Expert: Rod Powers - 5/30/2007

Question
Hi, again
I have had 2 meetings with my Air Force recruiter now and I am a little worried that I may end up getting screwed. The Job I want the most is communications computer systems programing and I have picked 4 others I wouldn't mind getting. My recruiter says however he can't guarantee me any of those jobs or even a job in the same general field. He also advises against me waiting in the delayed entry program because it basically makes him and his boss nervous because I might do something in the time frame to make me ineligible to enlist. Also when I tried asking him about Air Force ROTC he said that it wouldn't pay for college but I have heard many people say it does. I don't know what true or what is not true, and sorry for being so vague with my question but do you have any advice as to what would be the smartest thing to do. I have a 94 Asvab score if that helps any.
Thank you for your time and advice

John  

Answer
Hi John,

Your recruiter is correct. He can't guarantee you that any of your specific job choices will come up while you're in the DEP. The simple fact of the matter is that, with the exception of the Coast Guard, the active duty Air Force is the hardest service to enlist in, at this time. Why? Well, one reason is that the service is very popular. It seems that almost everyone wants to join the Air Force. Add this to the fact that the Air Force is planning to downsize (reduce in size) by about 40,000 personnel between now and the year 2012, and it's clear why it's so hard to get into the active duty Air Force with a "guaranteed job" these days.

In fact, the vast majority (about 60 percent) of those who enlist in the Active Duty Air Force go in without a "guaranteed job." Instead, they enlist in one of four categories (General, Mechanical, Electronic, and Administrative), and their job (within that category) is assigned to them during the 4th or 5th week of Basic Training.

Whether or not an AFROTC scholarship will cover all of your college expenses, depends on the type of scholarship awarded and the tuition costs at the University you attend. For details, see: http://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/hsschol/types.php

However, the AFROTC Scholarship program is *VERY* competitive. The average high school selectee has graduated within the top 12 percent of his/her high school class, has a GPA of 3.77, a SAT score of 1260, and an ACT score of 27. For details, see: http://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/hsschol/eligibility.php

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com