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Department of Aerospace Studies

Common Questions for Enlisted Members (these are compiled from actual questions emailed from those of you in the field)

Q. I may be interested but may have some limitations: Primarily, I am 33 years old and turn 34 on March 22...Do I have enough time? I am already at Master Sergeant...do I lose my pay? I already have my Business and Management Degree...Please give me all the details that will assist me in making a selection if possible...Thanks...

A. WOW. Master Sgt. Unfortunately, your best bet would be OTS since we probably couldn't get you started before January. During AFROTC, you separate from the AF so you would lose your pay. Once commissioned, you would receive O-1E pay vs. O-1. It's better than the average 2Lt.


Q. The education office has told me that 30 years of age was the limit for this program. Your message states 35, correct? I am interested, however there is conflicting information dealing with this. Could you please shed more light? Thank you for your time.

A. That is a misconception... the tuition payments are not available for folks over 30, but as you see from the answer above, that is not really a factor for us... tuition at ASU is pretty cheap!


Q. How can I find out if I have sufficient credit hours and I have the major that is necessary? I'm interested in knowing what my options are. I have a little over 80 hours of college credit, majority towards a criminal justice degree. I don't have the best GPA, somewhere just above a 2.0 I think. I'm very interested in obtaining Bachelor's Degrees and wouldn't mind obtaining a commission at the same time. I'm in the Networking career field right now and would like to stay in Communications. Would I be able to do so if I completed a CJ degree, or would I need to pursue a different degree?

A. There is no particular degree that is needed. If you fax Admissions your transcripts (sorry, only a commercial fax for us, but you can get a control number to fax), I can have the ASU admissions folks here see how much will transfer. Then we can see how long it would take for you to get your degree. We can't promise what career field you will go into. For Comm., you need to have at least 12 hours of computer science to get into that career field. Don't try to change majors just to please the Air Force.


Q. I was actually planning on attending Angelo State University, I am trying to get an AETC instructor position at Goodfellow AFB. I have a few questions about the commissioning program. What will happen with my wife? Will we be PCS'd, would we have to move on our own or would I be living in a dormitory. I am in Intelligence and I have just re-enlisted for five years and already received the initial half of my bonus. If I would do this program how would that affect my current DEROS and what about my bonus, will I have to repay that, even if I stay in the career field? I would also like to stay in the same AFSC, what are the chances of that happening?

A. At ASU, we have dorms available, but married folks live on their own. Apartments run about $450 for something pretty nice. You would be PCS'd where ever you like, just like anyone else separating from the AF. Sorry, most officer career fields don't get bonuses (the base pay makes up for that). We can't promise that you will stay Intel. There are no guarantees in life!... but I can say that if you already have a security clearance you probably have a good chance of staying Intel. As for DEROS, your local Ed office can usually give you good information. My understanding is that you must be on station for one year before separating for this opportunity.


Q. I am interested in exploring my options. I have completed my CCAF in Surgical Technology, and was interested in the Physician Assistant program through the Air Force. I will be testing for Staff SGT. in March after that I plan to work towards my Bachelors and Pre-requisites for P.A. school. I would appreciate if you could send me more information on the requirements for the ROTC Commissioning program. Thank you for your time.

A. Why not go to med school and be a physician?! You can go through ROTC majoring in Pre-Med and gain your commission. In your final year, you can apply to med schools around the country and if you get accepted, the AF will pay for your med school! You will also get a monthly stipend while going to med school. Just a thought...

 

Q. I'm currently in Guam and will probably rotate back to CONUS in June. Would like to get into an ROTC program but I have one catch. My wife is active duty military also and I would need to be near home, I don't mind commuting. If you could give me some more information, I would seriously like to make a shot at it. Where is Angelo St. and is there a base near by with a flight line? My wife works in base operations.

A. For more info about San Angelo, go to www.gosanangelo.com and you can learn about us. As for a base, Dyess AFB is about 1:15 hrs away to our north. Goodfellow doesn't have a flight line. Would your wife like to do ROTC too? We have had couples here doing just that. They are a wonderful support to each other.


Q. I am about to complete my CCAF, and had 3 years of College at Tennessee State Univ. before entering active duty, my question is with both CCAF and my prior college will this be a hindrance for me to enter the program. I have served 6 years active duty so far, but am very interested in becoming an officer within the next 3yrs. Please contact me with everything I need to do.

A. Fax Admissions your unofficial transcripts and we'll see what ASU will accept. Each university is different. If ASU isn't the right place for you, I might be in a better position to help you find a school that would fit your needs.


Q. I am interested in the programs you mentioned, but I have a few questions about my enlistment. My problem is that I am in a 6-year enlistment and I have already received my bonus pay (signing bonus). I only have 3 years left in the Air Force and 2 years at my current duty assignment. Do I need to wait until my current enlistment is over with? If not, by me taking the ROTC scholarship would I then have to re-pay my signing bonus. The money is insignificant but my commitment time is.

A. NO, you do not have to wait until your enlistment is over. HOWEVER... you may have to pay the unearned part back. Usually, I've heard folks say the AF doesn't make you pay it back though. Sorry I can't give a more definite answer on that, but your Education Office should be able to answer the bonus question!.