Air Force ROTC

Adjunct Faculty: Bosworth, J.; Delespesse, J. (Lt. Col., USAF); Lee, C; Roth, S.

Aerospace Studies
The Aerospace Studies program (AFROTC) is divided into two parts: The General Military Course - the freshman/sophomore level curriculum; and the Professional Officer Course - the junior/senior level curriculum. The General Military courses cover two main themes: The Air Force Today and The Air Force Way. The Professional Officer courses emphasize the professional development of the future Air Force officer. The curriculum covers Air Force leadership, management, and preparation for active duty. Field trips to Air Force bases supplement classroom instruction and familiarize the cadet with Air Force operations and organizations.

Leadership Laboratory is taken two hours per week throughout the student's enrollment in AFROTC. Instruction is conducted within the framework of an organized cadet corps with a progression of experiences designed to develop each student's leadership potential. The first two years of the Leadership Laboratory includes a study of Air Force customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, issuing military commands, instructing, directing and evaluating the preceding skills, studying the environment of an Air Force officer and learning about areas of opportunity available to commissioned officers. The last two years of the Leadership Laboratory consist of activities classified as advanced leadership experiences. They involve the planning and controlling of military activities of the cadet corps, the preparation and presentation of briefings and other oral and written communication, and providing interviews, guidance, and information that will increase understanding, motivation, and performance of other cadets.

AFROTC cadets must also successfully complete supplemental courses to enhance their utility and performance as commissioned officers. These include University courses in English composition and mathematical reasoning. Specific courses are designated by the Professor of Aerospace Studies.

Field training provides leadership and officership training in a military environment, which demands conformity to high physical and moral standards. Within this structured environment, cadets are screened for officer potential as measured against field training standards. Motivation and professional development are achieved through various programs such as flight orientation, marksmanship, and survival training. Cadets in the four-year program participate in four weeks of field training. Cadets in the two- or three-year programs (except for prior AF service) must attend the six-week field training session, which is identical to the four-week program plus 90 hours of general military curriculum. Field training is offered during the summer months at selected bases throughout the United States, usually between a student's sophomore and junior years. Major areas of study include Air Force orientation, officer training, aircrew/aircraft orientation, survival training, base functions and physical training.

Students who apply for entry into the two- or three-year programs must successfully complete six weeks of field training before enrolling in the Professional Officer Course. The major areas of study included in the six-week field training program are essentially the same as those conducted at four-week field training, plus the academic curriculum of the General Military Course including Leadership Laboratory. No direct academic credit is awarded for field training.

Federal and state scholarships are available for AFROTC cadets; any academic major may apply. Applications may be submitted by detachment personnel to Head Quarters Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC), Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. For more information, please call 888-423-7682.