Q. If I take AFROTC classes, do I have to
join the Air Force?
A. Absolutely not! There is no obligation - we are here as a service to you so
you can check out officer jobs and careers while you attend college.
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Q. Do I have to wear a uniform every day if I
take Air Force ROTC?
A. No! Just one day a week, on Air Force ROTC field trips, and on base visits.
Remember, we furnish all your required uniform items at no cost to you.
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Q. Do Air Force ROTC courses count for
college credit?
A. You bet! Not only do they count as general electives for most majors at many
schools the four-year AFROTC curriculum will earn you a minor in Aerospace
Studies.
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Q. What are the classes about?
A. They cover Air Force history, how the Air Force contributes to the national
security, leadership and management skills, what is means to be an officer, and
communications skills and techniques. In addition, there are a number of
interesting and knowledgeable guest speakers from both the Air Force and
civilian community.
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Q. Do you need a lot of math and science to
do well?
A. All majors are represented and encouraged.
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Q. What if I want to be in a
fraternity/sorority or play college sports?
A. Please do! Our students are involved in all aspects of campus life -- it
makes them better leaders.
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Q. What's in it for me?
A. Lots of scholarships -- based on merit not need -- that help pay tuition and
books. We also pay you a monthly stipend ranging from $250.00 to $400.00. We
offer you a chance to be part of one of the best organizations on campus where
you'll make friends that will last a lifetime. And maybe most importantly, we
will guarantee you a job within sixty days of graduation!
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Q. If I decide to become an officer, how long
will I be in the Air Force?
A. For most career specialties, it is 4 years with great pay and benefits.
Pilots and navigators serve longer commitments because of the expense of their
training typically 10yrs.
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Q. Do I have to join AFROTC as a freshman?
A. No, Any student (graduate or under-graduate) with more than two years
remaining should be eligible for one of our programs. So,
if you're a second semester freshman, a sophomore, a transfer student from a
community college, or have at least two years remaining in your graduate studies
stop by and we'll let you know how to enroll. In order to meet program
requirements and deadline, it's best to see us in the fall prior to your final
two years of school.
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Q. Can I fly?
A. Possibly. You must qualify by passing a physical exam, and physical fitness
test and earn qualifying scores on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
(AFOQT). Air Force ROTC's pilot and navigator spots are increasing in numbers
over the next few years.
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Q. Do I have to fly?
A. No. The vast majority of Air Force jobs do not involve flying at all.
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Q. Do I have to live in a barracks?
A. No, not while in college, and not while in the Air Force. Entry-level
officers are equivalent to junior executives. Most officers live off-base in an
apartment or house, though most locations offer on-base housing to both married
and bachelor officers.
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Q. Do I have to cut my hair?
A. Hair must be kept in accordance with Air Force guidelines when in uniform.
Women: As long as you have it neatly pinned you can keep your long hair.
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Q. How much time do I have to spend with
AFROTC each week?
A. The only required time is during your Air Force ROTC class and Leadership Lab
one day each week. (This equates to approximately three hours a week for
freshmen and sophomores; five for juniors and seniors.). However, we encourage
everyone to become involved in the corps. Basically, after meeting program
requirements, you can devote as much or as little time to AFROTC as you want.
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Q. How much do I get paid?
A. JUST THINK, AS A LIEUTENANT, FRESH OUT OF COLLEGE, YOU'LL MAKE ABOUT $31,000
- $34,000* A YEAR AND ONLY ABOUT 78% OF THAT IS TAXABLE! As an officer your pay
depends on your rank and time in service. If you are a doctor or pilot, there
are some special pay considerations and bonuses. In four years, you can be
making $53,000-$56,000* as a captain.
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Q. Will I be behind my fellow graduates
after I complete my duty?
A. No. In fact, many companies prefer to hire former officers over new college
graduates (even those with masters degrees). Your Air Force experience, the
management and leadership skills you've gained on active duty, and your active
duty educational benefits can give you the competitive edge you need.
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Q. I've heard the abbreviations GMC and POC,
what do they mean?
A. GMC refers to the General Military Course (GMC), the freshman and sophomore
years of the program. As a GMC cadet you learn about officer careers and
benefits, customs and courtesies, drill and ceremony, basic Air Force
communication, Air Force history, and how the Air Force is organized. POC refers
to the Professional Officer Course (POC), the final two years of the four-year
program. As a POC cadet you are learning about leadership, management, national
security and what life as a junior officer will be like. Additionally, as a POC
cadet you're helping plan activities, run the cadet corps, and train the GMC
cadets--great leadership experience!!
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Q. I'm prior service -- do I have to attend
the GMC?
A. Possibly. The Professor of Aerospace Studies (PAS--the head of the AFROTC
Program at your school--)may waive some or all of the GMC if you were 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 Training with the sophomores
to see what Field Training with Air Force ROTC is all about. Prior Service
cadets normally attend the 4-week camp.
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Q. What is Field Training?
A. Field Training offers you a firsthand look at the Air Force environment.
You'll attend Field Training during the summer at selected Air Force bases
before you enter the POC. At Field Training, you'll receive career orientation,
junior officer training, aircraft and aircrew indoctrination, survival training,
weapons familiarization, physical training, familiarization with the
organization, and the function of an Air Force base. Field Training serves as
the cadets "Boot Camp" or "Basic Training"
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Q. When do I attend Field Training?
A. The summer between your sophomore and junior year. Prior Service cadets who
have achieved NCO status and Four-Year program cadets attend a 4-week Field
Training camp and Two-Year program applicants attend a 5-week Field Training
camp. The Air Force pays your transportation to and from the camp, and provides
a salary while at camp.
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Q. Do I receive any ROTC credit for Civil
Air Patrol (CAP) and Junior ROTC?
A. You can, at the discretion of the PAS, some GMC credit can be given for two
or more years of JROTC. Also, the unit commander can give credit for part of the
GMC for the Spaatz, Earhart, and Mitchell Awards (any academic term of the GMC).
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Q. If I take AFROTC classes, am I committed
to military or government service once I join?
A. 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's
only another class. If you are interested in becoming an officer, there is NO
service commitment during the first two years of the AFROTC program (the GMC).
If you decide to stay and join the POC (the last two years of the program),
you'll sign an enlistment contract with the Air Force and are then under a
service obligation. For AFROTC scholarship students, you're obligated once
you've activated the scholarship and have entered your sophomore year.
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Q. Does an AFROTC scholarship pay for room
and board?
A. No. AFROTC scholarships do not pay for room and board, though some schools
supplement certain AFROTC scholarships with room grants.
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Q. As a scholarship cadet, what should my
parents do if they receive a tuition bill?
A. First, don't panic. Quite often, it takes time for all the paperwork to catch
up and you may receive a bill showing you owe money. Simply bring it into the
Air Force detachment and we will help resolve any discrepancies.
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Q. I didn't receive an AFROTC scholarship
before I started college. Are there scholarship opportunities while I'm in
college?
A. YES! Depending on how many years you have left in college, you may qualify
for a two or three year scholarship. For more scholarship details and
opportunities, CLICK HERE
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Q. Are there special programs for active
duty airman?
A. 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.
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Q. What type of qualifications are required
for Air Force ROTC classes?
A. Air Force ROTC classes are open to all students-no restrictions. However, if
you intend to become an Air Force officer, then there are some qualification
requirements. Contact the detachment for details and to see if you are
qualified.
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Q. What is the Air Force Officer Qualifying
Test (AFOQT)?
A. The AFOQT measures verbal and math skills (similar to the college entrance
exams) as well as your aptitude in academics, pilot, and navigator/technical
areas. Testing requires about 4 1/2 hours. After you have taken the AFOQT and
receive your scores, an Air Force officer will tell you how
well you did.
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Q. Are there opportunities to see what life
is like as an Air Force officer before I'm commissioned?
A. YES! During the school year we visit local air force bases and during
Leadership Lab we hold career nights. Air Force officers visit Leadership Lab
and talk about their jobs and experiences. Additionally, we offer summer
programs where you can spend several weeks at an Air Force base shadowing an
officer in a career field in which you're interested. For more details about the
many summer programs we offer.
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Q. Do I have to major in Aeronautical
Science to become a pilot or navigator?
A. No! Your academic major plays a minor role in pilot and navigator selection.
You can major in any degree program and compete to receive a pilot or navigator
slot in Air Force ROTC. You can even be on an Air Force ROTC scholarship in an
engineering or science major and compete on an equal basis for a flight
position.
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Q. What are the age limits to compete during
my junior year for a pilot or navigator position?
A. To compete for the pilot or navigator categories, you must be able to
complete your bachelor's degree and be commissioned through Air Force ROTC
before you are 29 years old.
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Q. How much physical training is there?
A. All contract cadets must complete the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) every
semester within standards. The PFT includes sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5 mile
run. Weekly PT sessions are offered in order to keep cadets in physical
standards.
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Q. How do I get my uniforms, and how much do
they cost?
A. During the first few classes, you'll receive a complete uniform - at no cost
to you - and instructions for free alterations. You are responsible to keep your
uniform clean and presentable.
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Q. How do Air Force ROTC graduates compare
with Air Force Academy and Officer Training School graduates?
A. The Academy, ROTC and Officer Training School all produce qualified Air Force
officers. The Air Force achieves better diversity and talent by getting officers
from more than one commissioning source. Once on active duty, the most important
factor in promotion is duty performance.
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Last Reviewed: 14-Sep-2007