Air Force ROTC/Aerospace Studies

College of Engineering and Architecture

The Air Force is not just airplanes and pilots. It's men and women who are integral parts of a closely knit organization. Air Force members proudly work at their profession and serve their country while they're serving themselves. The Air Force wants people who are leaders - people willing to show the way. Air Force ROTC and your college degree give you the leadership credentials needed to enter the demanding and challenging profession of an Air Force officer. Every assignment calls for dedication, hard work and discipline, but each offers many personal rewards. You can be an Air Force officer. Read on.

What's the Purpose of Air Force ROTC?

The Air Force ROTC mission is to commission second lieutenants through the campus program offered at North Dakota State University. Additionally, NDSU's Department of Aerospace Studies offers this program for students at Concordia College, Mayville State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) and the University of North Dakota (UND). In addition, Park University, Central Michigan University, and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University students at the Grand Forks Air Force Base may participate in the program. Students enrolled in Air Force ROTC earn college credits that can be used to fulfill elective requirements or to obtain a minor in aerospace studies. All full-time college or graduate students enrolled at the above named schools can pursue an Air Force commission.

What Is an Air Force Commission?

An Air Force commission is your ticket to work in top professional and management jobs in the United States Air Force. Only college graduates can obtain an Air Force commission, which is granted by the President of the United States..

Does a Flying Profession Interest You?

The Air Force owns the most modern aircraft in the world, and has the jobs available for pilots, navigators and air weapons controllers. Now is the time to consider flying for the Air Force. Both pilot and navigator goals are on the rise. Those who meet the demanding physical, medical and academic qualifications and are selected as pilot candidates, will attend Air Force pilot training as their first active duty assignment.

Does a Technical or Management Career Interest You?

Air Force ROTC graduates have opportunities in more than 250 specialized fields where their education and training can be utilized. These specialties include physicists, space scientists, journalists, doctors, dentists, meteorologists, engineers, security and intelligence specialists, nurses and many others.

The General Military Course

The four-year program begins with the General Military Course (GMC). It takes about three to four hours a week. Here you'll learn the mission and structure of the Air Force and take a look at military life. You will study the strategies, doctrines and missions of aerospace power from balloons to today's use of space vehicles. You will learn about Air Force career opportunities, educational benefits and life and work as an Air Force officer.

The Professional Officer Course

The Professional Officer Course (POC) is a two-year course taken during the junior and senior years. You'll begin this course with an in-depth look at leadership styles and their applications. You'll analyze the role of the armed forces in today's American society. You'll examine a broad range of American domestic and international military relationships and the environmental context in which American national security policy is developed and carried out. The class is combined with the Leadership Lab where leadership and management theory are applied. You'll take part in group discussions, case studies and individual and group problem-solving. Cadets also participate in creating the vision and strategic plan for the cadet corps. You earn three credits each term for the academic courses. You must apply for the POC as a sophomore and only selected students are allowed to enroll in courses.

The Curriculum

The Air Force ROTC education program provides pre-professional preparation for future U.S. Air Force officers. It is designed to develop men and women who can use their education as commissioned officers on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. In order to receive a commission, Air Force ROTC students must complete all requirements for a degree in accordance with University rules and regulations, as well as complete the following courses specified by the Air Force:

Earn While You Learn

All contracted cadets earn a stipend of $250 - $400 per month depending upon academic year in which the student is enrolled. This stipend is tax free.

Scholarships

Air Force ROTC one- to four-year college scholarships are available on a competitive basis to high school and college students. Scholarship recipients are selected using the whole person concept. This includes objective factors (grade point average and SAT/ACT scores) and subjective factors (interview evaluation). The AFROTC Scholarship Program can provide full tuition, lab fees and money for books.

Two-year Program

We offer a special two-year program for the convenience of transfer students, graduate students or others who did not take the first two years of AFROTC. Students enrolled in this program may apply for an incentive scholarship of $3,000 per year plus money for books. A term GPA of 2.0 or better is required.

Field Training

As an Air Force ROTC student you will attend field training at an Air Force base usually in the summer between your sophomore and junior years to get an exciting, first-hand look at the Air Force in action. You spend time with officers, many of whom earned their commissions through Air Force ROTC. You also participate in many challenging activities - sports, practical leadership training, academics, aircraft and aircrew orientation, firearm qualifications, survival training, human relations, equal opportunity training and other Air Force work and leisure activities. The Air Force provides uniforms, lodging and meals at no charge. You are paid for travel to and from your home, as well as training itself. In the two-year program, cadets attend a six week course, while the four year program cadets attend a four-week camp.

Professional Development Training Programs

You will have the opportunity to volunteer for Professional Development Training (PDT) Programs. If selected, you spend varied amounts of time at an Air Force base. An active duty Air Force unit sponsors you and provides an excellent career orientation. You spend time with young officers (on the job and in social settings) and see, first-hand, what an Air Force officer does. PDT opportunities include soaring in a glider and free fall training at the United States Air Force Academy, shadow and internship opportunities at various stateside and overseas Air Force bases and cultural immersion programs overseas.

Obligation

If you're a nonscholarship student, you incur no obligation to the Air Force during your freshman and sophomore years of school or during summer field training. You are able to keep many options open while you take an in-depth look at the Air Force. The length of your active duty commitment after graduation is determined by the program you pursue. This commitment is normally four years for nonflying officers and longer for flying officers.

Guaranteed Job/Salary/Benefits

Students who successfully complete all Air Force ROTC curriculum and degree requirements enter active duty as a Second Lieutenant. The Air Force offers a benefits package that is hard to beat. You can expect:

• starting salary of more than $35,000,
• tax-free government housing and food allowances,
• 30 days of vacation with pay each year,
• comprehensive medical and dental care,
• $250,000 low-cost life insurance and
• wide variety of recreational facilities.

Contact Information

Unit Director of Admissions

AFROTC Detachment 610
North Dakota State University
Bentson Bunker Building 101
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8186
Fax: (701) 231-5159
Email: NDSU.afrotc@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/afrotc

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

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