Calendar 2005-2006 - The University of Akron

Reserve Officer
Training Corps
(ROTC)
1500: AEROSPACE STUDIES
Aerospace Studies provides the student with an opportunity to pursue a commission
in the United States Air Force while qualifying for graduation from the
University of Akron. Air Force ROTC provides over 65% of the leaders for tomorrow’s
Air Force. These well-educated, versatile and professional officers will continue
to keep the Air Force on the cutting edge of technology while providing for
the national defense.
The Air Force ROTC program for The University of Akron is administered by
Detachment 630 at Kent State University. For details on how the program is
administered for University of Akron students, call (330) 672-2182.
The program is designed to prepare the student to become an officer who is dedicated
and responsible; critical and creative in thinking; able to communicate clearly;
and skilled in effective management.
Today’s Air Force is undoubtedly the best nationwide employer in the current
American marketplace. Our program is open to all qualified students who will
receive at least a baccalaureate degree upon graduation. For more information,
visit www.uakron.edu/afrotc or call (330) 672-2182.
Scholarships
One of the most attractive benefits of joining Air Force ROTC is the availability of
outstanding Air Force ROTC scholarships. Scholarships and other financial assistance
can pay full tuition, provide a book allowance and a tax-free monthly
stipend. In fact, these benefits can add up to more than $100,000 and are available
to high school and college students, depending on the type and length of
scholarship. Scholarships are available for all accredited majors that award a baccalaureate
degree with an emphasis on engineering, nursing and technical
majors. So whether you are a high school junior or even a college senior, Air
Force ROTC may have a scholarship waiting for you.
Scholarship information, such as tuition amounts and GPA requirements, change
often. For the last scholarship information, visit www.uakron.edu/afrotc or call
(330) 672-2182.
In addition to the Air Force scholarships, The University of Akron provides additional
scholarship money each year to award students enrolled in the Air Force
ROTC program. These scholarships include both cash awards and a number of
room and board scholarships.
Job Placement
When you finish Air Force ROTC and graduate with a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be
commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. You’ll
receive an excellent salary and regular pay raises. Beginning salary is about
$38,000, increasing to about $62,000 after four years (2003 estimates). The
active duty service commitment to the Air Force is four years; however, officers
who attend navigator or air battle manager training have a six-year commitment
after they complete training, and pilots incur a 10-year commitment after they
complete pilot training. You’ll also receive tax-free housing and food allowances
while you are on active duty. Furthermore, the Air Force pays 100 percent of
postgraduate tuition and fees. Other benefits include:
• 30 days of vacation with pay per year
• medical and dental benefits for you and if you have a spouse and/or children
• exciting travel opportunities
• available retirement after 20 years of service
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) 2005-2006 97
Programs
Most ROTC cadets go through a four-year program; however, Air Force ROTC
does offer shorter programs, ranging from as little as one and up to three years
(the shorter programs are aimed at students who have already started college).
Air Force ROTC classes and lab fit into your normal academic schedule, just like
any other class.
In addition to the Air Force ROTC class you take each week, you will be required
to attend a leadership laboratory. The Aerospace studies classes and leadership
laboratory will be held on the Kent State University campus, which is less than a
30-minute commute from The University of Akron. Most students will only have
to go to KSU a few hours a week, usually Tuesday afternoon, to take both the
class and laboratory.
All Air Force officers are leaders, supervisors and managers. We prepare cadets
for this responsibility in Air Force ROTC during weekly leadership laboratory activities,
which develop and test your leadership and people skills. This cadet-centered
program allows students to practice the skills learned in class through a variety
of activities, such as group leadership problems, leading a flight in drill and ceremonies
and other group activities. Typically, ROTC class credits can be applied
as general elective credits toward your degree and if you complete all four years
of AFROTC courses, you can earn a minor in Aerospace Studies.
Four-Year Program
First-year students of The University of Akron may pursue the four-year program.
Enrollment procedures for the first two years of Air Force ROTC, known as the
General Military Course (GMC), are the same as for any other university course.
The GMC consists of one hour of classroom work and two hours of Aerospace
Studies Leadership Laboratory each week, providing 1.5 semester credits.
Portions of the GMC may be accredited for prior completion of two or more years
of high school Junior ROTC, participation in Civil Air Patrol, military school training,
or prior service in any branch of the United States Armed Forces.
Upon completion of the General Military Course, cadets may compete for entry
into the last two years of the program, the Professional Officer Corps (POC). If
selected, cadets will be required to attend field training. Upon successful completion
of field training, cadets will also be required to maintain full-time student status
each semester for the last two years of the program.
Two-Year Program
The two-year program opens the door directly into the POC for those students
who are already in their second year of college and would still like to take advantage
of the outstanding opportunities the Air Force has to offer. As with entry into
the POC from the General Military Course, this method of entry into the POC is
very competitive. Two-year program applicants must also meet all qualifications
described in Requirements for Admission. If selected, cadets will be required to
attend field training. Upon successful completion of field training, cadets will also
be required to maintain full-time student status each semester for the last two
years of the program.
Applications for the two-year program should be made as early in the academic year
as possible so that all requisites may be completed in time for summer field training.
The POC consists of three hours of classroom work and two hours of Aerospace
Studies Leadership Laboratory each week, providing three semester credits.
Field Training
In the summer prior to entering the POC, all four-year program AFROTC cadets
and student applicants for the two-year program must attend field training at an
Air Force base where they will learn and make use of training and leadership
techniques in close contact with other cadets from across the country. The fouryear
program cadet spends four weeks at an encampment, while field training for
the two-year program applicant lasts six weeks. Uniforms, lodging, meals, and
travel pay are provided without charge.
Flight Training
For cadets who meet the physical and testing requirements to become pilots in
the Air Force, there are excellent opportunities to receive active duty flight training
through Air Force ROTC. Categorization into all rated positions, including pilots and
navigators, occurs during the first year prior to the cadets’ entry onto active duty.