AFROTC and Flying

[MattM]

I have a few questions and thought some of you could answer them. Are you made aware that you will have a flying spot before you sign your contract with the airforce? Also about how many slots are given per year for each detachment and what is that number expected to do. I would be graduating in 2006.


Thanks

Matt

 

[Steeler Fan]

Call up a local ROTC detachment and ask them...

When I was in ROTC (way long ago), the basic rule was this...if you are on scholarship and past your 1st year (1st day of Soph year--AS200) or not on scholarship and past 2nd year (1st day of Junior year--AS300), you are under contract to the Air Force.

One guy I know was not an engineer/math major, and I think separated without bias.

Things can change during that time (in the early 1990s, alot of students were told they no longer had a pilot slot--I don't see this happening now).


The following might be more info than you wanted so filter appropriately:

I loved ROTC and was fortunate enough to switch from an engineering to a pilot slot at the end of my junior year. Ways to get an Active Duty pilot slot:

1. AF Academy--free education, 1st guys to get UPT Slots
Flying time is not a requirement
Down side--it's the academy--If your vision slips or some other medical disqualification happens, you probably owe the AF 4 years
2. ROTC--you can apply for pilot slot while you're there--Also, flying time is expensive (and not a prerequisite)--
Downside--Academy gets the slots first, then ROTC--if your viaionslips or some other medical disqualification happens, you probably owe the AF 4 years (check w/ ROTC unit about this)
3. Officer Training School (OTS)--You have (or are within 1 year of getting) your BS/BA degree--You can apply specifically to be a pilot, then after OTS, go to pilot training--If not selected for pilot slot, you can walk away (or apply for some other Officer opportunity)
Upside--You're not in limbo for 4 years
Downside--You have no AF tuition assistance for college (since you did it before applying to the Air Force)--HIGHLY Competitive--Need a strong GPA in a technical major (or a REALLY strong GPA in a non-tech major)--Need really strong AFOQT scores--Also, right now, unless you have significan flying experience (PPL minimum, Commercial Instrument, CFI even better), than you may not be competitive at all (flying time can be cyclical)--I've seen people selected last year with no flying time, but this year, all applicants I've heard about have had flying time)
4. Get to be an Officer in the AF, then try to get a pilot slot from within
5. Get a Guard/Reserve Unit to hire you as a pilot (check the message board, because there are tons of posts about this).

 

[ktulu34535]

if...

If you expect to get any money out of ROTC you will sign a contract.

Unless there is some problem you will be on contract at the beggining of your junior year.

There's no free lunch anywhere, if you are dead set on being a pilot.... go OTS Guard/Reserve.

As far as the number of slots, can't comment...

Slots are not given out to detachments persay. Its all based on a list. Based on several factors they go down the list and select people like that.