Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC)
2800 W. Lowden St., Fort Worth, TX • 817-257-7461 • www.afrotc.tcu.edu

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 Junior 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 may 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 at Texas Christian University, 2800 W. Lowden St., Fort Worth, Texas. The laboratory classes give students first hand experience in leadership and organizational skill while preparing them for enrollment in the Professional Officer Course.

Programs AvailableFour-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 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 will take a three-credit hour academic class and a one-credit hour LLAB. AFROTC uniforms and textbooks are issued by the unit.

Two Year Program
This program is commonly known as the Professional Officer Course (POC) and enables eligible graduate and undergraduate students to obtain a commission in the United States Air Force. Formal selection for entering the POC requires completion of a summer field-training course. Students electing this option must apply to the Professor of Aerospace Studies early in their sophomore year or before entering a graduate degree program, pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, and pass a physical examination prior to attending the five-week field training course. Two-year students enrolled in the POC receive similar benefits and advantages to those enrolled in the four-year program, including the opportunity to apply for various Air Force ROTC college scholarships. Students selected for the POC receive a monthly subsistence allowance. In addition, POC students are automatically awarded an incentive scholarship provided they meet all incentive requirements.

General Qualifications
A student enrolling in AFROTC must:
1. Be a full-time student (12 semester hours or more; 9 hours for postgraduate students)
2. Be a United States citizen
3. Be in good physical condition/health
4. Have good moral character
5. Be no older than 29 years old (up to 34 years old with waivers) upon commissioning

Scholarships
Air Force ROTC offers 4, 3, 2, and 1 year (in some situations) scholarships. Most scholarships pay for tuition, textbooks, and fees plus a monthly, nontaxable stipend during the school year. Scholarships are offered in various majors. 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 under 27 years of age as of June 30 of their commissioning year. Individuals with previous military experience may obtain a year extension of the maximum age restriction for up to 3 years of prior service. Requirements for each scholarship category may vary; therefore, applicants should contact the Department of Aerospace Studies at (817) 257-7461 for specific details.

High School students may apply for a 4-year scholarship no later than Dec. 1 of their high school senior year. Scholarship applications for college students are made through the Aerospace Studies Department in the spring semester. Scholarship applicants are selected using the whole person concept, which includes objective factors (i.e. grade point average 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.

Those students who are offered an AFROTC scholarship with an SAT of 1100 or ACT of 24, and who attend TCU, may be offered a TCU Room and Board subsidy. Three-year scholarship winners with the above scores could possibly receive an additional semester of tuition paid if attending TCU.

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. Students receive a nontaxable subsistence allowance each month during the school year if they are in the Professional Officer Course or are an AFROTC scholarship recipient. The detachment sponsors a Civil Air Patrol where cadets can obtain front-seat and back seat flying time in Cessna aircraft for a small fee. Drill team, honor guard, Arnold Air Honor Society, Silver Wings Service Organization, and Officer Christian Fellowship are just a few social outlets for the cadets. Summer opportunities for cadets can include a paid visit to a military installation for 5 days, Freefall Parachuting and Soaring at the United States Air Force Academy, Combat Survival Training, Flight Nurse shadowing, and cadet training assistant duty at field training.

Receiving Commission
Upon successful completion of the AFROTC program and baccalaureate or graduate degree, a student will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Newly commissioned officers can normally expect to be called into active service within 30 days from the date of their commissioning. In certain instances, students continuing in post-baccalaureate degree programs can delay active service.

Course Substitution
Aerospace Studies (AFROTC) courses may be taken for credit toward completion of a college degree. AS 1000/2000-level courses may be taken with or in lieu of exercise and sport activities (EXSA) or marching band. Upper level courses (AS 3000/4000 level) may be applied toward elective requirements. Credit will vary depending upon major.

Additional Information
More detailed information about the Air Force ROTC program is available through the Department of Aerospace Studies. The department is located at 2800 W. Lowden Street on the Texas Christian University campus. Call 817-257-7461 or 1-800-TCU-FROG and ask for Air Force ROTC.

Aerospace Studies Faculty
Chair
Lieutenant Colonel Walker
Adjunct Assistant Professors
Folmar, Hamblin, Robinson

Aerospace Studies (AS)
General Military Courses (GMC)

Foundation of the United States Air Force (AS 1121 in the fall and 1122 in the spring) (1-0) 1 hour credit. AS100 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 to communication skills. Leadership Laboratory (AS 1001) complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.

The Evolution of USAF Air and Space Power (AS 2121 in the fall and 2122 in the spring) (1-0) 1 hour credit. AS200 is a survey course designed to examine general aspects of air and space power through a historical perspective. Utilizing this perspective, the course covers a time period from the first balloons and dirigibles to the space-age global positioning systems of the Persian Gulf War. Historical examples are provided to extrapolate the development of Air Force capabilities (competencies), and missions (functions) to demonstrate the evolution of what has become today’s USAF air and space power. Furthermore, the course examines several fundamental truths associated with war in the third dimension: e.g. Principles of War and Tenets of Air and Space Power. As a whole, this course provides the student with a knowledge level understanding for the general element and employment of air and space power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. In addition, the students will continue to discuss the importance of the Air Force Core Values with the use of operational examples and historical Air Force leaders and will continue to develop their communication skills. In addition, Leadership Laboratory (AS 1001) is mandatory for Air Force ROTC cadets (not special students), and it complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.

Professional Officer Courses (POC)
Leadership Studies (AS 3113 in the fall and 3123 in the spring). AS300 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.

National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty
(AS 4113 in the fall and 4123 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.

1001 Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) (Every semester). The AS100 and AS200 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 AS300 and AS400 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.

---