Program Structure

Length

AFROTC is a 3 – 5 year program. Most commonly, cadets will enter the program as a college freshman (AS100), and complete the program as a college senior (AS400), graduate, commission, and then enter active duty.

However, with Detachment Commander approval, cadets may combine the first two years of the program and enter as an AS250. This means that the cadet will take the AS100 and AS200 level academic courses in the same semester, along with the leadership laboratory and physical training classes.

Also, some cadets, usually STEM majors, will need 4.5 or 5 years to complete their bachelor’s degree. This is workable within AFROTC’s rules, and after the cadet completes their AS400 course work in their senior year, then will become AS700 or AS800 cadets for their final year in school. The activities for these cadets will vary for each detachment. Some may still be heavily involved in the cadet wing, while others may not. Upon completion of their bachelor’s degree, these cadets will graduate and commission like normal.

The one exception to the 3 – 5 year requirement is the Graduate Law Program (2 years) and One-Year College Program (1 year), both of which offer opportunities for law students to commission as JAG officers through AFROTC. Cadets interested in this program must be in the first or second year of law school, and be selected by the Detachment Commander to participate in the program.

General Military Course (GMC)

GMC refers to the first two years of the program, normally the freshman and sophomore years. During this time cadets are learning to be good followers, and just starting to learn the basics of leadership with small groups and small responsibilities.

During the GMC years there is no military commitment, unless the cadet activates an AFROTC scholarship. Without a scholarship, a cadet can drop the program for any reason, with no further military obligation.

Major milestones during this time in the program are:

• Improving fitness (if necessary) to pass and score well on the Fitness Test
• Taking and passing the AFOQT
• Learning to march and wear the Air Force uniform
• Learning military customs and courtesies
• Learning Air Force history and leadership basics through AS class
• Obtaining a clear and certified DoDMERB medical exam
• Responding to feedback from AFROTC cadre on how to improve as followers and leaders
• Feeling out the program and the military lifestyle with no commitment (unless they activate a scholarship)

Field Training (FT)

Field Training is a two-week training camp held at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery Alabama, normally between the sophomore and junior years of college.

Being selected for Field Training is the competitive part of AFROTC, through a process called PSP. Upon successful completion of FT, cadets will return to school the next fall and enter the POC part of the program.

Major milestones during this time in the program are:

• Applying leadership techniques in a high tempo, high stress environment
• Firing and qualifying on the M9 pistol
• Traveling to Montgomery, AL and meeting cadets from all over the country
• Displaying leadership qualities in difficult field scenarios with paintball markers and obstacle courses
• Learning basic hand-to-hand combat techniques and tactical troop movements

Professional Officer Course (POC)

POC refers to cadets in the last two years of the program, normally junior and senior years of college. These cadets have completed Field Training, and are now considered the upper classmen and will be operating the cadet wing structure to train the cadets that are in the GMC stage of the program.

Unless they have a factor that disqualifies them from contracting (such as a failing AFOQT score, not yet obtaining US citizenship, or low performance), all POC cadets are contracted and will receive a monthly tax-free stipend from the government, even if they are not on scholarship.

POC cadets hold leadership roles within the cadet wing structure, such as Cadet Wing Commander, Squadron Commander, Flight Commander, etc. They will have a more serious role within the organization, be mentoring, training, and evaluating the GMC cadets, and applying all of the leadership knowledge that they learned during their GMC years.

Major milestones during this time in the program are:

• Advancing in cadet rank and becoming the trainers and supervisors for the GMC cadets below
• Contracting with AFROTC (if not already) and receiving a monthly tax-free stipend
• Listing job choices and finding out what your USAF or USSF job will be
• Applying for the Rated (flying) selection board, & USSF selection board
• Being able to make a real impact on your detachment by being in a leadership role and making decisions regarding training
• Applying for special opportunities like attending AFIT to obtain a master’s degree when you enter active duty, or parachuting at the Air Force Academy over the summer
• Finding out what your first duty station will be when you enter active duty
• Graduating and commissioning as a 2d Lt in the USAF or USSF!

AS Levels

AFROTC has different terms for cadets in different stages of the program. The various ASXXX terms are listed below.