Sophomore (MS2) Year

Sophomore year in ROTC is somewhat a continuation of the freshman year. Again, the primary focus is on grades and physical fitness. While LDAC is still a ways off, many cadets get an opportunity to go to an Army School such as Airborne or Air Assault. Going to these schools provides additional points on the order of merit list (OML) that will be used to determine if you get into Aviation or not. Of course, getting a school slot is usually based on the OML to begin with so the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Make sure your GPA and PT scores already put you in the rich category and you will be fine. The sophomore year is also a time to get some extra preparation in for the upcoming critical MS3 year. While it is possible to learn everything you need to know your MS3 year, the information will be more deeply ingrained and second nature if it is really committed to memory this year. This is the last year of "freedom" before the constant evaluation of the MS3 year. Prepare well cadet!

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.