1. You said that you prefer to only have technical majors on scholarship or that make it through the
program. Those consist of math, computer science, and chemistry. I am not a major in any of
those areas. Is there any guarentee I would be acceptted into the program or that I might be able
to recieve a scholarship? The recruiter I talked to before I spoke to you told me about someone
who did ROTC and made it through all four years and they decided to cut him lose at the end and
not accept him into officer training school. Is there any possiblity that could happen to me?
a. There may be some confusion on tech vs. non-tech; it's true the AF does give preference
to technical majors in regard to scholarships, but it certainly doesn't mean you aren't or
won't get one with a non-tech major. There are simply more scholarships geared toward
technical majors so as to attract the engineers, chemists etc. Simply put, you're in the
driver's seat ... if you build you GPA as high as possible, do well on the AFOQT and PFA
you've got a decent shot at getting a scholarship. However, as our numbers grow the
scholarship money has been staying the same and actually has been cut so not all those
truly deserving will get a scholarship. The recruiter must have left out a lot of details; if
you successfully complete Field Training, maintain your GPA, continue to pass the PFA
each semester and don't do anything that would question your ability to serve in the AF
and nothing medical crops up YOU WILL BE IN THE AIR FORCE!! When the Air Force
has been forced to reduce manning, they have asked for volunteers to leave the service
or cadets/students to walk away, no one in my recent memory has ever been forced out
of ROTC without having done something to have caused themselves to get thrown out.
2. I read all the information on the site you gave me and it said if you were in this program that at
SDSU there was a tuition decrease if you were in this program. Does that apply to cross town
schools too?
a. Unfortunately there is no tuition break for USF or Augie at this time. The tuition break
pertains to SDSU and DSU because they are state schools. The break happens after
you have complete Field training. Your tuition will be cut in half after you enter the POC
(Professional Officer’s Corps)
3. The site also said that your junior year you were eligible to compete for flight training and if you
were accepted and made it through training you were guarenteed a spot to train as a pilot when
you make it through OTS. Am I understanding that correctly and if so how do i compete for that
spot for flight school?
a. A normal 4-year student/cadet will compete for a rated slot (pilot, nav, abm) March of
their junior year after they've already been locked in. In order to compete for a pilot slot
you must first be physically qualified; pass the pilot/nav portion of the AFOQT; pass the
PFA; take the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS); these along with my ranking produce
an overall order of merit (OM). HQ AFROTC compiles an overall OM for the entire
AFROTC class; they then draw a line based on how many pilot students the AF needs for
that fiscal year ... anyone above the line gets a pilot slot.
4. When are the classes offered so that I can make sure I can be there for the classes and the
leadership classes?
a. The classes are offered several times for the 100 and 200 level classes. When you
register, just look at the times and choose the one that best fits into your schedule.
5. How do I get study material for the AFOQT? Can I get it now so I can start studying for it?
a. We have a hard copy guide that we can send you; there's also AFOQT study books, like
the ACT, that you can find in some of the bigger book stores. Although not sanctioned by
the AF there are several websites that have study guides as well ... for example
http://www.baseops.net/afoqt/
6. Also, concerning that test, what score do I need to get to be a pilot because I heard it had to be
really high?
a. See question 3 ... since there are several different "scores" involved one weak area won't
hurt you; but if you're looking for some very rough averages; 50-60s on the AFOQT, 3.0
GPA, ranked in the top half of your ROTC class, 90 or above on the PFA, 50-60 on the
TBAS.
7. To my understanding the site also said there were additional requirements for the general military
course. What are those standards?
a. Standards for any ROTC non-scholarship cadet is live by our core values (integrity,
service, excellence); maintain a 2.0 Cum/Term GPA; pass the PFA once a semester;
pass LLAB and the Aerospace Studies course with a C- or higher. You must also
complete 2 hours of physical training a week ... remember cross-town students will do
this individual on their own and send a weekly email to the Commandant of Cadets
verifying completion. The only difference with a scholarship cadet and non is the GPA
requirement is 2.5 or greater.
8. As far as weapons training, do I already need to know how to shoot and clean and know about
different guns before I get there because I have never shot a gun before but I could learn all I can
this summer if It is required knowledge before hand?
a. Absolutely not
9. Also, will I learn about the military, ranks, and uniform or am I already supposed to know those
things before I go in?
a. That's what AIR 100, 200, 300, 400 classes are for ... we don't expect you to know
anything; if you did, we wouldn't have much to do!!
10. Does it matter that I am behind and will miss the freshman and sophmore training courses and is
there anything I can do to catch up for missing those things?
a. They are very basic classes so by dual-enrolling you will get caught up immediately. You
will also get the hang of marching and wearing the uniform as well ... bottom line, don't
sweat it!
11. Concerning pilots, they were listed under pilots and under combat control pilots but the same
discriptions were listed under each one. What's the difference between those things? I thought
the reconnaissance/ survelliance/ electronic warfare combat systems officer looked interesting,
and the fighter combat systems officer. What really are the differences between these two
pilots?
a. When you are almost ready to graduate from pilot training your class will receive their
drop which is a list of airplanes to pick from. Early on you will be "tracked" which means
some will go fighter/bomber route and the others will go the airlift/tanker route. Basically
the difference between them is one group of planes shoots, drops bombs and fights other
fighter planes; the others deliver the supplies and troops to the battlefield along with
spying on the bad guys.
12. It also said on that site that you would go into OTS for the career you got your degree in.
However, you said anyone could compete to be a pilot. Can I still be a pilot when I am going for a
criminal justice degree and what does it mean to compete for a spot to be a pilot? What do you
do to compete for the spot? Also, if I don't make it into pilot training school, can I still go into the
OTS for criminal justice?
a. First OTS is for the folks who have already graduated from college; we're ROTC ... both
will earn you a commission and the chance to compete for a pilot slot. A "slot" is just a
reservation to attend pilot training ... there are only so many slots to go around, that's why
you compete for them. As mentioned, many of our jobs in the AF are non-degree
specific. If you don't get a pilot slot there is a chance you will get a job that will never
utilize your Crim Jus degree i.e. Personnelist. However, there are jobs that would utilize
your degree such as Office of Special Investigation (OSI) or Security Forces.
13. Also, what math is required to be a pilot? Math is a weaker subject of mine and I just want to
know what kind of math is required to be a pilot and if someone would be able to work at it and
learn it or if it has to come natural? I can learn anything I put my mind to but math is one of the
only things that does not come natural to me. Would that be a problem?
a. If you can add, subtract, mulitply and divide you can be a pilot ... I've know many pilots all
with varied educational degrees and they all have done well in the cockpit regardless of
how math savvy they were.
14. Also, the recruiter told me that many officers, no offense, sit behind a desk and tell people what to
do but don't actually get out there and do it. That would not fit me well at all; I am a very hands on
person. Is there any chance that if I went in as a pilot or security forces or intelligence, that I
would be stuck behind a desk with only paperwork in those fields?
a. The recruiter has a very crude understanding of the role of an officer; yes, in a sense you
will have your time behind the desk and filling out lots of paperwork. This is also known
as taking care of our AF and our troops. You won't be swinging a wrench but you will be
supervising, mentoring and disciplining ... more importantly you're LEADING. That said,
if you're a pilot you're not going to find much more "hands" on work than that!
15. What is the difference between what an officer in security forces does and an officer in
intelligence? Also, is it still possible to possibly work with a K-9 unit as an officer in security
forces?
a. Security officer is similar to a cop ... intel are more like analysts who interpret and advise
AF personnel on threats and capabilities of our allies and enemies. If you're Security
Forces you could be involved with the dogs ... enlisted personnel are usually the actual
handlers.
16. Also, I'm sorry but I did not quite understand how the whole slow me down in school thing worked
or why we would do that. Also, concerning scholarship or any money, if I would be eligiable to
recieve any of that and when I would be going to the training camps. Also, it said the freshman
and sophomore courses would be worth one credit and the junior and senior courses would be
three credit courses. Would I then be taking four credits a semester to catch up since I missed the
two years? Also would I need to drop classes at my school so I don't exceed credit hours to take
those courses?
a. By slowing you down, I mean moving back your grad date; there are a couple of reasons
for doing this. You will end up taking 16 ROTC credits, basically another semester. We
don't want to overload you and cause your GPA to suffer; your GPA is a major factor on
competing for scholarships and jobs. Also, by slowing you down we can compete you for
a Field Training slot in March which is when all the other cadets compete ... although not
automatic, last year's selection rate was 95%. If we didn't slow you down, we'd have to
get you an out-of-cycle enrollment allocation (EA) for field training and then get
permission to defer the field training until next summer since your class is already at or
going to training this summer. The chances of us being able to get an EA for a non-tech
degree would be almost impossible. By slowing you down, I can almost guarantee you a
slot provided you meet all the requirements mentioned above.
17. And finally, you said that on the junior year is where you swear in your commitment to the
airforce. Would I have to swear in now or when I go to the training camp next summer?
a. You can only be sworn in (contracted) if you win a scholarship or when you successfully
complete Field Training.
Scholarship Information:
4-Year college course, can be condensed into 2 years, open to anyone; credits count toward
degree
Broken into two sections:
o General Military Course (GMC) which is usually the freshman and sophomore
years
 No OBLIGATION unless on scholarship
 1 credit aerospace studies course
 Intro to the Air Force (freshman)
 History of Air & Space Power (sophomore)
 Leadership Lab: 1.5 hours per week (cadet led)
 Leadership training, drill & ceremonies, paint ball, ropes course
 Briefings, Base Visits etc
 Physical Training (PT)
 Each cadet must complete 2 hours of group PT per week
(Augie, DSU & USF students will conduct personal PT on their
own at their particular campus; a weekly email will be sent to
the Commandant of Cadets verifying a minimum of 2 hours per
week)
 As an intercollegiate athlete, you would be exempt from the 2hours PT during track season; however, you would have to pass
the Physical Fitness Assessment (see below) once each
semester; the PFA is completed during one of the Leadership
Labs so an extra trip is not req’d.
o Professional Officers Course (POC) which is usually the junior & senior years
 Enter upon completing a 4-week Field Training during the summer
between sophomore & junior year
 At this point everyone "contracts" regardless if on scholarship or not
 Classes are now 3 credits
 LLAB required--POC cadets run the LLAB
Scholarships (key point ... you do not need to be on a scholarship to join AFROTC)
o High School
 Application period is from 1 Jun - 1 Dec of senior year
 Apply at www.afrotc.com
 3 Types of scholarships ranging from $9,000-unlimited tuition & fees,
$900 annual book allowance and a monthly stipend ranging from
$300-$500
 First year is OBLIGATION free meaning if you no longer desire to
remain in the program you walk away, no questions asked
 Contracted the first academic day of the sophomore year
o In-college (key point ... most freshman are not on scholarship; however, at
SDSU every junior/senior AFROTC cadet is on scholarship)
 Opportunity to compete during freshman and sophomore years for
3.5-2 year scholarships
 Very similar to the High School Scholarships except recipients must
"contract" upon scholarship activation
o Nursing Scholarships (3.5-2 years)
 Special non-competitive scholarships made available each fiscal year if
demand warrants
 Once accepted into a nursing program (normally accepted during fall
semester of sophomore year)
o Requirements



Have and maintain minimum of 2.5 CGPA **NOTE: Non-scholarship
minimum CGPA is 2.0
Pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) which is much like
the ACT
Pass the Physical Fitness Assessment (1.5 mile run, height/weight,
push/sit ups)
Complete medical physical

Careers
o Over 100 career fields in which to choose (refer to www.afrotc.com for
details)
o All career fields require a 4-year commitment, regardless if on scholarship or
not, upon commissioning/graduation except for flying and some medical
positions