Does taking ROTC orders kill chance for O4 or selection for redes?

[ac2NASTY]

If making O-4 and moving up are your goals, an ROTC instructor tour is not the way in our current environment. I think a recent HSL-49 CO had an ROTC tour in his biography, but that would have been over 10 years ago that he took the orders. When I was in the FRS ('09) I met two P-DHs with ROTC shore tours in their past. As a current ROTC instructor (went to flight school 2 years late due to grad school) I was FOS for my IZ look this summer. On the positive side, I'll have a second master's under my belt from a legit school by the time I'm booted.

If you are not very confident that continuing along the golden path is in your future, ROTC is a great option to set yourself up for your next employer (and a rewarding gig in and of itself).

If you had not done grad school prior to flight school what would your options be out of your current ROTC tour? More specifically, do they keep the more competitive post-shore orders for the golden path types and hand out the less desirable to the "other" people?

I'm still a couple years out from heading to my shore tour but starting the research now. I will have 14.5 years of active duty leaving my sea tour and my MSR takes me to 19 years so I'm guessing sanctuary will allow me to finish my 20.

Also applicable: Recruiting Duty.

Thanks for the idea. I sent you a message requesting some details with this.

 

[SynixMan]

If you had not done grad school prior to flight school what would your options be out of your current ROTC tour? More specifically, do they keep the more competitive post-shore orders for the golden path types and hand out the less desirable to the "other" people?

I can't imagine VQ being that different from helos or VP. You're not going to get "good" orders (community jobs, flying job, good deal disassociated job) that keep you in the community if you're doing the ROTC gig. It's an unofficial kiss of death, and no hardship boat tour is going to "get you back on track".

Look at your timing. If you get to 18 years active, you've reached sanctuary and they can't kick you out even if you 2xFOS for O-4. I'd expect to do the full disassociated boat tour followed by a stash job for your last months before being allowed to retire.

 

[squorch2]

I'd expect to do the full disassociated boat tour followed by a stash job for your last months before being allowed to retire.

Or they'll keep you on the boat, as happened to a buddy of mine. Hell, the detailer tried to keep me on the boat *prior* to my first FOS.

 

[Beans]

Last two pilots from my consortium were the Naval Gunfire Liaison officers at Camp Pendleton. Sounded like they were pretty sweet gigs. Both left at their MSR (1 w/ retirement b/c he was prior E).

 

[Flash]

I can't imagine VQ being that different from helos or VP.

From what I know the VQ guys are lumped in with the VP guys detailing and community-wise now.

 

[CommodoreMid]

Truth. With the exception of VQ-1, DH slates lump the VQ guys into the VP spots as well, and I think they've all been going to P-8 squadrons.

 

[ac2NASTY]

Thanks for all the help