Aerospace Studies

Overview

The United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) provides women and men at Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, Dallas Baptist University, The University of Texas at Arlington, Weatherford College, and Tarrant County College the education and training necessary to develop the management and leadership skills vital to professional Air Force officers.

Enrollment in the General Military Course (first two years) is voluntary for eligible students and does not obligate non-scholarship students for further military service. The Professional Officer Course (last two years) is also voluntary but competitive. Because the POC leads to a commission in the United States Air Force, those selected to continue training incur military obligation.

Aerospace studies courses are taken concurrently with other degree programs. No degree is offered in aerospace studies, but up to 24 semester hours may be earned in aerospace studies over the four-year period. Some of the classes may be used to meet major elective requirements. See your academic advisor for confirmation. Students who enroll in aerospace studies classes must attend both classroom and leadership laboratory classes located at Texas Christian University, Rickel Academic Wing (3005 Stadium Drive) Office 247, Fort Worth, Texas 76109. The laboratory classes give students firsthand experience in leadership and organizational skills while preparing them for enrollment in the Professional Officer Course.

Program Requirements

Four-Year Program

This program enables students to take advantage of four years of aerospace studies courses. Each semester, for the first two years, cadets take a one-credit hour academic class and a one-credit hour Pass/No-Credit Leadership Laboratory (LLab). The first two years collectively are referred to as the General Military Course (GMC). Upon successful completion of the GMC and an ensuing four-week Air Force paid field training course, qualified and selected students may elect to enroll in the final two years, referred to as the Professional Officer Course (POC). Each semester in the POC, students take a three-credit hour academic class and a one-credit hour Pass/No-Credit LLab. AFROTC uniforms and textbooks are issued by the unit.

Aerospace Studies General Qualifications

A student enrolling in AFROTC must:

Be a full-time student (12 semester hours or more);
Be a U.S. citizen;
Be in good physical condition/health;
Have good moral character; and
Be no older than 34 years old upon commissioning.

Program Benefits

As Air Force ROTC cadets, students are entitled to selective benefits. Social and co-curricular activities, together with leadership and academic training, are all part of Air Force ROTC. Contracted cadets receive a nontaxable subsistence allowance each month during the school year. Drill team, honor guard and Arnold Air Honor Society are just a few social outlets for the cadets. Summer opportunities for cadets can include a paid visit to a military installation for two weeks, freefall parachuting, combat survival training, flight nurse shadowing and cadet training assistant duty at field training.

Scholarships

Air Force ROTC offers scholarships that vary in length of award and amount based on academic major and applicant qualifications. All awarded scholarships pay a stipend for textbooks and fees, plus a monthly, nontaxable, stipend during the school year. Scholarship awards are based on specific academic majors related to the needs of the U.S. Air Force. These scholarship opportunities for in-college students are determined at the national level by Air Force ROTC and are subsequently administered by the detachment/Department of Aerospace Studies. Scholarship applicants are selected using the whole-person concept, which includes objective factors (i.e., GPA, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and physical fitness test) and subjective factors (i.e., personal evaluations). Students who are enrolled in Air Force ROTC generally improve their scholarship selection opportunity.

In addition to meeting the general qualifications mentioned above, scholarship applicants must be at least 17 years of age when the scholarship is activated and must be less than 31 years of age as of the end of their commissioning year. Because the scholarship program varies according to budget and needs of the Air Force, interested applicants should contact the Department of Aerospace Studies at 817.257.7461 or www.afrotc.com for specific details.

Commissioning

Upon successful completion of the AFROTC Program and baccalaureate or graduate degree, a student is commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. In some instances, active service can be delayed by students continuing in post-baccalaureate degree programs.

Additional Information

More detailed information about the Air Force ROTC program is available through the Department of Aerospace Studies. The department is located at Texas Christian University, Rickel Academic Wing (3005 Stadium Drive) Office 247, Fort Worth, Texas 76109.

Courses

AS 1121. FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. 1 Hour.

(AS 1121 in the fall and AS 1122 in the spring) AS 100 is a survey course designed to introduce students to the U.S. Air Force and Air Force ROTC. Featured topics include: mission and organization of the Air Force, officership and professionalism, military customs and courtesies, Air Force officer opportunities, and an introduction into communication skills. Leadership Laboratory (AS 1001) complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.

AS 1122. FOUNDATION OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. 1 Hour.

AS 1181. LEADERSHIP LABORATORY. 1 Hour.

(LLAB) (Every semester). The AS 100 and AS 200 LLabs include a study of Air Force customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, and military commands. The LLAB also includes studying the environment of an Air Force officer and learning about areas of opportunity available to commissioned officers. The AS 300 and AS 400 LLAB consist of activities classified as leadership and management experiences. They involve the planning and controlling of military activities of the cadet corps; and the preparation and presentation of briefings and other oral and written communications. LLAB also include interviews, guidance, and information that will increase the understanding, motivation, and performance of other cadets.

AS 2121. TEAM AND LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS. 1 Hour.

(AS 2121 in the fall and 2122 in the spring): A survey course designed to provide a basic understanding of both leadership and team building fundamentals. In this course, students will apply learned leadership perspectives while completing team building activities and discussing various leadership topics (i.e., conflict management, motivation, ethical decision-making, etc.). Additionally, students will be introduced to, and practice, basic verbal and written communication skills to develop effective thinking, writing, and speaking proficiencies. Students are taught from the beginning that there are many layers to leadership, including aspects that are not typically associated with these topics. Such aspects include listening, self-assessment/self-reflection, being a good follower, and problem solving efficiently. As a whole, this course provides the student with a knowledge level understanding of the general elements of leader development and effective teamwork. Furthermore, students will continue to discuss the importance of the Air Force Core Values with the use of operational examples and historical Air Force leaders. Leadership Laboratory (AS 1001) is mandatory for Air Force ROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.

AS 2122. TEAM AND LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS. 1 Hour.

AS 3301. LEADERSHIP STUDIES. 3 Hours.

(AS 3301 in the fall and AS 3311 in the spring). AS 300 is a study of leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel and evaluation systems, leadership ethics, and communication skills required for an Air Force junior officer. Case studies are used to examine Air Force leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of the concepts being studied. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory (AS 1001) complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course.

AS 3311. LEADERSHIP STUDIES. 3 Hours.

AS 4301. NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS/PREPARATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY. 3 Hours.

(AS 4301 in the fall and 4311 in the spring). AS 400 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. Within this structure, continued emphasis is given to refining communication skills. An additional Leadership Laboratory (AS 1001) complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.

AS 4311. NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS/PREPARATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY. 3 Hours.

(AS 4301 in the fall and AS 4311 in the spring). AS 400 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. Within this structure, continued emphasis is given to refining communication skills. An additional Leadership Laboratory (AS 1001) complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.

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