What is Air Force ROTC?
What is the Four-Year Program?
What is the Two-Year Program?
What is Field Training?
What
does it mean to be "on contract" in Air Force ROTC?
The
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) recruits, educates and prepares
college students to become US Air Force officers while obtaining a college degree.
The Air Force ROTC program is designed to prepare you to assume positions of increasing
responsibility and importance in the modern Air Force. We offer a Four-Year
Program and a Two-Year Program.
Four-year Program: The Four-Year program consists
of the General Military Course (GMC) in your freshman and sophomore years, Field
Training during the summer after your sophomore year, and the Professional Officer
Course (POC) in your junior and senior years. The GMC allows you to "try
out" Air Force ROTC for up to two years without incurring any obligation
unless you are on an Air Force ROTC scholarship. (Even then, you don't incur an
obligation until the beginning of your sophomore year.)
GMC: During the 2-3
hours per week you spend with us, you'll learn more about the mission and structure
of the Air Force and take a look at military life. You'll study the strategies,
doctrines, and missions of aerospace power from balloons to today's use of space
vehicles. The course, combined with a cadet-led leadership lab, helps you prepare
for your role as a military officer.
Field
Training: After your sophomore year, you'll attend AFROTC Field
Training for 4 weeks during the summer. Field Training offers you a first-hand
look at the Air Force environment, and is conducted at selected Air Force bases.
At Field Training you'll receive career orientation, junior officer training,
survival training, weapons familiarization, physical training, and familiarization
with the organization and the function of an Air Force base. The Air Force will
pay for all transportation to and from an Air Force base, and give you training
pay for the time you spend at training. Successful completion of Field Training
is mandatory for entrance into the POC. If you enroll in AFROTC after your
first semester but before your third semester, you'll miss some portion of the
GMC. As a result, you will attend a 5-week Field Training to make up for the training
you missed in the GMC.
POC: During the 3-5 hours per week you spend with
us, you will gain advanced training in leadership, management, and communicative
skills, and learn more about Air Force situations. The course work examines theories
of management and their application. You'll examine a broad range of American
domestic and international military relationships and the environmental context
in which American national security policy is developed and carried out. In the
leadership lab, you will participate in planning organizing, directing, and controlling
the cadet corps. Entry into the POC is competitive-- you must meet all eligibility
requirements and pass Field Training before you become a POC
cadet.
POC cadets who are not currently on scholarship
may be eligible to compete for scholarship money. All POC cadets receive a monthly
tax-free allowance during the school year and even if you're not on scholarship,
you'll receive an annual incentive towards the cost of your tuition. At the completion
of the POC, you will be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States
Air Force. (Usually. Some students, like those in 5-year majors, may not be commissioned
until later, at the completion of their studies.)
Two-Year Program: This program
consists of the POC and Field Training.
It is open to junior college transfer students, sophomores and veterans with at
least two years of academic work remaining (undergraduate, graduate, or a combination
of the two) before graduation. To make up for the training missed in the GMC
program, you will attend a 5-week Field Training (instead of
a 4-week Field Training.)
What
does it mean to be "on contract" in Air Force ROTC?
Before
you can activate a scholarship or enter the POC, you must enter
into a contract with the Air Force. The contract essentially states that if AFROTC
offers you a commission in the Air Force upon graduation that you agree to accept
it and serve on active duty in the Air Force for a minimum of four years.
If you win a 4-year scholarship as a high school senior, you will be "on
contract" in your freshman year, however, you will have the option to leave
your contract without penalty anytime before the start of your sophomore year.
Once you start your sophomore year, there are serious consequences for failing
to live up to the requirements of your contract. (Note: If you are
offered a scholarship in your sophomore year of college or later, you do not have
this same one year "trial period")
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How
Do I Enroll in Air Force ROTC?
Can
I enroll if I didn't take Air Force ROTC classes during my freshman year?
Do I need a scholarship to join?
How do I apply for Air Force ROTC?
Air Force ROTC classes and credit
information are listed in your school catalog. If you wish to enroll in as a Freshman
or Sophomore (GMC), simply sign up for Air 151 in the Fall and Air 152 in the
Spring. Your schedule will come up with the class you signed up for plus
the leadership lab on Tuesday from 4-6 pm.
To
enter the program as a Junior, Senior or graduate student (POC), contact the Unit
Admissions Office, Maj(s) Barlett. Competition factors include cumulative
GPA, Air Force Officer Qualifying Test scores, academic history, medical qualifications,
a physical fitness test, and an interview. You must also take and pass a military
physical exam (scheduled by the Air Force ROTC detachment.)
Can
I enroll if I didn't take Air Force ROTC classes during my freshman year?
You do not have to be a freshman to enroll in Air Force ROTC! As long as you have
2 years of academics remaining, you can enroll in the program. Contact
us to discuss your particular situation and determine your best options with
Air Force ROTC.
Do
I need a scholarship to join?
NO! While many Air Force ROTC cadets are
offered scholarships during their senior year in high school, many students start
Air Force ROTC without one. Having or not having a scholarship has NO impact on
your opportunity to be in AF ROTC, or on the length of your commitment to the
Air Force after graduation.
How
do I apply for Air Force ROTC?
The "application" for AFROTC
is something you fill out once you're enrolled in the program (by signing up for
our classes) as a college student. You don't have to "pre-apply" from
high school. We will ask you to fill out forms telling us about any history you
may have with drug use and involvement with the law. (Less is better!)
The
scholarship application is a totally different story! The scholarship applications
become available in the spring each year. High school seniors can submit their
application as early as May, but no later than 1 Dec of their senior year. The
application process is entirely on-line now and is located here: online
application.
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What
Would My Commitments Be?
Am
I committed to the government once I join?
What
is required of me as a cadet?
How
long is my commitment to the Air Force after graduation?
What do other students think about ROTC cadets?
On scholarship, is it possible to change my major?
What if I want to drop out of Air
Force ROTC or give up my scholarship?
When
do I know what job I will be doing for the Air Force as an officer?
Is there a certain major I should take?
Can I fly for the Air Force? Do I have to fly?
Am
I committed to the government once I join?
No. You are not committed during
the first two years of the Air Force ROTC program (the GMC)
unless you are on scholarship. If you are on scholarship, you are not committed
until the beginning of your sophomore year. During your freshman year, you can
drop Air Force ROTC just like any other class at Penn State without penalty or
commitment to the Air Force. However, once you enter the POC
or activate a scholarship in your sophomore year, you must commit
yourself to military service.
What is required of me as a cadet?
- Be enrolled
as a full-time student
- Be in good academic standing with the college and
Air Force ROTC
- Make satisfactory progress toward degree requirements to
graduate on time
- Attend at least 80% of Aerospace Studies classes and Leadership
Lab sessions
- Wear your cadet uniform to Leadership Lab and to classes as
instructed (usually once or twice week)
- Meet the same dress and appearance
standards as active duty Air Force personnel, including haircuts
- Remain physically
qualified and maintain required physical fitness and weight standards
- Comply
with the Air Force drug abuse policy
- Comply with the Air Force ROTC dependency
policy
How
long is my commitment to the Air Force after graduation?
After graduating
from college and completing all Air Force ROTC requirements, you'll be commissioned
as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. Non-flying officers must serve 4 years on
active duty. Navigators serve 6 years after training, Air Battle Managers serve
6 years after training, and Pilots serve 10 years after training. The length of
time you are in the Air Force ROTC program does not change how long you must serve
on active duty. Neither does the amount of any scholarship you may receive. There
are currently no Air Force Reserve options for Air Force ROTC graduates--everyone
goes on active duty.
What
do other students think about ROTC cadets?
Air Force ROTC members
are respected and considered part of the university community. Many of our cadets
have consistently been at the top of their respective academic disciplines and
have been recognized by the university. Our Air Force ROTC graduates have gone
on to serve honorably and with distinction.
On
scholarship, is it possible to change my major?
Yes, but it's extremely
difficult to do if you are trying to change from a technical major to a non-technical
major. The Air Force awards scholarships as incentives to gain valuable skills.
When you activate a scholarship in a particular major, you are contracting with
the Air Force to provide a skill we need. Changes from a non-technical major to
another major are much easier to accomplish. Any major change request should only
be attempted with a valid reason.
NOTE:
If you have just received an Air Force ROTC scholarship as a high school student
and have not yet started college, you may have a chance to change your major if
the last scholarship board has not yet convened (usually in May).
Contact us immediately to get instructions on the procedure.
What
if I want to drop out of Air Force ROTC or give up my scholarship?
If you are on scholarship, you may quit AFROTC without penalty up to the first
day of your sophomore year. If you do not have a scholarship, you have up to the
first day of your junior year to quit without commitment.
When
do I know what job I will be doing for the Air Force as an officer?
You
will compete in a selection process based on your preferences and your academic
background. The factors to be used will include your Air Force Officer Qualifying
Test scores, your Field Training performance rating, your GPA,
your academic major, your Physical Fitness Test score, and the Detachment Commander's
rating. Pilots and Navigators will know at the end of their junior year if they
have been selected for those career fields. (Note: you will have
already entered into a commitment to serve with the Air Force BEFORE this decision
has been made!) All other cadets will find out their specific career
field and first duty assignment in the spring of their senior year.
Is there a certain major I should
take?
You can pursue any academic major to participate in the program.
The Air Force is more than airplanes and the wild blue yonder. The Air Force is
men and women who proudly work in their professions, serving their country and
themselves. Certain career fields have specific educational requirements.
Can I fly for
the Air Force? Do I have to fly?
If you want to fly for the
Air Force, you must qualify by passing a physical exam, passing a Physical Fitness
Test and earning certain scores on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT).
Having flight experience or a private pilot's license may make you more competitive
for a pilot's slot in the Air Force, but are not required. Generally those
in the top 25% of their class academically and militarily have the option to be
a pilot. Do you have to fly? No. The vast majority of Air Force jobs are
in non-flying specialties.
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What Is Training Like?
How
are new cadets treated?
How
much physical training is there?
What
is Leadership Lab?
When
will I wear my uniform?
Is
all training mandatory?
How are new cadets treated?
Very well. The POC
cadets (upper level) are most willing to answer your questions and point you in
the right direction. Your cadet squadron commander will also help you fit into
the program. There are tutoring programs and other forms of assistance available
to you. Hazing is not permitted at any Air Force ROTC detachment. The focus at
the detachment is on teaching as well as on discipline. The staff is concerned
about your well-being and progress, and will meet with you at least once per semester
to formally discuss your progress and any concerns you may have.
How
much physical training is there?
While there is no mandatory weekly
physical training, all contract cadets (POC and GMC
on scholarship) must pass the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) every semester within
standards. All non-contract cadets must attempt the PFT every semester. The PFT
consists of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run.
To
be within standards, you must pass each event. Cadets must also remain below their
maximum allowable weight. You must meet these standards as a sophomore to compete
for an enrollment allocation and opportunity to attend Field Training.
You must pass the PFT while at Field Training, where the amount of physical training
you are required to do each day is significant.
While
it is your responsibility to stay in shape, we have an additional required 1 hour
of physical fitness, 2 mornings per week.
What is Leadership Lab?
Leadership Lab, typically held from 4-6 PM,
is a 2 hour "class" where GMC cadets learn leadership skills, practice
drill & ceremonies, and acquire other necessary training while the POC cadets
instruct and take lead, practicing what they learned as a GMC through their respective
job duties.
When
will I wear my uniform?
You are required to wear your uniform all
day once per week, on Tuesdays.
During
the first couple of classes, you will be issued a complete uniform and instructions
for free alterations. You are responsible to keep your uniform clean and presentable.
Is all training mandatory?
Actually,
no. There are very clear guidelines as to which activities are mandatory and which
are voluntary. At a minimum, you must attend 70% of Leadership Lab training to
pass. However, Det 720 provides additional opportunities to help you sharpen your
skills, both as a leader and as a follower, if you choose to participate. In addition,
there are several summer training programs, not including Field
Training, that are designed to allow cadets to get some first hand Air Force
experience. These Professional Development Training prgrams are completely
voluntary.
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What
Else Do Cadets Do?
How
much time is involved in Air Force ROTC?
Are
there Air Force ROTC activities during the summer?
Are there special Air Force ROTC activities during the school
year?
Can I learn to fly?
How much
time is involved in Air Force ROTC?
You can put as much or as little
time into Air Force ROTC as you want, as long as you satisfy all academic and
Leadership Lab requirements. The staff knows your studies are critical for your
success in college, in the program and in your future. With that in mind, the
staff will make every effort not to take you away from your studies. A good estimate
of the total time commitment per week would be 5 hours for freshmen and sophomores
and 7 hours for juniors and seniors.
Are
there Air Force ROTC activities during the summer?
Yes, but only one is
required: Field Training, which normally occurs the summer
after your sophomore year. There are several other summer programs open to cadets
who have just completed their freshman or junior year. These Professional Development
Training programs are all voluntary.
Are
there special Air Force ROTC activities during the school year?
Air Force
ROTC strives to provide you a wide variety of professional and social activities
(but your first and most immediate concern is attending classes and maintaining
good grades). There is something in our program and at the university to interest
everyone. Here are a few activities:
Dining
In/Dining Out/Military Ball: We hold
a formal military dinner each semester and parents are invited!
Sports:
The cadet wing participates in various intramural teams and activities including
tri-service competitions in a dozen sports and activities.
Get-togethers:
Typical cadet wing activities organized each semester include movie nights, flight
breakfasts, a mid-semester wing party and various flight dinners
Cadet
Organizations: We have many extra-curricular
activities to choose from including an Honor Guard, Arnold Air National Service
Organization, fitness clubs, as well as singing and performance groups.
Base Visits: We will
set up at least one major visits to Air Force bases throughout the United States
to allow you to see firsthand the "real" Air Force and meet officers
who majored in your chosen career field.
Can
I learn to fly?
Air Force ROTC does not pay for any flight training during
college, unless you have been categorized as a pilot. For those cadets who have
received a pilot slot, the Air Force has an Introductory Flight Training (IFT)
program to teach pilot candidates basics of flight and to get them up to forty
hours of experience. For information on the qualifications required for
pilot candidates, click here.
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What
Are the Benefits?
What
benefits do Air Force ROTC cadets receive?
What
benefits do Air Force officers receive?
Can
I pursue graduate studies after I'm commissioned?
Benefits
to Air Force ROTC cadets include:
- Opportunity for scholarships which
pay up to full college tuition and most textbook, lab and incidental fees.
(NOTE: Scholarships do not pay for dorm or housing expenses)
- Air Force ROTC
textbooks and uniforms provided on a loan basis
- College credit for Air Force
ROTC classes
- Non-taxable monthly allowance during the academic year while
on scholarship or in the POC
- Authorized salary while
attending Field Training
- Opportunity to delay entering
active duty to pursue graduate degree
- Orientation flights aboard Air Force
aircraft
- Visits to Air Force bases
- Social activities
- Challenging
job waiting after graduation
Benefits
to Air Force active duty officers include:
- Pay: Highly competitive salary
and allowance package
- Vacation: 30 days leave with pay each year
- Sick
Leave : Unlimited; full pay continues
- Medical Care: Furnished at no cost
- Dental Care: Furnished at no cost
- Life Insurance: $400,000 of low-cost
term life insurance
- Social Life: Officers' clubs, swimming, golfing, bowling,
& tennis at reduced rates
- Education: Opportunity for higher education
with tuition assistance
- Retirement: Opportunity to retire after 20 years
with a percentage of base pay
- Advancement: Promotions based on initial appointment,
grade & experience
- Shopping: Save as much as 20% in on-base stores
-
Living Quarters: On-base housing available or off-base housing allowance
-
Travel Allowance: A daily allowance available while on official orders
Can
I pursue graduate studies after I'm commissioned?
The Air Force is education-oriented
and allows you to apply for an educational or administrative delay to complete
graduate programs before active duty. You can also apply for the Air
Force Institute of Technology Direct Accession Program to earn an advanced
degree as your first Air Force assignment. Additionally, most bases have
graduate college programs, and you may apply for the tuition assistance program
that pays up to 75 percent of the tuition cost. Students interested in medical
school or law school
have opportunities to pursue those goals as well.