Cadet Life

3.28Average GPA

1,250+Volunteer hours each year

ROTC teaches me vital leadership and interpersonal skills that translate to so many other aspects of life. These are skills that I have learned early in my college career, allowing me to be leaps and bounds ahead of my non-ROTC peers.

Lindsey, cadet majoring in community health

You’re a cadet, but an IU student first.

Being a cadet only enhances your IU experience—with more opportunities to explore, one-on-one mentorship, and a community where you belong.

Live on campus your first year, and then choose where to live. Study any major in IU’s top-ranked schools and departments. Take one Aerospace Studies course and Leadership Lab each semester. You’ll be in uniform once a week, and your hair just needs to meet Air Force standards while in uniform.

What does four years in Air Force ROTC look like?

See cadet career path

The image caption follows
Many of our cadets compete in the Little 500 bike race, one of the most iconic traditions at IU.

Serve your community

Being a cadet is much more than marching and training. Our cadets are passionate about helping others. We often host community events, volunteer time in local shelters and soup kitchens, and support blood drives.

Get involved on and off campus

Cadets are some of the most active students on campus. Whether they’re a part of Air Force ROTC student organizations or one of the 750 student organizations on campus, our cadets are leaders and doers.

Arnold Air Society

As part of the national honorary Arnold Air Society, cadets have more opportunities to lead their fellow cadets and receive extra preparation for field training. Arnold Air Society members also have the chance to attend regional and national conventions to receive mentoring from senior Air Force leaders and network with cadets from other detachments.