USAFA vs AFROTC - please dont start a word war.

This is why I personally prefer USAFA over ROTC:
Less freedom and fewer distractions at USAFA will allow me to focus on what really matters. E.g. Academics, athletics, military performance. At a civilian college, you are given a lot more opportunities to screw up.
 
For me, I tend to make some decisions with a certain method of thinking. I say to myself, "If I make this choice, will I look back in 20 years and wonder, 'What could have happened if I decided the other way?'" That "sealed the deal" for me. I wasn't sure if I could hack it at USAFA when I applied, but I knew taking the other option would leave me second-guessing myself for a long time.
 
Biggest advantage of academy over rotc in 2 words: job security

Uh how so? Unless you are a total screw up you will get active duty and most likely one of your top three branches. This is for Army ROTC at least. For AFROTC I am not even sure they offer a reserve option for grads, but someone correct me if I am wrong.
 
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This is why I personally prefer USAFA over ROTC:
Less freedom and fewer distractions at USAFA will allow me to focus on what really matters. E.g. Academics, athletics, military performance. At a civilian college, you are given a lot more opportunities to screw up.

Sounds like a personal problem to me :rolleyes:
 
USAFA was top choice followed by AFROTC as plan "B". There was also plan C and D but irregardless, the end goal was to be commissioned as an officer and maybe fly.
There are different routes that lead to the same goal. It's great to have options.
The most direct route is through SA. Others may disagree but it's OK.
It's a means to an end.
The estimated cost of 4 years at USAFA (est) 4O0+K. Take the most expensive private college with a type 1 AFROTC scholarship <200K, type 2 AFROTC <72K. Tossing white cap in the air at Falcon stadium while F16s fly by come graduation....priceless:)
Just my 2 cents:)
 
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Sounds like a personal problem to me :rolleyes:

I don't think I'd call it a problem. Removing distractions from school is more like a lifestyle choice. Some people choose to go out and party every weekend, and I would prefer not to have that as an option. :smile:
 
I don't think I'd call it a problem. Removing distractions from school is more like a lifestyle choice. Some people choose to go out and party every weekend, and I would prefer not to have that as an option. :smile:

There is nothing wrong with that if you are fulfilling your responsibilities and not breaking the law. I think you have the assumption that every college is experience is a den of debauchery begging for you to screw up. Remember the top universities in the US are civvy (Us News/World Report includes grad rates and cost to put academies at the top, but don't don't get me wrong they are still great schools) and I am sure learning and accountability are a paramount.

I partied quite a bit and look I ended up with a commission and ranked in the top 30% of cadets in the nation...
 
Different strokes for different folks.



Fry - Well then, ROTC grads have more self-discipline than AFA grads since they stay out of the distractions (opportunities to screw up) and get an AF slot. :rolleyes: What are you going to do in the real world after Colorado Springs, tell your commander to isolate you because you lack the self-discipline to do the right thing? :rolleyes:

Perhaps THIS is why the AFA has cadet honor code issues. They should take the kids that have self-discipline, weed the others out during the interview process. :biggrin:


This is why I personally prefer USAFA over ROTC:
Less freedom and fewer distractions at USAFA will allow me to focus on what really matters. E.g. Academics, athletics, military performance. At a civilian college, you are given a lot more opportunities to screw up.

I don't think I'd call it a problem. Removing distractions from school is more like a lifestyle choice. Some people choose to go out and party every weekend, and I would prefer not to have that as an option. :smile:
 
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Perhaps THIS is why the AFA has cadet honor code issues. They should take the kids that have self-discipline, weed the others out during the interview process. :biggrin:

You are walking a fine line...
Tread carefully when you insult people without insight.
 
You are walking a fine line...
Tread carefully when you insult people without insight.

It wasn't an insult to any person. An observation.


The interview process is for weeding out. Plenty of applicants to choose from that will have the self-discipline .
 
It wasn't an insult to any person. An observation.


The interview process is for weeding out. Plenty of applicants to choose from that will have the self-discipline .

I think your idea of making an observation defames people and it is born of a smug self assurance that you have some sort of special insight that others lack. A thoughtful and mature person would have made a better considered comment.
 
I appreciate everybody's opinion and input. But don't for a second believe that 1 person's "OPINION" is the opinion of all others.

LeFry says he prefers the academy because it doesn't allow "HIM" as much freedom. It is also his opinion that those in ROTC party every weekend.

This is a false opinion. Not only don't ROTC cadets party every weekend; but there's nothing stopping academy cadets from having the freedom to party on weekends. Yes, the academy may be a bit more strict; but the opportunity and temptation to "BE STUPID" is not reserved to just ROTC.

In the same breath; JbSail; do not believe that because 1 person prefers the academy over ROTC because they feel there are less temptations, that all the academy cadets have no self discipline. There are just as many ROTC cadets who screw up and break honor codes, break laws, etc... as there are cadets.

Neither side; academy or ROTC; has a lock on producing better officers. And NEITHER side has a lock on producing total idiots either. I think both opinions are very individualized. Neither one represents the academy or ROTC accurately.
 
I did not mean to infer in any way that ROTC grads are any lesser than Academy grads. I apologize if you read it that way. You have to remember that I'm not even at the academy. If I am declined an appointment again this year, but was also offered an AFROTC scholarship I'd take it in a heartbeat! :thumb:

Seriously though, my parents taught me the best way to stay out of bad situations is to remove the chances of being put in them in the first place. (It's worked so far!) That's all I meant by what I said.

I'm also not saying that the Academy is perfect. Depending on your class year of course, you have the ability to go out some weekends. I'll give you a great example. In a couple weeks, Boulder is hosting a concert with my absolute favorite electronic music artists. The tickets are cheap, and I know a lot of people who are going. However bad I want to go, I will be not be attending because I'd rather not put myself in a bad situation.

It's just so easy to focus on school, especially during the week, when I'm not even allowed to go anywhere.

OP specifically asked to avoid a "word war" so I'd prefer to talk over PM if you have any questions.

Again, my personal preference is USAFA, but both are different lifestyles with different opportunities. You are privileged to be apart of either!


EDIT: And it looks like CC agrees.

Also, I don't at all believe ROTC participants party every weekend. I just used that as a possible example. Sorry if the way I worded that caused confusion. OP him/herself described the Academy as "four years of torture." I wouldn't call it torture personally, but it is what you make of it.
 
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Coast Guard Academy cadets are FAR better than any current CGROTC cadets. We can all agree on that!
 
Coast Guard Academy cadets are FAR better than any current CGROTC cadets. We can all agree on that!

You crack me up. :biggrin:

When I was denied AFROTC I think they told me I had a great chance of getting accepted to CGROTC.

I felt like they were telling me I had a great chance of getting accepted nowhere. :wink:
 
You don't necessarily have to focus on the outcome (success as an officer) when deciding which is a better route. I chose to go to an Academy because it seemed like such a unique opportunity that few get to experience. I didn't want to look back and see myself as just another person who went to State U. I ultimately chose to go to CGA over my NROTC offer despite preferring the Navy and knowing very little about the Coast Guard simply for the experience of an Academy.

But I think the correct answer has been given, to each his own.
 
I was ROTC and had a very successful career as an AF pilot. My son is at the Academy and I expect that he will also have a very successful career as an AF pilot.

The biggest difference that I've seen over the past 20 years is the camaraderie. I didn't keep any of my ROTC relationships after school but my son is building life-long friendships just as other Academy grads I know have done.
 
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