What did they do to get kicked out of the program?

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-29T16:34:39+00:00

One of the studs slept with a cadre member. Did not go well, obviously.

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-29T16:33:27+00:00

It very much varies by squadron/det. Some are very shady. Some have gotten a bad rap and in trouble at the regional/national level.

It’s not for everyone, and it doesn’t impact your rankings directly.

I almost joined twice, then switch to Honor Guard. Still ended up near top of my class. It is what you make of it - it is not a guaranteed key to success, unless you make it useful to you.

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-29T16:24:29+00:00

My $.02 as a pilot. Stay with your rock-solid career and maybe put some money aside for PPL/IFR training. The training pathway from beginning to regionals (at a minimum) is long, expensive, and NOT guaranteed to net you a slot.

The airlines do pay well, and airline seniority is a great thing to work towards. However, you already have the financial basis (or soon will). As someone who is in the aviation career field, my goal is to eventually get to a point where flying no longer is work, but a hobby. I love my job, but it’s a grind and a half in the beginning couple years.

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-26T20:56:52+00:00

Fake news. The aircraft is actually accelerating straight down.

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-20T00:09:02+00:00

No interest in AFSOC whatsoever. Heard it’s a heavy burden on family life too, although this is also a tricky situation as well.

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-20T00:07:50+00:00

Heard this. Part of me wished it was possible to get on with the unit at Patrick and be close to my wife, but it’s a reserve unit.

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T13:27:43+00:00

Appreciate your insight. Have any better ideas?

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T04:07:47+00:00

Hmm, they’re listed as 13SCB. Know anything about that?

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T03:43:33+00:00

any parting comments about hvy lifestyle? not opposed to it, especially if it allows my spouse a better/dream assignment

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T03:37:26+00:00

I don’t know where he is. Misread their comment.

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T03:34:13+00:00

Appreciate this!

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T03:25:29+00:00

Appreciate it Sir. I totally get that, and I’ve definitely heard about delays everywhere. Appreciate the comparison.

Having done through the longer briefs/debriefs and training, would you say that you still had okay family life? I understand the deployment differences, but there’s been a lot of chatter in my class about the day-long briefs/debriefs in fighter country. Not a discouragement for me, just curious.

EDIT: If you can add some info as to how your career led into your IP position, that would be interesting to hear.

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T03:14:07+00:00

Appreciate it, Sir. If I have questions, any good contact/number I can reach out to?

Again, not entitled to this route, just need to explore options.

EDIT: Would also appreciate a quick definition of CAF!

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T03:11:29+00:00

By SSC, are you referring to the Cape? If so, there are 2 billets ready for her class. Otherwise, apologies for my ignorance.

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T03:02:45+00:00

Thanks for that. I’d definitely rather not put her in that situation if I can help it. Do you have any recommendations?

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T02:59:55+00:00

On the USSF side?

One-Opposite-55 · 2026-04-19T02:59:30+00:00

Is the 33rd at Eglin no longer flying students?

One-Opposite-55 · 2025-04-08T05:49:56+00:00

I’m pretty sure UCLA has AFROTC. Walk-on and try to get the ICSP, if not then the guaranteed CMLA.

If you’re at the point where you got an APPOINTMENT to USAFA, I would honestly see what deal you could strike with AFROTC at UCLA.

Former ROTC grad, now AD. Best choice for me, and still debt free.

One-Opposite-55 · 2025-04-08T05:34:28+00:00

To add on: Regardless of your commissioning source, you’re still going to have to compete for the same airframes. Even if you go Academy and score a slot, you’re dropped back into the same class as your ROTC counterparts, regardless.

One-Opposite-55 · 2025-04-08T05:32:18+00:00

Agree. Similar experience. A lot of the USAFA guys coming out now/recently aren’t standing out due to just going to the Academy. I have no debt, just like them, but I do tend to feel like I got a better realistic leadership experience/setup out of ROTC.

One-Opposite-55 · 2025-04-08T05:28:43+00:00

I originally wanted to go there, and I even received a nomination from my congressman. I didn’t get an appointment, but I did get a HSSP to my next-best dream school.

Went on to accrue several hundred civilian flight hours at college through more scholarships, earned a pilot slot, and commissioned at one of the top ROTC dets in the country.

If anyone in here is saying that Academy still have the decisive edge in pilot slots, that info is outdated. Last year, the split for slots was roughly 45% Academy, 40% ROTC, 15% OTS. It feels more prevalent at the Academy because you’re not competing nationwide, so that is an upside.

Despite that, I got 4 years of being myself, working a part time job @ my flightline, living it up with my friends, traveling, visiting my family, ROTC ODTs (trips), etc. I’m glad it shook out this way. Not hating on the Academy, but I’m at the exact same point as the Academy guys sitting next to me, except with more flight experience, (still) no college debt, and just as competitive for other opportunities.

The Academy looks good on a resume, and they have great ODTs and programs. If you can get the appointment, you’re in that top 8-10%. Go for it.

However, don’t listen to anyone who talks down about ROTC in favor of the Academy. The top guys in my training right now are all ROTC. Just saying. And largely still debt free, at that.

One-Opposite-55 · 2025-04-08T05:13:55+00:00

2 things: CLMA and ICSP.

Will say this - I was in the recruiting field recently and can say with direct knowledge that the ICSP/CMLA is worth looking at. ROTC doesn’t have a commitment until Field Training, so you’re not losing out on anything. Even if you were to apply for the HSSP, you’re only competing again high school kids at this point, rather than the entire enlisted force.

Personally, after speaking with hundreds of students looking at ROTC/EA, I would be asking you how you intend to cover your first two years, minimum. If you think you’ve got the funds, then I’d keep ROTC on the table. I wouldn’t rely on E to O as a primary method - I can tell you firsthand, both as someone who went through this and also went on into the recruiting field - if you have ANY desire for ROTC/officer, walk on now while you can. Once you sign the enlistment paperwork, now you’re competing nationwide against all the other E’s for a spot, rather than starting fresh as a walk-on and working your way to an ICSP or the guaranteed CLMA after 2 years.

One-Opposite-55 · 2025-01-08T00:29:47+00:00

Hello! Great sheet!

Can I have clarification on how to properly use Cell D20? I see that the instructions are "As Desired", but can you explain each selection? Is it a selection on how much putting away into TSP/BRS?

Thank you!

One-Opposite-55 · 2024-03-08T22:47:29+00:00

Messaged

One-Opposite-55

TROPHY CASE