Cadet Life
AFROTC School
As an AFROTC cadet, school is your first priority. You are here to get your degree first, and to train to become an officer in the Air Force second. You'll typically take two Aerospace Studies (AS) courses; between them, cadets typically spend three or four hours per week in their Air Force classes, and three hours a week in physical fitness training sessions.
You'll participate in an AS course that meets once a week, designed to help you learn in an academic setting about what the Air Force is, what the Air Force can offer, and what traits the Air Force cultivates in people so that they may be effective leaders inside or outside the Air Force.
You'll also participate in a separate Leadership Lab course that also meets once a week, led by Professional Officer Course (POC) cadets in their junior and senior years. Leadership Lab is designed to give all cadets the opportunity to use their developing leadership skills in a practical setting, as well as to provide a forum for cadets to learn more about what opportunities are available in the Air Force. Leadership Lab activities vary from week to week; one week might give you the opportunity to meet with current Air Force officers to learn what their jobs are like, the next might find you out in the field praticing orienteering and small unit tactics.
As part of their Leadership Lab requirements, cadets are required to participate in physical training (PT) sessions. Typically, we meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for one hour per day. These sessions are designed to promote cadet fitness and provide cadets with an opportunity to prepare for the Physical Fitness Assessment, a measurement of fitness that all cadets take once per semester. PT provides a positive environment for cadets to challenge themselves and motivate others to achieve their physical fitness goals.
Extracurricular Activities
Air Force ROTC strives to provide you with a wide variety of professional and social activities. You can choose to be involved as much or as little as you want in these other activities. These are great opportunities to meet other people and have a lot of fun.
Dances, Dinners, Picnics and Parties - During the year, formal and informal activities are planned to complement the academic schedule. Don't miss these activities because they are a lot of fun!
Pershing Rifles/Honor Guard - This is a team of proficient cadets that perform in various formal ceremonies, sports events and parades throughout the year.
Base Visits - Every year we are allowed one formal base visit where cadets visit at least one Air Force Base and see first-hand how the Air Force functions. If there is an opportunity we may even fly to our base visit on an Air Force plane.
Service Organizations - Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings are two voluntary organizations that provide many social and community service activities to develop your professional abilities. As a member of one of these organizations you can further hone your leadership skills.
i5 Space - This national student organization that operates in conjunction with the U.S. Space Force's Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) aims to deliver education, training, and professional development resources to students who are interested in pursuing a career in the Space Force.
Civil Air Patrol - Any cadet can participate in the Civil Air Patrol, where you can fly with experienced pilots. When flying with an experienced instructor pilot you can even log those hours.
Flight Activities - As a cadet, you will be part of a flight of 12 to 15 cadets. You will meet together weekly to become better friends, work on projects, practice your military skills, and compete against other flights.
Service Projects - You will get the chance to volunteer to help out your local community in a variety of ways. Our goal is to have at least one formal service project each semester.
PDT - During the summer there are various opportunities to expand your Air Force experience. Some of these are: Cultural Immersion, Foreign Language Immersion, USAF Academy Freefall Parachute Training, Space Orientation, or shadow an Air Force officer or NCO in a duty area which interests you.
Facilities - In the Military Science Building, there is a computer room just for the cadets, a pool table, and a Warrior Room where the cadets can relax and spend time together watching TV or playing video games.