ROTC Grad Student - Please Advise!

[MattWinwood]

First of all let me say thank you for taking the time to read this.

AF-ROTC just contacted me and said, "Since July, graduate students are not eligible for ROTC". He said it "levels the playing field" between an 18 year old and an individual with multiple years of education. Is there nothing I can do about this? I have high hopes of joining the military as an officer and I almost can't believe it but at 22, I'm too late? I'll keep applying for OTS as much as I'm allowed, but it seems to be a lost cause since they normally only accept around 500 candidates per year and they're all sporting 3.8-3.9 GPA's. I thought my 3.3 would be acceptable, ha!

So now I'm searching for a solution. If that solution is to do better in school and hope OTS eventually accepts me thats fine. But I feel this really goes without merit. Don't we want our most educated Americans leading the military? Or maybe I'm wrong and "leveling the playing field" so there's less competition is the correct approach. Regardless, I hope you can see my discouragement.

If you have any advice It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Slap]

ROTC is for undergrad only. you're out of luck

[FGO]

You could keep trying to get into OTS--which may be a longshot for you.

There is such a thing as a direct commission (with little or no officer training), but that program is reserved for a select few in certain medical career fields (and maybe a few other fields as well)

Another possibility is to look into joining the Air National Guard--talk to a Guard recruiter and see what your prospect is for getting into an ANG commissioning program. I know the ANG used to have one, and maybe they still do. Once you get a commission in the ANG, there are more than a few full time active duty tours (that go on for several years) that you could take as a Guard officer. A friend of mine did that shortly after 9/11. He was laid off his civilian job, already had a commission in the ANG, and was able to snag an active duty tour at an active duty AF base. It's been 7 years now and he's still on an active duty tour. He's on his third active duty assignment now.

Good luck.

[MattWinwood]

FGO, I'm looking into it now. Thanks for the help!

[Battleshort]

You can enlist and then use one of the officer ascension programs.

Long route but still gets ya there.

[smarg]

Originally Posted by MattWinwood

First of all let me say thank you for taking the time to read this.

AF-ROTC just contacted me and said, "Since July, graduate students are not eligible for ROTC". He said it "levels the playing field" between an 18 year old and an individual with multiple years of education. Is there nothing I can do about this? I have high hopes of joining the military as an officer and I almost can't believe it but at 22, I'm too late? I'll keep applying for OTS as much as I'm allowed, but it seems to be a lost cause since they normally only accept around 500 candidates per year and they're all sporting 3.8-3.9 GPA's. I thought my 3.3 would be acceptable, ha!

So now I'm searching for a solution. If that solution is to do better in school and hope OTS eventually accepts me thats fine. But I feel this really goes without merit. Don't we want our most educated Americans leading the military? Or maybe I'm wrong and "leveling the playing field" so there's less competition is the correct approach. Regardless, I hope you can see my discouragement.

If you have any advice It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

It is not difficult to get a commission while enlisted, if you are determined and have good test scores. It could give you experience at the lower levels before becoming an officer. If you want to know more go to this site: http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/A...missioning.asp

Good luck.

[takthekak]

Originally Posted by MattWinwood

First of all let me say thank you for taking the time to read this.

AF-ROTC just contacted me and said, "Since July, graduate students are not eligible for ROTC". He said it "levels the playing field" between an 18 year old and an individual with multiple years of education. Is there nothing I can do about this? I have high hopes of joining the military as an officer and I almost can't believe it but at 22, I'm too late? I'll keep applying for OTS as much as I'm allowed, but it seems to be a lost cause since they normally only accept around 500 candidates per year and they're all sporting 3.8-3.9 GPA's. I thought my 3.3 would be acceptable, ha!

So now I'm searching for a solution. If that solution is to do better in school and hope OTS eventually accepts me thats fine. But I feel this really goes without merit. Don't we want our most educated Americans leading the military? Or maybe I'm wrong and "leveling the playing field" so there's less competition is the correct approach. Regardless, I hope you can see my discouragement.

If you have any advice It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Check other options, there's a big world out there...Maybe even land a nice GS job.

[Go_Blue]

I had a similar reaction when I contacted the local AFROTC detachment last month. Thankfully I was just selected for OTS, so I don't have to worry about another route in or waiting for more boards, but still. At the time the ROTC news felt like yet another door was closing in front of me.

Depending on the rest of your stats and what you have to offer in regards to leadership experience and community involvement, you still could be competitive for OTS even with a 3.3 GPA. It really is about the "whole person concept," so if you have solid AFOQT scores, strong letters of recommendation, and the leadership experience and potential the Air Force is looking for, it's definitely worth it for you to pursue OTS. If you haven't already, check out this thread regarding the OTS process, and spend some time on AirForceOTS.com.

Yes, you can certainly pursue a commission after enlisting, but that's a much lengthier process. At 22, you have plenty of time. You could apply to a couple of OTS boards before you aged out for enlisting. I say take your time, research thoroughly, speak with a recruiter, and put together a strong package for OTS.

[AF love/hate relationship]

another solution: get a bunch of flying hours you'll be a shoe in....or just get another bachelors along with your masters, a buddy of mine did it this way...if you already have your core classes out of the way, think "history" and go get a second BA in "political science"

[Michaep]

"Don't we want our most educated Americans leading the military?"


lol...if youre referring to the Government Contractors then yes, THEY'RE running the military