AIR FORCE ROTC advice please!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
1

Hello. I’m stuck with decisions and would love if I could get some help and opinions. This fall I will be enrolling at a county college and will sign up for their cross- town affiliates home base school’s Air Force ROTC program. I have every intention of working hard and beginning my career in the Air Force after I receive a bachelors. In simpler terms, I’m seriously considering enrolling into the Air Force ROTC program this fall, and will NOT be on a scholarship.
I had a few questions however.

  1. Am I guaranteed a job of my choice within the Air Force after I am granted officer status?
  2. What are the pros and cons of joining Air Force ROTC?
  3. What benefits are offered?
  4. Is getting a job harder because ROTC is so popular?

Thank you in advance!

2
  1. Guaranteed a specific job? No. The AF will ask you for your preference of AFSC and then assign you what they want. Which will usually be one of your top 3 choices. Usually....not always.
  2. Seriously? How much research into ROTC and the AF have you done to this point?
  3. Non-scholarship cadets receive a stipend beginning in their junior year AFTER completing field training and contracting. You must be selected for Field Training to advance in AFROTC.
  4. I assume you mean getting a job after you complete your obligation to the AF? Your service will usually look appealing to a prospective employer so it may actually be somewhat easier to get a civilian job depending on your degree and military experience. BTW - in the overall job applicant pool ROTC is NOT so popular.
3

aglages - what can you tell a prospective student about ROTC? My friend’s son is deciding about doing it, but is not super excited about it. His parents want him to do it for the scholarship money and opportunities. Your thoughts?

4

Is he considering Air Force ROTC…or another branch? There are differences in opportunities/obstacles between them.
My thoughts are that ROTC is a great developmental opportunity IF the student has a desire to serve. If it’s mostly the parent’s desire…or just a method to finance college…I’m not sure I’d recommend it. Particularly now when ROTC scholarship money is more difficult to get. Depending on the branch…it’s not uncommon for less than half of all students that begin the program to actually commission at the end of 4/5 years.

5

I appreciate your reply, and will relay it. It is a tough decision.
It is Air Force, at TCU or U of Denver. If it is at Denver, then they do their classes at Boulder.

6

Make sure the interested person understands how much his college major will influence his “chances” of being selected for Field Training…and what percentage of the cadets in his specific AFROTC Detachment have been selected during the last couple of years. It’s getting more and more difficult to get AFROTC scholarships and/or to be selected for Field Training. It is important that s/he has a plan B/C if they are not selected during their Sophomore year.