
I’m a contracted Cadet on a 4 yr scholarship and on the Ranger Challenge Team

Since I’ve been helped so many times on this forum, I thought it would be nice to give back!

Ask away!
Thank you so much for being open to questions and congrats on your scholarship--that's a huge accomplishment! My son applied to the USAFA last year and did not get in. He is attending Embry-Riddle (major aerospace engineering) this year and has been active in AFROTC since the beginning of the semester. He mentioned that he passed a PT test recently and has had at least one conversation that I know of with an AF officer he reports who told him that with his background he stands a good chance of getting a scholarship. What is your take on this? I am interested in knowing more about the scholarship selection process as I know there are different types awarded. When did you apply for your scholarship and when were you told that you received it? How did you find out you were one of only 5 who passed? Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on this for me. My son isn't much of a talker :(
 
Thank you so much for being open to questions and congrats on your scholarship--that's a huge accomplishment! My son applied to the USAFA last year and did not get in. He is attending Embry-Riddle (major aerospace engineering) this year and has been active in AFROTC since the beginning of the semester. He mentioned that he passed a PT test recently and has had at least one conversation that I know of with an AF officer he reports who told him that with his background he stands a good chance of getting a scholarship. What is your take on this? I am interested in knowing more about the scholarship selection process as I know there are different types awarded. When did you apply for your scholarship and when were you told that you received it? How did you find out you were one of only 5 who passed? Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on this for me. My son isn't much of a talker :(

I’m in Army ROTC but usually for a scholarship, they look for a well-rounded person. Someone with good leadership skills, involved in ECs, good GPA, good PT score, and etc. Usually you also have to interview with the PMS or head of the program too. I applied for the scholarship during the summer of junior year and received it during the winter of Senior year.

And for the five 4 year scholarship cadets taking the PT test, everyone knows who passed or not in the battalion.
 
Thanks for retruning and giving back. Change in the military is constant and fresh info is important to keep the forum updated!

My question to you:
Is your battalion exclusively using the ACFT or both the APFT and ACFT? Which is the one that current cadets are held accountable to?
 
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Thanks for retruning and giving back. Change in the military is constant and fresh info is important to keep the forum updates!

My question to you:
Is your battalion exclusively using the ACFT or both the APFT and ACFT? Which is the one that current cadets are held accountable to?

Cadets are held accountable to the APFT as of now. So far only Ranger Challenge has taken the ACFT. The rest of the battalion will take it later.
 
I’m a contracted Cadet on a 4 yr scholarship and on the Ranger Challenge Team

Since I’ve been helped so many times on this forum, I thought it would be nice to give back!

Ask away!

I’m also an MS1 on RC! What do you think of it! I personally love it, and think it’s a great way for MS1 to set themselves apart from the rest of their class.
 
Please tell about the interview.

It’s pretty simple. The interview is a time for YOU or the candidate to shine. Make sure you are able to relate your leadership achievements to the military. And be honest and don’t be too nervous during the interview. The PMS is also a human being. Oh yeah, and be prepared to answer specific questions and have a basic understanding of foreign and US affairs.
 
I’m also an MS1 on RC! What do you think of it! I personally love it, and think it’s a great way for MS1 to set themselves apart from the rest of their class.
Oh yes! For sure. It’s definitely a way to have a head start in physical fitness and tactical knowledge.
 
Thanks for retruning and giving back. Change in the military is constant and fresh info is important to keep the forum updated!

My question to you:
Is your battalion exclusively using the ACFT or both the APFT and ACFT? Which is the one that current cadets are held accountable to?
This is the last school year the APFT is being used for accession points. Advanced Camp 2020 will also use the APFT. Next school year (20-21) the ACFT is for accession points. Still some discussion which test to use for contracting—probably the APFT.
 
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