Frequently Asked Questions
During your first two years you will be required to participate in an average of 5-7 hours per week towards AFROTC. This consists of the following weekly routine: One to two 90-Minute Leadership Laboratory sessions, two Physical Training sessions, and a 1-hour Air Force studies class. See AFAS Class example here: AFAS Class Schedule Example
Check out the official AFROTC guidance and calculator here: Fitness Requirements | U.S. Air Force ROTC
**If over BMI, conduct body fat measurement according to procedures in DoDI 1308.03.
Physical Training is mandatory 2 days per week, Monday and Wednesday. We work out from 0615-0730. We workout either outside or inside, depending on weather.
Our uniform days are on Leadership Laboratory days, which are Tuesdays and some Thursdays. We will also wear our Physical Training Uniforms for our Monday and Wednesday Physical Training sessions.
No! In fact, the majority of freshmen do not have scholarships before entering the program. You may earn the In-College Scholarship after your Freshman year if you have a competitive GPA, Performance Fitness Assessments scores, Air Force Officer Qualification Test Scores and have completed your Medical Qualification within your first year.
There is no set deadline, however, generally you are required to have at least 3 years remaining as a full time college student to complete the program. Contact the recruiting officer for more information.
Yes. Before the school year begins, prospective cadets can sign up for the Freshman Orientation Training Exercise (FORTE). FORTE involves learning more about the detachment directly from the Cadets, some ice-breaker social activities, and even some introduction to basic Drill and Ceremonies. It’s a great way to meet new people, get to know current detachment Cadets, get to know campus, and get a taste of AFROTC with commitment in a fun, relaxed environment.
No. If you got a 4-year scholarship from high school, then the first year of college is paid for and you can quit at the end of your freshman year with no obligation. If you got a 3-year scholarship from high school or college then you are not committed to the Air Force until you accept your scholarship (usually in the fall of your sophomore year). If you didn’t get any scholarship, then you are not committed to joining the Air Force until you start your junior year of college.
With Air Force ROTC, we provide you with lots of opportunities to see what the Air Force is about before signing up. And while you’re waiting, you are getting college out of the way and having a lot of fun.
No. Any student (graduate or undergraduate) with at least three years remaining should be eligible for our program. So, if you’re a second-semester freshman, a sophomore, or have at least three years remaining in your graduate studies, you can apply to join. Graduate students require a waiver based on Outstanding and Deserving criteria. Also, graduate students are ineligible to receive AFROTC Scholarships. Contact afrotc@iastate.edu for more information.
The fact that a cadet may have an Air Force ROTC scholarship has no bearing on an Air Force career, nor does it make any difference while in the Air Force ROTC program.
Yes you can. Three or four years of Junior ROTC (JROTC) can be considered equal to two semesters of the General Military Course (GMC), and two years is equal to one year of the GMC pending Det/CC review. No credit is given for less than two years of JROTC training.
Most officers have a four-year commitment. For pilots, it’s ten years after pilot training, and six years for navigators after training. Air Battle Managers have a six-year commitment.
No. The vast majority of Air Force jobs do not involve flying at all. In the civilian world there are thousands of jobs and careers – doctors, lawyers, law enforcement, engineers, financial careers, and human resources management to name a few. For almost every civilian job out in the work force, there is an Air Force officer counterpart performing a similar job.
No. Your academic major plays a minor role in pilot and navigator selection. You can major in any degree program and compete to receive a pilot or navigator slot in Air Force ROTC. You can even be on an Air Force ROTC scholarship in an engineering or science major and compete on an equal basis for a flying position.
Yes. If you served for at least 180 days or longer on active duty, you could receive up to four semesters worth of credit. If you served in the Guard or Reserve, you could get up to two semesters for Basic Military Training and one creditable year of service and up to four semesters for having attended Airman Leadership School and having two creditable years of service.
Yes, for the following reasons:
It gives you more time to participate in Air Force ROTC without obligation, to gain experience and to decide whether you want to apply for the advanced program, the POC.
You will have the opportunity to apply for scholarships if eligible.
You can retake the Air Force Officer Qualification (AFOQT) test to improve your scores and have more time to attain a passing PFA score.
The Det Commander can give credit for part of the GMC to cadets who receive the Spaatz, Earhart, and Mitchell Awards during any academic term of the GMC.
It depends. Check out the Flying Requirements for more information.