Air Force and Aerospace Studies

http://web.utk.edu/~rotc800/

Air Force ROTC Program
 

Purpose

The Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) is an educational program designed to provide the college student an opportunity to earn an Air Force commission as a second lieutenant while completing the university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The program provides education that will develop the skills and attitudes vital to the professional Air Force officer. Upon successful completion of the program and graduation from the university, students are commissioned as second lieutenants and enter active duty.

Four-Year Program

Students entering the four-year program may register for the program at the same time and in the same manner as they enroll in their other college courses and there is no  military obligation. During their freshman and sophomore years, students enroll in the general military course. They then may compete for entry into the professional officer course, which is normally taken during the last two years of college. Selection into the professional officer course is highly competitive and is based on being medically qualified, physically fit, term and cumulative grade point averages, scores achieved on the air force officer qualifying test, successful completion of a four-week field training course at an Air Force  base, and the recommendation of the Professor of Aerospace Studies.

Two-Year Program

The two-year program consists of the professional officer course, the last two years of the four-year program. It is designed to provide greater flexibility to meet the needs of both students and the air force. The basic requirement is that applicants have two academic years remaining at either the undergraduate or graduate levels, or a combination of both. After being nominated by the Professor of Aerospace Studies, applicants seeking enrollment in the two-year program are evaluated using the same criteria used for the four-year program except the length of the field training course is six weeks. Additionally, every professional officer course applicant must agree to take and successfully complete a course in mathematical reasoning or its equivalent before graduation and commissioning. Courses previously completed may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Since the processing procedure must be completed several months in advance of intended enrollment, interested students must apply early in the fall semester of the academic year preceding the fall term in which they intend to enter the program. Application should be made in person to the Department of Aerospace Studies.

AFROTC develops students under the whole person concept. Cadets must maintain academic standards while taking on the additional responsibilities of AFROTC. These extra responsibilities include being physically fit and demonstrating integrity and good moral character. Cadets normally participate in approximately 2 hours per week of physical activity outside of class requirements.

Women in AFROTC

AFROTC at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been coeducational since 1970. Women complete the same courses as men and have the same opportunities. Upon successful completion of the AFROTC program and degree requirements, women are commissioned in the air force as second lieutenants. Pay and job opportunities are equal for women and men. Virtually all career fields in the air force are open to women, including pilot and navigator positions.

Scholarships

Air Force ROTC Scholarships are available to qualified applicants in both the four- and two-year programs. Each scholarship provides full tuition, laboratory and incidental fees, and book fee. In addition, scholarship cadets receive a non-taxable stipend ranging from $250 to $400 each month during the school year while on scholarship status.

High School Students

Competitive four-year scholarships are available to high school students who enroll in certain scientific and engineering career fields. Some scholarships are also available to students who enroll in certain non-technical majors. Four-year scholarship application information is available on the AFROTC website at http://www.afrotc.com/.

College Students

Other scholarship opportunities exist for students already in college. Three- and two-year scholarships are available on a competitive basis and the student must have at least four, three, or two undergraduate or graduate years of study remaining in order to compete. Applications for these scholarships should be made directly to the Department of Aerospace Studies.

Leadership Grants

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, AFROTC Leadership Grants are designed to attract and retain high quality students to the Air Force ROTC program for future positions of leadership within their service and our country. These grants are intended to complement other AFROTC and University scholarships by providing funds to offset costs for such areas as room and board, out-of-state tuition, and first year expenses for three-year AFROTC scholarship winners.

Up to twenty $500 leadership grants are available each year and are open to scholarship winners and any full-time student enrolled in the AFROTC program. Awarding of these leadership grants will be determined by the Professor of Aerospace Studies who will evaluate each candidate in the following areas – ACT/SAT scores, AFOQT test scores, GPA, physical fitness scores, leadership activities, and recommendations from people who can attest to the applicant’s leadership experience and skills.

Pay and Entitlements

All cadets enrolled in AFROTC are furnished texts and uniforms. Qualified junior and senior cadets with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or better may receive a $3,000 scholarship that is applied toward their tuition and books. Additionally, these cadets receive a monthly stipend ranging from $250 to $400. In addition, they are paid mileage to and from field training, plus pay commensurate with active duty rates while at field training.

Active Duty Commitments

Commissioned graduates going into non-flying duties will be required to serve four years of active duty. Those graduates going into pilot assignments will be required to serve ten years active duty after completion of pilot training. Those graduates going into navigator assignments will be required to serve six years active duty after completion of navigator training.

This information is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information regarding AFROTC, contact AFROTC Detachment 800, 974-3041.

Professional Development Training Programs

To help cadets gain knowledge of the challenges in leadership and human relations encountered by a junior Air Force officer and to motivate them toward an Air Force career, cadets have the opportunity to participate in a variety of summer professional development training programs. Many of these programs are highly competitive. Some of these programs are described below.

Academy Freefall Parachute Training

A 12-day program conducted at the United States Air Force Academy. Successful completion of program results in a cadet receiving parachutist rating.

Air Force Academy Soaring

A 15-day program designed to give cadets the chance to experience the basic fundamentals of flight in non-powered glider operations. Cadets receive instruction in basic flight through ground school and actual flight, leading up to and possibly including cadet solo.

Army Airborne Training

Training lasts for 24 days and is physically and mentally demanding. Upon successful completion, cadets are awarded the parachutist rating. All training is conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia.

ASSIST

Rising sophomore cadets spend two weeks touring an active duty air force base and shadowing junior officers in various career fields.

British Exchange

Cadets are attached to a British university air squadron for 17 days of training and orientation at various Royal Air Force bases in the United Kingdom.

Combat Survival Training

A 20-day program incorporating combat, basic aircrew, and water survival training. Training is conducted at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Field Engineering and Readiness Lab

Provides opportunities for cadets with entry-level civil engineering courses to get hands-on work experience in the civil engineering career field. Training consists of two weeks working with civil engineering at an Air Force base and three weeks hands-on construction activities at the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Foreign Language Immersion

Provides cadets majoring in a foreign language the opportunity to receive intensive language and cultural training. Training lasts for four weeks in various overseas countries.

Nurse Orientation Program

During a four-week internship program at Wilford Hall United States Air Force Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, nursing cadets receive hands-on experience and practical knowledge of air force nursing.

Operation Air Force

A three-week program of general orientation and shadowing of junior officers in various career fields. Program is conducted at air force installations throughout the United States.

Pentagon Internship Program

A three-week program to provide cadets an opportunity to work in the Pentagon. Students selected for the program gain problem-solving experience working with both military and civilian personnel on real world issues and participate as a team member with professionals in their chosen field of study.