Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Program
AFROTC is a college program offered at more than 1,100 campuses across the country. It prepares young men and women to become leaders in the Air Force, but it is also much more. Students grow mentally and physically as they acquire strong leadership skills that will benefit them as an Air Force Officer and in life. In addition, unlike many college students, AFROTC students will have a position waiting for them after graduation in the U.S. Air Force.
AFROTC is a program structured like a college program that focuses on developing leaders. ROTC courses are considered electives for which students receive academic credit. The Aerospace studies courses are designed to supplement a regular degree program by offering practical leadership and management experience.
To become a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Air Force, students must complete the three- or four-year AFROTC program.
Four-year Program Details
This program is designed for incoming freshmen and/or any student with four years remaining until degree completion. It consists of three parts: the General Military Course (GMC) for lower division (normally freshmen and sophomore) students; the Professional Officer Course (POC) for upper division students (normally juniors and seniors); and the AFROTC Leadership Laboratory (LLAB, attended by all cadets). Completion of a summer field training course is required prior to commissioning.
General Military Course (GMC)
The first section of AFROTC, the GMC (AFAS 1000/2000-level courses) is a level offered to freshmen and sophomores who meet the minimum requirements. It consists of 1 credit hour of classroom work and 2 hours of Leadership Laboratory each week. The GMC is designed to improve communication skills and provide a window into military life. It is an opportunity for students to try out the program with no obligation (for those not on an AFROTC scholarship).
Professional Officer Course (POC)
After completing GMC requirements, if students wish to be considered for entry into the last two years of the program, the POC, they must meet certain requirements. This system uses qualitative factors, such as grade point average, unit commander evaluation and aptitude test scores, to determine if a candidate has officer potential. After selection, before entering the POC, you must successfully complete a summer field training at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Once you’re enrolled in POC, you’ll attend 3-credit hour of classroom work (AFAS 3000/4000 level courses) and two hours of AFROTC Leadership Laboratory every week.
Three-year Program Details
The three-year program consists of the first two years of GMC courses taken concurrently in one year. The student then attends the summer field training, and completes two years of advanced POC courses.
AFROTC Leadership Laboratory
All AFROTC cadets must attend the AFROTC Leadership Lab (2 hours per week). The laboratory involves a study of Air Force customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, dress and appearance, career opportunities, and the life and work of an Air Force officer.
Scholarship Information
Two-year, three-year and four-year college scholarships are available to eligible high school seniors, who apply before December 1 of their senior year. Scholarship students receive tuition and fees, book allowance per semester, and allowance per month. Students interested in the scholarship program should contact the AFROTC Unit Admissions Officer (julio.mueckay@colorado.edu) no later than the beginning of the spring semester to apply for the following academic year. A complete listing of all available AFROTC scholarships is available at www.afrotc.com.
Registration and Credits
AFROTC courses serve as elective credits in most departments. Elective course credit toward the student’s degree for AFROTC classes will be determined by the academic advisor. Students who wish to register for Air Force ROTC classes do so through the normal course registration process at UCCS. AFROTC classes begin with the AFAS prefix. For more information about AFROTC, contact the Air Force ROTC Unit Admissions Officer (julio.mueckay@colorado.edu). The department is located at University Office Park - 1861 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Ste. 101, Colorado Springs, CO, 80918.
