<p>Apologies if theres a better forum for this than this one, I looked and didn't find one. I was wondering if theres anyone who could answer if being in ROTC takes out most all of your free time in college. I am looking at possibly doing Air Force ROTC with a Meteorology degree and then go into the Air Force as a meteorologist (AF recruiters tell me theres a high demand for them). I understand that taking part in the ROTC program will require extra commitment, however I am not sure just how much that means. Is there anyone who can tell me how life as an ROTC student might work?</p>
<p>I have two friends that are in ROTC at my school. They’re always exhausted and can hardly ever hang out because they’re so busy between classes and ROTC. They come to every class but they usually fall asleep as soon as the class starts and wake up when everyone is getting up to leave. They seem miserable but hey it’s their choice. Not saying this is true for all ROTC people, just talking about my two close friends that are in it.</p>
<p>I know some people in AFROTC. It does take up some time, especially in the later years… but they absolutely love it and wouldn’t trade it for anything. One of them didn’t get an enlistment offer after his sophomore year, and now he’s getting ready to apply for OTS once he graduates. </p>
<p>I think you only have the super early class once or twice a week, at least when you start. You probably won’t be able to really party during the week although the detachments usually have all sorts of socials and whatnot. IDK, my friends in it really love it. Wish I had done it.</p>
<p>You can always do one semester and then decide if you want to stick with it or not (unless you get a scholarship and contract).</p>
<p>Yeah, see what redrockets friends are doing is exactly what I don’t want to happen. Theres no point if its going to suck the life out of you, especially if the Air Force or whatever branch isn’t giving you money/enough money to pay for your miserable college experience, which should be a memorable one.</p>
<p>I am currently finishing my second year as a Navy rotc student. It does take up time, but it really depends on the detachment you join. For air force, they have work outs about three times a week early in the morning, plus one air force class you take per semester and a concurrent “leadership” lab. There are lots of jobs in the detachment that take up even more time depending on what you are given. Normally the time commitment is large the first few years, and they back off as you become more senior.</p>
<p>For air force, in order to become an officer, you must be selected for and participate in a two month long field training course the summer after your sophomore year. To get in to the training is really competitive, as is the training itself. Once you complete that, you are committed to serving in the US air force for four years in active duty and at least four years reserve after that. If you choose to become a pilot, that incurs a larger requirement of time served.</p>
<p>The physical fitness standards for air force are the easiest of the branches, but it does require time and effort to keep yourself in shape for the fitness tests. Being in rotc does mean more work, but you’ll have a rewarding job when you graduate. </p>
<p>PM me if you have any questions about what life is like as a rotc student. I am in the Navy, but I am close friends with several people who are doing air force rotc, including one person who is also majoring in meteorology.</p>
<p>I am currently a senior in high school trying to figure out if joining an ROTC program is right for me. </p>
<p>I am seeking help and different perspectives that way I can make a decision I am happy with. My question is, do I get the same college experience of a normal student? Or is being a member of an ROTC program very strict and time consuming? I am going to be attending the U. of Cincinnati and want to know if I can still participate in other activities or club sports, I just don’t know if that would be possible. </p>
<p>Hope you or anyone else can help, thanks!</p>
<p>Best friend is going through pilot school at the moment after being in AFROTC. He was very involved in it, but we always had time to hangout, play some games, or talk. Heck, he still has time to play Xbox Live with me while acing pilot school. Smart guy, but he definitely had a lot of spare time.</p>