What is AFROTC?
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is one of three commissioning sources that produce officers for the United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Space Force (USSF). The other two commissioning sources are the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and Officer Training School (OTS). With the exception of some specialized career fields entering service via OTS (e.g. doctors or lawyers), cadets from each of these commissioning sources enter USAF or USSF service as second lieutenants, regardless of which source they commissioned from.
How do I join AFROTC?
Joining ROTC is a very simple process. You will register for two ROTC courses through your university and we will work with you to accomplish the rest! See the "enroll" page for a listing of the AFROTC classes required for UMD and each of our crosstown programs.
Do I have to be a UMD student to join?
Any full-time UMD student (taking 12 or more credits) with a minimum of six semesters remaining until graduation can enroll! Also, Det 420 has cross-town relationships with College of St. Scholastica, University of Wisconsin-Superior, and Lake Superior College. This means students enrolled full-time at any of these schools can also participate in AFROTC at UMD by signing up for the required credits through their respective institution. PSEO students at UMD or cross-town campuses can also participate, but must be enrolled as a full-time student at their college or university.
Am I obligated to serve by joining AFROTC?
While the program's mission is to develop leaders of character for the Air Force and Space Force, cadets are only students and participants until they begin receiving tuition money from the Air Force. This means at the point cadets are awarded a scholarship they sign a contract with the Air Force with the expectation they will complete the program and commission as an officer upon graduation. Cadets entering the program without a High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) scholarship are simply enrolled in AFROTC courses and pursuing a commission with no obligation to serve until they become contracted.
By the time they are entering their junior year, any cadets who are not already on scholarship are awarded the $18,000 per year General Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA), which amounts to full tuition at University of Minnesota Duluth or University of Wisconsin-Superior. This award is granted for two years.
What is a commissioned officer?
Distinct from enlisting in the armed forces, which is done via contract, a commission is awarded by the President of the United States. The authority to award commissions is established by the United States Constitution. Congress approves eligible officers, and the President issues commissions to them. Leaders within the armed forces serve as an extension of the President's executive authority over our nation's military by being commissioned and serving as officers.
What is cadet life like?
Cadets pursuing a commission in he Air Force or Space Force through AFROTC are full-time college students also pursuing a bachelor's degree. In addition to classes required for their degree, they will take 2 credits per semester through AFROTC as a freshman and sophomore, and 5 credits per semester through AFROTC as a junior and senior. Cadets are enrolled in two classes at a time, an Aerospace studies course and a Leadership Lab. These courses compliment one another in developing cadets as future officers and leaders.
Aerospace Studies covers topics ranging from USAF/USSF history and organizational structure to national security and leadership concepts. Leadership Lab consists of physical training and the practical application of learning objectives. These range from basics of military etiquette and how to wear a uniform to more complex subjects like planning, executing, and debriefing operations.
Am I guaranteed a commission?
Cadets are competing with their peers nationwide to receive an Enrollment Allocation (EA). These are awarded early in the spring semester of their sophomore year. Factors considered by the board that awards EAs are GPA, physical fitness scores, Air Force Officer Qualification Test scores, and commander's ranking. The number of cadets being selected depends on how many officers Congress has projected for Air Force and Space Force needs. If cadets are selected to commission by receiving an EA, they complete Field Training the summer after their sophomore year. So long as they complete Field Training and continue to meet program standards until graduation, they will commission.
What careers are available to officers?
There are over 120 career specialties for Air Force officers to pursue and 5 for Space Force officers. Space Force officers can serve in space operations, intelligence, cyberspace effects operations, developmental engineering, and acquisition management. Air Force officers can serve as pilots, doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, navigators, missileers, or air battle managers. They could also serve in cyberspace operations, weather, combat rescue, contracting, maintenance, public affairs, security forces, acquisitions, or intelligence... just to name a few!
What is my service commitment after graduation and commissioning?
Most officers have a 4 year service obligation after commissioning. Air Battle Managers and Combat Systems Officers incur a 6 year service commitment, and pilots must serve a minimum of 10 years. This is due to the extra costs incurred by the Air Force to train personnel for these roles. After completing their commitment, officers can choose to continue in service incrementally from assignment to assignment, separate from military service, or continue serving in the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard.
Where will I serve?
This will depend largely depend on which career field you serve in. However, you will typically move every 3-4 years. There are bases all over the continental United States, in Alaska, and in Hawaii. There are also bases located around the world in countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Turkey, South Korea, and Japan. Beyond Air Force installations, there are opportunities to serve with other branches of the armed forces in the U.S, and around the globe!
*For any additional questions, you can contact Captain Nathan Kilgore at [email protected] or 218-726-8223.
Current as of 13 December 2024