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| Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps | ||||||||||||||||||
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, with headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., is the largest and oldest source of commissioned officers for the Air Force. Air Force ROTC offers two educational programs --Air Force Senior ROTC and Air Force Junior ROTC. Mission The mission of Air Force ROTC is to produce leaders for the Air Force and better citizens for America. Senior ROTC Program The Air Force Senior ROTC program recruits, educates and commissions officer candidates through college and university campus programs based on Air Force requirements. As of April 1998, units were located at 143 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Students from schools near Air Force ROTC host institutions can attend classes at more than 800 separate cross-town enrollment programs or consortium agreements. Air Force Senior ROTC offers primarily two routes to an Air Force commission through four-year and two-year programs. Students enroll in Air Force ROTC classes at the same time and in the same manner as for other college courses. ROTC courses normally receive academic credit as part of a student's electives. At each host institution, ROTC has the status of a separate academic department. Each instructor is an active duty Air Force officer with at least a master's degree and usually is accorded the academic rank of assistant professor. The unit commander has an academic rank of full professor. Recent enrollments in the college programs have ranged from a high of 22,067 in 1988 to an estimated low of 10,231 in 1993.
The first two years of the Air Force ROTC four-year program -- the general military course -- consist one hour of classroom work and one to two hours of leadership laboratory each week. Cadets who wish to compete for entry into the last two years of the program -- the professional officer course -- must do so under the requirements of the Professional Officer Course Selection System. This system uses qualitative factors such as grade-point average, unit commander evaluation and aptitude test scores to determine a student's officer potential. After selection, students must complete a four-week, field training encampment at an assigned Air Force base before entering the course. Cadets enrolled in the professional officer course attend class three hours a week and participate in a weekly leadership laboratory lasting from one to two hours. In the Professional Officer Course, cadets apply what they have learned in the General Military Course and at field training encampments. Cadets conduct the leadership laboratories and manage the unit's cadet corps. Each unit has a cadet corps based on the Air Force organizational pattern of flight, squadron, group and wing. Professional officer course classes are small, with emphasis on group discussions and cadet presentations. Classroom topics include management, communication skills and national defense policy. Once enrolled in the professional officer course, cadets are enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and assigned to the obligated reserve section. This entitles them to a monthly, non-taxable $150 allowance during the academic year. Two-Year Program The Air Force ROTC two-year program and the last two years of the four-year program are the same at the professional officer course level; however, the entry procedures differ. Entrance into the professional officer course is highly competitive and two-year applicants must be selected through the selection system described above. Two-year applicants must also complete a six-week field training encampment. The additional two weeks of field training for the two-year applicants prepare them for entry into the professional officer course. Two-year applicants are not committed to the Air Force until they return to school in the fall and make a decision to enroll in Air Force ROTC. One-Year Program The one-year program meets Air Force production shortfalls in certain fields. Currently, undergraduate nursing and meteorological students in their junior year are eligible for the program. This program is also available to law students on a case-by-case basis. Those selected for the one-year program attend a five-week field training encampment during the summer before entering the professional officer course as contract cadets. These cadets also receive a $150 monthly subsistence allowance during the academic year. After completing all requirements, the cadets are commissioned as Air Force officers with a four-year active duty service commitment. Scholarships are available under this program, and cover full tuition, books and fees. To qualify for a one-year program scholarship, students must be younger than 25 as of June 30 of the calendar year in which they will be commissioned. Those not qualifying for scholarships may still participate in the one-year program as non-scholarship cadets; however, such cadets must be younger than 30 before entering active duty. Once a student is selected for the one-year program, change of academic major is not permitted, unless it is the best interest of the Air Force. Special Programs There are Air Force ROTC programs that provide cadets with specialized, off-campus learning experiences. Field training is, in most cases, a cadet's first exposure to a working Air Force environment. The program develops military leadership and discipline, and provides Air Force officer orientation and motivation. At the same time, the Air Force can evaluate each cadet's potential as an officer. Field training includes aircraft and air crew orientation, Air Force professional development orientation, marksmanship training, junior officer training, physical fitness and survival training. Uniforms, lodging, and meals are provided at no cost to the cadet and cadets travel at Air Force expense to and from the cadet's home of record or school. Additionally, after applicable deductions, cadets receive pay of about $500 for the four-week encampment and about $625 for the five-week summer camp. The advanced training program provides cadets with specialized and individual professional development. The learning experience is like an intern program in which cadets are placed at Air Force bases to acquaint them with life, duties and responsibilities of Air Force people. This is a voluntary program that provides an important transition for a cadet between training and commissioning. Cadets are assigned to Air Force bases normally for two or three weeks. They receive approximately $19 a day, meals and quarters while participating and are reimbursed for travel expenses to and from the base. Limited opportunities are also available for parachuting, glider and survival training courses. Base visits give cadets a firsthand look at operational Air Force bases. Each group of cadets is accompanied by an Air Force ROTC instructor who adds personal knowledge of the Air Force mission to the cadets' base-visit experience. This program is beneficial to the education and training of Air Force ROTC cadets because it develops an appreciation of the Air Force professional environment Scholarships Current emphasis in the Air Force ROTC college scholarship program is to award scholarships to candidates pursuing undergraduate engineering or other scientific and technical disciplines. Nearly 90 percent of Air Force ROTC scholarships are awarded in these disciplines. However, students in every degree program enjoy scholarship opportunities, as the Air Force seeks to engage students who excel both academically and militarily. Scholarships are awarded in increments of four, three and two years, and Air Force ROTC offers three types of scholarships. Type I covers full tuition and most required fees. Type II covers tuition and fees up to $9,000 annually, an award that covers the cost at most U.S. colleges and universities. Type II awards constitute the majority of awards offered via the College Scholarship Program. Targeted scholarships of the College Scholarship Program are awards designated specifically for lower cost, normally in-state tuition-level institutions. Targeted institutions are selected based on the candidate's listed schools of choice. All types of awards provide funds for books, most required fees and a $150 monthly nontaxable subsistence allowance. In addition, Air Force ROTC has an incentive scholarship program for cadets contracted into the professional officer course. This incentive scholarship pays up to $2,000 annually and is available to nearly all professional officer course contracted cadets who are not already receiving scholarship benefits, and otherwise eligible for incentive entitlements. All scholarship cadets are required to meet certain academic, military and physical fitness standards to earn and maintain scholarship benefits. All non-prior service scholarship recipients must be younger than 25 as of June 30 of the calendar year during which commissioning is scheduled. Prior service applicants may have the age limit extended by the total days of active-duty military service, up to a maximum of four years. Extracurricular Activities Air Force ROTC cadets participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. Several units have special drill teams, color guards and honor guards. Many students enrolled in Air Force ROTC also participate in unit-sponsored intramural sports and social functions. Cadets pursuing a commission are eligible for membership in the Arnold Air Society, a national honorary professional and service organization established to strengthen relations between Air Force ROTC, the Air Force, the campus and the local community. Angel Flight-Silver Wings, an auxiliary organization of Arnold Air Society, supports Air Force ROTC through activities and programs aimed at publicizing the local unit, university, Air Force ROTC and the Air Force. Participation in Arnold Air Society and Angel Flight-Silver Wings is voluntary. Enrollment Criteria The first two years of the Air Force ROTC college program, the general military course, are open to all students at least 14 years old. Second-year scholarship cadets and all cadets entering the last two years of the college program -- Professional Officer Course -- must be at least 17. These contract cadets must meet Air Force ROTC and Department of Defense eligibility standards ranging from physical fitness to U.S. citizenship. Faculty The teaching staff of Air Force ROTC units is composed of well educated, experienced Air Force officers. Professional experience, academic background and qualifications as instructors determine selection, and officers in the grades of captain through colonel, with five or more years remaining before retirement, are eligible. They normally have a master's degree and are a regular or career reserve officer. Officers usually complete Air University's Academic Instructor School at Maxwell AFB before reporting for their teaching assignments. Active-Duty Service Commitments Cadets in the professional officer course and second-year scholarship cadets are contract cadets who agree to accept a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force after completing all Air Force ROTC and academic degree requirements. Most cadets incur a four-year, active-duty commitment. However, pilots incur an eight-year commitment after completing specialized undergraduate pilot training and navigators incur a six-year commitment after completing specialized undergraduate navigator training. Medical Professions Nursing graduates agree to accept a commission in the Air Force Nurse Corps and serve four years on active duty after successfully completing their licensing examination. Two exam failures result in a four-year assignment as an Air Force line officer. Cadet premedical scholarship recipients who are accepted to medical school within one year of graduating are sponsored in their pursuit of medical degrees. Legal Professions Second-year law students can pursue an Air Force commission through Air Force ROTC's graduate law program. This program guarantees judge advocate duty after a student completes all Air Force ROTC, law school and bar requirements. After graduating from an American Bar Association-accredited law school, the student must be admitted to practice law before the highest state court of any state or a federal court. The new lawyer is then commissioned into the Air Force in the grade determined by the laws and directives in effect at the time of call to active duty. Airman Commissioning Opportunities Air Force ROTC has four programs in which Air Force enlisted personnel may pursue a commission. The Leaders Encouraging Airman Development Phase I, Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC (SOAR) allows commanders to recognize outstanding and deserving airmen by nominating them for an Air Force ROTC scholarship in any field of study. The Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program lets airmen compete for college scholarships for Air Force ROTC scholarships through the Air Force ROTC unit they are interested in attending. Although any major may be selected, technical and nursing are usually more favorably considered. Both programs offer two- to four-year scholarships, and can only be awarded for completion of a first bachelor's degree. Applicants must meet age requirements as prescribed by public law. The Professional Office Course Early Release Commissioning Program is available to airmen who may not be eligible or competitive for a scholarship due to age, degree program or grade point average. Individuals compete for allocations through the Air Force ROTC they plan to attend. These three Air Force ROTC programs, require the selected airmen to leave active duty to complete their degree and Air Force requirements necessary to earn a commission. Air Force ROTC also manages the Airmen Education and Commissioning Program. AECP allows airmen selected for the program to stay on active duty while completing degree requirements and attend Officer Training School after degree completion to earn their commission. Selected airmen move to an Air Force-affiliated ROTC unit to finish their bachelor's degree. More information about these programs can be obtained from base education offices or an Air Force ROTC unit. Junior ROTC Program The aim of the Air Force Junior ROTC program is to build better and more productive citizens. It is not a recruiting activity for the Air Force. The program educates and trains high school cadets in citizenship, promotes community service; instills responsibility, character and self-discipline and provides instruction in air and space fundamentals. There are currently more than 91,000 students enrolled in the Air Force Junior ROTC program. Students who participate in the program do not incur any obligation to the Air Force. The Air Force Junior ROTC program is open to all young people who are at least in the eighth grade, physically fit and citizens of the United States.
History ROTC was established with passage of the National Defense Act of 1916. The first Air ROTC units were established between 1920 and 1923 at the University of California at Berkeley, Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois, the University of Washington, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Texas A&M University). After World War II, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, chief of staff of the War Department, signed General Order No. 124, establishing Air ROTC units at 77 colleges and universities throughout the nation. A new two-year Senior Program, scholarships and a Junior Program were authorized by the ROTC Vitalization Act of 1964. An experimental program to commission women through Air Force ROTC was first conducted from 1956 to 1960. Women were again enrolled in the Senior Program, starting in 1969, and in the Junior Program four years later. Eligible Air Force enlisted men and women pursuing a college degree who are interested in becoming commissioned officers are given that opportunity through competition in the Air Force ROTC Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program, established in 1973. In 1978, Air Training Command, with headquarters at Randolph AFB, Texas, assumed responsibility for Air Force ROTC programs. On July 1, 1993, Air Training Command merged with Air University to form Air Education and Training Command. Air University became a direct reporting unit under Air Education and Training Command, and Air Force ROTC realigned under Air University. In February 1997, in an effort to reduce duplication of effort and streamline administrative and reporting procedures within Air University, Air Force ROTC and Officer Training School realigned under the newly created umbrella organization, Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools. This restructuring placed oversight for three-quarters of Air Force officer production under one commander, the AFOATS commander; and facilitated the sharing of manpower and expertise with minimum affect on the day-to-day operations of either organization. FOR SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION For more information about Air Force ROTC programs and scholarship applications, write Air Force ROTC, Recruiting Branch, 551 E. Maxwell Boulevard, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6106 POINT OF CONTACT FOR INFORMATION OTHER THAN SCHOLARSHIPS Air University, Office of Public Affairs; 55 LeMay Plaza South; Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6334; DSN 493-2825 or (334) 953-2825.
Above Information Courtesy of United States Air Force
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