Program Overview

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Introduction to the Aerospace Studies Program

The Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) program, offered by the Department of Aerospace Studies, provides college-level education to prepare interested men and women for commissioning as second lieutenants in the United States Air Force while simultaneously completing any university undergraduate or graduate degree. The program emphasizes leadership, managerial skills, and the development of each student's sense of personal integrity, honor, and individual responsibility.

Program Overview

Aerospace Studies courses are open to all university students and are taught by Air Force officers. Detachment 685 (Aerospace Studies) offers a Minor in Aerospace Leadership for graduating students/cadets. If students desire a career as an Air Force officer, they must complete all AFROTC requirements. University students who attend academic classes only as a special student (there is no stipend for special students) can receive elective credit for the course(s).

AFROTC Scholarships

If students qualify, scholarship opportunities are available. A variety of full and partial scholarships are available, and certain scholarships have specific requirements. Air Force ROTC scholarships cover up to 100% of tuition, laboratory fees, and incidental expenses. ROTC scholarship students will also receive $600 annually for textbooks and a monthly tax-free stipend of up to $500.

Allowances, Uniforms, Textbooks

Students on an Air Force ROTC scholarship or enrolled in the ROTC Professional Officer Course are paid a monthly stipend of up to $500. Uniforms and textbooks for all Aerospace Studies courses are provided by the Air Force.

Four- or Three-Year Program

The four-or three-year program consists of the General Military Course: six quarters of lower-division Air Force Studies classes, including a laboratory each term, and the Professional Officer Course: six quarters of upper-division Air Force Studies classes, including a laboratory each term. Four- or three-year cadets attend four weeks of expeditionary summer field training (AS 304 FIELD TRAINING) prior to their junior year of college.

Accelerated (Two-Year) Program

Specially qualified students are eligible for two-year ROTC scholarships. These scholarships provide up to full college tuition, required fees, textbook allowance, and pay the recipient $250-400 per academic month. The two-year program is available for eligible candidates who can complete all AFROTC requirements and their degree in two years from their entrance into the AFROTC program.

General Military Course (GMC)

The 100- and 200-level courses for AFROTC cadets consist of one classroom hour, two hours of leadership laboratory, and two hours of physical fitness per week during the freshman and sophomore years. Uniforms and textbooks are provided.

Professional Officer Course (POC)

Cadets selected for enrollment in professional officer courses are enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and receive tax-free monthly subsistence stipends. They are furnished textbooks and uniforms. Junior- and senior-level classes consist of three hours of academic classes, two hours of leadership laboratory, and two hours of physical fitness per week.

Commitments

Students in the four-year program incur no obligation during their first two years in AFROTC unless on scholarship. The student agrees to accept a commission, if offered, only after enrolling in AS 311 LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS, TEAM BUILDING AND PROBLEM SOLVING. High school scholarship students incur a commitment at the beginning of their sophomore year.

Standards

Cadets must be U.S. citizens of sound physical condition, maintain academic standards and high moral character. Air Force physical fitness standards must be met prior to attending field training and commissioning. Cadets must be commissioned as Air Force officers prior to age 30.

Further Educational Opportunities

After completion of AFROTC requirements, advanced degrees may be sought by delaying active duty commitments. Some commissioned officers continue advanced studies through fully-funded Air Force Institute of Technology or other DoD-sponsored programs.

Field Training

Under the Air Force ROTC program, one summer field training session is required, normally after the AS 200 year. Successful completion of field training is required for all cadets prior to membership in the Professional Officer Course.

Undergraduate Programs

Minor

• Aerospace Studies

Faculty

• Professor Lt Col Warren B. Brainard, U.S. Air Force
• Assistant Professors Capt Jeremy McMullen, Capt Michael Vanderlaan

Course Descriptions

AS 111. Foundations of the Air Force Part I

Introduction to the Air Force mission and organization.

AS 112. Foundations of the Air Force Part II

Second part of the introduction to the Air Force mission and organization.

AS 113. Foundations of the Air Force Part III

Third part of the introduction of what the Air Force is about and what the Air Force has to offer.

AS 120. Leadership Laboratory

Cadets learn officership, leadership, drill and ceremony, and customs and courtesies.

AS 211. The Evolution of Air and Space Power

Study of the development of air power, concepts, and doctrine from its beginnings to the end of World War II.

AS 212. The Evolution of Air and Space Power

Study of the development of air power, concepts, and doctrine during the Cold War.

AS 213. The Evolution of Air and Space Power

Study of the factors contributing to the development of air power, concepts, and doctrine from the Persian Gulf War in 1990 to the present and beyond.

AS 220. Leadership Laboratory

Cadets are placed in element leadership positions in order to know and comprehend the Air Force concepts of command, discipline, tradition, and courtesies.

AS 299. Special Topics in Air Force Studies

Supervised individual work.

AS 304. Field Training

Four-week field training supplements campus courses in developing leadership and discipline.

AS 311. Leadership Fundamentals, Team Building and Problem Solving

Emphasis on leadership and management fundamentals, team building and problem solving.

AS 312. Effective Supervision and Group Conflict Management

Emphasis on situational leadership, group conflict management, effective supervision, professional knowledge, and communicative skills required of an Air Force officer.

AS 313. Leadership, Ethics, Air Force Core Values and Accountability

Emphasis on leadership ethics, leadership core values, leadership accountability, and professional knowledge.

AS 320. Leadership Laboratory

Cadets are placed in line and staff leadership positions as a preparation for Air Force active duty.

AS 405. Reading and Conference

Supervised individual work.

AS 411. National Security Affairs

Emphasis on the needs for national security, evolution of American defense strategy, policy, and organization.

AS 412. World Regional Cultural Studies

Study key transnational issues and religious or ethnic factors that shape the environment Air Force professionals must operate in.

AS 413. Preparation for Active Duty

Emphasis on current military issues, evaluation systems, military commission, and risk management.

AS 420. Leadership Laboratory

The senior-level Leadership Laboratory program places cadets in command, line, and staff positions as a preparation for commissioned Air Force service.