<p>Has anyone here enrolled in either Air Force or Army ROTC while attending Pitt? I'd be very interested in any experiences or issues you may have had. THANKS.</p>
<p>I know somebody who was in AFROTC and seemed to like it. Free tuition is a pretty big incentive. That person now has a really cool job too. That being said, the military is not for everybody.</p>
<p>Thank you for the information. I agree about the military, but if it is something that you are interested in doing the rewards seem pretty substantial (both emotionally & financially).</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>Pitt provided excellent academic preparation for the military assignment. Also, Pitt cadets (is that what you call them?) seemed to be very friendly with each other and had a nice comraderie on campus. Officer is very physically fit. Super organized. Nice career with early retirement. You should look into it.</p>
<p>Thanks Ikf725. Was your Pitt experience with the Army or Air Force ROTC?</p>
<p>Me? None. I know somebody who was in Air Force ROTC though.</p>
<p>^^^
Thanks Ikf725. So far it seems as though AFROTC is the program of choice at Pitt. Does anybody know how many people are in the program or what the weekly time commitment is? Thanks.</p>
<p>My son is a freshman in AirForce ROTC this year. So far, he is really enjoying it. This year they had the largest group of new members (over 40 I believe) and some students that signed up even without a scholarship. The hardest part of the time committment for my son are the three very early mornings (6:00 am) for physical training and/or Leadership.</p>
<p>Thanks PAMom1. Are all the classes scheduled early in the AM…including the Military Science ones? How serious is the AF about PT? I know the Army is pretty focused on this stuff but I’ve heard the AF is a little more “lax” on PT.</p>
<p>Leadership class is early in the morning. PT has 3 or 4 alternative times with one mandatory very early one during the week. My son has been going Sunday afternoons instead of one of the early morning sessions for PT. In addition to the PT, my son has been running and lifting with a buddy. He ran cross country, so he is used to it.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.det730.com/[/url]”>http://www.det730.com/</a> - the detachment has their own site.</p>
<p>Thanks PAMom1. My daughter had her interview Friday with a Capt. at the detachment and is scheduled to go back again to meet with a Colonel (LTC?). Any advice?</p>
<p>Everybody is different, but a high school friend of mine went to the Air Force academy and reviewed my son’s resume. We also had a friend who practiced interviewing my son (whose brother is an Air Force officer). The below are some points my friend made. Good luck!</p>
<ol>
<li>Emphasize that you seek this opportunity for a scholarship to better serve your country. You recognize and understand (to some extent) the new challenges facing the Air Force in this global war on terror, and you seek to develop the skills in college to help fight the new threats facing this country. You want to emphasize to your interviewer that through the years, you have developed a habit of service to your community, and you know you can contribute greatly to the defense of our country.</li>
</ol>
<p>(My son looks to major in computer science, so the next point may not be as relevant for your daughter.)
2. Show your interviewer that you recognize that the mindset of the military was forced to shift in the past 7 years from the ‘cold war’ to the ‘global war on terror’. 9/11 was a wakeup call to our military strategists to shift resources towards UAVs and cybertechnology, and away from fighters and strategic bombers. Emphasize that your interest in cybertechnology will help the Air Force win this ever-evolving war in this new battlefield. Your intended field of study will be an asset to the country in defeating this particular threat.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Know your resume’ well. I see that you have participated in many activities. Emphasize your leadership role in these activities where appropriate (but do not overstate). Where you were ‘merely’ a servant, state that as well. You want to show that you have leadership abilities and the ability to be a ‘team player’ as well. Both are vastly important to the military…and tell the interview that. You enjoy being a leader, but you understand the importance of being one of the team and supporting whoever is the leader… That the ‘goal’ is the most important thing…not who gets the ‘credit’ for leading the team to the goal.</p></li>
<li><p>Think of a couple of stories of where you motivated someone to follow your lead, or where you specifically helped someone in trouble (if applicable). </p></li>
<li><p>Most of all, be yourself. Demonstrate enthusiasm to meet your interviewer…and show that you are excited for the opportunity to compete for this scholarship and serve your country. But being yourself will carry the day. Having a little knowledge of what your own motivations are for pursuing this dream, and knowledge of the challenges facing the Air Force and how you can help, are key.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>PAMom1 thanks a million! I have been collecting ideas from the internet for the last couple of weeks, but the five suggestions from your post really cover the subject well. I have copied your post and will give it to my daughter to practice (we have been rehearsing) before her next interview.</p>
<p>Good luck! Let me know how she makes out!</p>
<p>Hi aglages,</p>
<p>I was recently directed to this site because of your post. I’m currently a cadet in Air Force ROTC at Pitt and a junior civil engineer. I earned a scholarship out of high school so I know about the application process and all of that. I’m sure you’re son or daughter has already been through most of the application process and there isn’t much else left to do so I’m sorry I couldn’t get to you sooner but if you still have any questions I would be more than willing to talk to you about them. </p>
<p>I can tell you my experiences, while stressful at times have been extremely rewarding. Between the friends I’ve made and the opportunities ROTC has given me I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed it.</p>
<p>Like I said if you have any questions reply to this post or even feel free to send me an email at <a href="mailto:leequinter@gmail.com">leequinter@gmail.com</a> and from there I can help you out a little more.</p>
<p>^^^
Thanks leez55! I will send you an email.</p>