92-03 Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps 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. Senior ROTC Program The Air Force Senior ROTC Program is designed to recruit, educate and commission officer candidates at college and university campus programs based on Air Force requirements. As of January 1992, units were located at 147 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Students from schools near Air Force ROTC host institutions can attend classes through 687 separate cross-town enrollment programs or consortium agreements. Two routes to an Air Force commission are available to college students through the Air Force Senior ROTC program -- the four-year program and the two-year program. Students enroll in Air Force ROTC classes at the same time and in the same manner as for other college courses. Courses in the Senior ROTC program normally award 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 Air Force ROTC college programs have ranged from a high of 22,067 in 1988 to an estimated low of 13,000 in 1992. Four-Year Program The first two years of the Air Force ROTC four-year program -- the general military course -- require one hour of classroom work and one hour of leadership laboratory each week. Upon completion of the general military course requirements, 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 weighted 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 successfully complete a four-week, summer field training encampment at an assigned Air Force base before entering the professional officer 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. 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 non-taxable, subsistence allowances of $100 a month 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 weighted selection system described above. Two-year applicants must successfully 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 is designed to meet Air Force production shortfalls in fields such as nursing, meteorology and law. Currently, undergraduate nursing and meteorological students scheduled to begin their senior year, and law students entering their first, second, or third year of law school are eligible for the program. Law students must be enrolled at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. Those selected for the one-year program attend a six-week Air Force ROTC field training encampment during the summer before entering the first year of the professional officer course as contract cadets. These cadets also receive a $100 monthly subsistence allowance during the academic year. After successfully 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. Special Programs There are four Air Force ROTC programs that provide cadets with specialized, off-campus learning experiences. These are summer field training encampments, the advanced training program, base visits and the flight screening program for cadets qualifying as pilot candidates. The summer field training encampment is, in most cases, a cadet's first exposure to a working Air Force environment. The program is designed to develop military leadership and discipline, and to provide Air Force officer orientation and motivation. 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 to cadets. Travel at Air Force expense is authorized by air or privately owned vehicle to and from the individual's home of record or school. Additionally, after applicable deductions, cadets receive pay of about $500 for the four-week encampment and about $760 for the six-week summer camp. The advanced training program is designed to provide 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 cadets prior to commissioning as second lieutenants. Cadets are assigned to Air Force bases normally for two or three weeks. Cadets receive approximately $18 a day and are reimbursed for travel to and from the Air Force bases. Meals and quarters are furnished to the cadets while on base. 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 experiences. Base visits help develop an appreciation of the Air Force professional environment. The flight screening program is required for cadets who qualify as pilot candidates to determine if they have the flying aptitude to successfully complete undergraduate pilot training. Air Force ROTC pilot candidates attend flight screening at Hondo Airfield, Texas, during the summer before their senior year in college, or during the year following graduation. The program provides basic flight training in a light, single-engine aircraft. Cadets receive approximately 14 hours of flight training, including an hour of solo flight and an in-flight evaluation. Scholarships Current emphasis in the Air Force ROTC college scholarship program is in engineering or other scientific and technical disciplines where more than 85 percent of Air Force ROTC scholarships are awarded. However, students in every degree program enjoy scholarship opportunities. Scholarships are awarded in increments of four, three, two, and one years. Of the 3,000 active scholarships during academic year 1990-1991, approximately 600 went to freshmen. Air Force ROTC provides three types of scholarships. Type I covers full tuition; Type II covers tuition up to $4,000 per semester; and Type III covers tuition up to $2,000 per semester. All types provide books and most fees. Additionally, all three provide a $100 monthly allowance during the academic year, not to exceed $1,000 annually. 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, 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 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. Second-year scholarship cadets and all cadets entering the last two years of the college program -- the professional officer course -- must be at least 17. These contract cadets must meet Air Force ROTC and Department of Defense 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. Selection is determined by professional experience, academic background and qualifications as instructors. Officers in the grades of captain through colonel, with five or more years remaining before retirement, are eligible. Normally, they must have a master's degree and be a regular or career reserve officer. The officers usually complete Air University's Academic Instructor School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., 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 commissions as second lieutenants 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 active-duty commitment after successfully completing undergraduate pilot training. Navigators incur a five-year commitment after successfully 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 law school, Air Force ROTC and bar requirements. The law school the student attends must be accredited by the American Bar Association. After graduating from 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 regulations in effect at the time of call to active duty. Airman Commissioning Opportunities Air Force ROTC has two programs in which Air Force enlisted personnel may participate -- the airman scholarship and commissioning program and the airman early release commissioning program. The airman scholarship and commissioning program allows airmen to compete for Air Force ROTC two-, three- and four-year college scholarships. If selected, an airman is released from active duty to enter a college or university and enroll in Air Force ROTC. The normal maximum scholarship age is 25 but may be extended on a year-for-year basis (maximum of four years) for prior active military service. However, the airmen must be commissioned before their 29th birthday and by June 30 of their commissioning year. The airman early release commissioning program is designed for airmen who will be less than 35 years old when commissioned. Applicants for this program must be able to complete requirements for a bachelor's degree within two academic years. Junior ROTC Program The Air Force Junior ROTC Program provides citizenship training and an aerospace science program at the high school level. Units are located at 316 high schools throughout the nation and at selected U.S. dependent schools in Europe and Guam. The program explores the historical and scientific aspects of aerospace technology and teaches high school students self-reliance, self-discipline, and characteristics found in good leaders. There are currently more than 44,500 students enrolled. Students who participate in the program do not incur any obligation to the Air Force. The program is open to all young people who are at least 14, physically fit, and citizens of the United States. Curriculum The Air Force Junior ROTC curriculum is a balance of 60 percent aerospace science and 40 percent leadership education. In the classroom, cadets study and discuss the heritage of flight, the aerospace environment, the principles of flight and navigation, aerospace vehicles, rocketry, propulsion, space travel and aviation careers. They are also introduced to military customs and courtesies, flag etiquette, basic drill, management, human relations and communications skills. Faculty Air Force Junior ROTC instructors are retired Air Force commissioned and noncommissioned officers. They are full-time faculty members of the participating high school and are employed by the local school board. Benefits Cadets who complete two years in the Air Force Junior ROTC program and who continue ROTC in college may waive one term of the Air Force Senior ROTC program. Students completing three years in Air Force Junior ROTC may receive credit for a full year of college-level Air Force ROTC. Cadets who complete three years in Air Force Junior ROTC and choose to enter the military immediately after graduating from high school are two pay grades higher than non-participants who enlist. Junior ROTC cadets who pursue college may receive special consideration for Air Force ROTC scholarships. Additional Information For more information about Air Force ROTC programs and scholarship applications, write Air Force ROTC, Recruiting Division; Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6663. 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 78 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. In 1978, Air Training Command, with headquarters at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, assumed responsibility for Air Force ROTC programs. Air Force POC: Headquarters Air Force ROTC, Office of Public Affairs, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL 36112-6663; DSN: 493-2825 or commercial (205) 953-2825. Current as of: March 1992 Supersedes USAF Fact Sheet 89-17. Local reproduction authorized.