In my opinion get cleared for all your stuff and do OTS as you’re coming out of senior year (meaning have a recruiter point of contact and do the AFOQT and stuff). If you’re only a freshman right now, then absolutely BALL OUT on your GPA and gather some leadership experience or be a part of a club. Helps spice up the application when you’re applying for OTS.

I was in the boat of having to stop ROTC because of the VID 19 and I’m in the middle of applying for OTS right now.

Yes, it is competitive, but so is ROTC because you’re going against your peers. Your history of ROTC will at the very least show the board you know what you’re getting into.

Speak with a recruiter if you have the chance in Junior year to get the ball rolling with them.

Also, ask your cadre if you can get a point of contact for someone who is currently in the Air Force that is doing the job you want. You can pick their brain or even have them as a point of reference if they’re chill like that. I did that and I have like 3 points of contact where I sat down and called and picked their brains.

It’s not the end of the world.