Air Force ROTC Center for Aerospace Studies

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Lieutenant Colonel John Frederick, Commander
Department Office: Myers Technology Center, Room 203
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/afrotc/
E-mail:  john.frederick@indstate.edu

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at Indiana State University is offered through the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology and taught by active duty Air Force officers or contracted personnel assigned as ROTC faculty. Credits earned in the program can count as elective credit toward any degree program at the University. All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to enroll in Air Force ROTC courses; however, entry into the Professional Officer Course is limited to qualified students who have been selected to pursue an Air Force or Space Force commission. Students completing the entire program receive a commission and enter the active duty Air Force  or Space Force as a Second Lieutenant.  AFROTC also offers a military leadership minor.

Four-Year Program. The AFROTC curriculum normally spans four years. The first two years allow non-scholarship individuals to try the program without any obligation, while the last two years are for those who complete field training and wish to pursue a career in the Air Force or Space Force.

Three-Year Program. In the AFROTC three-year program, the last two years are identical to the four-year program. The only difference is those in the three-year program must complete the first two years of the four year program in one year.  Please call or visit our detachment for more information on this program.

AFROTC Field Training. Prior to commissioning, normally between a student’s sophomore and junior year, all cadets must attend a Field Training session at Maxwell Air Force Base and Vigilant Warrior Training Center in Alabama. Field Training is an opportunity to develop your skills as a leader and team member.  You’ll do that through physical, survival, leadership, and marksmanship training. Field Training also includes drill and ceremonies, an obstacle course and Air Force orientations.

Financial Assistance. Scholarships can be earned to pay for tuition, textbooks, and laboratory fees. For cadets on scholarship, a tax-free monthly allowance, ranging from $300 to $500 per month, is also provided for the academic year. College students are eligible to be considered for the In-College Scholarship Program. Scholarships are available for students pursuing particular Air Force careers or majoring in certain academic disciplines. Health professions scholarships are also available to qualified students in any academic major who intend to go on to medical school. Nursing scholarships are available to qualified students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing.  Uniforms and books for Air Force ROTC classes are furnished at no charge to students. 

Even if you’re not on scholarship, as a cadet you can still receive a $300 to $500 per month tax-free monthly allowance during your junior and senior years. The money is used to help offset living expenses. You can major in almost anything. However, students who earn technical and science (e.g., math, chemistry, physics, computer science, meteorology, any type of engineering), or foreign language degrees fill our greatest needs and are therefore among the most sought after.  Scholarship funds are based on availability of government funding.

Professional Organizations. Arnold Air Society is a professional, honorary, service organization composed of cadets in the Air Force ROTC Program. Cadets are selected for membership based on personal merit and academic achievement. The goal of this organization is to enhance the Air Force ROTC programs and to project the image of the United States Air Force on the University campus and in the surrounding community. Silver Wings is a co-ed organization primarily composed of University students who are not cadets (although cadets can join). Membership is open to the entire University population and is based on personal merit. Silver Wings is a national, professional organization dedicated to creating proactive, knowledgeable, and effective civic leaders through community service and education about national defense.

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