Programs

Aviation Flight Science

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Michigan State University is an educational program designed to give men and women the opportunity to become an Air Force officer while earning a degree. After successfully completing the program, you will be commissioned a second lieutenant and begin serving as an officer in leadership roles of increasing responsibility and importance in the "active duty" Air Force.

Training to become an officer in the Air Force occurs at over 1000 institutions throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Typically, the training, which occurs in a Four-Year or Two-Year Program, is comprised of the following:

General Military Course (GMC) Academics

The General Military Course (GMC) portion of the program is usually taken during your freshman and sophomore years. This program allows you to "try out" Air Force ROTC for up to two years without incurring any obligation (unless you have accepted an Air Force ROTC scholarship). As you attend class, you will learn about the Air Force and the historical development of air power.

Leadership Laboratory

As an Air Force ROTC cadet, you will also have up to two hours each week to put into practice the leadership skills and management theories presented in class. Leadership Laboratory is a cadet-centered program taken each year to improve a student's leadership skills.

Field Training

If selected, you will usually attend Field Training during the summer before you enter the POC portion of the program. Field Training, which takes place at an Air Force base, offers you a first-hand look at the Air Force environment. While there, you will receive career orientation, junior officer training, aircraft and aircrew orientations, survival training, weapon familiarization and training, physical conditioning, and an overview of the organization and function of an Air Force base.

Professional Officer Course (POC) Academics

The Professional Officer Course (POC) portion of the program is primarily available to:

cadets who have completed the GMC portion of the program
junior college transfer students
students and veterans who have at least two academic years remaining (undergraduate, graduate, or a combination of the two)

The leadership and national defense policy courses are the same for both the Two-Year and the Four-Year program.

You must apply for admission into the POC program. The selection process is competitive, so it is important to apply early (typically in your sophomore year).

Professional Development

A select number of cadets are also chosen to attend (typically during the summer following their freshman or junior academic year) a two-week professional development program on an Air Force base. If you are selected, you will be paid to work and learn. This is a great opportunity to see the Air Force in action. You will see officers doing the same work you will be doing after you graduate.

Scholarships

Air Force ROTC offers Two-Year and Three-Year scholarships to college students in all academic majors, whether liberal arts, technical fields, or pre-medical.

Scholarship inquiries and applications are made directly through the professor of aerospace studies at Michigan State University's Detachment 380. Submissions are made during your freshman, sophomore, or junior year. Other Air Force scholarship opportunities may be available in addition to the programs discussed here. Check with Detachment 380 for the current status of any other open programs.

Student Status

You can join the ROTC program and remain a Western Michigan University student, although you will be required to drive to MSU's campus once a week. Our Leadership Laboratory is held on Thursday from 4:10 pm to 6:10 pm, although there is an alternate time to attend if you have conflicts. You will attend a one-credit class if you are a freshman or sophomore, or a four-credit class if you are a junior or senior. You will be able to sign-up for the program at WMU at the same time you enroll for your other classes. Give us a call to determine what classes you should be enrolled in.

Qualifications

To qualify for the General Military Course, you must:

Be a United States citizen (to receive a scholarship)
Have good moral character
Be a full-time student at Western Michigan University
Be in good physical condition
Be at least 14 years old (17 to receive a scholarship appointment)

To qualify for the Professional Officer Course, you must meet all of the qualifications for the General Military Course and:

Be a United States citizen
Have two academic years remaining
Be physically qualified
Be in good academic standing
Successfully pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
Be interviewed and selected by a board of Air Force officers
Complete a four-week Field Training course (or a five-week course if in the Two-Year Program)
Be 18 years of age or 17 years with parent or legal guardian consent

Obligations

After graduating from college and completing all Air Force ROTC requirements, you will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. Non-flying officers serve four years on active duty, navigators serve six years after training, and pilots serve 10 years after training.

Career Opportunities

The Air Force offers over 100 officer career fields including:

Aircraft	Pilot, Navigator, Maintenance
Space & Missile	Satellite Operations, Space Warning, Missile Launch Operations, Maintenance
Engineering	Research, Development, and Technical Management in various engineering fields
Scientific	Mathematics, Nuclear Physics, Metallurgy, Meteorology
Computer Science	Programming, Systems Analysis, Development
Law	Labor, Claims, International Contracts, Military Justice, Legal Assistance
Health Services	Physician, Osteopathy, Nursing
Management	Intelligence, Security Forces, Personnel, Air Traffic Control, Supply, Finance, Communications and Electronics, Munitions

Benefits

Air Force ROTC

Scholarships pay most college tuition and up to $750 for textbooks.
A monthly, tax free, cash stipend of $250 - $400 a year given during the academic year while on scholarship.
Academic credits toward the completion of most degrees
Visits to Air Force bases and orientation flights aboard Air Force aircraft
Travel on military aircraft on a space available basis while on scholarship or enrolled in the POC portion of the program
Opportunity to delay entering active duty to pursue a graduate degree

Active Duty Air Force

Profession	Rewarding, meaningful, positions of responsibility
Advancement	Promotions based upon job performance
Pay	Competitive salary and allowances
Education	100% tuition assistance towards an advanced degree
Retirement	Opportunity to retire after 20 years with a percentage of base pay
Vacation	30 days of leave with pay each year
Medical Care	Furnished at no cost
Dental Care	Furnished at no cost
Sick Leave	Unlimited: full pay continues
Living Quarters	On-base housing available or off-base housing allowance paid.
Shopping	Save as much as 25% using on-base stores
Social Life	Officer's clubs, swimming, golfing, bowling, and tennis at reduced rates
Travel Allowance	A daily stipend available while on official orders

Information subject to change. For more information without obligation, visit our web page at: www.msu.edu/user/airforce (e-mail: airforce@msu.edu) or visit us at:

AFROTC Detachment 380
104 Bessey Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1033
(517) 355 2168

Also See

Army ROTC »

Army ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. It gives you the tools, training and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, Army ROTC can pay for your college tuition. Because Army ROTC is an elective, you can participate your freshman and sophomore years without any obligation to join the Army. You will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when you graduate, you will be commissioned as an Officer in the Army. At that point, you will have a wide range of interest areas you can specialize in called branches.