Academics
“The typical day of an ROTC cadet, really, the bulk of it is taking their courses to pursue their academic degree. On top of that, they may have Leadership Laboratory or you may have your Air Force Science class as well. Before all that even starts, you wake up bright and early for physical training.
You are around people who have similar goals and values. One thing that unites us is that same desire to serve. The cadets do form friendships and relationships with their peers, you make those bonds, you take classes together, so by the time you are finished the program, you do have those lifelong friends.”
General Military Course (GMC) The General Military Course (GMC) covers a cadet’s first two years in Air Force ROTC. During this phase, cadets take introductory aerospace studies classes and participate in mandatory Leadership Laboratory each week, where they build foundational skills in military customs, leadership, and followership. Throughout the GMC, cadets work to earn selection for Field Training, a competitive requirement they must complete in order to advance into the Professional Officer Course (POC) and continue on the path to commissioning. | |
AS100 | The Foundations Of The United States Air Force (03:690:121 / 122 – 1 credit) Survey course designed to introduce students to the United States Air Force and encourage participation in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Featured topics include: overview of ROTC; special programs offered through ROTC; mission and organization of the Air Force; brief history of the Air Force; introduction to leadership and leadership related issues; Air Force Core Values; Air Force officer opportunities; and an introduction to communication skills. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences. Leadership Laboratory I (03:690:171 / 172 - 0 credit) Corequisites: 03:690:121 / 122. Enrollment limited to Air Force ROTC cadets. |
AS200 | The Evolution of Air and Space Power (03:690:221 / 222 – 1 credit) Designed to examine general aspects of air and space power through a historical perspective. Utilizing this perspective, the course covers a time period from the first balloons and dirigibles to the space-age global positioning systems of the Afghan/Iraqi wars. Historical examples are provided to extrapolate the development of Air Force capabilities (competencies) and missions (functions) to demonstrate the evolution of what has become today's USAF air and space power. As a whole, this course provides the students with a knowledge-level understanding for the general element and employment of air and space power from an institutional doctrinal and historical perspective. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences. Leadership Laboratory II (03:690:271 / 272 – 0 credit) Corequisites: 03:690:221 / 222. Enrollment limited to Air Force ROTC cadets. |
Field Training Air Force ROTC Field Training is a three-week, high-intensity leadership and assessment program held each summer at Maxwell AFB, typically between a cadet’s AS200 and AS300 years. The updated model streamlines training while maintaining its rigor, focusing on leadership evaluation, teamwork, military discipline, and physical fitness. Cadets rotate through leadership positions, complete daily PT and drill, and receive instruction on Air Force values, resilience, and operational fundamentals. Hands-on Expeditionary Skills Training and the new Tactical Leadership Course expose cadets to realistic, team-based problem-solving scenarios. Performance is continuously assessed, and successful completion is required to enter the Professional Officer Course and continue toward commissioning in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force. |
Professional Officer Course (POC) The Professional Officer Course (POC) encompasses a cadet’s final two years in Air Force ROTC and emphasizes advanced leadership, management, and officer development. Cadets enter the POC after completing Field Training, contracting with the Air Force, and receiving the CMLA scholarship, which covers tuition and provides a monthly stipend. POC cadets take upper-level aerospace studies courses and lead the cadet wing while preparing for active-duty service. They must be enrolled full-time at a host or crosstown university offering AFROTC classes, with the exception of their final term, during which they may be part-time or not enrolled in other university courses at all, as long as they continue taking their required ROTC classes. | |
AS300 | Air Force Leadership Studies (03:690:323 / 324 – 3 credits) Study of leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel and evaluation systems, leadership ethics, and communication skills required of an Air Force junior officer. Case studies are used to examine Air Force leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of the concepts being studied. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course. Leadership Laboratory III (03:690:371 / 372 - 0 credit) Corequisites: 03:690:323 / 324. Enrollment limited to Air Force ROTC cadets. |
AS400 | National Security Affairs (03:690:423 / 424 – 3 credits) Examines the national security process, regional studies, advanced leadership ethics, and Air Force doctrine. Special topics of interest focus on the military as a profession, officership, military justice, civilian control of the military, preparation for active duty, and current issues affecting military professionalism. Within this structure, continued emphasis is given to refining communication skills. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course. Leadership Laboratory IV (03:690:471 / 472 – 0 credit) Advanced leadership and management skills and their application. |