We believe great leadership is not reserved to a select few. If you are willing to put in the work, Air Force ROTC gives you the tools to become a strong leader.
What you gain here—communications skills, confidence, and quick problem solving, to name a few—will benefit you no matter where you go after college. Your ability to handle huge, complex projects and lead others makes you an ideal candidate for any career you choose.
At the core of your development is Leadership Lab, a cadet-organized and operated class. For two hours each week, you’ll focus on building interpersonal leadership, real-time problem solving and decision making, and confidence and public speaking—all skills required for success in the Air Force and beyond.
What I like most about being in AFROTC is the ability to one day commission as an officer within the Air Force, allowing me to eventually lead and inspire others.
Sam, cadet majoring in informatics
The cadet career is path is designed to prepare you not only to serve in the Air Force, but also to succeed anywhere you go in life.
Depending on when you join Air Force ROTC, your cadet career path will be tailored so that you complete program requirements in the time you have available.
GMC introduces you to military life and focuses on communications skills. This time (one to two years) is also an opportunity to try the program without obligation.
Field training is a mandatory program for all individuals who want to continue Air Force ROTC. Cadets usually attend field training during the summer between their sophomore and junior years.
This rigorous program involves physical conditioning, weapons training, and survival training. Field training offers you the opportunity to develop your skills as both a leader and team member.
AFROTC has helped me break out of my comfort zone and has allowed me to become a better leader and follower. Not only in ROTC, but I have also been able to develop these skills in my personal life as well.
Aaliyah, cadet majoring in community health
Move up to POC after completing GMC and field training. This part of the program is designed to simulate an Air Force flight, and each POC cadet assumes a leadership role in the wing.
After fulfilling your IU degree and the Air Force ROTC requirements, you’ll graduate and receive your Air Force commission. You will be commissioned during a special ceremony normally held the day after IU graduation.
You can expect to enter active duty anywhere from a few days to a couple of months after graduation and commission.
You may request an educational delay if you desire to attend graduate school at your own expense before going on active duty. If approved, the Air Force will postpone your active-duty tour. Delays are routinely provided if you select to attend dental or medical school. Scholarships also exist for students accepted to medical school.
Explore Air Force careersDescription of the video:
None of us were saints. Far from it. We just refused to believe that the line between right and wrong is hard to see.
People always know the right thing to do. But they hesitate because they think of themselves.
The things we did, we did because we cared more about duty than glory.
We cared more about getting it done than getting a medal.
We never thought, “How could I do this?”
We thought, “How can we not do this?”
What were we going to do—let somebody else do our job? Because it was hard?
We want you to fly this jet through the sound barrier.Yes, sir!
We need to you jump out of a balloon in outer space, to see if a human can survive the fall.Yes, sir!
We need you to fly a bomber from an aircraft carrier for a raid on Tokyo. And you probably won’t come back.Yes, sir!
Selflessness only means something when you have something to give.
Airmen, you have so much inside you, you have no idea.
You will think of your mission, and you will think of your country.
And you will not hesitate.
Some people think we’re trained so that we don’t think. We just react.
No.
In the Air Force, we’re just trained to think faster. We are required to think at three times the speed of sound. A hundred billion terabytes come at you in a nanosecond.
And three hundred million American heartbeats are waiting and wondering what you are going to do to keep them safe. Right now.
Fear is natural. The most primitive human instinct is to save your own skin. To think of yourself first. To wonder, “Who will make that sacrifice for me? If I’m watching over the world, who’s watching over me?”
We are.
Aim high, airmen.
