Program Overview

Aerospace Studies (AFROTC) 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). Except for cadets on AFROTC scholarship, students incur no active-duty service commitment by taking general military courses (GMC) and may drop the courses at any time within the limits of university course-drop policies.

AFROTC Scholarships

If students qualify, scholarship opportunities are available. A variety of full and partial scholarships are available, and certain scholarships have specific requirements. High school students must apply online no later than December-January timeframe, before they begin college in order to compete for a scholarship while still in high school. Air Force ROTC scholarships cover up to 100% of tuition, laboratory fees, and incidental expenses. ROTC scholarship students will also receive $900 annually for textbooks and a monthly tax-free stipend of up to $500. Students must apply and be accepted into the AFROTC program and agree to accept an Air Force officer commission and service commitment upon graduation.

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 an expeditionary summer field training prior to their junior year of college.

Special Program

Special programs are also open for Law Students and graduate Law Programs. Students already attending law school wishing to serve as Air Force Judge Advocate Generals (JAGs) may apply for the program through the Air Force JAG website. Officer training will be provided by the AFROTC detachment at an accelerated pace to meet Air Force recruiting goals.

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. Students may enter the freshman class at the start of autumn or winter quarters. Sophomore students may enter at the start of Fall, Winter or Spring terms. A field training-course, normally taken during the summer between the sophomore and junior years, is required for entry into the professional officer courses. Students will receive pay and travel costs for field training.

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 ranging from $300 - $500 a month. 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. High school scholarship students incur a commitment at the beginning of their sophomore year. Upon accepting their commissions, students incur a 4 year commitment; pilots incur a 10 year obligation after completion of pilot training; combat systems officers and air battle managers incur a 6 year obligation after initial training. Graduates pursuing medical school incur a 4 year commitment after medical school.

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 activating a scholarship, attending field training and commissioning.

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. Students are paid varying amounts during field training.

Undergraduate Programs

Minor

• Aerospace Studies

Faculty & Staff

• Lt Col Ira J. Field, Commanding Officer

Course Schedule

AS Course Schedule

• AS LDEA, LOWER DIVISION ED ABROAD, 1-16 Credits: This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
• AS UDEA, UPPER DIVISION ED ABROAD, 1-16 Credits: This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
• AS 111, FOUNDATIONS OF THE AIR FORCE PART I, 1 Credit: The introduction to the Air Force mission and organization.
• AS 112, FOUNDATIONS OF THE AIR FORCE PART II, 1 Credit: Second part of the introduction to the Air Force mission and organization.
• AS 113, FOUNDATIONS OF THE AIR FORCE PART III, 1 Credit: Third part of the introduction of what the Air Force is about and what the Air Force has to offer.
• AS 120, LEADERSHIP LABORATORY, 1 Credit: Cadets learn officership, leadership, drill and ceremony, and customs and courtesies. Lab. This course is repeatable for 3 credits.
• AS 211, THE EVOLUTION OF AIR AND SPACE POWER, 1 Credit: 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, 1 Credit: Study of the development of air power, concepts, and doctrine during the Cold War.
• AS 213, THE EVOLUTION OF AIR AND SPACE POWER, 1 Credit: 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, 1 Credit: Cadets are placed in element leadership positions in order to know and comprehend the Air Force concepts of command, discipline, tradition, and courtesies. This course is repeatable for 10 credits.
• AS 299, SPECIAL TOPICS IN AIR FORCE STUDIES, 1-16 Credits: Supervised individual work. This course is repeatable for 99 credits.
• AS 311, LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS, TEAM BUILDING AND PROBLEM SOLVING, 3 Credits: Emphasis on leadership and management fundamentals, team building and problem solving.
• AS 312, EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION AND GROUP CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, 3 Credits: 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, 3 Credits: Emphasis on leadership ethics, leadership core values, leadership accountability, and professional knowledge.
• AS 320, LEADERSHIP LABORATORY, 1 Credit: Cadets are placed in line and staff leadership positions as a preparation for Air Force active duty. This course is repeatable for 3 credits.
• AS 405, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits: Supervised individual work. This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
• AS 411, NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS, 3 Credits: Emphasis on the needs for national security, evolution of American defense strategy, policy, and organization.
• AS 412, WORLD REGIONAL CULTURAL STUDIES, 3 Credits: 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, 3 Credits: Emphasis on current military issues, evaluation systems, military commission, and risk management.
• AS 420, LEADERSHIP LABORATORY, 1 Credit: The senior-level Leadership Laboratory program places cadets in command, line, and staff positions as a preparation for commissioned Air Force service. This course is repeatable for 6 credits.