Can you provide any guidance on AF ROTC options and help choosing a career path?

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:34:42 -0500

My son is in the middle of his junior year of high-school and is dead set on going AFROTC which I support wholly...but I have trouble helping him decide what he should do! What would a communications degree lead too, how about computer science? These are two on his radar along with civil engineer. Thanks!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 11:40 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:40:54 -0500

Always best to have hard science or engineering. Figure out where his strongests interests lie and pick the school based on the programs.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Jan 27 at 2016 12:02 PM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:02:21 -0500

Things to think about - what are his interests (what does he like to do), and what is he good at (could be different than what he likes)? Is he good with people? A technical field is always good especially when paired with education on leadership (this opens up doors not usually open to all). Computer science is good and gives him lots to pick from (military and civilian). Civil Engineer is also a solid choice (my field actually). I would advise him to plan on being in the field in whatever area he likes (and is good at) and then moving into the management level (assuming he has good people skills). Just my humble opinion.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 27 at 2016 12:02 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:02:36 -0500

My first recommendation is to apply for all the ROTC programs, not just the one service. His major will not matter when applying for a three or four years scholarship. All of the majors you listed will work...because major is not a factor...but I would advice him to go into the program he most enjoys and has the most interest.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jan 27 at 2016 12:29 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:29:14 -0500

First, the academic major has little, to no, influence on his ultimate MOS selection. Not quite sure about AF but, NROTC Midshipmen are required to take mathematics (Calculus) and physics in ADDITION to their requisite courses for degree. Knew many-a-Mids that were Sports Science, Sociology, History and other non-technical majors. I have a Sociology/Criminology double-major... Only used it once... to get commissioned. A degree is merely an indication that a candidate has the capacity to manage their time while learning. Technical majors were desirable for those planning to go to "nuke" school. But, it was by no means required.

In specific reference to your son, I would recommend that you get an appointment with the local CO of the AFROTC detachment... He might be relegated to the XO (O-4) or a class advisor (O-3). If you are doing campus visits, call ahead. ROTC selection interviews are often executed by the staff who are assigned to the local units. Minimally, it'll set the table for the "official" interview. Additionally, these folks would be able to field questions like: What can I do to improve my package? What is the curriculum (academics, physical training, etc.) of the unit? Just like the active duty folks, each school and ROTC staff have their own character. It'll give you, and your son, a better feel for where they plan to spend the next four years.

Good luck, dad! SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Jan 27 at 2016 12:40 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 12:40:20 -0500

Computer science would be a great choice because there is a great need in private/public sector both now and into the foreseeable future. Computer technology is going through the roof with so many things being computerized from household appliances, cars, and clothing items.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Jan 27 at 2016 1:19 PM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:19:33 -0500

Communications in my experience is centered more around broadcasting (i.e. producers, Radio, etc). Computer Science is definitely a smart way to go (this is my major) but I would instead advise him to consider those programs which center around cyber (which computer science does, but not as a focus). Cyber is the big thing in the Air Force/DoD right now and we have several new squadrons which were recently formed for that effort.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 27 at 2016 1:47 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:47:10 -0500

Most, not all, of the officer jobs (doesn't matter what they are) require a technical degree, i.e. engineering, math, computer science etc. If he wants to get a scholarship, those are his best options. If he is just going to school to get a pilot slot, those will still be his best options. Because if he washes out of pilot training (see it weekly because I work on a pilot training base), then he will have better options to reclassify versus being shown the door. If the AF can't use you when reclassing, then they will get rid of you. Best bet is to go technical because I believe it opens way more doors than not.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 27 at 2016 1:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:57:43 -0500

Do what he think is interesting.

Response by MSgt John Grollimund made Jan 27 at 2016 2:04 PM

MSgt John Grollimund — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 14:04:28 -0500

I vote Civil Engineer, but I am a retired Civil Engineer... Our officers are some of the most down to earth, helpful, no B.S., lend a hand, give you the shirt off their back folks I have had the pleasure of working with. That being said.. we are some of the hardest folks on the new LT's.. well.. us and Security Forces.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2016 2:20 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 14:20:19 -0500

My oldest son is a Software Engineer. It is his love. I have always told my kids to do what you love and you will never work a day in your life. My second piece of advice is if ROTC is not something that must happen make sure to look at private schools. My oldest was accepted to both private and pubic universities. When we called to try and work on his financial aid package the public schools which where the big ones here in Texas said they can not change anything. It is what it is. They just assumed if he did not come someone else would show up. The private schools gave us more scholarship and grant money. He finished 4 years at a private college and his student loans are around $35,000 while the school was just under $200,000 for 4 years. Private schools want smart kids and will do everything to get them. The school he choose is the oldest in Texas. It is older than Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, etc and they accept just over 300 kids a year. What I am trying to say is all the teachers know the kids and class size is smaller and if he gets lost it is easier to get time with a professor. Just my two cents. Good Luck, I'm sure whatever he chooses he will be successful.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jan 27 at 2016 4:32 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 16:32:38 -0500

I found your question of considerable interest, and thought I might possibly offer a few thoughts, for whatever they might possibly be worth. I would have many thoughts to offer both of you, and actually gave what you'd said considerable thought, as it quite genuinely made rather reflect on what I myself had gone through for such hard-science areas. I obviously would not wish to overwhelm; if I got on a roll about all of the various subject areas that cross my mind, I'd likely do that, and so thought to wait till you might have a chance to read what I'm sending here. One area I would very much commend to his attention, and yours, is materials science, which is very little-known outside of those who actually do it, though it presents myriad possibilities that could afford him many possible directions he might not have considered thus far. Also, there is the question that occurs to me as to whether he has any potential clinical interests, esp. in bioengineering (not biotechnology, per se), for which, in candor, I would very seriously suggest, if he might at all, to look at dental material sciences, esp. combining with doing a DDS or DMD, with an oral maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) residency, which now typically either offer, or require, an M.D. or D.O. (allopathic or osteopathic), also called orthognathic surgery. If he has any potential clinical bent, the NIH has an excellent dental-research institute, and such directions could potentially lead him to flight surgeon, esp. through USUHS or the HPSP, if he might have any potential intellectual leanings in such directions (just idle musings on my part, that was what I'd wanted, though it obviously never happened, of course).

Please understand: I think, in truth, and in candor, I have quite genuinely been where he seeks to go; that is not to suggest that I am in anyway omniscient on such topics; however, I do think I can offer useful perspective. I worked with many engineers, in many fields, incl. many computer scientists, in many very serious science areas, as well as many civil engineers. There is an extremely wide disparityin the fields you list as his potential interests The actual day-to-day work differs markedly; also, to assume, I assure you, that merely having a bachelors to actually do it properly would suffice, is, regrettably, at least from my experience, naive. Enthusiastic, and perhaps chomping at the bit to start, admittedly; however, from at least what I personally went through, naive.

Clearly, he is young, as you describe, and would, for that reason, have time to do the whole thing right. The more he has before he would actually begin, the less he would be distracted, from the outset, after going on active, by the need to get more once he starts; that is, in fact, what did actually happen to me, and is, in fact, what I personally found to be true. For that reason, here are some of my suggestions:

(a) Have him go in doctoral level, minimum masters, in whatever field he'd ultimately prefer, that will ultimately and largely depend on his intellectual tastes, as the fields you list vary considerably, and are, in fact, highly disparate;
(b) Look very closely at the NOAA Commissioned Corps (they are pure science, with an excellent aviation organization, and have their own OCS called BOTC, there are many videos of it on YouTube), as well, and also the USPHS Commissioned Corps, as well as USCG, esp. for research, even though one's initial inclinations might not initially lend one to think of such areas, pay esp. attention to the USUHS med school at Bethesda, and also USPHS Junior and Senior CoStep programs (which are little-known of, and which mirror ROTC to some extent, albeit in the biosciences).

Please also understand some things, if I might explain slightly further: The usage of the term STEM, which has grown rather popular of late, I've seen of late, I find, rather tends to homogenize many really entirely disparate disciplines. Math, physics, and engineering, as well as the biosciences, are all learned in very different ways, covering topics, esp. at a grad level, that are not generally apparent to most would-be undergrads, regardless of how brilliant, which I am sure he must be, or how motivated, which I am equally sure he is, most certainly, from your description. I can obviously explain far more, should you wish me to at all, and would certainly be quite glad to do so; I realize I may be mentioning options he might not consider, or that might possibly have not occurred to you, in speaking with him, though, certainly, many of those I mentioned might be known to you. Often, I personally wish I had gone USPHS, though that is, of course, purely my wont, as it were, on reflection. However, in candor, what I truly found, in summary, was that I genuinely did not not know suffieicne specifics, and went in, along with my brother having gone in, mainly due to our father. Who, while we understood why he molded us to go in, did not, I think, in retrospect, entirely understand the complexities of what borh my brother and myself ultimately wound up actually doing, that is all I am trying to convey. Neither I, nor my brother, either, I think, regret having gone in, certainly; however, I, at least, for my part, do wish, in many regards, that I had taken more time to have considered just exactly what might have been, perhaps, a more nearly optimal way to have gone about doing do, esp. for doing actual serious science. I hope what I have provided here gives at least some measure of perspective that might ultimately prove useful, both for yourself, and those who might chance to read it; should you wish me to elaborate on any of the scientific fields you mentioned, or that I mentioned here, I would, of course, as I said, be more than happy to do so, by all means, should you have any interest in hearing more, of course, whenever might be convenient for me to try to elaborate further. Finally, I had originally been in an Army ROTC program, at a now-closed ROTC program in Brooklyn, with my ROTC unit actually having done some training at West Point slightly. I actually did rappel down the West Point rappelling cliff, went on orienteering exercises with West Point and ROTC cadets there, stayed in the barracks, assembled on the quad, and ate in the dinin hall with the cadets, at least a few times. Ultimately, I went USAF OTS instead, back when it was at Lackland, in 79, before it was moved to Maxwell, while my brother was Kings Point (I did actually commission him, which was actually pretty neat, to tell the truth). He could, alternatively, last, just as a thought, after getting a doctorate, in whichever field, go OCS in any of the services, incl. USAF OTS, if might prefer as well (just another idle musing on my part, for whatever it might possibly be worth, intellectually).

Response by SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc made Jan 27 at 2016 6:33 PM

SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:33:38 -0500

A communication degree it'd lead a job at AFN (most assignments are overseas) or Public Affairs that I can think of off the top of my head. Have two friends who do those jobs and love it. I'd say now is the time for him to go see them because they do have great scholarships. I'm believe in AF ROTC medical and I think computer science pretty much guarantees him a commission. Also ask them what the commission percentages are now.

Response by MSgt Michael Griffith made Jan 27 at 2016 6:56 PM

MSgt Michael Griffith — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:56:42 -0500

My wife works at an AFROTC Det and says either one of the computer degrees will assist in 17D AFSC. If he is undecided have him contact an ROTC det close to him for more guidance. Technical degrees usually have a better chance at the In-College Scholarship Boards if he isn't planning on going the High School Scholarship route

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Jan 27 at 2016 11:04 PM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 23:04:17 -0500

A comm degree fits right into LG -- in a comm sqdn

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 8:26 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 08:26:19 -0500

Is your son planning on going on a full-scholarship? If so, there may be restrictions (at least there were when I was applying to NROTC in the 90's) on which majors he can select, as well as a minimum GPA to be maintained. I'll echo Captain Stobl's comments about the relative lack of influence of major on service assignment...I ultimately ended up with a degree in History from USNA. That said, and despite the great memories, connections and honor of being an Academy grad...I sometimes wish I had stuck with the ROTC option and earned a more technically respected degree. It's becoming much more difficult for an officer to make it a full twenty years.

Response by Col William Goad made Jan 28 at 2016 3:03 PM

Col William Goad — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 15:03:43 -0500

I would surmise the communications degree would be more of a Public Affairs or even the Personnel Officer route. The other two could lead to Communications Squadron or obviously Civil Engineer. I would ask him to try and get feedback on AF careers he is interested in performing. I think passion for the job is more important than the degree.

William Goad

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 6:52 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 18:52:48 -0500

I wouldn't stress about the major. I know a pilot that majored in interior design and a number of pilots that majored in engineering. Some in communications, one in Russian literature, and the list goes on. Tell him to study what he likes.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 7:18 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 07:18:13 -0500

Next time you're on the portal, pull out the AFOCD (Air Force Officer Classification Directive) from MyPers -- it has a listing of all officer AFSCs, basic descriptions thereof, as well requirements therefore. In all honesty, the degree won't matter for accession into MOST career fields -- I have a buddy with a communications degree that's an aircraft maintainer, a philosophy degree as an ABM, mathematics degree as a cyber operator, etc; however, it DOES matter for some, so it would behoove him to know which have specific requirements.
In terms of funding, the two things that really helped me were the Hap Arnold Grant (free $2000 every semester from AFAS), and the Illinois State Tuition Waiver. The state of IL waives the tuition of ROTC cadets that meet some pretty basic minimum standards...that being said, if you have a PCS coming up, Scott may not be bad to put on your wishlist, and IL schools may not be bad to look at ;)

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 2:34 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 14:34:35 -0500

I work with several Air Battle Managers with communications degrees! Mine is Sports Science! In the flying world all degrees are created equal for entry...luckily!