Reference Guide

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1 i U.S. AIR FORCE ROTC Reference Guide University of Portland Detachment 695 Air Force ROTC MSC N Willamette Blvd Portland OR x7216 rotc695@up.edu

2 ii AIR FORCE ROTC REFERENCE GUIDE AY Table of Contents WHAT IS AFROTC?... 1 AFROTC AND YOUR FUTURE... 1 PROGRAM OVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL... 2 COLLEGE FRESHMAN YEAR (GMC)... 2 COLLEGE SOPHOMORE YEAR (GMC)... 3 FIELD TRAINING... 3 COLLEGE JUNIOR YEAR (POC)... 3 COLLEGE SENIOR YEAR (POC) SUMMER PROGRAMS... 4 AFROTC MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS GMC... 5 MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS POC... 5 FITNESS REQUIREMENTS MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS MEDICAL EXAMS... 6 SPECIALTY PROGRAMS PILOT... 7 NAVIGATOR MEDICAL... 8 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS ACADEMIC MAJORS HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IN-COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM EXPRESS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTION (HSI) SCHOLARSHIP HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCU) SCHOLARSHIP SUBSIDIES ENLISTED OPPORTUNITIES HOST AND CROSS-TOWN INSTITUTIONS DETACHMENT AIR FORCE OPPORTUNITIES AND REWARDS APPENDIX A CAREERS AND ACADEMIC MAJORS APPENDIX B AFROTC QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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4 1 AIR FORCE ROTC REFERENCE GUIDE Academic Year What is AFROTC? AFROTC stands for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. It is one of three ways that young men and women can become officers in the U.S. Air Force. The others are the Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officer Training School (OTS). However, only AFROTC offers you a chance to get your degree from one of over 900 colleges and universities and receive a commission when you graduate. AFROTC and Your Future In a complex and highly technical world, the Air Force needs dedicated and professional leaders. To meet this need, the AFROTC program trains and commissions college students. They are the men and women who will control the aerospace forces of tomorrow, the engineers and scientists who will develop the advanced systems of the future, and the support personnel who will keep these systems operating. AFROTC includes an educational program that has courses in history, communications, management, and political science all related to the Air Force. The mission of the AFROTC program is to develop quality leaders for the Air Force. We continue to provide this opportunity for thousands of college students each year. We offer scholarships to help the student complete a bachelor s degree, leadership training to prepare them to meet the challenges of the future, and an opportunity to become an officer in the United States Air Force.

5 2 Program Overview Air Force ROTC is typically a four-year or three-year program. There are also two-year program opportunities for Express Scholarship recipients and junior transfers, based on Air Force needs. The program begins with the General Military Course (GMC); typically during a student s freshman and sophomore years. This is followed by a four-week Field Training camp in the summer. If they complete the camp, they enter the Professional Officer s Course (POC) for their junior and senior years. When they complete the AFROTC program and receive their degree, the cadets are commissioned as Second Lieutenants and serve at least four years on active duty. High School High school graduates can join Air Force ROTC at a university that offers the program. Remember that there are over 140 AFROTC detachments servicing over 900 universities. Therefore, you don t have to attend a college or university that has a resident (that is, host ) AFROTC program. However, you do have to attend one that has an affiliation with AFROTC. To join AFROTC, the student will need to register for the freshman Aerospace Studies (AS) class at the nearest host school (see for detachment locations). There are no restrictions on majors, but the student must meet all the requirements for membership. Once enrolled in the program, the student will have to successfully complete the Air Force Officer s Qualifying Test (AFOQT), Physical Fitness Assessment (sit-ups, push-ups, waist measurement, and a 1.5-mile run), and a medical examination. Competition for the High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) is a separate process. For HSSP scholarships, high school students should ideally begin the application process in the spring of their junior year (see Scholarships). College Freshman Year (GMC) During their freshman year students will take the Aerospace Studies (AS) 100 courses (a one credit-hour class each week plus leadership lab). The AS100 class (The Air Force Today) is a survey course designed to introduce students to the United States Air Force and AFROTC. Featured topics include: mission and organization of the Air Force, officership and professionalism, introduction to ethics and values, military customs and courtesies, Air Force officer opportunities, and communication skills. In leadership lab, the student will have an opportunity to practice the leadership skills learned in class and hear from guest speakers, receive special training, and participate in drill (a.k.a. marching). As a new member of the cadet corps, the student will be assigned responsibilities to start their training as a leader. During this first year these

6 3 may be relatively small, but as the cadet moves up in rank and experience the responsibilities will grow. College Sophomore Year (GMC) In their sophomore year the student will take the AS201 course (a one credit-hour class each week) and continue participating in leadership lab. The AS201 class (Evolution of USAF Air & Space Power) is a course designed to provide the basis for understanding the Air Force as an institution and help the cadet transition from the GMC to the POC. Featured topics include: Air Force history, heritage, leaders, and continuing application of communication skills. This course, combined with the cadetled leadership lab, helps the student prepare for Field Training. Field Training Most cadets attend either a 4- or 5-week field training encampment at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. In most cases, field training is the student s first exposure to a working Air Force environment. There, he or she learns and applies leadership and officership theory and techniques. The Field Training program consists of physical conditioning, junior officer training, marksmanship, and expeditionary skills training. The main focus of this program is to give the Air Force an opportunity to evaluate each cadet s potential as an officer. Active duty AF officers from ROTC detachments nationwide provide Field Training instruction. The curriculum is designed to motivate, educate, and evaluate a cadet s leadership potential to become an Air Force officer. Uniforms, lodging, meals, and travel are provided, and cadets are paid a small stipend during training. College Junior Year (POC) In the cadet s junior year, he/she will take AS300 courses (a three credit-hour class each week and leadership lab). The AS301 class (Leadership & Management) is a study of leadership and quality management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force doctrine, 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. During their junior year the cadet will take on significantly greater responsibility in the cadet corps. Cadet positions in the corps may involve being in charge of a vital support function within the cadet wing or supervising a group of other cadets.

7 4 College Senior Year (POC) In the students senior year, they will take AS400 courses (a three credit-hour class each week and leadership lab). The AS401 class (National Security Affairs and Preparation for Active Duty) 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. Outside of class there are many opportunities for each senior cadet to hone their leadership skills; both in leadership lab and with the many functions necessary for operation of the Cadet Wing. As a senior cadet, the student will be involved with the planning and implementation of leadership lab lesson plans. Summer Programs There are several ancillary training programs that may be available for AFROTC cadets during the summer (budget considerations may restrict this list considerably). These programs are not mandatory (except for Field Training and OPS AF-NCO for 4-yr, Type 1 & 2 HSSP recipients), but they are competitive due to limited space. The following listing is not all encompassing and may change from year to year: Freshman-Sophomore Summer Operations Air Force - NCO Opportunity to shadow AF personnel on a base Air Force Academy Freefall Building self-confidence through parachuting Air Force Academy Soaring Opportunity to experience flying in gliders Space Orientation Learn what it takes to operate a satellite Global Engagement Shadow logistics professionals on an AF base Junior-Senior Summer Operations Air Force Brevet Lt Experience the real Air Force first hand by shadowing personnel in the career field you plan on entering Nurse Orientation Program Field Engineering and Research Lab Foreign Language/Culture Immersion Program Cadet Training Assistant at Field Training Advanced Course in Engineering National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Summer Research Program NASA Engineering Research Experience Space Orientation Cadet Combatives Course learn hand-to-hand fighting techniques

8 5 AFROTC Membership Requirements Membership requirements for AFROTC are dependent on which program you enter; i.e., the 4- or 3-Year Program, or 2-Year through a junior transfer or scholarship. Membership Requirements GMC To qualify for the General Military Course (first 2 years of the 4-year program), the student must: Be a student at a school either offering AFROTC or at a school associated with a host AFROTC university Be a U.S. citizen (to receive a scholarship or continue to the POC) Be in good physical condition Have good moral character Be at least 14 years old (17 for scholarship) Membership Requirements POC To qualify for the Professional Officer Course, the student must: Have 2 academic years remaining (undergraduate or graduate) Be a U.S. citizen Be 18 years old (17 with guardian s consent) Be physically qualified (fitness & medical) Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (2.5 per term for scholarship recipients) out of 4.0 Complete a 4-week field training course if a 4-year cadet, a 5-week course if a 3- year or less cadet Complete all commissioning requirements: Pilot/Navigator before age 29 Scholarship not reach age 31 by 31 Dec of the commissioning year Non-scholarship before age 35 Age waivers are required for applicants who will be older than 29 at time of commissioning. Also, you must pass the Air Force Officer s Qualifying Test to receive your commission. Fitness Requirements To qualify for the Professional Officer Course and to activate an Air Force ROTC scholarship, each student must pass a Physical Fitness Assessment and meet our weight and body fat standards. Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) The minimum passing score is 75 out of 100 points.

9 6 There are minimum/maximum benchmarks for the elements of the PFA. Minimums/maximums for cadets under 30 y.o. are as follows: Males: run 13:36, waist measurement to 39.0 inches, pushups 33, situps 42 Females: run 16:22, waist measurement to 35.5 inches, pushups 18, sit-ups percent of the score is based on a 1.5 mile run 20 percent on body composition (waist measurement) 10 percent each on push-ups and sit-ups. Sit-ups and push-ups are timed events (1 minute each) with a 3-5-minute rest period between each of the events. Height and Weight The table below shows the maximum allowable weight for a cadet s height in inches. Height (in) Weight (lbs) Height (in) Weight (lbs) In addition, the Air Force has body fat maximums for men and women: 20% for men up to age 29 (24% thereafter), and 28% for women up to age 29 (32% thereafter). Medical Requirements Medical Exams Members of the Professional Officer Course and all scholarship recipients must take and pass a no-cost Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) medical exam, which can be arranged by your closest AFROTC detachment. Candidates will be scheduled to take the physical exam at the nearest military base or a designated civilian contractor. DoDMERB determines if the candidate is medically qualified for the Air Force.

10 7 Specialty Programs Air Force ROTC offers its cadets several programs designed to assist the cadet in achieving his/her career goals. They include pilot, navigator and medical programs ( for full listings). Please note that there are no academic requirements to become a pilot or navigator other than a bachelor s degree; technical degrees such as aeronautical engineering do not give an advantage in gaining a pilot or navigator slot. However, to become a test pilot or astronaut later in their career, a technical degree is a prerequisite. Pilot During the cadet s junior year, he or she may compete for a pilot slot. This can be very competitive. If selected, after graduating from college and AFROTC, the Second Lieutenant will attend pilot training. Pilots incur a 10-year active duty service commitment after completing pilot training. Qualifications to become a pilot include*: Be commissioned prior to reaching 29 years of age Be a United States citizen Normal color vision Distant vision uncorrected to 20/70 but correctable to 20/20 Near vision uncorrected to 20/30 but correctable to 20/20 Meet refraction, accommodation, and astigmatism requirements Meet medical requirements Meet Air Force weight and fitness requirements Have a standing height of 64 to 77 inches, and a sitting height of 34 to 40 inches Achieve qualifying AFOQT scores Maintain a minimum 2.0 term and cumulative GPA * These are minimum requirements. Successful candidates virtually always exceed the minimums significantly. Navigator Also during the cadets junior year, they may compete for a navigator slot. Selection for this position is competitive. Upon successful completion of navigator training, the officer incurs a 6-year active duty service commitment. Qualifications are identical to those for pilot

11 8 candidates except vision requirements. For navigator candidates, vision requirements are as follows: Distant vision uncorrected to 20/200, but correctable to 20/20 Near vision uncorrected to 20/40, but correctable to 20/20 Medical Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) offers an opportunity for 25 qualified cadets each year to compete for a medical school scholarship with a reservation in either the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (AFHPSP) or the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) program following graduation and commissioning. Air Force ROTC cadets selected for this program are guaranteed sponsorship through one of these programs if they are accepted into an accredited school of medicine or USUHS prior to commissioning. The AFHPSP requires the cadet to earn acceptance at the medical school of his/her choice. The USUHS is a DoD medical school at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. As this is a very competitive program, cadets must have a 3.5 or better undergraduate GPA to be in serious consideration for the scholarship. For more information about this program, please contact the Air Force ROTC detachment near you or visit

12 9 Scholarship Programs 1 Air Force ROTC offers scholarships in all academic majors necessary to meet Air Force needs. These needs may change from year to year. Scholarships are available for those who have never attended college full time (normally high school students) and for those who are already in college. Academic Majors If you are selected for a scholarship, Air Force ROTC will notify you of the length and type of scholarship and the academic major of the offer. You must then decide to accept or decline the scholarship offer in that major. Offers are made in any one of the following categories: Technical Majors Aeronautical Engineering Aerospace Engineering Architectural Engineering Architecture Astronautical Engineering Chemistry Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Meteorology/Atmospheric Sciences Operations Research Physics Foreign Language Majors Arabic Azerbaijani Bengali Cambodian Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) Hausa Hindi Indonesian Japanese Kazakh Kurdish Malay Pashtu 1 All scholarship information, HSSP, ICSP, Express and others, are subject to change, see for updates

13 10 Persian-Iranian/Persian-Afghan Russian Serbo-Croatian Swahili Thai Turkish Uighur Urdu/Punjabi Uzbek Vietnamese Non-Technical Majors All other majors High School Scholarship Program The Air Force s ROTC High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) is intended for high school seniors or graduates who have never enrolled as full-time college students. Air Force ROTC scholarships are awarded on individual merit, not on financial need. Air Force ROTC scholarships are degree-specific. Students must major in the field in which they are awarded a scholarship. About 70% of all offers will be made in the technical areas mentioned previously. The remaining 30% of the offers will be made in all other fields, including (but not limited to): Business Administration/Management, Accounting, Biology, Economics, Geography, International Studies, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, and Foreign Language/Area Studies. It is important to remember that once a scholarship is activated switching to another academic major can be extremely difficult, especially regarding technical and foreign language degrees. Therefore, the applicant should give serious consideration to his/her academic choices. All scholarships offered by Air Force ROTC will be 4 or 3 years in length. 2 All 4-year scholarships activate in the fall of your freshman year. All 3-year scholarships activate in the fall of your sophomore year. All 3-year scholarship designees must complete AFROTC training during their freshman year in order to retain eligibility to activate their scholarships at the start of their sophomore year. The application can be found on-line at and covers all three AFROTC HSSP scholarships. The three types of scholarships available are: Type 1 scholarships are four years in length and provide full college tuition, most fees, and $900/yr for books. The Type 1 scholarship is extremely competitive. Traditionally, only about 5% of all scholarships offered will be Type 1 (percentage data are subject to change). 2 A scholarship recipient has the option to convert a 4-year Type 7 scholarship to a 3-year Type 2 ($18,000 annual tuition) at the discretion of Headquarters Air Force ROTC. Visit or call your nearest AFROTC detachment for details.

14 11 Type 2 scholarships are four or three years in length and pay for tuition and most fees up to $18,000/year and $900/yr for books. If tuition is greater than $18,000/year, the student must pay the difference. About 20% of all scholarships offered will be Type 2 scholarships. All 3-year scholarships are Type 2. Type 7 scholarships pay full tuition at a state institution where you qualify for the instate rate and $900 per year for books. If a student receives a Type-7 offer but wishes to attend a college/university where they do not qualify under the guidelines above, the student can convert the four-year Type-7 scholarship to a three-year Type-2 scholarship. You cannot activate a Type-7 scholarship at a non-qualifying school and pay the difference. About 75% of scholarship offers will be Type 7. In addition to tuition monies, all scholarship recipients will receive a non-taxable monthly allowance (stipend); $300 (freshmen), $350 (sophomore), $450 (juniors), and $500 (seniors). Non-scholarship POC cadets also receive the stipend. Application Process The application process for a HSSP scholarship consists of three steps (application and additional details can be found at 1) Submitting the application online and providing all required documents, 2) An interview at an AFROTC detachment near you, and 3) Meeting a HSSP board. After you submit your application online you will be notified via letter of your eligibility status. If you haven't heard anything within six weeks about your status, it's your responsibility to write or call the High School Scholarship Section. You can and should check your status online at click on application tracker on the left hand side of the scholarships page. There you can also get the required forms for your package, instructions for filling them out, and examples. To be eligible for the scholarship interview, you must meet the following requirements: To be eligible for the scholarship interview, you must meet the following requirements: Be a United States citizen or able to obtain citizenship by the last day of the first term of your freshman year for 4-year offers or the first term of your sophomore year for 3-year offers. Activation cannot occur prior to obtaining citizenship. Graduate from a high school or have an equivalent certificate Be 17 years old prior to scholarship activation Be under 31 years old as of December 31 of the year you will commission Prior to the fall academic term 2011, you cannot be enrolled full-time at a college or a university except for joint high school college programs If you are the sole provider for another person (e.g., single parent, guardian for younger sibling, etc.), please contact the nearest Air Force ROTC detachment admissions representative for dependent care plan information

15 12 Once you meet the academic and general requirements, you're considered an eligible applicant. You'll be contacted by the nearest Air Force unit (normally an AFROTC Detachment) for a personal interview. To remain eligible, you need to either keep this appointment or make alternate arrangements. During this interview, your height and weight will be measured. After the interview, the candidate s package will be reviewed by the scholarship board at AFROTC headquarters at Maxwell AFB, where awards are determined. Academic Requirements AFROTC measures your academic performance using an Academic Composite. This is a measure of your academic performance based on a combination of your SAT and/or ACT scores (no mixing allowed), class rank, GPA, and the number of advanced placement or honors courses you have completed through grade 11. Don t wait until you get grade 12 courses they are not counted in the composite. The following table provides some information to indicate whether or not you think you ll be academically competitive for an AFROTC scholarship offer. Mid-Range Applicant Scores* Mid-Range Eligibility Scores** Average Scores of Recipients Class Rank Top 25% Class Rank Top 19% Class Rank Top 12% GPA 3.46 GPA 3.59 GPA 3.77 SAT 1170 SAT 1260 SAT 1260 ACT 27 ACT 27 ACT 27 * Average scores of the middle half of AFROTC applicants for 2009 ** Average scores of the middle half of AFROTC eligible candidates for 2009 Average scores all AFROTC scholarship recipients for 2009 Math and Verbal portion only Normally, to be eligible for scholarship consideration, you should achieve an SAT composite of 1100 (Math and Verbal portion only) or ACT composite of 24, attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have a class ranking in the top 40%. The majority of scholarship recipients have also completed some advanced placement and honors courses. AFROTC awards scholarships based on the whole person concept not just on academics. Your interview will capture your leadership, community service, athletics and other achievements and abilities.

16 13 Physical Requirements You must complete a Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), and submit a Letter of Certification before you can become eligible for the scholarship interview. There are no minimums/maximums for this assessment. However, if you are offered an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you must pass the PFA prior to the end of your first term in college. Service Obligation Applying for an Air Force ROTC scholarship doesn't obligate you in any way. As a scholarship recipient though, you obligate yourself when you sign an agreement with the United States Air Force. If you're under legal age in the state where the school is located, your parent or legal guardian signs this agreement. You'll agree to: Enroll in the academic major in which the scholarship is offered. Enlist in the Air Force Reserve and enroll in Air Force ROTC beginning in the fall term. Satisfactorily complete a four-week summer Field Training course at an Air Force base (normally scheduled between your sophomore and junior years). Complete the Air Force ROTC Professional Officer s Course Accept a commission as an Air Force officer Serve at least four years on active duty Financial Responsibility Applicants and families are encouraged to consider their own ability to pay tuition when selecting a college or university. Although the applicant may be in receipt of a scholarship offer, there may be a delay in activation due to various reasons, for example, a delay in medical qualification by Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB). In the event this delay extends beyond the normal first term of a scholarship offer, the designee is normally responsible for that term's tuition. Depending on the reason for the delay, the offer may be withdrawn. Once a scholarship has been activated, if the student fails to maintain academic or military retention standards, his/her scholarship benefits may be suspended or terminated. As a result, the student could be liable for a term or more of tuition and fees. Staying Eligible To remain eligible, you need to be medically certified before your scholarship benefits begin. The DoD Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) will send you complete instructions; if you cannot meet the scheduled appointment request another date. As a candidate, you're responsible for all costs of travel, food and lodging related to the medical examination and personal interview. If you wear hard contact lenses, remove them a minimum of 21 days before your exam; remove soft lenses 72 hours

17 14 before. If you have a medical question, DODMERB is your only official source. Write DODMERB, Colorado Springs, CO, , or call (719) Critical Dates The following dates 3, from 2 nd term of the junior year through the 1 st term of the senior year, are critical for a HSSP scholarship: HSSP Scholarship Period Begins 1 May 2010 Board 1 Convenes December 2010 Final Date for HSSP Application 1 December 2010 Final Date to take SAT or ACT Tests for HSSP 1 December 2010 Final Date Information Must Be Postmarked to HQ AFROTC 8 January 2011 Board 2 Convenes January 2011 Board 3 Convenes February 2011 Board 4 Convenes March 2011 It is in the applicant s best interest to submit his/her application as early as possible so results are known before spring deadlines for college admissions. Even though the final deadline for submission of your paperwork is usually mid January, scholarship boards meet as early as December. Air Force ROTC offers scholarships in academic majors needed to meet the needs of the Air Force. In recent years, AFROTC has offered roughly 2,500 scholarships per year. Contact Information Contact the Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship Selection Section at: High School Scholarship Section 551 East Maxwell Blvd Maxwell AFB AL You can also contact Detachment 695 at: Air Force ROTC MSC 188 University of Portland 5000 N Willamette Blvd Portland OR Dates subject to change, visit for the latest information

18 15 In-College Scholarship Program Overview The Air Force ROTC In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP) is a highly competitive scholarship program aimed primarily at college freshmen and sophomores in ANY MAJOR. In addition to tuition monies, all scholarship recipients will receive a nontaxable monthly allowance (stipend); $300 (freshmen), $350 (sophomores), $450 (juniors), and $500 (seniors). Non-scholarship POC cadets also receive the stipend. All scholarship recipients also receive $900/year for textbooks. The ICSP awards the following scholarships: Type 2 - tuition capped at $18,000 per year Type 3 - tuition capped at $9,000 per year Type 6 - tuition capped at $3,000 per year Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for nomination for the ICSP, an applicant must: Be a United States citizen Pass the AFROTC Physical Fitness Test Have at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA Not already be a contracted scholarship cadet Be under age 31 on 31 December of the commissioning year Meet the moral, medical, and other scholarship eligibility requirements for Air Force ROTC Three Application Types The In-College Commander s Leadership Scholarship (ICLS) is only open to students enrolled in AS100 or AS200 in the Air Force ROTC program during the fall semester of their freshman or sophomore year. Detachment commanders nominate cadets from their program using the whole-person concept (evaluating leadership potential, academic performance, physical fitness, etc). The ICLS scholarship will activate in the spring semester. ICLS winners enrolled in technical degree programs are awarded a Type 1 scholarship while those studying non-technical degrees are awarded a Type 2. ICSP Phase 1 is open only to students enrolled as AS100 or AS200 cadets in the Air Force ROTC program on 31 January. Detachment commanders nominate and rankorder cadets in their program using the whole-person concept (leadership potential, academic performance, physical fitness, program participation, etc). Headquarters Air Force ROTC determines a selection percentage and awards scholarships based on the detachment nomination lists. Phase 1 winners are awarded Type 2 scholarships that activate the next fall term.

19 16 ICSP Phase 2 is open to ANY student (including those not enrolled in Air Force ROTC and those not selected in ICSP Phase 1). Applications are processed by the local detachments and submitted to a central selection board at HQ AFROTC. Those students not enrolled in Air Force ROTC must be interviewed by an Air Force officer. The deadline for nominations is 30 June. The board meets in July, and the results are typically released in August to the nominating detachments. Phase 2 winners are awarded either Type 2 or Type 3 scholarships that activate the next fall term. Nonselected AS200 cadets will be considered for a Type 6 scholarship. Additional Information As a candidate for AFROTC, be aware that: All cadets are required to attend AFROTC field training All AFROTC graduates are required to serve a minimum of four years on active duty. Some career fields require a longer service commitment. Express Scholarship Program Overview The Express Scholarship is designed to meet Air Force ROTC officer production requirements in specific fields and year groups. The list of approved fields and year groups varies from time to time and may change at anytime without notice. This program awards Type 1, full-tuition scholarships for technical and language degrees listed below and Type 2, $18K/yr awards for nursing degrees. In addition to tuition monies, all scholarship recipients will receive a non-taxable monthly allowance (stipend); $300 (freshmen), $350 (sophomores); $450 (juniors); $500 (seniors). Nonscholarship POC cadets also receive the stipend. All scholarship recipients also receive $900/year for textbooks. The Express Scholarship program is operated on a fully-qualified basis. Those who meet the qualifications are awarded the scholarship and do not meet a scholarship selection board. However, the number of scholarships is limited. The processing of the scholarship is completed at the local detachment. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible to apply for an Express Scholarship, an applicant must: Be a United States citizen Pass the AFROTC Physical Fitness Test Have at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA Not already be a contracted cadet Meet the age, moral, medical and other scholarship eligibility requirements for Air Force ROTC Be enrolled in one of the majors currently eligible for an express scholarship

20 17 Eligible Majors and Year Groups The list of eligible majors for each year group changes as needed to meet Air Force officer production requirements. See your local detachment for the current list. Currently, Express Scholarships are being offered in the following majors for graduates: Engineering: Computer & Electrical Foreign Languages same as those at the beginning of the Scholarship Programs section above Nursing Meteorology NOTE: Please contact your nearest AFROTC Detachment for program availability. Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Scholarship Overview The Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Scholarship Program offers scholarships to students at colleges and universities defined as Hispanic Serving Institutions by the United States Department of Education and which are also affiliated with an Air Force ROTC detachment. The HSI Scholarship Program awards Type 2 scholarships to qualified students. Regular HSI Scholarship The regular HSI Scholarship Program is operated on a non-competitive basis (those who meet the qualifications are awarded the scholarship and do not meet with a scholarship board). Processing of the scholarship is completed at the local detachment. These scholarships activate no earlier than the sophomore year in college (2, 2.5, and 3-year offers). Enhanced HSI Scholarship HSI's that host an Air Force ROTC detachment may offer up to fifteen 3.5 year (i.e., activate in the middle of freshman year) scholarships to qualified cadets through the Enhanced Hispanic Serving Institution (EHSI) Scholarship Program. No more than seven of the fifteen EHSI scholarships may be awarded to students in non-technical academic majors. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for this program, an applicant must: Be a United States citizen

21 18 Pass the AFROTC Physical Fitness Test Have at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA Not already be a contracted scholarship recipient Meet the age, moral, medical and other scholarship eligibility requirements for Air Force ROTC Have completed at least 12 semester hours of college work by the end of your first term of your freshman year in college Be enrolled at a qualifying school (see for details) Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Scholarship Overview The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholarship program offers two different opportunities for cadets attending HBCUs. Both the regular and enhanced HBCU programs award Type 2 scholarships (capped at 18,000 per year) plus an annual textbook allowance (see AFROTC detachment for details). HBCU Scholarship The HBCU scholarship program operates on a noncompetitive basis (those who meet the qualifications are awarded the scholarship and do not meet a scholarship selection board). The processing of the scholarship is completed at the local detachment. These scholarships activate no earlier than the sophomore year in college (2 and 3- year offers). Enhanced HBCU Scholarship In addition, HBCUs that host an Air Force ROTC detachment may offer up to fifteen 3.5-year (i.e., activate in the middle of freshman year) scholarships through the Enhanced HBCU (EHBCU) scholarship program. No more than seven EHBCU scholarships can be awarded to non-technical majors. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for this program, an applicant must: Be a United States citizen Pass the AFROTC Physical Fitness Test Have at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA Not already be a contracted scholarship recipient Meet the age, moral, medical and other scholarship eligibility requirements for Air Force ROTC Have completed at least 12 semester hours of college work by the end of your first term of your freshman year in college Be enrolled at a qualifying school (see for details)

22 19 Subsidies 4 Some colleges and universities offer a subsidy package to AFROTC scholarship winners. Check for details. For example, the University of Portland (UP) offers the following for AFROTC scholarship cadets: Nearly all AFROTC scholarship recipients at UP, whether HSSP or ICSP recipients, will receive the UP Air Force Tuition Benefit covering all tuition and most fees above what the AFROTC scholarship covers while their AFROTC scholarship is active! UP offers room and board subsidies (an estimated $9,700 annual value) for all recipients of AFROTC scholarships while their scholarship is active. HSSP 3-yr winners will also receive this subsidy even in their freshman year. UP has been a supportive partner to Air Force ROTC over the last 58 years. Their unmatched financial assistance to cadets is just one example of their superior commitment to our program. 4 Subsidy information is subject to change; see for current information on all universities. UP subsidy information found here is not binding. For more info visit UP s Financial Aid Office or see policies at keyword search Financial Aid Air Force..

23 20 Enlisted Opportunities 5 There are several opportunities for members of the Air Force (enlisted and NCO) to become an officer through the AFROTC program. Interested parties should contact their nearest active-duty base education office or AFROTC unit for full eligibility requirements. Some examples of active duty airmen opportunities include: Scholarships for Outstanding Airman to ROTC (SOAR) is awarded to Airmen who are nominated by their commanders. Nominees are outstanding and deserving Airmen, who have less than six years of active duty service, and are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree. These scholarships are available in any major for 2 to 4 years. All scholarships are Type II, and include the $900/year book allowance and monthly stipend. The Air Force ROTC Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP) offers active duty Air Force enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission while completing their undergraduate degree requirements. Scholarships are available from 2 to 4 years to qualified candidates in any academic major; however, most scholarships are awarded to technical and nursing majors. Scholarships are Type II. The Professional Officer Course Early Release Program (POC-ERP) is available to Airmen who do not qualify for a scholarship through the SOAR or ASCP programs and have no more than a 2-year academic plan. To participate in this program, Airmen must spend two years in school and complete the AS300 and AS400 ROTC classes. The Airman Education and Commissioning Program (AECP) offers active-duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a commission while completing their bachelor's degree as an Air Force ROTC cadet. Those selected for AECP remain on active duty and are administratively assigned to an Air Force ROTC detachment. Their job is to go to school for 1-3 years as a full-time college student. In addition to full pay and benefits, AECP cadets are provided with a tuition/fees scholarship of up to $18,000 per year and an annual textbook allowance of $900. For more information, please inquire at an active duty AF base Education Office, or contact us (please see p. 14 for contact information). 5 For details and updates go to

24 21 Host and Crosstown Institutions The Air Force ROTC program is offered at 144 universities (host) throughout the United States. These host units provide AFROTC to over 900 colleges and universities. These 900+ crosstown campuses are composed of public and private universities, 4- year colleges, and community colleges. Therefore, it is not mandatory that a student interested in AFROTC attend a university that hosts an Air Force ROTC program. It is important, however, that a host unit be available within commuting distance. Such students (crosstown cadets) attend the college or university of their choice full-time and participate in the AFROTC program at the host unit. The University of Portland (UP) is a host unit. One of the oldest organizations at UP, Detachment 695 provides the Air Force ROTC program to southwest Washington and to northwest Oregon schools. The following colleges and universities have crosstown or consortium agreements with the University of Portland: Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, OR Clark College, Vancouver, WA Concordia University, Portland, OR Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Portland, OR George Fox University, Newberg, OR Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR Linfield College, McMinnville, OR Marylhurst University, Marylhurst, OR Mount Hood Community College, Gresham, OR Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR Portland Community College, Portland, OR Portland State University, Portland, OR Reed College, Portland, OR Warner Pacific College, Portland, OR Washington State University at Vancouver, Vancouver, WA Willamette University, Salem, OR

25 22 Detachment 695 The Air Force ROTC program at the University of Portland (UP) is known as Detachment 695 (or Det 695). It is one of the oldest programs with over 58 years on campus; a testament to the beneficial partnership AFROTC has enjoyed with UP since Det 695, despite being hosted at a relatively small, private school (about 3,000 undergraduates in the student population), traditionally ranks in the top 10 in cadet corps size, with roughly 100 cadets from all over the nation. Some recent Det 695 achievements include: Two UP Student Body Presidents UP Woman of the Year UP Valedictorian 400+ hours of community service (one college semester!) School of Engineering Tau Beta Gamma Honor Society Award Society of Civil Engineers national award winner Dean s Award in Engineering Regional headquarters for the Arnold Air Society (cadet-member community service organization) Recent UP distinctions include the following: Ranked #2 among all colleges & universities (public & private) in the Northwest according to Seattle Metropolitan magazine in 2008 National Champions in women s soccer 2002 and 2005 First nationally accredited drama program in Oregon (NAST National Association of Schools of Theatre) Fifteen years ranked among the Top 10 colleges in our category by US News and World Report FOUR nationally accredited professional schools: Nursing, Business, Education, and Engineering Consistently among the leaders in Fulbright grants among universities in its category--24 Fulbright winners in past 10 years (5 for AY ) Ranked 1 st nationally by Washington Monthly college guide in the category of national service Outstanding faculty (US Professor of the Year; two winners of Oregon college Teacher of the Year) The cadet corps is very active in both community and university affairs. Some of the community services with which the cadets are involved are Habitat for Humanity, mentoring elementary grade students at a local school, and assisting with the annual Portland Marathon. The corps also offers a mentor program to its members, with juniors and seniors serving as mentors to freshmen and sophomores. Many of the cadets become active in student government and other university activities including athletics (both intramural and varsity).

26 23 The detachment cadre is manned by highly qualified professionals who are committed to providing the best possible instruction, guidance, mentoring, and general AFROTC experience. Each AFROTC instructor has volunteered for AFROTC duty and was selected through a competitive process -- it is not an assigned duty. Coming from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds, the cadre can offer a real-world view on practically every facet of the Air Force. Detachment 695 is a close-knit community that fosters and enhances each cadet s university experience. Our commitment to our students is a reflection of the Air Force core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Air Force Opportunities and Rewards While in college, the cadet has many opportunities for success. The Air Force ROTC program is designed to give fundamental guidance, training, and education in the areas of leadership, ethics, and officership to the cadet. However, how much the cadet gets out of AFROTC is directly related to how much the cadet puts into the program. A few of the benefits of the AFROTC program are scholarships, a minimum $ tax-free income each academic month when contracted (scholarship or POC), base visits, and free worldwide military travel. Upon graduation, the new Air Force Second Lieutenant receives a starting annual salary 6 of about $48,250 (based on housing allowance for Portland, OR) that increases to $77,800 in just four years! Other benefits for the officer include: 30 days annual vacation with pay Free medical and dental care $400K of life insurance at very low rates World-wide assignments and travel opportunities Generous retirement benefits after 20 years of active service The Air Force feels very strongly about continuing education and provides great incentives for advanced degrees. Many officers begin earning a master s degree during their first four years on active duty. The Air Force provides up to 100% tuition assistance for graduate classes. Each Air Force Base offers extension programs from major academic institutions providing advanced degree opportunities. Another option may be to earn a slot to attend graduate school full-time while still earning officer pay. The jobs available for officers are all leadership positions in one form or another. The Air Force provides challenging careers which develop excellent leadership and decision-making skills while achieving organizational goals for the Air Force and personal goals for its officers. 6 Reference for up-to-date pay information

27 24 For more information about Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps 7, please contact: Air Force ROTC MSC 188 University of Portland 5000 N Willamette Blvd Portland OR extension 7216 or (503) rotc695@up.edu Website: 7 Current as of May 2009; however, all information in this reference guide subject to change. See or for the most current information.

28 AFROTC Reference Guide A - 1 Careers and Academic Majors The United States Air Force has a wide variety of career fields ranging from fighter pilot to educator. Below, in bold, are a few examples of possible career fields as associated with an academic undergraduate major. Please note that this listing is not complete and does not indicate mandatory education requirements, see for additional career details. Engineering Pilot Air Traffic Controller Military Police Navigator Comptroller Engineer Program Manager Public Affairs Judge Advocate Test Manager Scientist Nurse Missile Officer Maintenance Space Operations Personnel Contracts Intelligence Meteorologist Air Battle Manager Pharmacist Educator Physician Surgeon Physics Pilot Air Traffic Controller Military Police Navigator Comptroller Engineer Program Manager Public Affairs Judge Advocate Test Manager Scientist Nurse Missile Officer Maintenance Space Operations Personnel Contracts Intelligence Meteorologist Air Battle Manager Pharmacist Educator Physician Surgeon Biology Pilot Air Traffic Controller Military Police Navigator Comptroller Engineer Program Manager Public Affairs Judge Advocate Test Manager Scientist Nurse Missile Officer Maintenance Space Operations Personnel Contracts Intelligence Meteorologist Air Battle Manager Pharmacist Educator Physician Surgeon Chemistry Pilot Air Traffic Controller Military Police Navigator Comptroller Engineer Program Manager Public Affairs Judge Advocate Test Manager Scientist Nurse Missile Officer Maintenance Space Operations Personnel Contracts Intelligence Meteorologist Air Battle Manager Pharmacist Educator Physician Surgeon

29 AFROTC Reference Guide A - 2 Careers and Academic Majors Business Pilot Air Traffic Controller Military Police Navigator Comptroller Engineer Program Manager Public Affairs Judge Advocate Test Manager Scientist Nurse Missile Officer Maintenance Space Operations Personnel Contracts Intelligence Meteorologist Air Battle Manager Pharmacist Educator Physician Surgeon Law Pilot Air Traffic Controller Military Police Navigator Comptroller Engineer Program Manager Public Affairs Judge Advocate Test Manager Scientist Nurse Missile Officer Maintenance Space Operations Personnel Contracts Intelligence Meteorologist Air Battle Manager Pharmacist Educator Physician Surgeon Medicine Pilot Air Traffic Controller Military Police Navigator Comptroller Engineer Program Manager Public Affairs Judge Advocate Test Manager Scientist Nurse Missile Officer Maintenance Space Operations Personnel Contracts Intelligence Meteorologist Air Battle Manager Pharmacist Educator Physician Surgeon Nursing Pilot Air Traffic Controller Military Police Navigator Comptroller Engineer Program Manager Public Affairs Judge Advocate Test Manager Scientist Nurse Missile Officer Maintenance Space Operations Personnel Contracts Intelligence Meteorologist Air Battle Manager Pharmacist Educator Physician Surgeon English Pilot Air Traffic Controller Military Police Navigator Comptroller Engineer Program Manager Public Affairs Judge Advocate Test Manager Scientist Nurse Missile Officer Maintenance Space Operations Personnel Contracts Intelligence Meteorologist Air Battle Manager Pharmacist Educator Physician Surgeon