University of Maryland ROTC.

DukeFool

DukeFool

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I'm going to enroll into either AFROTC or AROTC at College Park. Does anyone have a brief rundown of the two programs at College Park specifically? I've contacted both AFROTC and AROTC and the Air Force seemed the most inviting and responsive. If there's any cadets from either program please tell me how is your experience.
 
kevster on this site is at AFROTC UMDCP., C200; recently selected for SFT.
Our DS will be commissioned May 26th with a UPT slot from det 330.

UMDCP det 330 was just awarded one of the top AFROTC units in the nation. AFROTC there has 3 military fraternities, GMC nights, and mentors. Kevster can give you more info. Mentor program is POC (C300's) are assigned C100's (fresh) in the fall.

However, AROTC at UMDCP is a powerhouse there too. Bigger ROTC program than AFROTC

You need to decide which branch you want to serve in as an AD officer.
Neither is right, neither is wrong. At UMDCP both AFROTC and AROTC you have the best.

Up to you decide which branch you want to live 24/7 for at least 4 yrs.
 
I live in MD and visited both dethachments. They are both outstanding detachments for ROTC. It depends on what your want to do. If you want to be in infantry or artillary or the like then AROTC is for you, if you want to be a pilot then go AFROTC. They are both award winning programs with outstanding resources and support from UMD. it all depends on what you want your career to be.
 
I agree with PIMA, you need to look harder at which branch of the service you want to spend at least 4 years serving. ROTC is just the path to serving in the military, choosing a specific branch of the service based on how good you perceive the ROTC program is not a wise idea, look first at what you want to do in the military. Both are great choices, it just depends on what you want to do and how you see yourself fitting in with each service. A good ROTC experience won't mean much if you find that after graduation you dislike what your doing.

usaffanatic,

Don't forget, you can also fly in the Army.
 
I know that you are capable of flying in the army but spots are very limited for officers and you are basically stuck to helicopters. You have a much better shot with the AF
 
When researching options for my son, I also had trouble getting an AROTC reply from their generic email address on their site. However, once I connected, they've been good in terms of recruiting. They met with us, invited my son to shadow a current cadet for a day, etc.

Try getting in touch with Christopher Emmens (cemmens@umd.edu).
 
My experience with both (I received scholarships from both) is that AFROTC takes a more genuine interest in you whereas army may or may not contact you. (I had to call several times and several different places just to get answers. AFROTC was not the same)
 
usaffanatic said:
I know that you are capable of flying in the army but spots are very limited for officers and you are basically stuck to helicopters. You have a much better shot with the AF
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"Stuck" ??

Interesting choice of words.
 
yes. stuck if you dont want to fly helicopters. A lot of people dont actually research things and just assume that you can fly anything in any branch and then end up doing someting they dont want. (not saying anyone here)
 
A lot of people dont actually research things and just assume that you can fly anything in any branch
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I would think they would have to be living in a cave to assume anything like that. I don't think I've seen any commercials for the Army showing soldiers flying Jets. On the other hand, you watch an Air Force commercial and you would think everyone flies. Navy's not much better, watch theirs and you think they are all either Seals or Pilots.

In the Army you fly Helicopters because it's what you want to do. The only place someone might feel they are "Stuck" flying helicopters is the AF of Navy, they start out training for jets, don't do well and feel they were stuck with helicopters. Believe it or not, a lot of people actually want to fly helicopters, and for good reasons.

Sorry to get off topic with all the flying, OP never even asked about that.

Back to the OP, just make sure you decide which service you want to join before deciding on which ROTC to join.
 
On topic, AROTC and AFROTC at UMDCP are top notch in the eyes of their branch.

The OP has to decide what they want in life for the 4 yrs after commissioning. AF and Army are unique.
 
Thank you all for the information. I'm more inclined into the Air Force ROTC for the chance of being a pilot.
 
Dukefool,

Here is a question for you since you want to fly.

What branch would you want to be in IF you didn't get a rated slot?

Assume neither gives you a rated slot, now which branch do you want? DS has a UPT slot, but didn't get it until he was a C300, and promised he would serve at least 4 yrs.

AFROTC sent him to Wright Pat AFB for a 3 day medical exam. Failed it and he was going non-rated. I stress the 3 days because it isn't the DoDMERB exam. It is 8 hrs a day, EKG, Dental, Eyes, etc. He had no DoDMERB issue, no waivers, no remedials. He failed the EKG, they did an EEG, he passed, but for 24 hrs it was OMG fear.

Bullet(DH) got nailed for his out-processing DoDMERB, scoliosis. Cleared, but it was OMG fear, and in his case weeks.

It happens. So again, the question is what branch do you want to be in if you don't go rated?

Do you know for UPT cadets they must go to IFS in the AF? Do you know that the wash out rate is @40%?

Getting a UPT slot is one thing, making it to winging is another.

I am not saying don't go AFROTC over AROTC. I am saying understand that there are a ton of hurdles, but only one guarantee...you will serve in that branch!

Have a Plan B for your career.
 
DukeFool shoot me a PM and I'll answer any specific questions you have. I'm a C/200 still waiting on my dates for Maxwell. Like you, I'm hoping to get a pilot slot.

Pima is very familiar with Det 330. In fact she was the person who answered most of my questions about the det when I was a Junior and Senior in H.S.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you want. If you are ever in the area and wanna check the det out lemme know.
 
Pima, if I don't get a rated slot my backup plan is Intel or Engineering. I understand it is a hurdle to become a pilot but with just a small chance I will still try. I would be much better off attempting and fail rather than never to try at all. Even if I do fail to become a pilot I would be happy serving as an officer in the Air Force.
 
DS has a UPT slot, but didn't get it until he was a C300, and promised he would serve at least 4 yrs.
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PIMA,

Doesn't the Air Force require more then 4 years service for a UPT slot, or is that 4 extra years.

You know, I may have read that wrong, did you mean that he had to promise 4 years as a minimum even if he did not get the UPT slot.

That's what I get for thinking too much.
 
Jcleppe said:
PIMA,

Doesn't the Air Force require more then 4 years service for a UPT slot, or is that 4 extra years.

You know, I may have read that wrong, did you mean that he had to promise 4 years as a minimum even if he did not get the UPT slot.

That's what I get for thinking too much.
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I'm pretty sure it's 4 extra years. I know that Navy requires an additional commitment for pilots as well. Of course the logic is they're making such a big investment in you that they need more time to recoup that investment. Makes sense to me.
 
Jcleppe.

As a 300, you promise 4 yrs regardless of AFSC. Later during your 300 yr you meet the rated board...UPT/UNT/UAV/ABM slots

If DS wings he must serve 10 yrs after winging. UPT is 1 yr of training to be winged. His EAD was moved back to Sept. Clock for 4 yr commitment starts in Sept. HOWEVER, he must go to IFS 1st, and so his winging on a good day would be Jan 2014...1st chance to leave as a 2012 grad would be 2024. Yes, it is 10 yrs for AF regardless of the commissioning source (AFA, ROTC, OCS) and the clock starts when you graduate UPT. UNT is 6 yrs.

DS will actually have multiple pay raise dates as an AFROTC commissioned officer.

May for longevity...O1 2 yrs, O2 4 yrs, etc.
July for his DOR... will make O2 (they take commission and AD date, divide it, and that is the month...May commission, Sept AD, July is DOR)
Jan flight pay

AFA grads usually have DOR and longevity as the same. AFROTC grads don't because they are not AD until they report.

Little known fact, ROTC cadets may land up serving less time AD than their SA counterparts. Reason why, at least for the AF is due to the fact their longevity clock starts at commissioning and not RNLD. Bullet retired with 21 yrs, but in actuality, he only served 20 yrs 3 months. He commissioned May 26th, reported to UNT Mar 10th. The time between May and March he was not on the AF payroll. However, when he retired they gave him credit for that period.
 
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As a 300, you promise 4 yrs regardless of AFSC. Later during your 300 yr you meet the rated board...UPT/UNT/UAV/ABM slots

If DS wings he must serve 10 yrs after winging. UPT is 1 yr of training to be winged. His EAD was moved back to Sept. Clock for 4 yr commitment starts in Sept. HOWEVER, he must go to IFS 1st, and so his winging on a good day would be Jan 2014...1st chance to leave as a 2012 grad would be 2024. Yes, it is 10 yrs for AF and the clock starts when you graduate UPT.

Commitment runs concurrent with AFSC commitments.
Click to expand...

After reading your post again that's what I thought you meant.

My son is in the same boat.

His obligation time does not start until he reports, June 10th 2012. His obligation of 6 years does not start until he completes basic flight school, that takes about 1 1/2 years depending on how much bubble time he has. The earliest he could leave the Army would be around Jan. 2020.
 
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