Frequently Asked Questions

How to join AFROTC

Enroll as a full-time student any of the following:

  • Indiana University
  • Indiana University-Purdue University
  • Butler University

  • Fall? Yes. Most cadets begin AFROTC in the Fall term.
  • Spring? Yes, but fewer students start AFROTC in the Spring term. You would likely complete a hybrid 3.5-year program. To catch up with your peers, you will need to double-up on General Military Course classes next Fall.
  • Summer? No. AFROTC classes are not offered during the summer term.

The university maintains a course “last day to add” date, however it may be possible for us to enroll you as a cadet following this date. Contact a cadre member to discuss if late enrollment is the right fit for you.

Enrollment eligibility requirements

  • College Freshman?  Yes. You are a good candidate for the 4-or 5-year commissioning program.
  • Sophomore?  Yes. You are a good candidate for the 4-year commissioning program. There may be opportunities for you to complete the program in 3 years. Contact one of our cadre members to discuss your options.
  • Junior?  Maybe. The 3-year commissioning program may be an option for you, however AFROTC seeks to recruit and train individuals working on their first undergraduate degree. Officer Training School (OTS) is probably a better fit.
  • Senior?  In most cases, no. AFROTC seeks to recruit and train individuals working on their first undergraduate degree. There are limited opportunities available if you plan to attend law or medical school. Otherwise OTS is a better fit.
  • Graduate Student?  In most cases, no. AFROTC seeks to recruit and train individuals working on their first undergraduate degree. There are limited opportunities if you are a current law or medical student, or plan to apply to law or medical school. Otherwise, OTS is a better fit.
  • Transfer Student?  It depends. If you have at least 3 years left in your plan of study and have never before been a cadet, you are may a good candidate for one of our commissioning programs. If you were once a cadet at a previous detachment, contact one of our cadre members to see if AFROTC is the right fit for you.
  • Prior-service member?  Yes, if you do not yet completed your bachelor’s degree. Based on the length of your prior experience, and the number of credits you have left to complete your bachelor’s degree, you may qualify for one or more semesters of AFROTC course accreditation. If this applies to you, contact one of our cadre members to discuss. 

  • Enroll as a full-time student at IU, IUPUI, or Butler
  • Enter required application information into WINGS
  • Present original identification documents
  • Complete in-processing paperwork
  • Complete and submit a sports physical via AFROTC Form 28
    • A qualified DoD Medical Exam can take the place of the sports physical
  • Enroll and participate in Aerospace Studies Classes, Leadership Laboratory, and PT.
  • Meet the following age requirements. Applicants under the age of 18 must receive permission from a parent or legal guardian.
Program Participation
CategoryMinimum AgeMaximum AgeMaximum Waiverable Age
Program Entry14N/AN/A
Enlistment17N/AN/A
Scholarship1731 (as of 31 Dec)N/A
Commissioning
CategoryMinimum AgeMaximum AgeMaximum Waiverable Age
General183942
Rated182942 (RPA)
Non-Rated183942
Pre-Health184749

Medical eligibility requirements

You may complete the sports physical either with your family doctor, or your university’s medical clinic.

No, AFROTC does not reimburse the cost of the sports physical.

No, AFROTC cadets complete their medical review through the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB). However, if you already have a current and qualifying MEPS physical, then you do not need to complete the DoDMERB process.

DoDMERB is one of the governing approval authorities for medical accession standards into the armed forces. During the semester, cadets will attend appointments at locally contracted medical offices to accomplish required DoDMERB medical appointments.

DoDMERB will investigate the nature of your restriction, and determine if the condition does or does not meet armed forces medical accession standards.

DoDMERB’s medical qualification standards are not available for public dissemination.

Guard & reserves participation

Enlisted members in any military branch of the guard or reserves may commission through the AFROTC program, as long as the guard/reserves contract ends prior to the member’s projected date of commission. For additional information, speak with a cadre member.

The vast majority of AFROTC cadets commission onto Active Duty. There are limited opportunities to commission into the Guard or Reserves. Cadets may apply for these opportunities as contracted Professional Officer Course cadets.

Cadet transfers

Yes. Most non-contract and contract cadets may transfer to another university offering the AFROTC program and continue to progress in their AFROTC curriculum. The transfer must be approved by both losing and gaining AFROTC Commanders

Note that your projected degree plan should still meet projected graduation and commissioning dates and requirements.

  • Non-contract cadets may transfer to another service’s ROTC program. Completion of AFROTC credit may be accredited towards completion of the other ROTC program at the discretion of the gaining ROTC commander.
  • Contract cadets may request a transfer to another service’s ROTC program, and the request for release from your military service contract will be evaluated by higher headquarters. Approvals for inter-service transfers are not guaranteed.

Military commitment

No, joining AFROTC does not mean automatically joining the military. If you are not receiving a military scholarship or a monetary stipend as a contracted cadet, then you have not entered the military.

Qualified, contracted cadets (those in the Professional Officer Course or who have accepted a scholarship) are enlisted into the Obligated Reserve Section (ORS) of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and are not members of the active-duty military. These contracted cadets are in civilian status and are not subject to the provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

  • Enlisted members sign contracts in which they promise to serve in the military for a certain amount of time.
  • Commissioned members are appointed as officers, and continue military service until the member resigns their commission. Commissioned officers supervise enlisted members, and perform different job functions within their respective services.

  • Most AFROTC cadets incur an ADSC of 4 years upon entering Extended Active Duty (EAD).
  • Scholarship cadets awarded scholarship entitlements beyond the original scholarship length will incur an additional month of ADSC for every month of scholarship entitlements accepted.
  • Cadets pursuing flying careers typically incur an ADSC between 6 to 10 years upon entering EAD, in addition to their career field’s initial training requirements.

New Lieutenants typically enter EAD between one week to one year following their commission. The variation in EAD is due to a variety of factors, to include security clearance processing, initial career training school-house capacity, and more.

Academic requirements

  • To be in AFROTC, non-scholarship cadets must have and maintain a minimum CGPA of at least 2.0.
  • Scholarship cadets must have a minimum TGPA of at least 2.5. Multiple occurrences of TGPAs of less than 2.5 will result in scholarship suspension.

  • Cadets may pursue any major, and still be an AFROTC cadet.
  • Cadets are classified into ‘Technical’ and ‘Non-Technical’ majors. While there are no specific academic major requirements to be in AFROTC, scholarships are merit-based, and many highly desired majors fall into the technical category. Therefore, students pursing a technical major may receive priority in the scholarship selection process.

  • AFROTC is a 4-year program.
  • Certain degree plans of study may require a 5th year of study to meet all AFROTC program and university degree requirements.
  • Some students may qualify for a 3-year or 3.5-year program. Contact a cadre member to see if this is an option for you.
  • At this time, AFROTC does not offer abbreviated (2-years or less) undergraduate commissioning programs unless you have a prior military service record.

Cadets are students who intend to commission. All cadets must complete both the lecture and laboratory portions of the program every year while a cadet in the program. Cadets with class conflicts may attend lecture at either WSU or UI at the instructor’s discretion.

Dress & appearance requirements

No, not on day one. Upon beginning the program, you will be given guidance on when you will be expected to adhere to military hair standards.

Yes. Tattoos on the chest, back, arms, and legs are authorized for AFROTC cadets so long as they are not offensive, discriminatory, or vulgar in nature. Tattoos, brands, or body markings on the head, neck, face, tongue, lips, or scalp remain prohibited.

  • PT Uniform. Issued upon completion of the participatory sports physical.
  • Blues Uniform. Issued the 2nd semester in the program if the cadet…
    • Is medically qualified to serve in the armed forces.
    • Meets physical fitness and BMI standards.
  • Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP).
    • Issued during your 2nd semester in the program if the cadet meets the requirements listed for the Blues Uniform.
    • Certain competitive professional development programs may require the utility uniform be issued at an earlier time.
  • General Military Cadets must return ALL uniforms to the Detachment over the Summer.

Air Force appearance standards can be found in AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel Program. The most current version of this instruction can be found on the internet.

Physical fitness requirements

No, AFROTC PT is factored into a cadet’s Leadership Laboratory grade.

At Commander’s discretion, in-season intercollegiate athletes may be excused from PT attendance provided they pass the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) each semester.

The detachment conducts at least one mock and one official PFA every semester. Cadets must be able to pass the PFA no later than the semester prior to Field Training Attendance.

Cadets may not be eligible for scholarships, field training, contracting, or Professional Course Officer membership if they do not meet BMI standards.

Air Force fitness standards can be found in AFI 36-2905, Fitness Program. The most current version of this instruction can be found on the internet.

United States Space Force

Can I join the United States Space Force (USSF) by joining AFROTC?

Yes. At this time we commission officers directly into the USAF, and then upon entering active duty, transfer you to the USSF if you have been selected for a career field in the USSF. Only certain Air Force officer career fields are directly transferable to the USSF. The following officer career fields will have the option to transfer to the USSF.

  • 13S: Space Operations
  • 14N: Intelligence
  • 17C/D: Cyber Operations
  • 62E: Developmental Engineer
  • 63A: Acquisition Manager

Prior Detachment 215 cadets

The Detachment maintains cadet records for 1 year after cadets drop from the program, are dis-enrolled, or commission.

No. Please contact the Holm Center Registrar, Disenrollment Section for DD Form 785 requests.