Hi, I just started my freshman year about 3 weeks ago and well I am from a VERY liberal family, and live in a pretty liberal city. So whenever I told my parents or friends that I was contemplating taking JROTC I was always met with "EW rotc is creepy! Don't do it" Even my teachers told me not to.
So I didn't. But now, after seeing a USAFA college recruiter who told me that CAP and JROTC are great for helping you to qualify for the Academy, which is where I have always wanted to go to college, and all of my family and friends know it. They don't support it, but they know that is what I want to do.
Well that said I have decided for sure to join CAP, and I think that I am going to take ROTC either next semester or next year.
My questions are:
Is sophomore year too late to join JROTC? Would I be really behind? And does it really help with the academy so much that I should drop one of my other electives (speech&debate, and drama) to take it?
1.) It's not too late to join JROTC, but you will start off as a first year AS-1 Cadet. Keep in mind that the highest you will go in your program will be up to an AS-3 when you're a Senior in everything else. Also, remember you may be a year higher than everyone else but you will still be considered a Freshman Cadet.
2.) It all depends on what Academy you want to attend. For example: The Air Force Academy takes a keen interest, and looks fondly on your extracurricular (sports) and community involvement. Being in AFJROTC would help you gain the experience of marching, drilling, etc. but it might not be the thing that gets you accepted. For now, work on keeping your grades high, join clubs, and volunteer in your community. Get involved! And don't hang out with the wrong crowd.
It's never too late to join ROTC. You'll be a little behind the power curve but if you work hard it's nothing you can't overcome. In some cases (from the outside looking in) I think it it may serve better to be a year ahead. You're a little more mature and I know I have been passed over for cadets who are a class ahead of me although they have been in ROTC for the same amount of time. Simply, if you want to go to the Academy, it can't hurt. You will be ahead in military, Air Force, and drill knowledge. Oppertunities like leadership school can help you desided if the acadmey is right for you. As far as dropping the other activities, it is a matter of judgement on your part. Other activities are important to academies but can't give you military heads up of ROTC. Regardless of what your teachers, freinds, family, etc. say, it's your future and your life. Do what's best for you.
Well that said I have decided for sure to join CAP, and I think that I am going to take ROTC either next semester or next year.
Very wise decision to join CAP. I am currently in it myself. Excellent organization. Personally, I think it prepares you MUCH more for the Air Force then AFJROTC. Then again, thats my opinion. As for JROTC, its never to late to join, as already stated.
well actually, i was wondering if it was worth it to go to another high school to get into AFJROTC, and if the times for it would conflict with CAP (which i am already in). The fact is, going to another school wouldnt damage my social life or anything, but it would just be farther away, so basically, is it worth it?
Originally posted by 17886046: hmmm now i wonder, does the academy you go to decide which branch you go into, such as the naval academy, would you have to go to the navy after that?
it seems as though you would but i dont know.
LOL! Of course!
USAFA -> AF USNA -> Navy USMA -> Army USCGA -> CG and only USMMA gives you a choice on which branch you want to commission into.
What are you trying to get out of AFJROTC? Just a leg up on applying to the service academies? Because if so, it definitely would not be worth it to transfer schools unless you are transferring to one of the JROTC Honor Schools!
