Program Overview and FAQs
Air Force ROTC courses are unique hands-on leadership opportunities that will push you to make the most of your college life and career.
Taught by world-class military faculty and supplemented by distinguished speakers, Air Force ROTC Detachment 207 classes at SLU bring policy and history to life while developing enabling you to develop effective followership and transformational leadership skills. Classes take place in University classrooms at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, which are equipped with everything needed for learning in a comfortable and positive atmosphere.
Cadets are only required to wear uniforms during fitness training, class, lab and special events.
Program Overview
General Military Course (GMC)*
Taken during the freshman and sophomore years, this is a chance to take the Air Force out for a test-drive with no service commitment. GMC students are eligible to compete for in-college scholarships. The GMC classes are 1 credit hour and include an introduction to the Air Force and the history of US airpower. Students who complete the GMC progress into the second half of the program, the Professional Officer's Course (POC). Prior to entry into the POC, students must be selected to attend and successfully complete Field Training. Both GMC and POC participate in a Leadership Laboratory once a week, with POC playing a more active role in coordinating unit activities. Cadets will also participate in physical training twice a week.
Field Training
The summer after their AS 200 year, cadets are flown to Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama to participate in field training. This rigorous four-week program involves physical conditioning, weapons training and survival training. It is an opportunity to develop your skills as a leader and a team member. Cadets are evaluated on their ability to work together and succeed as a team.
Graduates of field training earn the privilege of wearing the historic Prop and Wings emblem on their uniform and enter the Professional Officer Course.
Professional Military Course (PMC)*
Followining a successful completion of field training, cadets are placed in positions of leadership within the cadet wing. As an AS300 cadet, we focus on developing leading teams and effective communication. We guide you to develop your experience in project management, team development and professional communication. Some positions will give additional opportunities to lead cadet flights where you directly train, mentor, and lead the GMC class. AS 400 cadets prepare for commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force by serving as the senior leadership of the cadet wing. AS400 cadets prepare for commissioning throung understanding and analysis of U.S. National Security Policy, Laws of War, Space, Nuclear and Joint Operations, and final honing of military leadership and responsibility.
Cadets pursuing a career as a pilot, combat systems officer or navigator, or air battle manager will usually apply for these positions during the winter of their junior year.
Fifth Year (if applicable)*
Cadets requiring a fifth year to complete their major may choose, with Air Force ROTC approval, to delay their commissioning in order to study for one additional year. Fifth-year cadets do not attend Air Force ROTC academic classes.
Financial Aid*
Air Force ROTC can help you with the rising costs of college education with an array of full or partial scholarships that cover tuition and fees. Recipients also receive $600 a year for books and extra spending money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once you are enrolled as a full time student, you can register for AS 101 if you are a freshman. If you are a sophomore or only have three years left of your degree, you may still join but will need to contact the unit admissions officers first.
There are a wide variety of career opportunities available within the Air Force. Only 4 percent of airmen are pilots, leaving numerous other technical, scientific, specialty and health care careers available, all of which are fulfilling and offer important leadership experience.
Air Force ROTC is one of three commissioning sources for the United States Air Force. Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree and Air Force ROTC, 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. 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.
Air Force ROTC offers many scholarship opportunities. Prospective cadets can apply for a high school scholarship before entering into college. Once in college, you can apply for an in-college scholarship. This process is handled by the host detachment.
Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree and Air Force ROTC, you will be commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force.
Most careers require an active duty service commitment of four years with the exception of flying and medical careers. Following the active duty service commitment, four years of inactive reserve is required.
Air Force ROTC is a program that will challenge and train your leadership skills and leadership potential. The academic class covers military education and aerospace history. Leadership labs take place once a week and are designed to train cadets to react as leaders to various situations. Experienced cadets become leaders within the cadet corps and are responsible for training new cadets. You are required to wear a uniform to your ROTC classes during the week.
Yes, there are many cadets who are not on scholarship, complete the program and earn a commission in the US Air Force.
The chances of this are extremely slim but cadets are contracted with the Air Force, which makes active duty a very remote possibility.
No, Air Force ROTC does not pay student loans.
No, you must be on active duty status after completion of Air Force ROTC. Once this commitment is up, you can continue in the Air Force as a reservist.
All majors, so you can choose any field that interests you. However, technical career fields in the Air Force require technical degrees. Currently, the Air Force is in particular need of electrical engineers and meteorologists.
Officer Training School (OTS) is normally the desired commissioning source for applicants with bachelor’s degrees. Graduate students can participate in Air Force ROTC and apply for some in-college scholarships. If you are not eligible for Air Force ROTC scholarships due to your age, you can still enroll in Air Force ROTC. During your last two years, you would receive stipend only.
You can begin Air Force ROTC while in the process of becoming a citizen. However, you cannot contract with Air Force ROTC until citizenship is granted. A cadet not on scholarship will typically contract the last day of their sophomore year.
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