What is ROTC life like?

<p>Please don't send a link to one of the ROTC websites. I know how to read and I've already been there. There's not a specific forum that for this kind of question, so I'm putting it here.</p>

<p>I'm a senior in high school about to graduate and go to Bryn Mawr College. I plan to join AFROTC when I get there, in the hopes of earning a 3.5 year scholarship (Hooray for majoring in Russian). I am ready to serve my country and I do see myself fulfilling the demands of Air Force life, but I would like to know what ROTC, specifically AFRTOC life is like. </p>

<p>I don't really have anyone to ask these sorts of questions. I've called the leader of my section's leader, but he doesn't really have the "student's view" I'm looking for. My parents, who both went to West Point Military School, have been able to open some insights, but really just confuse me more. For example, my mom says that ROTC students would secretly hate West Pointers, because they would get all the army jobs. This would lead to ROTC students being left to serve their required four years on the Reserves, meaning they would leave one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. Is that true? I assume this would apply for the Air Force Academy as well if it is. It just seems a little strange to run out of positions.</p>

<p>Also, how does serving in the military affect you after you get out? I ask because I don't believe that I will serve forever, especially with my family having a history of getting painful body problems in their later age, which in my mom's case, led to her (honorable) dismissal. If that were to happen, would I struggle with getting a job as a civilian? Would my college's prestige be of more help? I am really only familiar with the effects of military school life, rather than programs connected to it.</p>

<p>And before I forget: My school did not have a JROTC program and I my life has basically been as affected by my parents Army life, other than moving every two years. Will that leave me at a disadvantage? I know some students have been preparing to join for years, and I honestly don't even know what to expect when I join. </p>

<p>Please note that I'm not trying to offend anybody with these questions. I really would like to learn more about the program that I'm hopefully going to join this fall. If there are any forums where people directly talk about these kind of subjects, I'd be really grateful if you mentioned them.</p>

<p>

Try this forum:
[ROTC</a> - United States of America Service Academy Forums](<a href=“http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27]ROTC”>http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27)
Good luck.</p>

<p>I don’t know about the Air Force, but Navy ROTC officers get exactly the same opportunites and are in the same pool for their initial billets as Academy grads. Everything is based on your ranking vs other Midshipmen - no distinction.</p>