FAQ

• No, joining AFROTC does not mean automatically joining the military. If you are not receiving a military scholarship or a monetary stipend as a contracted cadet, then you have not entered the military.

• Enlisting in the Air Force is done through a local recruiter followed by basic training and prospective technical training. This avenue does not require a college degree.

  AFROTC is one of three commissioning sources for the United States Air Force:

  • Air Force Academy (USAFA)
  • Air Force ROTC (AFROTC)
  • Officer Training School (OTS)
  Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree and AFROTC, you will be commissioned as an officer, followed by specific training in a career field. Officers are trained to be the leaders and supervisors of enlisted personnel. Rank, pay and career opportunities for officers are commensurate with their elevated level of responsibility. See Air Force Salary Chart (make sure you click Officer). 

Qualified, contracted cadets (those in the Professional Officer Course or who have accepted a scholarship) are enlisted into the Obligated Reserve Section (ORS) of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and are not members of the active-duty military. These contracted cadets are in civilian status and are not subject to the provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Enlisted members sign contracts in which they promise to serve in the military for a certain amount of time.

Commissioned members are appointed as officers and continue military service until the member resigns their commission. Commissioned officers supervise enlisted members and perform different job functions within their respective services.

Most AFROTC cadets incur an ADSC of 4 years upon entering Extended Active Duty (EAD). Scholarship cadets awarded scholarship entitlements beyond the original scholarship length will incur an additional month of ADSC for every month of scholarship entitlements accepted.

Cadets pursuing flying careers typically incur an ADSC between 6 to 10 years upon entering EAD, in addition to their career field’s initial training requirements.

New Lieutenants typically enter EAD between one week to one year following their commission. The variation in EAD is due to a variety of factors, including security clearance processing, initial career training school-house capacity, and more.

To be in AFROTC, non-scholarship cadets must have and maintain a minimum CGPA of at least 2.0.

Scholarship cadets must have a minimum TGPA of at least 2.5. Multiple occurrences of TGPAs of less than 2.5 will result in scholarship suspension.

Cadets may pursue any major, and still be AFROTC cadets. Cadets are classified into ‘Technical’ and ‘Non-Technical’ majors. While there are no specific academic major requirements to be in AFROTC, scholarships are merit- based, and many highly desired majors fall into the technical category. Therefore, students pursuing a technical major may receive priority in the scholarship selection process.

AFROTC is a 4-year program.Certain degree plans of study may require a 5th year of study to meet all AFROTC program and university degree requirements. Some students may qualify for a 3-year or 3.5-year program. Contact a cadre member to see if this is an option for you.

Currently, AFROTC does not offer abbreviated (2-years or less) undergraduate commissioning programs unless you have a prior military service record.

Cadets are students who intend to commission. All cadets must complete both the lecture and laboratory portions of the program every year while a cadet in the program.

Only cadets who compete for and receive an Air Force scholarship or cadets who have contracted with the Air Force after attending Field Training will receive any funding from the Air Force.

• AFROTC offers many scholarship opportunities. Click Here for info. 
• Prospective AFROTC cadets who are in their senior year of high school can apply for a high school scholarship before entering college.
• Cadets who receive an Air Force scholarship will start to receive a monthly stipend when their scholarship is activated.
• Cadets who receive an Air Force scholarship will also receive $900 per year in book funds ($450 per semester).
• Once in college, AFROTC cadets are eligible for an in-college scholarship. This process is competitive at the national level and nominations are handled by the host detachment cadre.

Cadets who do not receive an Air Force scholarship, but do participate in the AFROTC program, can receive a monthly stipend starting in their junior year once they have completed Field Training in the summer between their sophomore and junior years and cadet has met all the contracting requirements.

Physical training takes place three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 0600-0700. Each cadet must attend two sessions per week: either Monday and Friday or Wednesday and Friday. Friday is mandatory.

The physical training is designed to help you achieve a fitness level that exceeds Air Force standards and will mainly consist of calisthenics and running.

The Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment measures the number of push-ups and sit-ups you can do in one minute as a gauge of strength, and how quickly you can run one and a half miles. During physical training, we perform lunges, jumping jacks, leg raises, etc. and follow a running program to help build overall body strength. 

No, not on day one. Upon beginning the program, you will be given guidance on

when you will be expected to adhere to military hair standards. It is highly recommended to come clean shaven. 

Yes. Tattoos on the chest, back, arms, and legs are authorized for AFROTC cadets so long as they are not offensive, discriminatory, or vulgar in nature. Tattoos, brands, or body markings on the head, neck, face, tongue, lips, or scalp remain prohibited.

Air Force appearance standards can be found in AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel Program. The most current version of this instruction can be found on the internet.