Need some advice, stay AFROTC or go OTS?

[Jafar]

Hello everyone.

I am currently going through the process of begining AFROTC. I haven't contracted yet, but will by the end of the semester as I am a junior entering through the 2 year POC program.

My goal is to fly. As some of you may remember from a while back, I originally wanted to obtain a commission in the Marine Corps and fly for them. Well plans have changed and I'm crossing into the blue. I spent a total of 8 years in the Marines so I have a sense of what the military is all about.

Here's what I'm wondering; if I'm hell bent on flying, what is the best route for me to take? I have a strong AFOQT score, decent grades, am a technical major, and am working towards my ppl, which I should have by the spring when I will compete for a slot providing I stay with this route.

Last year my Det had ONE pilot slot given out. Not great odds. Previous years were far more liberal with the slots, but I'm a bit concerned, as this year there are probably 10 or more cadets applying in the spring.

How are pilot allocations looking over the next couple of years? I also have the option of extending my grad date out by one semester and applying for a pilot slot in the spring of '05 instead.

From what I gather, OTS is a sure shot for a pilot slot providing you are accepted. If I'm wrong, please correct me.

So what do you all think? Stay AFROTC and hope for the best, or finish my degree and try OTS?

 

[airgator]

Don't forget about the Guard and Reserves. I think its a big plus to know what and where you will be flying. It also seems these days that AD is getting less pilots from OTS, so if you 100% want to go AD then ROTC might be your best bet. Its definitely a tough decision, but if your AFOQT scores are solid check out the Guard/Reserve. Good luck.

 

[Tweetdrvr]

Can you play both sides of the fence? Probably not since OTS recruiter is not going to deal with you until you have a degree in hand. If you are working on your second degree while in 2 yr ROTC, then go talk to the recruiters and go with the first, best option. If you don't get any type of flying slot from ROTC, then you could still work for a guard/reserve slot by PALACE CHASE from your Active Duty non-flying career field.

 

[Purple Haze]

It's been a few years, but I think you can apply to OTS 9 months prior to graduation. This may help with "playing both sides." I'm curious if the ROTC classes on your transcript would have a negative effect on your OTS selection (for "not following-through" or some other ridiculousness -- I have no idea).

I thought I read in another recent thread that OTS was slowing down a bit for now. Depending on how far you are from graduating, that might not be great news.

The OTS route worked out great for me, but the majority of guys in my UPT class were ROTC (and the majority of folks at OTS did NOT have a pilot slot).

I think your thinking and the advice here are both on the right track.

Best wishes.

 

[Jafar]

Thanks to everyone.

To answer a few questions, I am interested in active duty, and I am four semesters from graduation. Current grad date is May of '05. (Mathematics major.) If I extend out to Dec. '05 I won't compete for the pilot slot until spring of '05, so I'll have field training under my belt when I compete, and the Det cadre will know me a little better than they will in spring of '04.

As for playing both side of the fence, my options are limited. OTS recruiter won't even look at me untill I'm two semesters away, but I have to contract with AFROTC in the next couple of months.

It has been said that about 57% of those who apply get pilot slots. (AFROTC.) It's probably safe to say that of those 57% most are probably not in the 'PCSM of 2, GPA of 2.0, AFOQT average of 20' range. So clearly one's odds are better by being a better applicant. I consider myself competative. I have been told by the cadre I'm competative, but that doesn't mean I'm going to get a slot.

My big question is this; are there indeed going to be more slots over then next couple of years? If so, when to apply? Spring '04 or spring '05? Or bag the whole thing and start talking to OTS next year?

 

[TonyC]

My goal is to fly. ... if I'm hell bent on flying, what is the best route for me to take?

... I am interested in active duty, ...

Sounds like your first priority is flying. I'd seriously advise you check out the Reserves. The way things have gone lately, you might get plenty of chances to serve on active duty. I've heard that they have trouble finding enough applicants for pilot training.

www.afreserve.com/home2.asp

 

[Jafar]

Update

Well It's been a year since I started this thread, thought I'd give a little update. I decided not to contract with AFROTC, and to go the OTS route. I've enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and will be serving as an E-5 (prior Marine) with the local reserve fighter wing. I'm a year away from my degree and will be submitting my OTS package in a few months. I've been told I can apply for both active duty OTS (rated pilot) and apply for a reserve pilot slot in the wing through the deserving airman program.

If I get picked up by the wing at least I'll know for sure I'm flying fighters, but active duty is a priority of mine, and I may opt to go the active OTS route instead.

My main reasons for entering the reserve as an enlisted member right now is to become an insider, which can only help, and to help out with this last year of school. And if niether of my plans work out, well at least I'm back in the military

So what do you all think?

 

[BonesF15]

good move

Sounds like you made the best choice. If I had known better I would have made the same choice 9 years ago. Screw OTS and a 10 year active duty service committment AFTER you finish pilot training. That will put you away for 12 years. Guard or reserve is a much better deal.

Which reserve unit?

Bones

 

[lilryno]

What kind of AFOQT scores do you have? What's your GPA? You know it's quite a bit more competitive in OTS than ROTC... I'd try to swing it through ROTC first and if that doesn't work, try to get picked up on active duty. If you can get a slot through OTS then you should definitely be able to get a slot through ROTC.

 

[FastCargo]

Good choice...

Guys who were/are full time guard/reserve and are pilots started in the unit as something else...usually enlisted. The thing I tended to hear was that as a young guy with no wings, getting into the unit by being enlisted, and then going to OTS and UPT was the way to go.

The only other way that guys got consistently hired was to have done active duty, know someone (or several), and be qualified or previously qualified in the unit's particular weapon system.

The basic common thread in both ways was to be 'known' to the unit...either directly or by proxy. I think the way you doing it will get you where you want to go in the long run. Congrats!

Good Luck!
FastCargo

 

[Steeler Fan]

1 Year from Degree

Can you play both sides of the fence? Probably not since OTS recruiter is not going to deal with you until you have a degree in hand. If you are working on your second degree while in 2 yr ROTC, then go talk to the recruiters and go with the first, best option. If you don't get any type of flying slot from ROTC, then you could still work for a guard/reserve slot by PALACE CHASE from your Active Duty non-flying career field.

Active Duty AF OTS recruiters can submit your application when you're within 1 year of your degree.

www.airforce.com is the link...If you feel like they're not telling you what you think they should be, pm me.

 

[Jafar]

Thanks Gents,

Yes, I can say with certainty I'm not doing the AFROTC thing. I'm one year out from graduation right now and AFROTC would only push that out further. (No one year contracts available.) My plan here is a shotgun style approach. Starting in Dec I'll be submitting a package for active OTS, as well as hitting up every guard/reserve outfit hiring. Somebody is bound to pick me up.

To answer the above questions My AFOQT was pretty strong, everything was in the 80's or above, with a couple of sections in the 90's. Pilot was 80. GPA hovers around a 3.0 pursuing a BS in mathematics.

As far as getting hired by the unit I'm entering as an enlisted member, that seems unlikely. It's as F-16 unit and it is part of that new program where they get their junior officers from their active duty sister unit. The last time they sent someone to UPT was a long time ago. Of course I'm still going to try, but most likely will have to go elsewhere. Either way, enlisting is still an in, as I see it.

Thanks again.