Need some avice from any AF guys here

[Serenity]

Alright, its getting to that point where I NEED to decide what college im going to and what courses to take. My first choice is of course, the Air Force Academy, but I dont expect I will be accepted. So, I am looking for some good alternate colleges. The first two I looked at were in Colorado, but I would also like to look at some Colleges in Texas. Basically my only requirement is that they have a USAF ROTC detatchment. While I have a list of all AFROTC colleges in TX, I figured it would be good to hear from people who went to some of these schools, and im sure there are a lot of you.

Also, Im really not too sure what to take. Ive tried talking to recruiters out here, but Officers coming from Hawaii schools seems to be almost unheard of, so all the recruiting offices say is "Enlist! You can go to college later." I know a hard science is required, and again, I have a list of what hard sciences are accepted at each school, but I would like to hear first hand what people who have gone through it would recommend.

So, basically, in order to go into the Air Force as an officer and a pilot, is there anyone here who has gone through that process or who has kids that have, who could reccomend a school or course? Thank you! I have my own oppinions of course, but its always great to hear from a third-party.

[Tarmac]

My boss is a captain who went through AF ROTC at UT(austin, tx) on an ROTC scholarship.  F-16 pilot now.  Civil engineering major.  Feel free to PM me if you want, I can ask him any questions you need or maybe put you in touch with him.

[Serenity]

Actually, to be a tad more specific, the two majors I was looking at are chemistry and physics. Unfortunately for me, I hate math I don't use. That is to say, I hate having to learn those equations I will hear once and never use again because I never remember them. Equations I use frequently, regardless of the difficulty (Actually, the harder the better) are a bit more amusing. Im hoping the physics will be more practical math, but I doubt it... Anyone have any experience?

[moot]

Physics is always fun.  Math stays fun if you don't grind your head to bits over it and just let it come to you instinctively. Just keep a clear picture of what the concepts at play are. Keep trying different approaches to difficult problems and dead-ends.

[Golfer]

For a moment lets say you don't get selected as a pilot or the kind of pilot you really want to be for whatever reason.  What would you want to do?  Get a degree in that.

Wrapping my head around physics questions is all well and good for sport.  Considering my profession you'd think I'd prefer that but I lack the patience to work through the mathematical portion of the subject.  On the other hand my girlfriend is a biochemist with a masters degree pertaining to climatology/sustainability and some of the things she does are pretty cool.  If it were me I'd go with chemistry.

That's a moot point anyhow since I'd opt for suicide rather than finish the required coursework.  Best of luck to ya!

[mensa180]

I have three friends that got accepted, I have talked to them and they aren't very specific.  They just say "study hard in everything, have plenty of extra curricular activities".

[Serenity]

For a moment lets say you don't get selected as a pilot or the kind of pilot you really want to be for whatever reason.  What would you want to do?  Get a degree in that.

The trick to that is, my favorite subject is history, and the Air Force is REALLY hesitant to give scholarships in that line of study. Honestly, if I dont make it as a pilot, I will still go into the military. I kinda don't know anything else and wouldn't know what to do with my life.

[Maverick]

I worked for an Air Force pilot. He was a poly sci major. Other than flying where do you see your AF career going? Flying is only one area to look at. Officers are expected to be flexible.

[Yenny]

Well, currently I'm working for an Army ROTC department at CWU. We're the #1 school for Army ROTC in the western region command, because of that they're giving us TONs of scholarship. Anyone that I can "get into the program" I can pretty much give a 4 years scholarship.

You'd have to be able to get into CWU first before we could look at ya. Gotta have at least a 3.0 GPA, some kind of sport in HS, or 920 SAT w/o the new portion (reading or something like that ?) We're very selective. Pending on what you want to do in the military. Jet pilots mainly u gotta go through Navy/AF/Marine. If you want chopper though, you'd have a very good chance w/ the army since they own most of the chopper in our military. DON'T LISTEN TO ENLISTED RECRUITER. Different track, officer and enlisted. Once you're on any track it's very hard to switch on the other track. If u wanna know more info contact me. I only work for this department for another month b4 I'm heading to a different post.

[Serenity]

I worked for an Air Force pilot. He was a poly sci major. Other than flying where do you see your AF career going? Flying is only one area to look at. Officers are expected to be flexible.

Honestly, im really up for anything. Piloting is my true love, and that would be heaven. If thats not an option, I would pick any other combat role first. Its not a glory thing, or because I think wars are cool, I just have a problem with putting others in harm's way if I've never been there myself. But in my time in CAP ive done a lot of less-intense leadership stuff, and it seems im quite good at jumping to a new job at a moment's notice...

[Yenny]

Honestly, im really up for anything. Piloting is my true love, and that would be heaven. If thats not an option, I would pick any other combat role first. Its not a glory thing, or because I think wars are cool, I just have a problem with putting others in harm's way if I've never been there myself. But in my time in CAP ive done a lot of less-intense leadership stuff, and it seems im quite good at jumping to a new job at a moment's notice...

You do know only 1% of all air force cadet get flight slot right? you HAVE to be flexible. once you're contracted w/ any branch. You'll get whatever they give you. Your performance means a lot but it's also very selective. So you almost got no choice on what you get.

[Serenity]

You do know only 1% of all air force cadet get flight slot right? you HAVE to be flexible. once you're contracted w/ any branch. You'll get whatever they give you. Your performance means a lot but it's also very selective. So you almost got no choice on what you get.

Oh yeah, I know. Im VERY aware how unlikely it is. Ive been stacking my experience in the flight side of things to try to move the odds in my favor, but im very aware it probably won't happen. Like I said, Im willing to do any job they give, I would just prefer flying, and if not a combat role. Someone has to get it, hopefully that someone will be me.

BTW, I know its not that big of a deal to the Air Force, but would going in with a pilot's license already make any noticable difference in my chances?

[Yenny]

Oh yeah, I know. Im VERY aware how unlikely it is. Ive been stacking my experience in the flight side of things to try to move the odds in my favor, but im very aware it probably won't happen. Like I said, Im willing to do any job they give, I would just prefer flying, and if not a combat role. Someone has to get it, hopefully that someone will be me.

BTW, I know its not that big of a deal to the Air Force, but would going in with a pilot's license already make any noticable difference in my chances?

I can't say for sure, but at CWU we also have AF ROTC and we have a flight program here. 90% of the cadet in the AF ROTC are in teh flight program. However last years out of 20+ senior only 1 person got selected. So I'm not sure.

[Serenity]

I can't say for sure, but at CWU we also have AF ROTC and we have a flight program here. 90% of the cadet in the AF ROTC are in teh flight program. However last years out of 20+ senior only 1 person got selected. So I'm not sure.

Well, ive already go the glider license, and as soon as I turn 17 Ill have the powered too, so it would all be before I even graduate high school.

[Yenny]

Here's a route you can go that might higher ur chance to become a pilot. Go to a community college, get your 2 years then transfer. What happen when you transfer is your GPA refresh back to 4.0 . Pick an easy major. For Army their job selection is at the end of their junior year. So you load all your easy class on your junior year, w/ a fresh 4.0 and easy classes you should maintain at least 3.8 GPA by the end of your junior year. When you go in for selection vs ALL cadet in the nation your GPA standing will place you in like top 20-30% which give you a higher chance to get your job choice. It just sux at your senior year that all =p