What can you tell me about Air Force ROTC?

[EZ]

Help please.

Upon visiting my eldest son after his first month at college he informed me that he is considering the Air Force ROTC program. His major (at this point) is Global Studies and his interest is in intelligence, CIA type stuff. He wants to DO things and travel and he also feels that the Air Force will help get him prepared for the kind of job that he would want in the future more so than a liberal arts degree alone. I also think that he is up to the task should he be called to protect our country and understands that this is part of the bargain.

He is a great kid with exceptional grades attending a private college (with no financial help from his parents) that cost too much even after academic scholarships and him working.

I have never attended college or been in the military. Anyone out there have direct or indirect experience with AFROTC in recent years that could give me an unbiased opinion? The decision is his but I would like to be able to talk intelligently with him about it.

Ed

[rooster]

Ed, I attended AFROTC at Brigham Young University and found it to be a great program, but did not complete the program or serve in the military. I think your son would enjoy the program, become an officer and would be set for life in whatever field he chooses, i.e. CIA, FBI, ATF.
Good luck to your son . . . .

Jim,

[GregB]

Ed,

My brother has just finished his 20 with the Army and he, too, attended BYU and went through their ROTC program. His major was International Studies and he went the route of Intelligence. He had been serving in the Pentagon (poor slob) when he retired, but had recently served as the Assistant Military Attache to the embassy in El Salvador. He absolutely loved the opportunities that the military and that specialty afforded him. The Army sent him to school (in Monterey) for his Master's degree and he has served all over the world. If your son (or more importantly, his wife) can stand the constant uprooting and moving every 3 years, it is a great job. I constantly remind him that "military intelligence" is an oxymoron on a par with "airline food", but he sure does have some great stories to tell.

GB

[SteveH]

I was in the US Navy during the Vietnam era. My son went to the Air Force Academy and is now an F-15 pilot, and I can tell you that from what I've seen of the Air Force versus the other services, it is the only way I would recommend a young person go. I went Navy because my stepmother recommended it and I did not know any better...wish I had spent some time checking it out.

[JunkMan]

Don't know anything about the ROTC programs, but I echo SteveH's sentiment, the Air Force is the way to go. While I am proud of the fact that I was a Marine, the Air Force definatly takes better care of their people.

I was in the air wing of the USMC, and one of my last tours was in Okinawa. We had some of our people detached to the Air Force base because they had a longer runway, and the planes they had could not take off from the Marine base. Living conditions on the Air Force base beat the hell out of the Marine base.

My son is currently serving in the Air Force, in Japan. We went over there to visit him last fall, and were very impressed with the base. He has served with marines, and it sounds like things haven't changed much since I was in, the Air Force still treats their people better.

[EZ]

Thank you for the responses guys. Knowing nothing about this at all, it is nice to be able to tap into a whole different resource on this forum. I will see what else I can find out, but the decision is his....

Ed

[Loader]

Ed,

Here's a link to the AFROTC website (sure you have already reviewed) AF ROTC.

I'm retired AF (82-02), served as an enlisted aircraft weapons system technician, had a great career, the benefits are good, the travel is far and wide. From my dealings with officers that completed AF ROTC, I never heard a complaint about the program.

Best of luck to him!

[Boodro]

EZ , my cousin went thru the AF Academy , he became an Astronaut ! He was a Shuttle pilot twice ( 1 on Columbia, 1 on Challenger) . He was Shuttle Commander on 2 flights as well. I don't recall which orbitors tho . He just retired 2 years ago a full Col. ! He was also a test pilot at Edwards A.FB. for 10 years prior to that. Hi name is Col. Tom Henricks Ret. A.F , from Woodville Ohio. So it seems there is a lot of potential in ther A.F. Good luck to your son !

[RKH]

Like some have already mentioned, the military route has its advantages and should definitely be considered. By all means, if he's going that route, let them help with educational expenses.

From my time in (USN 78-84), the conditions for AF did seem a bit better than some of the other branches. I did more growing up in those 6 years and got more benefit in terms of career than in any other 6 year period of my life.

There are benefits to be gained by putting in his required tour of duty even if he has no intentions of staying for a full 20. As an employer, there are positve assumptions that get made about the former military member in terms of maturity, ability to follow and give directions, experience, etc. that give him a leg up in many hiring situations.

One caution I put out there: Be sure that both you and he understand that he IS JOINING THE MILITARY and not just the ROTC program. One of my daughter's friends was devastated to learn her ROTC boyfriend had been called up for active duty in the sandbox before he'd finished college based on the needs of the military. I don't know how often that happens but be forewarned that it is a possibility.

Birthdays? Holidays? Tragedy in the family? Sorry, needs of the military come first.

[BILLYL]

The miltary is what he is joining - like Keith said.

However - you said he wants to work in the CIA. No doubt the discpline he will get from the military will go along way at the CIA - my next door neighbor is recently retired CIA and was not in the miltary. It all depends on what he is going to study. My daughter graduated with a BS in Lingustics from Georgetown and the CIA contacted her.

He may want to check out the CIA - I think they have intern program - a summer spent in VA would be interesting.

Let us know how it works out.

Bill