Are there any restrictions as to what students select as their academic majors?

There are no major restrictions. We encourage cadets to enroll in a curriculum they are interested in and have the capability to succeed. AFROTC cadets must maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) above a 2.0 and attain their degree within the time period planned. Higher GPA requirements may occur depending on whether a cadet is applying for a scholarship or if they are on a scholarship. Certain career fields in the Air Force do require certain degrees. Please contact the detachment for information on the career field you are interested in.

Can a student take Air Force ROTC classes if they do not want to join the Air Force after Graduation?

There is no service commitment for students who only take the Aerospace Studies classes with no intention of becoming an Air Force officer. For these types of students, it is only another class. They do not attend Physical Training or Leadership lab. If students are interested in becoming an officer, there is still no service commitment during the first two years of the AFROTC program (the General Military Course) unless they have an AFROTC scholarship. If they decide to stay and join the Professional Officer Course the last two years of the program, they’ll have to sign a contract with the Air Force committing to go on active duty after graduation. For AFROTC scholarship students, they are obligated once they have activated the scholarship and have entered their sophomore year.

Can Air Force ROTC Cadets participate in Intramural sports?

Yes, Air Force ROTC cadets are allowed to participate in intramural sports and other extracurricular activities as long as they are still able to maintain their grades and meet all AFROTC requirements.

Can Air Force ROTC graduates continue their education beyond their undergraduate degree?

Yes, the Air Force offers several opportunities to do so. In some cases, cadets that are near graduation can request an educational delay to pursue specific graduate degrees, such as medical school or other Department of Defense, and Air Force-sponsored programs. In most cases, cadets must apply for these programs as they are not affiliated with Air Force ROTC.

While on active duty, Air Force officers are given many other opportunities to further their education. Between GI Bill benefits and tuition assistance (TA), many officers pursue graduate degrees in fields of their interest. Air Force officers also attend various forms of Professional Military Education (PME) that focus on leadership and advancing their expertise in their respective career fields.

Can someone participate in Air Force ROTC without a scholarship?

Yes! Many of our students do not start with a scholarship but earn one eventually. At any given time, about 80 percent of our students receive financial assistance, but they are not required to receive a scholarship to complete the program and graduate as an officer in the Air Force.

Do all cadets have to become a pilot or navigator (Combat Systems Officer)?

No. The vast majority of Air Force jobs do not involve flying at all. The Air Force offers a multitude of career options. For more information about the many careers available, check out the Life After ROTC page.

Do I have to join Air Force ROTC as a freshman?

No, but cadets must participate in the program for at least three years in order to meet all Air Force ROTC graduation requirements. If an individual is already close to finishing their bachelor’s degree, we recommend looking into Officer Training School, which is an officer commissioning program designed for those who already have their bachelor’s degree.

Do I need 20/20 vision to be a pilot in the Air Force?

Not necessarily. Check out the Medical Requirements for more information.

How much time do cadets spend with Air Force ROTC each week?

Each week cadets are required to attend Air Force ROTC classes, Leadership Lab, and physical fitness training (this equates to approximately five class hours per week for freshmen and sophomores and seven class hours per week for juniors and seniors). In addition, cadets will have individual preparation for these activities, to include homework assignments and uniform preparation. Cadets attending crosstown schools should factor in the time to commute to the host university.

I did not receive an Air Force ROTC scholarship before starting college; are there scholarship opportunities while attending college?

Yes, students can participate in Air Force ROTC without a scholarship. We also have some scholarships that students can compete for after joining the program. Please contact us to discuss AFROTC in-college scholarship opportunities. Additionally, see the In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP) section.

If I join Air Force ROTC, does that mean I am joining the military?

Not immediately. While the purpose of Air Force ROTC is to commission officers for the U.S. Air Force, cadets are not in the military until after graduation. Keep in mind that to fulfill all AFROTC requirements, at some point during your college years they will need to sign a commitment stating that they will join the Air Force as an officer after graduating. If a high school student receives a four-year scholarship through our High School Scholarship Program, then the first year of college will be paid for, and they can quit at the end of their freshman year with no obligation. If a student is offered a scholarship while already in college, then they are not committed to the Air Force until they accept their scholarship (usually in the fall of their sophomore year). Cadets that are not on a scholarship are not committed to joining the Air Force until the start of their junior year of college. With AFROTC, we provide students with lots of opportunities to see what the Air Force is about before they make any kind of commitment.

Is a major in Aerospace Engineering required to become a pilot or Combat Systems Officer (navigator)?

No. Academic major plays a minor role in Pilot and Combat Systems Officer selection. Cadets can major in any degree program and compete to receive a Pilot or Combat Systems Officer slot in Air Force ROTC.

Is Air Force ROTC the only way to become an Air Force officer?

Other commissioning opportunities exist through the United States Air Force Academy and Officer Training School (OTS). For more information, visit the Air Force Academy Website. Officer Training School is a program for individuals who already have their bachelor’s degree. Visit the Officer Training School page for more information.

For lawyers, chaplains, and medical professionals, Commissioned Officer Training is a program designed for professionals who want to become officers in the Air Force. Visit the COT page for more information.

Is participating in High School Junior ROTC required to join college Air Force ROTC?

No. In fact, the majority of students enrolled in college ROTC were not involved in the Junior ROTC program while in high school.

What is the commitment to the Air Force upon graduation?

Most officers have a four-year active-duty service commitment. Those selected to be pilots incur a 10-year commitment upon completion of pilot training, and individuals selected to be Combat Systems Officers or Air Battle Managers incur a six-year commitment after training.

What is the difference between Junior ROTC in High School and Air Force ROTC in college?

The mission of the high school Junior ROTC program is to build leaders and better citizens for America. The mission of the college Air Force ROTC program is to produce leaders of character for the Air Force.

When do Air Force ROTC cadets the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT)?

The AFOQT is a standardized test that measures verbal and mathematical aptitude (similar to the SAT and ACT) as well as additional aptitudes relevant to specific career fields. Cadets typically take the AFOQT during their sophomore year of Air Force ROTC. More information about the AFOQT can be found in the AFROTC academic standards website.

When will cadets know what job they will be doing for the Air Force as an officer?

Cadets compete in a selection process that factors in their Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT) scores, Field Training performance ratings, grade point averages (GPAs), academic major, Physical Fitness Test (PFT) scores, and their Detachment Commander’s rating. They will know their specific Air Force job category approximately six months before they are commissioned.

When are cadets issued military uniforms?

Cadets at Det 90 are generally issued uniforms during their sophomore year and wear the Informal Uniform (IU) to Aerospace Studies classes and Leadership Lab (LLAB) during the freshman year.

What is the Informal Uniform (IU)?

The Informal Uniform (IU) consists of a black polo shirt, khaki pants, and brown or black shoes and belt.  It can be seen in several of the photos on this site.  Detachment polos (optional) are available for purchase through the Dactyls Student Organization.

Will I have to shave my beard or wear my hair in a bun?

Yes, male cadets will have to shave their beards.  Hair regulations have recently changed to allow additional hairstyles for female cadets, including pony tails and braids. Male cadets must be clean shaven in uniform and all cadets must follow Air Force standards of dress and appearance during official functions.  More information on the regulations for uniform wear, grooming, and hair standards can be found in AFI36-2903 Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel.

Can I pursue a medical career at Det 90?

Yes!  Cadets can apply for medical careers through either the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUSHS) or the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program (AFHPSP) which involves attending a civilian medical school.

Step 1:  Connect with CSU’s Health Professions Advising.  

Step 2:  Choose the right major.  You are able to major in any subject when deciding to study medicine, however, you must take a certain set of undergraduate classes to meet pre-medical requirements (requirements vary by medical school).  We recommend choosing an eligible major for a Type I scholarship (i.e. Chemistry).

Step 3:  Take the MCAT.  We recommend taking the MCAT no later than spring semester junior year.

Step 4:  Apply to the Cadet Pre-Health Selection Board.  The board for selecting Pre-Health cadets will come through a message from HQ AFROTC to your detachment cadre.  When your cadre sends out the calling message, it will contain important information regarding application requirements and suspenses.  You will also need to submit a memorandum to your detachment commander for approval to compete for a non-line commission in the Pre-Health category.

Step 5:  Gain acceptance into accredited medical school or USUHS.  We recommend you apply for civilian medical schools at the end of your junior year or beginning of your senior year.  If you receive an unconditional acceptance letter from an accredited medical school, bring a copy of the letter to your detachment cadre as soon as possible.  See the USUHS website for more information.

• Pre-Health cadets not accepted into an accredited medical school prior to graduation have two options.  They either enter active duty as a line officer or apply for an educational delay.  For more information about educational delays, contact your detachment cadre or the AFPC Educational Delay Program Manager at 210-565-2638.

Step 6:  Your detachment forwards your acceptance letter to HQ AFPC/DPANE (Physician Education Branch).  When the Physician Education Branch receives confirmation of your acceptance to medical school, they will email a contract and pay package to the detachment for completion.  

Step 7:  Cadet completes contract and pay package.  The detachment will assist you in completing the required forms and will submit the complete package to HQ AFPC/DPANE (Physician Education Branch) by the suspense.

Can I practice law in the Air Force?

The Graduate Law Program (GLP) is a two-year Air Force ROTC program for law students.  Once selected for the GLP, students are guaranteed a position as an Air Force Judge Advocate upon successful completion of the Air Force ROTC program, graduation from an ABA-approved law school, and completion of legal licensing requirements, including admission to practice before any state’s highest court.  More information can be found about this career field on the Air Force JAG Website.