ROTC, OTS, and which branch?

[Boris_159]

I am currently finishing my commercial multi engine rating at a small community college near Pittsburgh. I am interested in joining the service but I am not exactly sure which route would be the best for me. I will have my Commercial multi engine and instrument rating in may and I would like to go on to get my bachelors degree. If I go into any branch, I want to fly fighters, (as I'm sure everyone does)

I have about a 3.6-3.8 GPA. Currently I have about 150 hours TT and In May I will have an associates degree in Aviation Technology. I'm in good physical condition too. Also I recently found out that my father went to high school with a General in the Airforce, and I am planning on meeting with him sometime soon to discuss my options.

What would be the best road for me to go down? ROTC, OTS, The academy? Like I said, I want to fly fighters, I could just stay a civilian if I wanted to fly cargo, I'm not trying to sound arrogant, That is simply how I feel. Idealy I would like to work my way through my remaining 2 years of school as a CFI while doing either ROTC or simply going to school.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SIG600]

First things first... nothings a guarantee. If you wanna fly a specific airframe, a guard unit is prob your best route. Otherwise I'd say go ROTC if you can get a scholarship. If not, go to college, do your summer camp stint in OTC, OCS, or whatever (depending on branch) and then work your ass off in primary flight training, but always remember needs of the service come first... if you don't get something single (or two) seat and fast, be prepared to enjoy whatever you get. Don't worry though, you will. I wouldn't recommend going the academy route just because it sounds like you've already got a lot of schooling out of the way. Why do a mandatory 4 years, when you could be done in 2, ya know?

Don't limit yourself to one branch either. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps all fly tactical jets. All have their ups and downs to. First however, get that 4 year degree. Sounds like you're on the way to making yourself competitive.

 

[PilotOnTheRise]

Since you have two years of college done, and thus two years left; I would finish my bachelors degree, and then apply to OTS for the Air Force, Navy and Marines, and see who bites first. If you did ROTC, you would have to do the two year ROTC program, which I understand is very competitive. And, as mentioned in the above post, if you only have two years of college left, why go through four more at the AF Academy.

If there is a specific airframe you want to fly, it might be worth your while to look into an Air National Guard unit that flies that airplane, and pursue a pilot slot with them. Through OTS you are not guaranteed a specific airframe, and thus if you would not be happy if you had to fly cargo, that is something to think about.

I am in a similiar situation as you. I have about 2-2.5 years or so of college left. I just completed my private, and am going to begin work on instrument soon. I also just enlisted to be a crew chief with the Air National Guard. I plant to pursue a pilot slot with them, as well as apply for OTS, and see which, if any give me an opportunity first.

 

[JimNtexas]

Air Guard!!! Lots of information in the archieves here, its the best deal in aviation.

 

[jmp025]

Boris,
Either way, you need to complete your 4yr degree. I think that's your step one. you need to know which university you want to go and what major you want to study. Once you get there, you can decide if you want to attend ROTC or apply for OTS (I believe minimum requirement for OTS/OCS is a 4yr degree so you don't have to worry about OTS after you graduate). I am assuming you want to major in aviation so your university selection will be limited unless you're an engieering major. ROTC will offer $3000/yr scholarship after summer boot camp to all cadets but you want to shoot for full ride (mostly given to engineering majors with above 3.5 gpa). you need to score high on your AFOQT, kind of like SAT format, and be outstanding during your summer boot camp to be competative for the pilot designation slot for your ROTC detachment. Even if you get the pilot designation slot during college it doesn't mean you're given a pilot slot. I do agree that you don't want to do 4 more yrs at academy since you already have your AA but if you know that you're going to be in the military, mind as well have the military pay for your college. Maybe some of the GE credits are transferable, I would look into that.
If you want to have a civilian experince and military as your second option, look into ANG. However, ANG pilot openings are not always available and they interview few candidates per year. My thought is that the military would want to hire a pilot within the military not new comer (that's just my thought/opinion. I've never been in the military so I don't know if that's true or not).

I was in your shoes 5-6 years ago, when I had to decide where to go for college. After getting my AA, I went to Embry-Riddle. Got my bachlor's there and I just got selected for US Army WOFT (Warrant Officer Flight Training). I will be shipping out 3/22/06. Embry-Riddle is a great school if you love aviation but your parents must have alot of money. ERAU don't offer too must scholarship either. ERAU ROTC detachment consists of 450-500 cadets. I think the biggest ROTC detachment in the nation. very very competative since all cadets want the pilot designation. If you go to school like UCLA, only 100 cadets in the detachment with only 5 cadets competing for pilot designation.
if you have further questions let me know.

Good luck.

 

[psysicx]

Air Guard is only a good deal if you don't mind working another job.

 

[JimNtexas]

Air Guard is only a good deal if you don't mind working another job.

Then again, the good deal is that you can work at another job and still be in the Guard. I wish I had known about the Air Guard when I was in AFROTC.

Let me ask you Air Guard guys this: Suppose our young candidate succeeds in getting a Guard AMS and UPT slot, and goes all the way through the pipeline and pops out at his unit as a brand new pilot a couple of years latter.

If after being in the part-time Guard for a while he or she decides they like active duty, can this fairly junior Guard pilot transfer into the active force?

Does anyone ever really want to go Guard to Active?

I'm just curious.

Just for its worth, I have a college age son and I've talked up the Air Guard to him for years. For some bizarre reason he's at Camp Marbry today talking to the Army Guard!

 

[AdlerDriver]

Air Guard is only a good deal if you don't mind working another job.

Not correct. All ANG units have a cadre of full time pilots and support personnel. Some (AGR) are exactly the same as a person on active duty. Others (technicians) are really full time government employees with a "GS" pay rating. Either way, as pilots, they both fly the unit's aircraft full time. There are pros and cons to both that are beyond this thread.

 

[hindsight2020]

Well, the full-time positions are few and not quite enough to satisfy all the traditionals looking for a way up the money ladder. That said, it should be a moot point because it's SUPPOSED to be a part-time job! A lot of units complain their rookies get to be a pain in the a$$ when they get off the seasonsing period and can't effectively bum. Hell, if I had a quarter for every time I got the "you are aware this is NOT a full-time job.." I'd be able to afford my own -38 and be done with it.

It's an addicting thing, that full paycheck while in UPT/FTU/MQT/whatever, and to some it's hard to let go once they become traditionals; even around this board you can hear the "I can't get mandays waa waa waa".

I think the answer to JimNTexas' question is no, but I'm not positive. It would be interesting to hear about such a scenario. It's a fair question though, as I'm sure some Guard folks have at some point or another thought about a way to draw a fuller paycheck other than trying to land an AGR/ART. I'm all about landing an AGR/ART position at some point myself, but by no means am I having that as "THE PLAN" for when seasoning ends and the family goes "well, now what?".

 

[psysicx]

But what are the odds of a brand new 2Lt getting a full time slot? I would say slim. All I'm saying is where are you going to go with 500 hrs? Especially if you have a wife and a kid.