mtbthis

First off Merry Christmas.

I posted a similar thread around this time last year asking for basic information on ROTC. At the time I was interested but did not know enough about the program, what it entailed, etc. and was looking for information before I jumped in.
A year later and here I am. I still don't know enough about the program(though that's not my problem). I am a freshman in college, I have a couple of friends that are in the program and they seem to love it. Lucky for me there is still time to join, though I would be a little late on the boat I can still get a scholarship etc. I understand it requires a lot of commitment, time, and well lets face, "service before self."

For those of you in the military, pilots, etc. that went though ROTC:

Is it worth it? What are the risks?

Let's face it. I'd be joining ROTC to get a pilot slot. But it's a gamble. If I don't become an officer then I don't get a slot. Hypothetically, if I were to become an officer what are the odds of me actually becoming a pilot? I'm not saying I wouldn't be disappointed if I didn't get a pilot slot, but I sure wouldn't be happy. Just looking for some insight. It's a huge decision to make and I am exploring all angles.

Thanks,

USMCFLYR

I did 3 years of AFROTC and loved it all and made friends that I still have today and even run into a senior / junior classmate every now and then - kind of the small world syndrome you know.
In any case - like the rest of aviation, know what you are getting into, talk to those friends of yours, you can take the early ROTC classes without commitment (non-scholarship I believe), and give it a try.
I can't speak to the current odds of getting a pilot slot, but I do know how competitive it was back in my day, so best of luck if that is the road you chose. It won't be easy, but then again it is awful sweet when it comes to pass!

USMCFLYR

pilot141

I have no idea how it works now but back in the day I was a "Two-year wonder" in AFROTC.

I skipped the first two years of ROTC, but started the application process at about the same time you are now. I had all my ducks in a row so that by the summer after my sophomore year I could go to "camp" for 6 weeks and enter upper-level ROTC when I got back.

Back then you got physically qualified for a pilot slot but they sent you to camp on a nav slot, and based on your performance there (and grades, AFOQT score, etc) you competed for a pilot slot with everyone else. I got my pilot slot before I started my junior year, so I had some motivation to continue!

As far as risks, there aren't really any I see unless you are on a scholarship and totally bomb your grades. I never was on scholarship, but we had one guy who was on a 4-year scholarship, flunked out (of Arizona State!) his junior year and got sent to basic training to serve out his commitment. Yeah you sign a contract to join the upper-level ROTC but I never saw anyone pressed on that unless the gov't had already shelled out a bunch of cash on them.

Again, this was years ago and I'm sure things have changed. Go talk to the people in your ROTC office. They can tell you what the pilot slots look like for your year group and what it takes to be competitive. They want to bring the best people on board so they should be very helpful.

Good luck!

ryan1234

I did AFROTC and thought that the majority of cadets were brown-nosed tool-bags bent on being throwing everyone under the bus to further their ROTC career - that was my inexperienced, uneducated 19 year old opinion on the ways of the world.

Had I known better, I would have stuck with it. The fight to get a pilot slot gets harder as time goes on. I was barely able to get something by the skin of my teeth and because of the good graces of more than a few people.

Now, as far as guaranteed goes - I think the Navy's BDCP option allows you to get picked up for SNA (Student Naval Aviator) while you go to college with less of the formalities as ROTC, however you will still need to do OCS upon completion of your degree - and you're locked in... fail out and go in the Navy as a non-rate enlisted person.

Good luck however you go - consider the Air National Guard during college (most states will pay 100% in state).. if you're enlisted you may or may not have a better shot a flying for them. It's a 'guaranteed' airframe - but no guarantee of full time work after pilot training, etc.

Cargo Man

You might be able to answer your own question "is it worth it?"

If you don't need help with college, and/or don't want to be in the military, then no, its not worth it.

You might also look at Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard. More to life then just AF.
No matter what you do, its not going to be easy.

Hacker15e

As always, you have to decide if you're willing to be an officer first and pilot second -- that's the risk you're going to take any time you start playing the "I wanna be a military pilot" game.

If you're not willing to join the military and do a tour as something other than a pilot (because it's a real possibility that after the time when you have to commit, the service changes its mind about what it wants you to do), then you really shouldn't take the chance.

That being said, I personally think ROTC is the best route to an officer commission, especially if you can pick up some scholarship money in there. Unlike Ryan1234's experience, my ROTC Detachment was more like a fraternity than an AF-wannabe douchebag club (same thing?). My experience was that it blended well with college life, and as we got closer to commissioning, the time/energy commitments increased along with it.

ryan1234

The detachment was big - and I was too stupid to know that it, like many large groups, include all types. Not only that, but like myself, many of the other cadets were still growing and maturing. People change, commands change, environments change. I'm sure some of those guys went on to become great people. As a matter of fact, I had a chance to work with some from a different class/year during a volunteer project a couple years later - all were really great people. Wish I would have been a little more far-sighted - and saw the whole picture.

aksnow

My history was ROTC to Active Duty to Air Guard. I was lucky enough to get across all the screenings and the jet I wanted, but it was a long road.

I agree with Hacker15e that you need to be cool with the military first. With that said, I have some advice on increasing your pilot slot chances in order; with the assumption the only job you want is pilot.

1. Apply to every Air Guard unit that flies your aircraft of choice. If you don't have a preference, apply to the places you want to live. You are guaranteed the aircraft of that unit, takes all the guess work out. Disadvantage- very competitive and part-time.
2. Finish your degree and apply to OTS (Officer Training School) as pilot only. Stay strong and tell recruiter you won't join unless you are a pilot. Disadvantage-you pay for school and OTS may close that door if they haven't already.
3. Join ROTC, play the game, get good grades and compete.

Not an easy road any direction, good luck!

Roll Inverted and Pull

I`ve been following this thread, and quite frankly, I`m surprised that you didn`t get a lot of "rah rah, be an officer first, serve your country first" b.s.. Granted, you probably are a good American, etc., but you (like me) want to fly military aircraft and be associated with those who do. So, number one on your list is to go somewhere and get a through physical including a through eye exam. This will tell you that you won`t be shuttled off in some kind of crappy job as garbage officer in Podunk Iowa if you accept commissioning and can`t fly. Good luck to you. I hope you make it. It was the best (and worse) 8 years of my life.

HuggyU2

Not possible: Podunk, IA was BRAC'd a while back.
You are dating yourself.