Freshman (MSI) Year

The first year of the AROTC program is the experimental cakewalk year. The only obligations are regular academics, PT three mornings a week, and participation in occasional activities. The biggest things for the MSI cadet to pay attention to is grades. Aviation is one of the most competitive branches and academics currently count for 40% of the accessions packet. Thankfully, I was a studious freshman and maintained a 4.0 throughout the first year. It is far easier to keep a good GPA than to try to get one later. A GPA below 3.5 is getting kind of iffy for branching Aviation and a GPA under a 3.0 means your chances are slim indeed. Start the first year off right and the rest of the route to aviator wings will be that much easier. Also, the MSI year is the time to get physically fit if you did not enter the ROTC program in peak physical shape. Physical fitness test scores count for 15% of the overall ranking system. PT scores are not as influential as academics but physical fitness is nothing to blow off either.