Air Force Aerospace Studies
Lieutenant Adam Messer, DEPARTMENT HEAD
PROFESSOR: Lt A Messer
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: Maj K. Blackman, Capt C. Rouleau
Mission
The mission of AFROTC is to develop leaders of character for tomorrow’s Air Force and Space Force. The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win...airpower anytime, anywhere. The United States Space Force (USSF) is a military service that organizes, trains, and equips space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force. Successful graduates of the program receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force or Space Force.
Educational Objectives
Students who successfully complete the AFROTC program will develop:
- An understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of Air and Space.
- A basic understanding of associated professional knowledge.
- A strong sense of personal integrity, honor, and individual responsibility.
- An appreciation of the requirements for national security.
Air Force ROTC Programs
There are two traditional routes to an Air Force commission through Air Force ROTC. Entering students may enroll in the Air Force Four-Year Program. Students with at least three academic years remaining in college may apply for the Accelerated Program.
Four- or Five-Year Program
The preferred program is the traditional Four-Year Program. To enroll, simply register for Air Force Aerospace Studies in the fall term of the freshman year in the same manner as other college courses. There is NO MILITARY OBLIGATION for the first two years of Air Force ROTC unless you have an Air Force ROTC scholarship.
The first two years are known as the General Military Course (GMC). Classes meet one hour per week and are required for freshmen and sophomores.
Individuals who successfully complete the GMC compete nationwide for entry into the Professional Officers Course (POC). POC classes meet three hours per week and are required for all juniors and seniors. Officer Candidates enrolled in the POC and on scholarship receive a nontaxable subsistence allowance of up to $500 each month.
Qualified Officer candidates will attend the Air Force ROTC field-training program for four weeks, usually between their sophomore and junior years.
Accelerated Program
For students who do not enroll in Air Force ROTC during their first year in college, it is possible to condense the two years of GMC membership into a single year, as long as the student has three more years of college left.
Other Aspects of the AFROTC Program
Leadership Laboratory:
Air Force ROTC officer candidates participate in a Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) where the leadership skills and management theories acquired in the classroom are put into practice. The LLAB meets once each week for approximately two hours.
This formal military training is largely planned and directed by the officer candidates. The freshmen and sophomores are involved in such initial leadership experiences as problem solving, dynamic leadership, team building, Air Force customs and courtesies, drill movements, Air Force educational benefits, Air Force career opportunities, and preparation for field training. The juniors and seniors are involved in more advanced leadership experiences as they become responsible for the planning and organizing of wing activities, including conducting the Leadership Laboratory itself.
Field Training:
The summer program is designed to develop military leadership, discipline, and evaluate performance. At the same time, the Air Force can evaluate each student’s potential as an officer. Field training includes: expeditionary operations, Air Force professional development, marksmanship training, physical fitness, and survival training.
Base Visits:
Air Force ROTC officer candidates may have the opportunity to visit Air Force bases for firsthand observation of the operating Air Force.
Additional Information:
In addition to formal activities, the cadet wing plans and organizes a full schedule of social events throughout the academic year. These include a Dining-In, Military Ball, a Field Day, and intramural sports activities. Professional Development Training Programs, such as Advanced Cyber Education, internships with the National Reconnaissance Office, combative training, and global cultural language and immersion training may also be available to selected volunteer officer candidates during the summer. Students may also participate in Arnold Air Society, Drill Team, and Civil Air Patrol, among other activities.
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Air Force Aerospace Studies
Classes
AS 1001: Heritage and Values I (General Military Course)
The AS 1000 sequence of courses are survey courses designed to introduce students to the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Featured topics include mission and organization of the Air Force, officership and professionalism, military customs and courtesies, and Air Force officer career opportunities. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for Air Force ROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
AS 1002: Heritage and Values II (General Military Course)
Continuation of AS1001. Topics include Air Force core values, leadership principles, group leadership dynamics, and an introduction to communication skills. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
AS 1003: Heritage and Values III (General Military Course)
Continuation of AS1002. Topics include Air Force core values, leadership principles, group leadership dynamics, and an introduction to communication skills. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
AS 1004: Heritage and Values IV (General Military Course)
Continuation of AS1003. Topics include Air Force core values, leadership principles, group leadership dynamics, and an introduction to communication skills. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
AS 2001: Team and Leadership Fundamentals I (General Military Course)
The AS 2000 sequence of courses are designed to provide a fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building. The lessons and course flow are designed to prepare cadets for field training and leadership positions in the detachment. In addition, the students will continue to discuss the importance of the Air Force core values through the use of operational examples and historical Air Force leaders, and will continue to develop their communication skills. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
AS 2002: Team and Leadership Fundamentals II (General Military Course)
Continuation of AS2001. Topics include full-range leadership, problem solving, motivation, and continued development of communication skills. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
AS 2003: Team and Leadership Fundamentals III (General Military Course)
Continuation of AS2002. Topics include team building, Human Relations, conflict management, and continued development of communication skills. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
AS 2004: Team and Leadership Fundamentals IV (General Military Course)
Continuation of AS2003. Topics include ethical decision making, stress management, leadership capstone, and continued development of communication skills. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
AS 3001: Leading People and Effective Communication I (Professional Officer Course)
The AS 3000 sequence of courses is a study utilizes cadet’s field training experience to take a more in-depth look at leadership. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing communication skills, and why that is important as a leader. Cadets have an opportunity to try out these leadership and management techniques in a supervised environment as juniors and seniors. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experience in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.
AS 3002: Leading People and Effective Communication II (Professional Officer Course)
Continuation of AS3001. Topics include, Bias, Managing Diversity & Inclusion, Cross-Cultural Competence, Managing Competing Priorities, and continued development of communication and leadership skills. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experience in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.
AS 3003: Leading People and Effective Communication III (Professional Officer Course)
Continuation of AS3002. Topics include, Leadership theory, mentoring, Professionalism is a Decision, Ethical Decision-Making: Boundaries, Self-Awareness, and continued development of communication and leadership skills. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experience in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.
AS 3004: Leading People and Effective Communication IV (Professional Officer Course)
Continuation of AS3003. Topics include, Creating a Vision, Organizational Climate, Establishing Expectations, Theory and innovation, and continued development of communication and leadership skills. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experience in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.
AS 4001: National Security/Commissioning Preparation I (Professional Officer Course)
The AS 4000 sequence of courses is designed for college seniors and gives them the foundation to understand their role as military officers and how they are directly tied to our National Security Strategy. It is an overview of the complex social and political issues facing the military profession and requires a measure of sophistication commensurate with the senior college level. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experience in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.
AS 4002: National Security/Commissioning Preparation II (Professional Officer Course)
Continuation of AS4101. Topics include, Air Force Domains, The Total Force, Defense Support of Civil Authority, Law of War, How the Air Force Deploys, Global Hot Spots, and continued emphasis is given to the refinement of communication and leadership skills. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experience in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.
AS 4003: National Security/Commissioning Preparation III (Professional Officer Course)
Continuation of AS4102. Topics include, Base Agencies, Professional/Unprofessional Relationships, Leadership Authority and Responsibility, Religious Accommodation, Suicide Prevention, Military Justice, and continued emphasis is given to the refinement of communication and leadership skills. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experience in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.
AS 4004: National Security/Commissioning Preparation IV (Professional Officer Course)
Continuation of AS4103. Topics include, Corrective Supervision and Counseling, Blended Retirement System, Enlisted and Officer Evaluation systems, Pay, Allowances and leave, Career Progression, the Oath of Office, and continued emphasis is given to the refinement of communication and leadership skills. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experience in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.