Switching from AFROTC to ROTC

C

Case007

New Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2018
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5
Hey guys,
I am currently a senior in highschool and have a AFROTC Type 7 scholarship, but I have come to terms that the Army is best for me and I am better of in AROTC. With that said, is there any chance I can compete for money before getting to college? Also, how competitive is it to get a 3 year AROTC scholarship?
 
No way to compete for an AROTC scholarship at this point. Youu would have to earn a scholarship while in college. It's competitive. Definitely not a cakewalk, but people do it. Of course there is never any guarantee about receiving one, Many college students commission in all the services without a scholarship.
 
Yes it’s too late to apply for one now for the upcoming year. However, some students do it this way for various reasons: initially wanted to do AFROTC like you, decided Army or Navy is for them so apply to AROTC or NROTC while in another program, need better funding so switch out to another program. Which ever it is they are all legitimate reasons. It’s been done and it’s all possible. And DoD does not discourage it.

Your 1st year with ROTC scholarship is a trial year so you can be anywhere with no commitment. So you owe nothing to anyone. You earned your scholarship on your merit!

If I were in your situation start with AFROTC you have now and apply for Army 3 year scholarship during school. In parallel ask your Det to upgrade to Tier 1 now before you enroll and if they say no then ask them again in Sep if they can consider upgrading to T2 beginning your 2nd year. All 3 year AFROTC Scholarships are T2 level. You may never know you may want to just stay in Air Force Program.

If accepted with AROTC you can then switch to Army in your 2nd year with 3 year scholarship full tuition. If this is what you still want. Understand that you can also cross commission into other service when you graduate but need to start this process sometime in your Junior Year by taking to other unit commanders. Military will figure out who will fund your ROTC. This is their solution not yours. To DoD you’re all the same.

This is not common but it is done every year between the programs even in service academies. About 2-5 cross commission each year based on past trend. Army has no class requirement but Air Force does. 2 Math Calculus level 2 Science that fits into Engineering Science so doesn’t have to be Physics it can be Aerospace Electrical Mechanical Astrophysics, any hard Science.

This is one unique benefit that ROTC Programs offer that SAs don’t. You can start in one service and finish in another if you decide that you are a better fit in another.

Good luck son.
 
@CrewDad
You can cross cross commission from the SAs.
It is just as rare, but there are a few, 5-10, each year. AF has the easiest time, Navy next, Army last.
They don't "require" a one for one swap, but it seems that way. Example: If someone wants to go AF from Army, there needs to be someone willing to go AF to Army.
I'm sure some of the folks on the Academy forums will have better info.

One of my friends growing up always wanted to be a SEAL. When he choose the AFA I asked him if he had changed his mind.
"Nope, I want to ski in college. I'll just cross commission."
He did, graduated BUDS and did two tours as a SEAL.
OS
 
That’s pretty cool. I saw another, I think a 3 Star general in the Navy, who cross commissioned from USAFA to Navy and became a Seal. Pretty cool undertaking. I don’t know when they all get inspired to cross commission. It can be that they wanted to be at another SA and didn’t get it because they didn’t have the additional Nomination or didn’t get Appointment or decided while in the Academy they wanted different life and missions. But it appears you can do if you want to do something different.

Eisenhower wanted to go to USNA and didn’t get it but got USMA. He turned out just fine. Nimitz wanted to go to USMA but didn’t get it but got into USNA. He turned out just fine!

What ever the journey I believe all will find their happy journeys.
 
I think so. I saw him on the USNA Website last year.
 
Thank you so much for your reply! So if I am understanding you correctly, I can be in AFROTC my first year and still apply for a 3 year AROTC scholarship? And if I do not earn the AROTC scholarship, it is still possible to cross commission?

CrewDad said:
Your 1st year with ROTC scholarship is a trial year so you can be anywhere with no commitment. So you owe nothing to anyone. You earned your scholarship on your merit!

If I were in your situation start with AFROTC you have now and apply for Army 3 year scholarship during school. In parallel ask your Det to upgrade to Tier 1 now before you enroll and if they say no then ask them again in Sep if they can consider upgrading to T2 beginning your 2nd year. All 3 year AFROTC Scholarships are T2 level. You may never know you may want to just stay in Air Force Program.

If accepted with AROTC you can then switch to Army in your 2nd year with 3 year scholarship full tuition. If this is what you still want. Understand that you can also cross commission into other service when you graduate but need to start this process sometime in your Junior Year by taking to other unit commanders. Military will figure out who will fund your ROTC. This is their solution not yours. To DoD you’re all the same.

This is not common but it is done every year between the programs even in service academies. About 2-5 cross commission each year based on past trend. Army has no class requirement but Air Force does. 2 Math Calculus level 2 Science that fits into Engineering Science so doesn’t have to be Physics it can be Aerospace Electrical Mechanical Astrophysics, any hard Science.

Good luck son.
Click to expand...
 
Oldsalt said:
@CrewDad
You can cross cross commission from the SAs.
It is just as rare, but there are a few, 5-10, each year. AF has the easiest time, Navy next, Army last.
They don't "require" a one for one swap, but it seems that way. Example: If someone wants to go AF from Army, there needs to be someone willing to go AF to Army.
I'm sure some of the folks on the Academy forums will have better info.

One of my friends growing up always wanted to be a SEAL. When he choose the AFA I asked him if he had changed his mind.
"Nope, I want to ski in college. I'll just cross commission."
He did, graduated BUDS and did two tours as a SEAL.
OS
Click to expand...
That is awesome.
 
That’s right. I would keep the current option active while you workout a new one. Best case scenario would be you ask for an upgrade to T1 or T2 from your Air Force Detachment and they grant it. From what I heard from the Army and Air Force, Army will always take a Cadet from AFROTC as long as you are meeting your grades and passing your physical. And tell the Army a ground mission is what you want. Of course there are many bad ass Air Force para rescue and special forces. You can do infantry missions in the Air Force too. You can get imbedded with the Army and be the guy calling in the Air strikes. And still enjoy the better Air Force accommodation and higher quality Airbase vs Army Post or Garrison. Put more thought into it. Experience the Air Force first. Give it a chance. You have time to decide.
 
CrewDad said:
That’s right. I would keep the current option active while you workout a new one. Best case scenario would be you ask for an upgrade to T1 or T2 from your Air Force Detachment and they grant it. From what I heard from the Army and Air Force, Army will always take a Cadet from AFROTC as long as you are meeting your grades and passing your physical. And tell the Army a ground mission is what you want. Of course there are many bad ass Air Force para rescue and special forces. You can do infantry missions in the Air Force too. You can get imbedded with the Army and be the guy calling in the Air strikes. And still enjoy the better Air Force accommodation and higher quality Airbase vs Army Post or Garrison. Put more thought into it. Experience the Air Force first. Give it a chance. You have time to decide.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your help. I have contacted both AFROTC and AROTC detachments at 3 different schools but none of them gave me this great of an answer. This answer is seriously is a huge weight off my chest. Also, I am deciding between my instate school, which qualifies for 4 Year, Type 7. But the other school, which is out of state, can be switched to 3 year, type 2.

Sorry to keep asking questions, but how would I go about applying to the AROTC scholarship while in AFROTC? Once I get situated with college and all, would I then go to the AROTC detachment and fill out a scholarship application? Because it was my understanding that in college scholarships are recommended by their military science professor, and since I will not be in military science, how would I earn a recommendation? Or is what I am saying all wrong.
 
You could check with the AROTC unit on how to proceed but I expect you'll just fill out the normal "high school" scholarship application.

I would be somewhat incognito about this. Do not speak to them while in an Air Force uniform. They may or may not have qualms about poaching from the Air Force. Also, they'll undoubtedly be in the same building but hopefully different wings or even floors. But there are eyes everywhere. It's not that it would be a big problem but why get AFROTC folks upset (including your buddies) if you don't have to? BTW I know of several kids who were in NROTC and switched to AROTC because they thought it was a better fit. You won't be the first or last to do this.
 
kinnem said:
You could check with the AROTC unit on how to proceed but I expect you'll just fill out the normal "high school" scholarship application.

I would be somewhat incognito about this. Do not speak to them while in an Air Force uniform. They may or may not have qualms about poaching from the Air Force. Also, they'll undoubtedly be in the same building but hopefully different wings or even floors. But there are eyes everywhere. It's not that it would be a big problem but why get AFROTC folks upset (including your buddies) if you don't have to? BTW I know of several kids who were in NROTC and switched to AROTC because they thought it was a better fit. You won't be the first or last to do this.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much.
 
Current MS1 (freshman) in ROTC.

While I did come in with a 4 year scholarship, many of my buddies were non-scholarship who just enrolled in Army ROTC when they showed up to school. ALL of them were awarded 3 year scholarships. There were also 3 guys who joined second semester (January) and are already being set up with 3 year scholarships for their sophomore year. Note that all of these guys have around 3.0 college GPAs and average a 240 APFT score.

In short, every single freshman at my school received a national scholarship or was given one by the cadre. Not sure if this was a nation-wide occurrence but it seems like if your dedicated and work hard you will quickly be awarded a scholarship once you enroll.
 
Case007 said:
Hey guys,
I am currently a senior in highschool and have a AFROTC Type 7 scholarship, but I have come to terms that the Army is best for me and I am better of in AROTC. With that said, is there any chance I can compete for money before getting to college? Also, how competitive is it to get a 3 year AROTC scholarship?
Click to expand...
A thought. My daughter had a Type 7 Scholarship with AF when she started as well. The Army ROTC contacted her pretty much immediately (before classes started) and asked her if she wanted to switch to Army. She advised she was on scholarship and he said he could help her get one through the Army then. She only wanted AF but I think this may be relevant to you. So call the Army ROTC at your campus and talk to them.
 
COAFROTCMom said:
Case007 said:
Hey guys,
I am currently a senior in highschool and have a AFROTC Type 7 scholarship, but I have come to terms that the Army is best for me and I am better of in AROTC. With that said, is there any chance I can compete for money before getting to college? Also, how competitive is it to get a 3 year AROTC scholarship?
Click to expand...
A thought. My daughter had a Type 7 Scholarship with AF when she started as well. The Army ROTC contacted her pretty much immediately (before classes started) and asked her if she wanted to switch to Army. She advised she was on scholarship and he said he could help her get one through the Army then. She only wanted AF but I think this may be relevant to you. So call the Army ROTC at your campus and talk to them.
Click to expand...
I have to imagine that you if received an AF national scholarship, that you have something going for you and AROTC would have interest in you too.
 
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