ROTC programs

[AxisVDP]

Simple question, but if you went to a college with ROTC you should be able to answer it. Which ROTC program in the country do you think is the best?

 

[Pags]

NAVY......

 

[dragon]

Are you referring to overall best program Army, Air Force or Navy - which includes the Marines or are you you referring to best school for ROTC?

No matter what, I would avoid any school that had a Corps of Cadets program like Texas A&M since you are essentially paying for abuse instead of being paid for it at the academies . I went Navy ROTC and for the Navy it is the best way to a commission.

I think the AFROTC program has some guaranteed pilot slots but a fraternity brother of mine lost his slot in his senior year due to eyesight.

Good Luck!

 

[shutout390]

NROTC

Dragon,
Are you now flying for the Navy? I have applied for the NROTC and i wish to attend Embry Riddle if i get the scholarship. Would that give me good chances to flying in the Navy?

 

[dragon]

I've been flying for the Navy for over 15 years now. I've been lucky and managed to stay on flying orders for the whole time.

Going to one School (other than the USNA) doesn't seem to help to get into the programs any more than any other with the exception of Nuclear power programs, in that case they really like the Engineering Schools.

I have met a bunch of folks in Naval Aviation who came from Embry Riddle but can't say if it has any effect today. Hopefully someone else here can answer that.

The best advice I can give and this will hold all the way through flight school is get the best grades possible; because when it comes time to pick, the Navy always takes the needs of the Navy first and then tries to look after the guys at the top of the class.

Fly safe!

 

[P3tarbaby]

NROTC

I went to Berkeley on a NROTC scholarship and we had guys/gals from 9 other schools in the Bay Area including Stanford at our unit. Get the scholarship, then pick a school that has a program or a cross town program and then do the best you can. Pilot slots are based on needs of the Navy and performance.

 

[shutout390]

Are you flying?

P3tarbaby,
Are you now flying for the Navy? If so, what kind of majors do they like to see for pilots?

 

[Boxboy]

I went through the 4 year AFROTC program. The school that I attended did not offer AFROTC, so I went to Loyola Marymount University for AFROTC (AFROTC no longers exists at LMU). Cadets like myself were referred to as "cross towners". If I had to do it over again, I would opt for the 2 year program (if it still exists) since you only have to march around for 2 years versus 4. In all seriousness, if you are serious about becoming an officer, the 2 year program is the way to go. If you are not, then try out the first 2 years without any obligation and then you can decide. The last two years is when you sign on the dotted line and choose what you would like to do in the AF.
Now, if you are looking for a scholarship, the 4 year plan is a better deal. I've been out of it for a while so I would check with the ROTC detachment at any of the schools that offer ROTC.
As for flying (AF vs. Navy......), the needs of the "service" come first. I can only speak for the AF, but I think you would have the best chance of flying your choice of aircraft in the AF, as long as you finish high enough in pilot training. Like Dragon said, you could be the top guy/gal in your class and still end up getting something you didn't want, all because of the "needs of the Navy/Marines, etc." From my experience, if you do well enough in UPT, majority of the people get what they want.
The service academies are outstanding, but I would seriously consider how much you value your freedom and social life. That's a whole different can of warms! Anyhow.... good luck!

 

[P3tarbaby]

Shutout390,

I am still flying in the Naval Reserve and have been in squadrons flying for 12 of my 14 years. I was a Physical Science major but we had guys get pilot slots all different majors. A majority of them were math/science/engineering but my roomate in flight school (who was also from Berkeley) was a History major. If you do well in both school and ROTC, I really don't think it matters what your major is, but I think a good background in math and science will help you in the academic portion of flight school.

 

[shutout390]

aeronautic science

How about aeronautical science?

 

[talondriver]

Re: aeronautic science

How about aeronautical science?

One of my students had a degree in horticulture (specializing in flowers, I think) and he did fine .

Unless you plan on putting in for the TPS your degree really doesn't matter.

Good luck

 

[shutout390]

alright

Boxboy, are you sayin that i might not get to be a pilot if my grades are too good because the navy needs me somewhere else, or that i wont be able to fly what i want?

Talon Driver, what is the TPS?

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[Abe_Froman]

(AFROTC no longers exists at LMU).

Uhhh.... good ol' Det 40 still exists, buddy.

AFROTC Det 40
(Formerly known as Det 55A)

 

[P3tarbaby]

Shutout,

I think what boxboy was saying is that with the Navy, the needs of the Navy come first. So if there are a bunch of ship driver slots and not too many aviation slots, you may end up driving ships instead of airplanes. Unfortunately, it is very hard to predict. I think with the Air Force, your chances of getting a pilot slot may be better (but there's always the chance you could end up in a missile silo in Kansas somewhere too.) Once you get into flight school, grades will again determine what you fly (in most cases) but needs of the service, whether it's the AF or the Nav, will determine the final outcome. You could be the top of your flight class and end up in helos when you wanted jets if the Navy needs to fill a bunch of helo slots the week you select. Seen it happen but usually the #1 guy gets his choice.

A major in aeronautical science certainly couldn't hurt you unless you get poor grades. I'd say pick what you are best at and think you'll like the most and then do the best you can.

TPS = Test Pilot School

If you have other questions, fire away or PM me and I'd be happy to give you a Navy point of view.

P3