Course Information

AFROTC Information

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a commissioning program designed to give college students the opportunity to train to become Air Force or Space Force officers while completing their undergraduate degree. The AFROTC program is designed to prepare men and women to assume positions of increasing responsibility and importance in the modern Air Force or Space Force. Air Force ROTC is a four-year program that can be condensed to three years, if necessary.

Four-year Program – The General Military Course (GMC) is the first half of the four-year program, and students generally take these courses during their freshman and sophomore year at Troy University.  This program allows students to "try out" AFROTC for up to two years without incurring any military obligation (EXCEPTION:  scholarship students fall under different rules).  As you attend class, you'll learn about the Air Force and the historical development of airpower in war.  The last two years of AFROTC are called the Professional Officer Course (POC) and are required for all students qualified and wishing to seek commission.  All POC cadets are contracted with the Air Force and obligated to serve active duty following graduation and commissioning.

Your weekly requirements with AFROTC will amount to 5-6 hours of time at the Detachment.  You can put as little or as much time into Air Force ROTC as you want beyond that, as long as you satisfy all academic, Leadership Laboratory, and physical fitness requirements. The ROTC staff knows your studies are critical for your success in college, your success in the ROTC program, and your success in the future.

In order to enroll in AFROTC classes with Det 017, you must be a full-time student at Troy University.

Academics

AFROTC cadets are required to take 24 credit hours of Aerospace Studies courses through AFROTC to prepare them for a commission in the USAF or USSF.  These academic courses are accredited with Troy University and are taught by the officer Cadre on staff.  These courses are in addition to the colleges' degree requirements for the student's specific Bachelor's degree.  The following is a summary of the courses offered and the sequence that they must be taken:

1st Year – AS 1112 (Fall) & AS 1113 (Spring)

Heritage and Values (General Military Course)

This is a survey course designed to introduce student to the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC).  Featured topics include mission and organization of the Air Force, Air Force Core Values, officership and professionalism, leadership principles, group leadership dynamics, military customs and courtesies, Air Force officer career opportunities, and an introduction to communication skills.

2nd Year – AS 2212 (Fall) & AS 2213 (Spring)

Team and Leadership Fundamentals (General Military Course)

This course is designed to examine the historical significance of air and space power.  Students will explore the importance of early flight experiments, the introduction of air power in war, and the evolution of air doctrine to current operations.  In addition, the students will continue to discuss the importance of the Air Force core values, through the use of operational examples and historical Air Force leaders.

3rd Year – AS 3312 (Fall) & AS 3313 (Spring)

Leading People and Effective Communication (Professional Officer Course)

A study of leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel evaluation systems, leadership ethics, and the communication skills expected of Company Grade Officers (junior officers).  Case studies are used to examine Air Force leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical applications of the concepts studied.

4th Year – AS 4412 (Fall) & AS 4413 (Spring)

National Security, Leadership Responsibilities and Commissioning Preparation (Professional Officer Course)

Examines the national security process, regional studies, advanced leadership ethics, and Air Force doctrine.  Special topics of interest focus on the military as a profession, officership, military justice, civilian control of the military, preparation for active duty, and current issues affecting military professionalism.  Continued emphasis is given to the refinement of communication skills.

Leadership Lab- Fall & Spring Semesters 

Leadership Lab is a cadet-run program taken each semester of cadet participation in AFROTC. POC, or upper class, cadets plan, manage, and execute LLAB activities each week. LLAB is a two-hour course that you will register for each semester with Troy University. It is a pass/fail course with the university and requires successful completion in order to move forward in the AFROTC program. In short, LLAB is the hands-on version of what you learn about in your Air Force class.

Physical Training

All cadets are required to participate in Physical Training (PT).  The PT schedule is subject to change each semester based on the needs of the Cadet Wing.  PT attendance is currently required on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 0600-0700. PT is another opportunity for POC cadets (Juniors and Seniors) to lead.

PT activities vary from day to day.  Expect an exciting workout that will build up your strength and endurance in preparation for the Air Force PT test that is administered each semester.  Workouts include cardiovascular circuits, ability group runs, athletic competitions by class, and cadet-lead workouts based on today's most effective fitness trends like P-90X®, Crossfit®, and the Insanity® Workout.  If you are not in shape, get ready to get in shape!

Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)

The PFA is administered by the Detachment Cadre once a semester. The AFROTC PFA is the same as the Air Force Physical Fitness Test administered to all active duty personnel. The PFA consists of the following assessments:

• Height/weight measurement
• 1 minute, push-ups
• 1 minute, crunches
• 1.5 mile timed run

All events are conducted on the same day; the body composition (height and weight measurement) will be conducted first in the detachment, followed by the one minute of push-ups, one minute of crunches, and finally the 1.5 mile run.  A break of no more than five minutes is required between the push-ups, crunches and run.  All physical events are conducted on the old track on-campus.

Additional Information

AFOQT (Air Force Officer Qualification Test)

The Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT) is a commissioning requirement for all cadets.  It is a standardized test similar to the SAT with additional sections testing a student's knowledge of aviation and other flight-related knowledge.  The AFOQT is typically administered in the cadet's second year, and each student will have two chances to pass the test.  This test is administered at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery AL.

Field Training

All AFROTC cadets must compete against cadets from around the country attend field training in the summer between their second and third year.  Field training is AFROTC's version of "basic training", but Field Training will not just test a cadet's ability to perform under stress, it is meant to evaluate military discipline and Air Force leadership potential.  This is a cadet's final evaluation in leadership, followership, and team building before they will be allowed to enter the Professional Officer Course.  Field Training is four weeks long and takes place at Maxwell AFB, AL. Not every student will attend Field Training because of slots available.

(Current as of March 2024)