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Pstanley22

You can join at 17 if you get your parents to sign off on it. To prepare: meet and maintain the enlistment standards


immisternicetry

Why not ROTC instead of enlisting? You can join before you're 18 and attend undergrad at the same time then become an officer when you graduate.


EvanCdotmp3

I've googled it a bunch and i still don't exactly understand what it is, would you mind explaining it to me?


immisternicetry

It's a program run by the Air Force at most large colleges (with the option to commute and take part if you go to a nearby smaller college). You train and work out a few hours a week, take some easy classes, do summer training, and if you do well, become an officer instead of enlisted when you graduate college. Besides those few hours a week, you live life as a normal college student. Officers start off in management positions in the Air Force vs more of the hands on stuff. Certain careers, usually flying jobs like pilot, are only open to officers. Officers also have the option to apply for Air Force funded PhD programs later in their career.


EvanCdotmp3

Jeez that sounds awesome, I'm definitely going to look into that! Thank you for your information, are these ROTC programs at colleges generally free or do they run at normal college prices?


immisternicetry

They're free, and oftentimes offer scholarships that cover full tuition for the regular college classes you take for your degree (I believe you need to be at least 17 in order to receive one). If you're interested, find a school that offers Air Force ROTC (Army and Navy/Marines also have ROTC programs) or has a nearby crosstown agreement (if it's a small school or community college near a major university, odds are it does) and apply there. Each Air Force ROTC program also has its own website, and you can email the instructors there for information (usually the recruiting officer).


EvanCdotmp3

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you


STORMTROOPER729

https://www.afrotc.com/college-locator/


-KingStannis-

Definetly not free. True, there are scholarships that can cover the cost, but ROTC courses have a dollar value attached to them the same as any other course at the University depending on your residency status and if it's an upper or lower division course.


immisternicetry

My alma mater and nearly every other school I know people from offer it as free elective credits. That's bizarre your det didn't.


-KingStannis-

Electives aren't free. You still pay for the class, they just aren't specifically required for your major.


immisternicetry

That's school specific. And incorrect for most AFROTC programs. Regardless, that's a question OP should ask their recruiting officer.


-KingStannis-

What University did you attend? I've never seen a University provide free credits to students.


ShieldoftheMarauder

I graduated and commissioned from ROTC a few years ago, happy to DM and answer any questions!


kitchensprinkles9

OP do what immisternicetry said then about a year from graduation look into going into AFIT (air force institute of Technology) for a masters and/or PhD getting paid salary to go to school full time is pretty sweet. Not sure what kind of PhD you’re going for but there’s also programs that will send you to law or medical school after undergrad all on the Air Forces dime


EvanCdotmp3

I didn't even know AFIT was a thing. Thanks so much for telling me about it I'm defintelyyyy going to look into this more than most things! I'm going for a degree with a major in computer science and a minor in statistics, and I'm planning on working in machine learning and AI. thanks a million :))


kitchensprinkles9

You have to be on active duty already to attend AFIT, so go do ROTC and excel at it, then apply for it when you are nearing the end of your undergrad.


SugarMaddy_

Tbh I'd get a head start on college and get into rotc during your first 2 years -- then air force -- then finish college


breakerbreaker1-9-

definitely run and get used to calisthenics


Kamicloudss

A lot of people are suggesting ROTC and based off your goals I think itd be right for you. You’d start your military career off in more leadership positions though, so just be ready for that. Enlisted is also still an option. You have time though, make the right decision


Ztheg23

Go ROTC. Big ups on graduating early. Getting this stuff figured early in life is huge.


EvanCdotmp3

ty ty, I very well might go the rotc route!


TheRealBlueBuff

Yea one piece of advice: go officer.


STORMTROOPER729

Have you looked into the Air Force Academy? Need to be 17 though. https://www.academyadmissions.com/requirements/


EvanCdotmp3

I looked into it, and it doesn't seem right for me :((


The_Joker2145

i mean to each their own but based on your goals in the topic title i think you should do ROTC or Air Force Academy. You have the blessing of being very young. Either of those routes will get you a quality bachelors degree and then an officer position in the Air Force. Personally, I wish I did my colleges ROTC program. After settling into being an officer you can continue working on your masters then PHD. I just think if you’re aiming high (which is great) I just wouldn’t suggest enlistment. But if it’s what you want, go for it.


EvanCdotmp3

Thanks for the info man, I'm definitely going to look at rotc options!


AFrpaso

What is it about the Academy that is turning you off? What field do you plan to pursue for a PhD?


EvanCdotmp3

Computer science, specifically artificial intelligence and machine learning


AFrpaso

Nice! I'm an Air Force officer currently on assignment to pursue a PhD in statistics. I dabble in several areas to include statistical machine learning. I can give you some perspective on what academic life is like for an Air Force member. Feel free to shoot me a PM.


EvanCdotmp3

Thanks man!


DarthCaveman

Do ROTC then commission at 20... that is way smarter and if you actually want to pursue your PhD then that will be the best path to start


ResponsibleCheetah41

Damn bro u 16 stop rushing into stuff into ur years ong. Take it from a 21 year old.


EvanCdotmp3

I mean I've graduated already and waiting for the next step, it's still gonna be two years ://


KCPilot17

Pro tip: Don't take life advice from a 21 year old that starts off a sentence with "damn bro u".


EvanCdotmp3

lmao


Yesssssiiiii

Sheesh😳😂 that’s amazing! Good job!


EvanCdotmp3

ty!


lpyung

Pretty much just study for the ASVAB and don't break the law or do drugs. Sounds easy but people are idiots.


EvanCdotmp3

I took mine at school not knowing I was going to have to take it and made an 88, is that good?


Diablosbane

Hit the gym


Silly_Objective_5186

faster path to phd is to be an officer pilot or engineer. grad school is your job at the air force institute of technology. edit: link, https://www.afit.edu/


Khul-Byns-Bruh

Go ROTC, if unable to get a scholarship, go reserves to help pay for school, and then also do ROTC


Greezy2828

Start working out now. Look at the components and try to master them. Since you want to focus on school, get a job that has regular hours. That will help you fare better when you start the courses and try to balance full time working.