Air Force Aerospace Studies
Commander, AFROTC Det 005
Professor of Aerospace Studies
Auburn University (334) 844-4355
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is an educational program designed to give students the opportunity to become an Air Force or Space Force officer while completing an undergraduate degree. The program is designed to teach the necessary skills needed to accept the challenging opportunities encountered in the Air and Space Forces. AFROTC offers a pathway from college to many exciting career possibilities as an officer: flying, engineering, intelligence, computer systems, aircraft maintenance, management, etc. Interested students should contact the Air Force ROTC department (www.auburn.edu/afrotc; email: AFROTC.Recruiter@auburn.edu; Phone: 334-844-4355; or visit us at 243 Nichols Center, Auburn University.)
General Military Course (GMC)
The GMC is the first half of the program and is typically taken during the freshman and sophomore years. This course allows the non-contracted student to “try out” Air Force ROTC without obligation. Students who pick up a High School Scholarship will contract before the semester begins and will have additional expectations to maintain their scholarship. As a member of the GMC, the student will learn basics about the Air Force, Space Force, and the historical development of airpower. The academic classes are one semester hour each. During the spring semester of their sophomore year, the student will compete for the opportunity to attend a Field Training encampment (see Field Training section below for additional information). Successful completion of field training is mandatory for entrance into the Professional Officer Course (POC); typically the junior and senior years of the program. Qualified students may enroll in both freshman and sophomore classes at the same time and spend only one year in the GMC if they only need three more years to graduate. Further, GMC students may be eligible to compete for an AFROTC scholarship that pays tuition and fees, and provides both an allowance for books and a non-taxable monthly stipend while school is in session.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AIRF 1010 | Heritage and Values I | 1 |
| AIRF 1020 | Heritage and Values II | 1 |
| AIRF 2010 | Team & Leadership Fund. I | 1 |
| AIRF 2020 | Team & Leadership Fund II | 1 |
Professional Officer Course (POC)
The POC is the second half of the program, typically taken during the junior and senior years. POC students take on leadership roles, planning and running most cadet activities. This gives them valuable experience that prepares them to become an officer. Students in selected degree programs (e.g. engineering) may spend a third year in the POC to complete their degree. As a junior, the student will learn about various leadership roles and management techniques needed to become an effective Air Force officer. During the senior year, students will learn about foreign policy and national security while preparing them for entrance into active duty. These academic classes are three semester hours each.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AIRF 3010 | Lead People & Effective Comm 1 | 3 |
| AIRF 3020 | Lead People & Effective Comm 2 | 3 |
| AIRF 4010 | Natl Sec. & Active-Duty Prep I | 3 |
| AIRF 4020 | Natl Sec & Active-Duty Prep II | 3 |
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB)
Each Air Force ROTC student pursuing a commission in the Air Force or Space Force is required to attend Practical Military Training (PMT) for up to six hours per week. PMT consists of a Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) and Physical Training (PT). Although no academic credit is awarded by the university, LLAB is an essential part of officer training. It is a cadet-centered program where the student will learn such things as military customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, and proper wear of uniform. Physical Training is conducted to supplement the student's physical fitness - a requirement of the program. It is designed to help the students achieve passing scores on the Physical Fitness Assessment, offered at least once per semester. LLAB and PT are mandatory for cadets wishing to commission, but participating students who are seeking an Aerospace Studies Minor only are not required to attend.
Curriculum for Leadership Laboratory
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AIRF 1011 | AFROTC Leadership Laboratory I | 0 |
| AIRF 3011 | AFROTC Physical Training I | 0 |
| AIRF 1021 | AFROTC Leadership Laboratory 2 | 0 |
| AIRF 3021 | AFROTC Physical Training II | 0 |
Field Training (FT)
Cadets completing the General Military Course attend FT during the summer at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. This rigorous program of leadership training, physical conditioning, and academics assesses the cadet’s potential to be an officer. Cadets also receive survival and firearms training, career information, and may have the opportunity to engage in one or more military aircraft orientation flights. Cadets receive travel pay and a daily allowance for attending FT.
Air Force ROTC Scholarships
Air Force ROTC offers scholarships on a competitive basis to high school seniors and college students. These scholarships are offered to highly qualified students, primarily in scientific/technical majors or nursing. Please visit www.afrotc.com for the latest information about scholarships.
Aerospace Studies Minor
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AIRF 1010 | Heritage and Values I | 1 |
| AIRF 1020 | Heritage and Values II | 1 |
| AIRF 2010 | Team and Leadership Fundamentals I | 1 |
| AIRF 2020 | Team and Leadership Fundamentals II | 1 |
| AIRF 3010 | Leading People and Effective Communication I | 3 |
| AIRF 3020 | Leading People and Effective Communication II | 3 |
| AIRF 4010 | National Security and Preparation for Active-Duty I | 3 |
| AIRF 4020 | National Security and Preparation for Active-Duty II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 16 | |