Another ROTC Question

[shutout390]

If you guys arent sick of ROTC questions already, here comes another. Can you join ROTC for the 2nd semester of school?

Im 20 years old, and was about to start my 3rd year of semi-professional hockey..... I really thought about it and I just can't see myself living that life anymore. The hockey is great but damn its hard to be christian.

Looking to go AFROTC at Saint Louis University if that makes a difference.

If I cant get into ROTC until next fall would it mess me up to still start school this coming semester?

Oh, and this is dumb as ever, but what kind of tech degrees are gonna help me 4 years from now come AFOQT, PCSM, UPT, etc? I am the kind of person that wants to be the best at everything, so every little step on the other guys Im going to take.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[Full of LUV]

Focus, Focus!

If you guys arent sick of ROTC questions already, here comes another. Can you join ROTC for the 2nd semester of school?

Im 20 years old, and was about to start my 3rd year of semi-professional hockey..... I really thought about it and I just can't see myself living that life anymore. The hockey is great but dang its hard to be christian.

Looking to go AFROTC at Saint Louis University if that makes a difference.

If I cant get into ROTC until next fall would it mess me up to still start school this coming semester?

Oh, and this is dumb as ever, but what kind of tech degrees are gonna help me 4 years from now come AFOQT, PCSM, UPT, etc? I am the kind of person that wants to be the best at everything, so every little step on the other guys Im going to take.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Usually, you can join ROTC without a scholarship anytime, if the school you are talking about has a unit. If you take the classes and pay your own way, you get a commission upon graduation. That's the way it works for Navy atleast. After some time in the program, you can compete for remaining scholarship. As far as what major, choose whatever you enjoy and are good at. No "tech" degree is going to necessarly help you in the pilot profession, but having "great" grades and apptitude will get you into pilot profession at the end of ROTC, which is the most important goal. As far as stepping of the others, you are not competing against your fellow school mates for pilot slots as much as you are nationally, so don't step on your classmates to get ahead or you will be perceived as a smart jackass, and will fail to prevail in the end by your superiors observations.

 

[Tri-holer]

Back when I went through AFROTC, I was in the 2-year program and I had to have 2 years left. I told them I could graduate in 1 year (I was a Junior) but they told me to be in the graduate and get a commission program, I had to do 2 more years. So I took an extra year to finish and brushed up on essential subjects - fencing, racquetball, first aid, etc.

 

[shutout390]

Full,

Yea I didnt mean to come off like that, I have spent enough time reading posts here and baseops to know about helping others...plus thats what the military is all about right. I just meant nationally when Im competing for UPT.

Thanks guys.

 

[HarryShadow]

I joined ROTC spring semester of my sophomore year. (There was not a doubt in my mind the AF was what I wanted to do! UPT these days equals at least 11-12 years of active duty service…so be certain of your desires).

Here’s how I went about things: I called the campus AFROTC office, set up an appointment and subsequently met with some Captain. I told him I wanted to be an AF officer…how do I get started!!! I enrolled in the AF Military Science class for the following semester, cut my hair, wore the uniform when they told me too, and the rest is pretty much history!

I was not on any sort of scholarship until the fall semester of my junior year. I attended the 6 week ROTC field training at Lackland AFB the summer between my sophomore and junior year. Upon return, I had the most basic form of a scholarship…the POCI (I think that’s what it’s called)…something like 1-2K each semester and $150 stipend each month (I’m sure it’s more these days). Even though I was late to join ROTC, I was still able to compete and rank well…so don’t feel as though you’re at a disadvantage! Just do well in everything they throw at you (physical tests, AFOQT, all the reindeer games they play, etc…just play along, you can make fun of it all once you’re done). I was able to go to USAFA Freefall, was the geeky cadet wing commander, and I got a pilot slot (beat out a few dudes who were in for the full 4-5 years).

As far as which degree to pursue…I was a poli sci/pre-law major and it didn’t hurt me getting a pilot slot. But, you have to get a degree that you can use in case the AF or UPT doesn’t work out. It would suck to get a degree in Liberal Arts, get plowed by a drunk driver and lose your medical clearance, and then be stuck with a job as a tree-hugger selling “save the whales” lapels…so plan to get your degree in something you would enjoy doing outside of the AF. If you’re a smart guy and can get a degree in something technical and get good grades (i.e., EE, ME, Math, Science, etc.), then by all means do so…these degrees may not help you get a pilot slot, but they can open up some sweet doors once you are a pilot (i.e., test pilot school, AFIT, NASA, etc.)…but again, only if you’d enjoy this line of work!!!

Keep the questions rolling…most of us are happy to help a brother out!!!

 

[McGillicutty]

Pure speculation, but I think recently they cut the 2-year program to everyone except AFSC's in high demand. I also looked into the 2-year program but backed off when I was told it'd be tough to get a pilot slot joining so late since your commander's ranking plays huge in the selection process and joining as a junior, you wouldn't have much time to "impress". So I went OTS and got a spot that way.

 

[HarryShadow]

Pure speculation, but I think recently they cut the 2-year program to everyone except AFSC's in high demand. I also looked into the 2-year program but backed off when I was told it'd be tough to get a pilot slot joining so late since your commander's ranking plays huge in the selection process and joining as a junior, you wouldn't have much time to "impress". So I went OTS and got a spot that way.

Hadn't heard the 2 year program is gone...I'd still ask the campus recruiter.

I had no problem competing and ranking high with the commander, but it is a gamble coming in late and competing with dudes who've got a couple more years on you. Take a look at yourself and be honest if you're the type who could compete and succeed!

Like McGillicutty, many have gone the OTS route and landed a pilot slot...I have no idea how the OTS process works, so others chime in. I'd at least start talking with your campus recruiter to figure out some options!!!

 

[JimNtexas]

I have an AFROTC question also. Back when dinasoars roamed the earth I went to the four week AFROTC camp at Dyess AFB.

It was a joke. There were no NCOs involved at all. No 'upper classmen'. Just four non-rated Captains for about 200 cadets. The officer for my flight was a social actions officer in real life.

No money was spent on the program, it was mostly just milling around. I had been to boy scout camps that were harder. My Order of the Arrow "ordeal" was much harder than anything that happened at AFROTC summer camp. High school football spring training was way, way, way more difficult, plus it actually taught some teamwork.

There was no emphasis on team work at all at summer camp. I vividly recall that they made us march ten miles just to keep us busy. After about half way guys started dropping out. They we just left stragglers behind.

The only group projects were endless hours of volleyball and marching. Even there the emphasis was on individuals, not the group.

My question is this: Is AFROTC summer camp still ultra-lame, or does it in some way resemble actual military training?

I've been thinking about this a lot because I'm getting letters from my son in Army basic training. He is getting inoculated with real military values. I would have greatly benefited from that type of training when I was his age.

 

[HarryShadow]

My question is this: Is AFROTC summer camp still ultra-lame, or does it in some way resemble actual military training?

I went through Field Training in 95 at Lackland...though I wouldn't call it excessively hard, I did think it was legit. I had an NCO MTI for the duration, upper-classman cadet training officers, and the standard CGO cadre. Teamwork was the focus. Again, I wouldn't begin to compare to Army boot camp, but I didn't have the same experience you seemed to have. Were you raised in a military family??? I was, therefore I wasn't really surprised by the training I received. I'd like to think the training would be a little more "intense" for a non-military upbringing.

 

[JimNtexas]

... Were you raised in a military family??? I was, therefore I wasn't really surprised by the training I received. I'd like to think the training would be a little more "intense" for a non-military upbringing.

Thanks for the update. Yes, I was from a military family, and I was shocked that summer camp was nothing like I'd heard about from my on family or heard from veterans of real military training. That was a long time ago, I'm sure things are totally different now. For all these years I've felt a little cheated by AFRotc.

I'm glad to hear you found your training useful.

 

[kc10/c130]

Good luck and don't ever give up trying!!

 

[Gorilla]

Interesting observations, JimN. My daughter got an AFROTC scholarship, and after 8 months, I get this phone call. "Dad, don't be mad. I've investigated this for 2 months and have talked with dozens of officers and cadets from all the services. The AFROTC program is the lamest, weakest, and worst program by far. The summer program sucks. I've transferred to Army ROTC because they teach me to be an officer."

So it sounds like AFROTC has problems, and HAS had problems, for quite a while. I'm sure it varies from unit to unit.

On her decision - I was shocked, but she's an adult, did her homework, and made an informed decision. She wants to be a rotorhead! Noooooo!

 

[ExAF]

Oh Noooooooo

She wants to be a rotorhead! Noooooo!

And you are admitting it in public on FI? She must really have daddy wrapped around her little finger!:0 Seriously though, good on her. Now if I can only keep my college student from going Navy.:0

 

[DaveGriffin]

And you are admitting it in public on FI? She must really have daddy wrapped around her little finger!:0 Seriously though, good on her. Now if I can only keep my college student from going Navy.:0

ExAF;

It will be pretty sh*tty dinners at Christmas and Thanksgiving for you with your son telling stories about his night carrier landings. Not to worry, it is a great family tradition for kids to do better than the old man.

 

[Gorilla]

ExAF;

It will be pretty sh*tty dinners at Christmas and Thanksgiving for you with your son telling stories about his night carrier landings. Not to worry, it is a great family tradition for kids to do better than the old man.

Ah the dreaded night carrier landing. Something so amazing and manly that the enemies of our country crap their pants in terror. Commies flying MiGs over North Korea, when they learn of yet another successful night carrier landing, blubber like girls and simply eject out of inadequacy. Camel jockeys put a makarov to their heads and pull the trigger. "Aieee! The infidel does NIGHT CARRIER LANDINGS!" <BANG>

I have great respect for my Navy Bros, especially those who don't bring up their NCL's every 30 seconds.

 

[ExAF]

Gorilla,
Please refrain from quoting Dave in the future. While your post was fantastic, most of us have him on our ignore list and would really rather miss out on a quality post rather than suffer through his drivel even while contained in said quality post. Your future cooperation will be greatly appreciated by the masses. Thanks...ExAF

 

[Gorilla]

Gorilla,
Please refrain from quoting Dave in the future. While your post was fantastic, most of us have him on our ignore list and would really rather miss out on a quality post rather than suffer through his drivel even while contained in said quality post. Your future cooperation will be greatly appreciated by the masses. Thanks...ExAF

Twoop.

 

[DaveGriffin]

Ah the dreaded night carrier landing. Something so amazing and manly that the enemies of our country crap their pants in terror. Commies flying MiGs over North Korea, when they learn of yet another successful night carrier landing, blubber like girls and simply eject out of inadequacy. Camel jockeys put a makarov to their heads and pull the trigger. "Aieee! The infidel does NIGHT CARRIER LANDINGS!" <BANG>

I have great respect for my Navy Bros, especially those who don't bring up their NCL's every 30 seconds.

You are dead on, Gorilla!

The USN’s complete world wide monopoly and mastery of all facets of Carrier Ops is one of the critical components of our strategic global war fighting ability. That old truism about the ‘projection of American power’ never rang more true. The bad guys really, really hate it; almost as much as USAF fighter pilots.

In addition to the instances of NCL fear and loathing you cite, there are several more that bear mentioning:

F-15/16 drivers almost always demean the ability of Naval Aviators to land their Hornets in the dark on less than 150 ft of pitching deck by retreating into the tired, old AF typical defensive reply of “Yeah, but life onboard ship really s*cks. Who wants to be deployed on sea duty for 6 months at a time with your whole life devoted 24/7 to delivering death and destruction to our enemies? I mean, what’s the deal with those non-stop, high-tempo flight ops anyway?”

AAFES research studies indicate that legal, hot, single chicks hanging around the O’Club are 7.6x more likely to go home with Navy and Marine F-18 pilots after letting Viper and Eagle drivers buy all the drinks while discussing the most challenging AF golf courses, the superior safety characteristics of 8,000 foot runaways, and their imagined distaste for sea duty.

P-3 pilots have also been known to attempt to down-talk carrier landings by immediately changing the topic and injecting into the conversation the financial benefits of per diem orders. In a tactic similar to that used by AF pilots complaining about the prospect of life at sea, P-3 pilots have also been known to relate their unhappy shipboard experiences during their disassociated sea tour.

Let's keep comparing notes.

 

[Huggyu2]

ExAF,
Noted.... Three...

 

[Scrapdog]

You are dead on, Gorilla!

The USN’s complete world wide monopoly and mastery of all facets of Carrier Ops is one of the critical components of our strategic global war fighting ability. That old truism about the ‘projection of American power’ never rang more true. The bad guys really, really hate it; almost as much as USAF fighter pilots.

In addition to the instances of NCL fear and loathing you cite, there are several more that bear mentioning:

F-15/16 drivers almost always demean the ability of Naval Aviators to land their Hornets in the dark on less than 150 ft of pitching deck by retreating into the tired, old AF typical defensive reply of “Yeah, but life onboard ship really s*cks. Who wants to be deployed on sea duty for 6 months at a time with your whole life devoted 24/7 to delivering death and destruction to our enemies? I mean, what’s the deal with those non-stop, high-tempo flight ops anyway?”

AAFES research studies indicate that legal, hot, single chicks hanging around the O’Club are 7.6x more likely to go home with Navy and Marine F-18 pilots after letting Viper and Eagle drivers buy all the drinks while discussing the most challenging AF golf courses, the superior safety characteristics of 8,000 foot runaways, and their imagined distaste for sea duty.

P-3 pilots have also been known to attempt to down-talk carrier landings by immediately changing the topic and injecting into the conversation the financial benefits of per diem orders. In a tactic similar to that used by AF pilots complaining about the prospect of life at sea, P-3 pilots have also been known to relate their unhappy shipboard experiences during their disassociated sea tour.

Let's keep comparing notes.

Holy sh*t!! What a tool! I'm laughing so hard over here I'm practically in tears. You've got to be kidding! This guy has absoluetly no clue...oh, I like the 7.6 too, that's a great one....you know, from all those QUALITY chicks that hang out at the O'club nowadays. I think last time I was there I saw a few 80 year old cuties with their canes. Yeah, those women were hotties...during the Korean War that is.

Dave, again...as I said in an earlier post to ya...go find a corner and choke yourself.