Air Force & ROTC/ Aerospace Studies

Air Force ROTC

The Air Force ROTC program prepares students to serve as commissioned officers in the Air Force. Students may participate in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) offered by the Department of Aerospace Studies at the UNC-Charlotte.

Aerospace Studies

Aerospace Studies prepares students for leadership positions with the United States Air Force through its Preprofessional Program and offers courses to all students through the Academic Program. The program is implemented by at the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. It provides three programs for students to qualify for a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. To be eligible, a student must be a citizen of the U.S., be physically qualified for commission, not under 14 years of age and upon graduation, no more than 30 years of age. For those with prior military service, commissioning must occur no later than age 35. If designated for flight training, the student must be able to complete all commissioning requirements prior to age 26 1/2.

Four-Year Program. This program begins with the General Military Course (GMC) and offers course work within the lower division. GMC students not on Air Force ROTC scholarship incur no military obligation.

Candidates for commissioning must pass each GMC course with a grade of "C" or better and pass the requisite lab. Students must also score appropriately on an Air Force aptitude test, pass a medical examination and be selected by a board of Air Force officers. If selected, the student then enrolls in the Professional Officer Course (POC). Upon successful completion of the POC and the requirement for a degree, the student is commissioned in the Air Force as a second lieutenant. All students receive a tax-free stipend once a month.

Two-Year Program. The basic requirement for entry into the two-year program is that the student has two academic years of college work remaining, either at the undergraduate level or a combination of both. Other requirements include approved scores on the Air Force aptitude test, a medical examination and completion of a five-week field training course. Upon completion of the POC and college requirements, the student is commissioned as a second lieutenant. All students receive a tax-free stipend once a month.

One-Year Program. This program is designed for students in selected majors who are completing their junior year. The designated majors are announced annually. Cadets in the one-year program, complete among other requirements, a five-week field training encampment. Students attend the training prior to entering the program. A tax-free stipend is offered once a month.

Scholarship Programs are awarded to freshman, sophomore and junior level students. Scholarships are only provided for the professional track leading to a commission in the Air Force. Scholarships are available to qualified cadets in the one-year, two-year and four-year programs and are issued on a semester basis. Full-time enrollment in the university or a consortium institution and the Aerospace Studies program is a requirement for scholarship eligibility. Scholarships cover full tuition, fees and books. Scholarship cadets also receive a tax-free stipend once a month.

Adjunct Programs include Field Training , Leadership Laboratory and a Professional Development Program.

Please refer to the university handbook for further details. Also, please visit www.coas.uncc.edu/afrotc for more information.