Have a question about Air Force ROTC? Well, you are not alone. And chances are you will find your question listed here. You will find the answers, too.
- If I join Air Force ROTC, does that mean I am joining the military? »
- What is the difference between Junior ROTC in high school and ROTC in college? »
- Do I have to be in Junior ROTC in high school to be eligible for ROTC in college? »
- Do I have to join Air Force ROTC as a freshman? »
- Can I enroll if I did not take Air Force ROTC as a freshman? »
- Can I attend Air Force ROTC without a scholarship? »
- Is preference shown toward scholarship cadets? »
- Are there any restrictions as to what students select as their academic major? »
- Can I pursue graduate education after I am commissioned? »
- How often can I take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT)? »
- I am prior service – do I have to attend the General Military Course (GMC)? »
- If I take Air Force ROTC classes, am I committed to military or government service once I join? »
- What are the other Air Force commissioning opportunities? »
- Are there special programs for active-duty airmen? »
- Do I receive any ROTC credit for Junior ROTC? »
- If I encounter academic or personal problems, where can I turn for help? »
- Is the four-year program more advantageous for students? »
- Do I receive any ROTC credit for Civil Air Patrol (CAP)? »
1. If I join Air Force ROTC, does that mean I am joining the military?
No. If you got a four-year scholarship from high school, then the first year of college is paid for, and you can quit at the end of your freshman year with no obligation. If you got a three-year scholarship from high school or college then you are not committed to the Air Force until you accept your scholarship (usually in the fall of your sophomore year). If you did not get any scholarship, then you are not committed to joining the Air Force until you start your junior year of college.
With Air Force ROTC, we provide you with lots of opportunities to see what the Air Force is about before signing up. And while you are waiting, you are getting college out of the way and having a lot of fun.
2. What is the difference between Junior ROTC in high school and ROTC in college?
The mission of the high school Junior ROTC program is to build better citizens for America. The mission of the college ROTC program is to produce leaders for the Air Force. If you are interested in starting an Air Force Junior ROTC program at your high school, visit http://www.afoats.af.mil/AFJROTC/ApplyforUnit.asp.
3. Do I have to be in Junior ROTC in high school to be eligible for ROTC in college?
No. In fact, the majority of students enrolled in college ROTC have never been involved in the Junior ROTC program.
4. Do I have to join Air Force ROTC as a freshman?
No. Any undergraduate student with three or more years remaining should be eligible. So if you are a second-semester freshman, a sophomore or otherwise and have at least three years remaining in your undergraduate studies, you are likely able to join the ROTC program.
5. Can I enroll if I did not take Air Force ROTC as a freshman?
Yes. You can enroll in Aerospace Studies 101 and Aerospace Studies 201 (your university may have a different name) and be what we call dual enrolled. You can also elect not to take freshman ROTC, however, you must attend an extended field training unit during the summer of your second year if you take this option.
6. Can I attend Air Force ROTC without a scholarship?
Yes, you can. Many of our students do not start with a scholarship, but earn one eventually. Still, at any given time, about 80% of our students receive financial assistance.
7. Is preference shown toward scholarship cadets?
Definitely not! The fact that a cadet may have an Air Force ROTC scholarship has no bearing on an Air Force career. Nor does it make any difference while in the Air Force ROTC program.
8. Are there any restrictions as to what students select as their academic major?
None at all. In fact, we encourage you to take a curriculum you are interested in and in which you have the capability to do well. Our main academic concern is that you maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) above 2.5 and attain your degree in the time period planned. The GPA requirements are different if you are applying for a scholarship and once you are on scholarship. Check our Scholarships section » for those specific requirements.
9. Can I pursue graduate education after I am commissioned
commissionedAppointed by the President of the United States. ?
The Air Force is education-oriented and financially supports graduate studies. You can apply for the Air Force Institute of Technology to earn an advanced degree on full scholarship. Additionally, most bases have graduate college programs, and you may apply for the tuition assistance program that pays 100% of the tuition cost.
10. How often can I take the Air Force Officer Qualifying TestAir Force Officer Qualifying TestA standardized test similar to the SAT and ACT that measures aptitudes, and is used to select applicants for officer commissioning programs or specific training programs. A required test for all cadets and students on scholarship or in the POC. (AFOQTAFOQTAir Force Officer Qualifying Test )?
The test is given several times during the fall and spring and can be taken a maximum of two times with at least six months between tests.
11. I am prior service – do I have to attend the General Military Course (GMCGMCGeneral Military Course - an ROTC course offered to freshmen and sophomores designed to improve communication skills and provide instruction about the Profession of Arms. )?
Maybe. The Professor of Aerospace Studies may waive some or all of the GMC if you are prior enlisted. This is determined by the amount and kind of experience you had when you departed prior service. You may want to attend the sophomore Air Force ROTC classes and/or the preparation sessions for Field TrainingField TrainingFive-week encampment in which cadets receive officership training with the sophomores to see what Field Training with Air Force ROTC is all about. Prior service cadets normally attend the four-week camp.
12. If I take Air Force ROTC classes, am I committed to military or government service once I join?
There is no service commitment for students who take our classes with no intention of becoming an Air Force officer. For these types of students, it is only another class. If you are interested in becoming an officer, there is no service commitment during the first two years of the Air Force ROTC program (the General Military Course) unless you have an Air Force ROTC scholarship. If you decide to stay and join the Professional Officer CourseProfessional Officer CoursePOC - ROTC course for juniors and seniors. (POCPOCProfessional Officer Course - ROTC course for juniors and seniors. ); the last two years of the program), you will sign an allocation contract with the Air Force and then incur a service obligation. For Air Force ROTC scholarship students, you are obligated once you have activated the scholarship and have entered your sophomore year.
13. What are the other Air Force commissioning opportunities?
Other commissioning opportunities exist through the United States Air Force Academy. Click here » for the Air Force Academy site.
Commissioning opportunities for college graduates also exist through Officer Training School, an intense 12-week program at Maxwell Air Force Base.
Commissioned Officer Training is a four-week program designed for professionals who have received a direct commissioned appointment as a lawyer, chaplain or into a corps of the medical service.
And Reserve Commissioned Officer Training is a 13-day intensive program designed for hard-to-recruit Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard medical service officers.
Click here » for more information on these programs.
14. Are there special programs for active-duty airmen?
Yes. There are several programs available. Some involve scholarship opportunities while others are at your own expense. Remember, the first step in any Airman-to-officer program is a stop at your base Education Office. Each of these programs has deadlines and age limitations, so check early. For more program details, please visit our Air Force ROTC Scholarships section ».
15. Do I receive any ROTC credit for Junior ROTC?
Yes, you do. Three years of Junior ROTC (JROTC) are considered equal to three semesters of the General Military Course (GMC), and two years are equal to one year of the GMC. No credit is given for less than two years of JROTC training.
16. If I encounter academic or personal problems, where can I turn for help?
First, try your Air Force ROTC detachmentdetachmentThe Air Force ROTC unit at a host university. instructor. While the instructor may not have a psychology degree, he or she does have experience in counseling and can direct you to the proper resources. Air Force ROTC instructors try to develop a strong professional rapport with each cadet. Each university also offers various resource offices for their students and many services are free as part of your student fees.
17. Is the Four-Year Program more advantageous for students?
Yes, for the following reasons:
It gives you more time to participate in Air Force ROTC without obligation, to gain experience and to decide whether you want to apply for the advanced program, the POC.
You will have the opportunity to apply for scholarships if eligible.
You can retake the Air Force Officer Qualification (AFOQT) test to improve your scores.
18. Do I receive any ROTC credit for Civil Air Patrol (CAPCAPCivil Air Patrol )?
The unit commandercommanderThe officer in charge of running an Air Force unit's day-to-day operations. can give credit for part of the GMC to cadets who receive the Spaatz, Earhart, and Mitchell Awards during any academic term of the GMC.
