can someone explain ROTC

[Flammable]

I'm still in HS but i am looking into the Air Force just to serve but then i also want a college degree to fall back on. How does ROTC work?

Do I go through Basic and then off to a college degree and then serve for x years?

 

[xanis]

I searched "how does rotc work" in Google and got this: http://www.shsu.edu/~mls_www/Q_and_A/Q_and_A.html

Hope it helps.

 

[Q]

You do 4 years of college like any normal student but you take ROTC classes and PT, etc. Then when you graduate you are some higher rank and you go into service for 4 years active then 4 years not.

I think that's how it works, a friend of mine in college is in ROTC and that's what I understand of it.

 

[KLin]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A...cers%27_Training_Corps

 

[akshatp]

I was in ROTC in HS for three years. They teach you basic stuff about airplanes and how they fly and stuff, and also they teach you discipline, how to march, etc.

Its like a step before boot camp. But yes, it can lead to college scholarships which then require you to serve in the AF uopn graduation.

You should really seek help from your guidance counselor or maybe speak to the ROTC Colonel/Sgt/Teacher

 

[Flammable]

will i be able to apply for enlisted jobs?

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: Flammable
will i be able to apply for enlisted jobs?

In ROTC you are enlisted. After you graduate though, you enter as a Commissioned Officer.

In the Air Force I believe you enter as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Basically in College (Depending on where you go - Corp of Cadets is different) you go through the same amount of schooling others do. You; however, live under certain restrictions (Curfews, Dress Codes, Buildings, etc...). Additionally you take leadership courses, do PT and other training drills, and go through Officer Training School.

There is a lot it entails, but is a very respectable career path.

 

[Joony]

I'm doing AFROTC in college right now, fun stuff! Read the wiki on AFROTC, it's accurate...PM me questions if you wish.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: Flammable
will i be able to apply for enlisted jobs?

If you do ROTC in college you will start out as an officer.

 

[Bignate603]

My father did Army ROTC to pay for his college. He liked it enough that he stayed a year after his commitment was up and was really tempted to make a career out of it. If I was worried about having to pay for school I would have seriously considered it.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

In ROTC you are enlisted. After you graduate though, you enter as a Commissioned Officer.

No, you are a cadet while in ROTC. I'm joining the program next year to become an officer in the United States Army. I only have to do two years though because of my prior active duty enlistment. I'm also not doing it because of the money, because my school is already free anyways.

 

[RossGr]

Years ago, when I faced this choice I reasoned like this:

I had no intension of making a career of the military, why should I waste University time taking classes I would not need in the long term.

I choose to enlist and serve my 4 years (in 1968 we had a draft ) in the service of my choice.

I then used the GI Bill to help pay for my degree, taking classes of MY CHOISE only, not the military's.

So if you are considering the military as a career perhaps ROTC is a good path forward, if not then don't waste class time on it.

 

[IEC]

There's a reason it's R*O*TC. The O stands for Officer, as in Commissioned Officer.

You start at 2nd Lieutenant/Ensign upon completion of ROTC program/college and have a service requirement afterwards. If you plan on doing military service anyways, it is a good way to get college costs paid for (scholarships available).

 

[alkemyst]

I thought ROTC was to give the poor kids a chance to become officers.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

In ROTC you are enlisted. After you graduate though, you enter as a Commissioned Officer.

No, you are a cadet while in ROTC. I'm joining the program next year to become an officer in the United States Army. I only have to do two years though because of my prior active duty enlistment. I'm also not doing it because of the money, because my school is already free anyways.

Green to gold program?

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

In ROTC you are enlisted. After you graduate though, you enter as a Commissioned Officer.

No, you are a cadet while in ROTC. I'm joining the program next year to become an officer in the United States Army. I only have to do two years though because of my prior active duty enlistment. I'm also not doing it because of the money, because my school is already free anyways.

Correct.

Flammable, basically it works like this. If you get accepted in the ROTC program you will be a college student and an ROTC cadet which means you go to all of your classes like any other student and you will also have a bunch of requirements for the ROTC program which includes classes, training, and probably a bunch of weekend community service like events. You will most likely be very busy so if you want a "normal" college student lifestyle in college which often involves having a good amount of free time then do not join. Otherwise, if you are cool with the dedicating a ton of time to your college years in a program like this and you truly are interested in joining the Air Force as an officer afterward for about 4-6 years (look up exactly how long you will have to do it) then it's all gravy and they do pay for your tuition and there are other nice benefits as well.

 

[Joony]

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

In ROTC you are enlisted. After you graduate though, you enter as a Commissioned Officer.

No, you are a cadet while in ROTC. I'm joining the program next year to become an officer in the United States Army. I only have to do two years though because of my prior active duty enlistment. I'm also not doing it because of the money, because my school is already free anyways.

Correct.

Flammable, basically it works like this. If you get accepted in the ROTC program you will be a college student and an ROTC cadet which means you go to all of your classes like any other student and you will also have a bunch of requirements for the ROTC program which includes classes, training, and probably a bunch of weekend community service like events. You will most likely be very busy so if you want a "normal" college student lifestyle in college which often involves having a good amount of free time then do not join. Otherwise, if you are cool with the dedicating a ton of time to your college years in a program like this and you truly are interested in joining the Air Force as an officer afterward for about 4-6 years (look up exactly how long you will have to do it) then it's all gravy and they do pay for your tuition and there are other nice benefits as well.

False, you can lead a 'normal' college lifestyle in ROTC. Training for AFROTC only occurs once during the summer after sophomore year. Physical training is two days a week early in the morning for an hour, think of it as gym class, except really early. Depending on your semester cadet job in ROTC, you could be 'stealth' cadet that only shows up for required classes (LAB + PT + 3 credit hour academics), or be an outstanding cadet, by being more involved and joining up in extracurriculars, which do sometimes take up weekend time. As everyone in the program says, academics come first, because you need a degree to commission. So find a way to manage your school work before being more involved.

FYI, since you're in HS, now is the time to apply for a scholarship on afrotc.com. You can try the program out for a year as a freshman without having to 'contract'.

 

[Sinsear]

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

In ROTC you are enlisted. After you graduate though, you enter as a Commissioned Officer.

No, you are a cadet while in ROTC. I'm joining the program next year to become an officer in the United States Army. I only have to do two years though because of my prior active duty enlistment. I'm also not doing it because of the money, because my school is already free anyways.

Green to gold program?

Sounds like it. It's a good program.

 

[abracadabra1]

This story probably won't make much sense to you now, but should you choose to join and become commissioned, be sure to revisit this post. The Army is placed in there to round out the joke on the other 2 services, but the Air Force portion is spot on...

The Navy, Army, and the Air Force decided to have a canoe race on the
Potomac River. Each team practiced hard and long to reach their peak
performance before the race.

On the big day, the Navy won by a mile. Afterwards, the Air Force team
became very discouraged and depressed.

The officers of the Air Force team decided that the reason for the
crushing defeat had to be found.

A "Metrics Team," made up of senior officers was formed to investigate
and recommend appropriate action. They concluded that the primary
difference between the two teams was that the Navy had 4 seamen and 4
Marines rowing, and 1 officer steering, while the Air Force had 1 airman rowing
with the steering managed by 8 officers and NCOs.

So the senior officers of the Air Force team hired a consulting
company and paid them incredible amounts of money. The consultants
delivered a three volume report, and advised that too many people were
steering the boat and not enough people were rowing.

To prevent losing to the Navy again the next year, the Air Force Chief
of Staff made historic and sweeping changes: the rowing team's
organizational structure was totally realigned to 4 steering officers, 3
area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering NCO.

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1
airman rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called
the "Air Force Rowing Team Quality Program," with meetings, dinners, and
a three-day pass for the rower. "We must give the rower empowerment and
enrichment through this quality program."

The next year the Navy won by 2 miles.

Humiliated, the Air Force leadership gave a letter of reprimand to the
rower for poor performance, initiated a $4 billion program for
development of a new joint-service canoe, blamed the loss on a design
defect in the paddles,and issued career continuation bonuses and leather rowing
jackets to the beleaguered steering officers in the hopes they would stay
for next year's race.

The Army team, meanwhile, having only recently obtained funding for a
boat, is trying to figure out why the oars keep making divots in the
grass when they're rowing

 

[abracadabra1]

Sorry, but I just couldn't resist. I imagine you're thinking about the Air Force because you're an aspiring aviator. So, here's a bit of advice from a guy who's been there and done that the Navy way and the zoomie way.


Bob Norris is a former Naval aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about US Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off." In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following:

12 Feb 04

Young Man,

Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice.

Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?"

USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.

Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes (surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore.

Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado.

PS: Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits.

 

[ICRS]

Your biggest danger is if we have another war monger on office again like Bush. No one likes to be in the military with a war monger in office.

 

[bGIveNs33]

Originally posted by: abracadabra1
Sorry, but I just couldn't resist. I imagine you're thinking about the Air Force because you're an aspiring aviator. So, here's a bit of advice from a guy who's been there and done that the Navy way and the zoomie way.


Bob Norris is a former Naval aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about US Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off." In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following:

12 Feb 04

Young Man,

Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice.

Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?"

USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.

Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes (surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore.

Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado.

PS: Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits.

The Air Force snapshot is pretty accurate. The only thing I'd add is there is a pretty big distinction between fighter pilots and non-fighter pilots. I have never seen a non-fighter pilot iron their flight suit. Yes, some of them wear scarves, but they are in the minority. If you want to really see action, I'd become a helo pilot. They are the "new" fighter pilot. Not to many dogfights anymore.

 

[OnePingOnly]

"PS: Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits." That bit was hilarious !!

 

[EagleKeeper]

Wife never ironed my flight suit.

Wash and wear.

 

[abracadabra1]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Wife never ironed my flight suit.

Wash and wear.

Then I guess she only pressed your scarf.

Fly Navy!