Frequently Asked Questions

Air Force ROTC offers two routes to an Air Force commission at more than 700 colleges and universities throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico: the Air Force ROTC Four-Year Program and the Air Force ROTC Three-Year Program.

You can attend Air Force ROTC at the University of Massachusetts - Lowell, home of AFROTC Detachment 345. We have an agreement with the following schools to allow students to participate in Air Force ROTC:

• Endicott College
• Gordon College
• Merrimack College
• Middlesex Community College
• Montserrat College of Art
• Northern Essex Community College
• North Shore Community College
• Salem State University
• Rivier University
• Southern New Hampshire University

Although enrolling for UMass Lowell students is as simple as signing up for AS class through normal registration, we recommend contacting the detachment office for specific guidance on which courses you should take. We can answer your questions and get you pointed in the right direction.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and Rivier University students will need to enroll through their respective registrar offices. We recommend contacting the detachment office for specific guidance on which courses you should take. However, once SNHU or Rivier University students register for AFROTC courses they will need to contact the detachment office to inform the staff of their enrollment.

All other crosstown students will need to contact their registrars to complete a NECCUM crosstown registration form in order to enroll in AFROTC courses. We recommend discussing with detachment cadre for specific guidance on which courses you should take. 

No. Your academic major plays no role in pilot and combat systems operator selection. You can major in any bachelor's degree program at the University of Massachusetts - Lowell and compete to receive a pilot or combat systems operator slot in Air Force ROTC.

To compete for the pilot or combat systems operator categories, you must be able to complete your bachelor's degree and be commissioned through Air Force ROTC before you are 29 years old.

Pilot training is approximately 52 weeks. Air Force pilots are trained at various locations around the country, based upon the availability of the base. Combat systems operator training is approximately 29 weeks.

Air Force ROTC does not provide flight training to cadets in college. Air Force second lieutenant pilot candidates complete an Air Force flight screening program course of light aircraft training before attending Undergraduate Pilot Training.

This training includes both ground and flight training. The ground training includes basic aerodynamics, aircraft systems, and emergency procedures. There are three factors needed to select pilot candidates: medical evaluation, test scores, and the number of pilots needed.

Benefits for active-duty Air Force members include:

• Pay - Highly competitive salary and allowance package
• Vacation - 30 days leave with pay each year
• Sick leave - Unlimited; full pay continues
• Medical care - Furnished at no cost
• Dental care - Furnished at no cost
• Life insurance - $400,000 of low-cost term life insurance
• Social life - Officers' clubs, swimming, golfing, bowling, and tennis
• Education - Opportunity for higher education with tuition assistance or full scholarship
• Retirement - Opportunity to retire after 20 years with 50 percent of your base pay
• Promotions
• First Lieutenant after two years: more than $35,000 per year Captain after four years: more than $45,000 per year
• Shopping - Save as much as 25 percent in on-base stores
• Living quarters - On-base housing available or off-base housing allowance paid
• Travel - Outstanding opportunities for worldwide travel

Non-flying officers serve four years on active duty, navigators serve six years after one year of training, and pilots serve 10 years after one year of training.

Graduating seniors are usually commissioned in special ceremonies on commencement day or soon afterward.

Air Force ROTC classes and credit information are listed in your school's catalog. If you wish to enroll in the General Military Course, you enroll in Air Force ROTC as you would any other class at UMass - Lowell.

As a first-term freshman you enroll in AERO 1010 and AERO 0001 (Lab) in the fall and AERO 1020 and AERO 0001 (Lab) during the spring.

Remember: There's no commitment at this time. If you are enrolled at a college with a crosstown agreement, have your advisor and registrar help you sign up for our program.

Enrollment allocations are typically awarded during the spring semester of your sophomore year. If you are a sophomore and interested in the 3-year program, apply to the Professor of Aerospace Studies in the fall. Don't delay. Plan on starting early.

Competition factors include cumulative grade-point average, Air Force Officer Qualifying Test scores, academic history, choice of major, medical qualifications, and physical fitness assessment scores.

Yes. You can be dual-enrolled in the appropriate Aerospace Classes during the fall and spring of your sophomore year. You must have at least 3 years (6 semesters) left in school to complete the program. Please contact the Detachment by phone at 978-934-2252 or email: afrotc345@uml.edu for further information.

Contact the detachment by this email: afrotc345@uml.edu.

Yes, contact the detachment to find out more.

Maybe. The Professor of Aerospace Studies may credit some or all of the GMC if you were prior enlisted. This is determined by the amount and kind of experience you had when you departed the service.

You may want to attend the sophomore Air Force ROTC classes and/or the preparation sessions for Field Training with the sophomores to see what Field Training with Air Force ROTC is all about. Prior service cadets must meet the same commissioning requirements as other cadets and be selected to attend field training

Maybe. The unit commander can give credit for part of the GMC for the Spaatz, Earhart, and Mitchell Awards. Contact the detachment for details.

During the first two years in Air Force ROTC as a General Military Course (GMC) cadet you are not committed unless you are on an AFROTC scholarship. You can drop GMC classes just like any other class at UMass - Lowell and not be committed.

• Freshman Year
  • Heritage and Values of the US Air Force (1 hour each week) — A survey course that briefly treats topics relating to the Air Force and defense. It focuses on the organizational structure and missions of the Air Force organizations; officership and professionalism; and introduces communicative skills.
  • Leadership Laboratory (2-3 hours each week) — This laboratory is conducted by AFROTC cadets corps and involves Air Force career opportunities; life and work of the Air Force junior officer; physical fitness activities; and military ceremonies.
  • Physical Fitness Training (3 hours each week) — Generally on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday of each week, the entire cadet wing will meet and conduct physical fitness training (PT).
• Sophomore Year
  • Team and Leadership Fundamentals (1 hour each week) — A critical examination of the development and use of air power from the first flights to the present; the evolution of air-power concepts and doctrine; and an assessment of communicative skills.
  • Leadership Laboratory (2-3 hours each week) — This laboratory is conducted by AFROTC cadet corps and involves Air Force career opportunities; life and work of the Air Force junior officer; physical fitness activities and military ceremonies; and Field Training Preparation.
  • Physical Fitness Training (3 hours each week) — Generally on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday of each week, the entire cadet wing will meet and conduct physical fitness training (PT).
• Junior Year
  • Leading People and Effective Communication (3 hours each week) — A study of professionalism, leadership and management, and leadership and communication skills.
  • Leadership Laboratory (2-3 hours each week) — This laboratory is conducted by the POC cadet corps and allows POC cadets to apply leadership and management skills as they work with GMC cadets.
  • Physical Fitness Training (3 hours each week) — Generally on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday of each week, the entire cadet wing will meet and conduct physical fitness training (PT).
• Senior Year
  • National Security Affairs and Active Duty Preparation (3 hours each week) — A study explaining the Armed Forces as an integral element of society with emphasis on American civil-military relations, and refinement of leadership and management skills.
  • Leadership Laboratory (2-3 hours each week) — This laboratory is conducted by the POC cadet corps and allows POC cadets to apply leadership and management skills as they work with GMC cadets.
  • Physical Fitness Training (3 hours each week) — Generally on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday of each week, the entire cadet wing will meet and conduct physical fitness training (PT).
• Graduation
  • Commission as a second lieutenant.

As an Air Force ROTC cadet, you'll spend one or two class periods each week putting into practice the leadership skills and management theory acquired in class.

Leadership Laboratory is a cadet-led, cadre supervised program taken each year that will improve your ability to perform as an Air Force officer. You may also listen to military speakers, visit Air Force bases, view films, and take part in social functions.

All AFROTC cadets must attend field training. Cadets usually attend field training during the summer between their second and third years of college. The purpose of field training is to evaluate military discipline and Air Force leadership potential and to determine readiness for entry into the Professional Officer Course (POC) via leadership, followership, and team-building opportunities.

• Additional information can be found on the U.S. Air Force ROTC website.

The summer between your sophomore and junior year. 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. The Air Force pays your transportation to and from Field Training.

To qualify for the General Military Course, you must:

• Be a full-time student at a school offering Air Force ROTC
• Be a United States citizen (to receive a scholarship)
• Be in good physical condition
• Have good moral character
• Be at least 15 years old (17 to receive a scholarship appointment)

To qualify for the Professional Officer Course, you must:

• Meet all the qualifications for the General Military Course and successfully compete for an enrollment allocation as an officer candidate.
• Have two academic years remaining (undergraduate, graduate, or a combination of both) after completing the Air Force ROTC field-training encampment
• Be a United States citizen
• Be 18 years old or 17 years old with consent from a parent or legal guardian
• Be physically and medically qualified
• Pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
• Be interviewed and selected by a board of Air Force officers
• Be selected and successfully complete Field Training
• Pass the Physical Fitness Assessment

Most scholarships pay college tuition and most laboratory, textbook and incidental fees, plus a monthly nontaxable allowance during the school year.

High School Seniors

There are three- and four-year scholarships available on a competitive basis to high school seniors or graduates who have not yet enrolled as full-time college students. Scholarships are awarded in many majors. To apply, see your high school counselor, an Air Force ROTC officer, an Air Force recruiter, or visit the U.S. Air Force ROTC website. Do not wait to apply!

College Student, Air Force ROTC Cadet & Active Duty Airmen

Anyone — whether a college student, an Air Force ROTC cadet, or active-duty enlisted member who meets the requirements — may apply for two- and three-year scholarships. These scholarships are awarded according to the needs of the Air Force.

The current emphasis:

• Technical Majors
• Language Majors
• Nursing Majors

You need to apply directly to the Air Force Detachment at a college offering Air Force ROTC.

Selections are based on scores achieved on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, overall grade-point average, and a rating from an interview. Also, you must be able to complete your bachelor's degree and be commissioned before you are 30 years old.

Yes.

Absolutely not. All cadets are provided experience in followership, leadership, and mentoring.

As a scholarship cadet, your monthly stipend starts when you contract with the Air Force. This stipend ranges from $300 to $500, depending on your academic year. In addition, cadets on scholarship receive about $600 per year for textbooks. You'll need to have an active bank account in order for the Air Force to directly deposit both of these allowances into your account.

No.

Yes! There are two programs:

• Scholarships for Outstanding Airmen to ROTC (SOAR)
• This program allows you to compete for four-, three-, and two-year scholarships and be released from active duty to enter college and complete the Air Force ROTC program. You must be able to graduate and complete the ROTC program before June 30 of the year you turn 30. Learn more about the SOAR
• Professional Officer Course-Early Release Program (POC-ERP)
• This program is designed for those who can be commissioned before 35 years of age and can complete a bachelor's degree within two years. See your Base Education Services Officer for more information. Learn more about the POC-ERP

Yes, but it's difficult and should be attempted only after a lot of thought and with a valid reason. The Air Force offers scholarships only in specific majors. If you want to change your major before arriving, please contact your AFROTC scholarship point of contact.

The AFOQT is an additional requirement for all AFROTC cadets to pass. It is a standardized test similar to the SAT with the addition of sections that test for aviation and flight-related knowledge. The AFOQT measures verbal and math skills, as well as your aptitude in academics, pilot, and navigator/technical areas. Testing requires approximately 4.5 hours.

The test is given several times during the fall and spring and can be taken a maximum of two times with at least 150 days in between tests.

Yes.

• Cadet Training Assistant Program
• A few highly motivated POC cadets have the opportunity to serve as assistants at summer Field Training. These cadets assist active-duty officers in training and evaluating the future POC cadets while they attend Field Training.

You will compete in a selection process much like the one for enrollment allocation as an officer candidate. The factors used will include your AFOQT scores, your field-training performance rating, GPA, academic major, Physical Fitness Assessment score, and the Detachment Commander's rating. You will know your specific Air Force job category approximately six months before you're commissioned.

Air Force ROTC cadets participate in structured physical activity three times per week. Physical fitness is an important aspect of Air Force life and gives an opportunity for fun and enjoyment. While attendance is mandatory, many cadets find the activities so much fun that they actually spend off-days doing voluntary PT.

Approximately half of the Leadership Lab sessions (about 10 hours each semester) are devoted to drill and ceremonies. The remaining time is for guest lectures, joint training sessions, special projects, and competitive sports.

After passing the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), cadets receive a complete uniform, at no cost, and instructions for free alterations. Cadets are responsible to keep their uniform clean and presentable.

You're required to wear your uniform on the day you have Leadership Lab, as well as during your weekly Aerospace Studies classes. There are also certain military social events (Military Ball, Dining-Out, etc.) that require uniform wear.

Very well. The Professional Officer Course cadets (upper level) are willing to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. Your flight commander also helps you fit into the program. Hazing is not permitted at any Air Force ROTC detachment. The staff is concerned about your well-being and progress and will treat you as an adult officer candidate.

You can put as little or as much time into Air Force ROTC as you want, as long as you satisfy all academic, Leadership Laboratory, and physical fitness requirements. The ROTC staff understands your studies are critical for your success in college, your success in the ROTC program, and your success in the future.

Unless you are on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, there is no obligation while a freshman or sophomore in the General Military Course.

Once you enter the POC, you incur an obligation to the USAF.

You must maintain these standards while in Air Force ROTC:

• Be enrolled as a full-time student
• Be in good academic standing with the college and Air Force ROTC
• Make satisfactory progress toward degree requirements to graduate when contracted and in the major you selected to enter the POC (changes must be approved)
• Attend POC classes and Leadership Lab.
• Wear your uniform to Leadership Laboratory and to AFROTC classes as directed by your AFROTC instructor
• Meet the same dress and appearance standards as active-duty personnel, including haircuts
• Remain physically qualified and maintain required physical fitness and weight standards
• Comply with the Air Force drug abuse policy
• Enlist in the Obligated Reserve Section of the Air Force Reserve

After graduating from college and completing all Air Force ROTC requirements, you'll be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.