What Is Air Force ROTC?

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) allows you to enter the Air Force or the United States Space Force as an officer and leader, which means you will be responsible for a management position straight out of college. After completing all Air Force ROTC and academic degree requirements, cadets accept a commission as second lieutenants in the Air Force appointed by the United States president. The length of your initial service commitment depends on your career. 

It takes a unique individual to succeed in Air Force ROTC. It takes dedication, drive, and discipline. AFROTC will demand integrity, academic dedication, and a commitment to excellence. You will need to hone your time-management skills, analytical skills, and your physical fitness. However, if you are up for the challenge, the rewards will last a lifetime.

Academics

Academics are of the utmost importance in the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Arizona.  To ensure you are on track to graduate and commission, you will meet with your academic advisor and ROTC instructor every semester to review your academic plan. You will be required to maintain a minimum of a 2.0GPA to remain in the program, but a higher GPA will increase your chances for scholarships and special opportunities and training. 

We also have an active mentorship program within our cadet wing that matches students with similar interests and majors at different program stages. This is a great way for cadets to foster friendships and camaraderie while prioritizing academics.

Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is an important aspect of the daily life of every Air Force member, including ROTC cadets. Our physical training leaders have put together a challenging yet fun program to help each cadet achieve personal fitness, ultimately leading to passing physical fitness assessment scores.  You are required to pass the Air Force Physical Fitness Test each semester successfully. 

Leadership

The Air Force ROTC mission is to "develop premier leaders of character for the Air Force." We will give you the training, tools, and opportunities you need to test and develop your leadership abilities. The weekly Leadership Laboratory is planned, organized, and executed by the cadets with general guidance from the active-duty cadre members. This provides ample opportunity to put your leadership skills into action and learn from your successes and failures while developing your unique leadership style along the way.

Cadets are also assigned positions in the Cadet Wing that allow the students to experience the organization and operations of an active duty Air Force wing. Additionally, upper-class cadets hold leadership positions that further enhance their exposure to the responsibilities of an officer.

Field Training

In the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Arizona, you will receive the best training to prepare you for active duty as a Second Lieutenant. A pivotal training event for all cadets is Field Training. This is a unique and transformational two-week training experience at Maxwell Air Force Base during the summer between your sophomore and junior year. Field Training provides expeditionary skills training, tactics, drill, and increased leadership opportunities and responsibilities, serving to evaluate and prepare cadets to lead the cadet wing upon return to Det 020. 

While Field Training is a mandatory summer event for all cadets, there are voluntary training opportunities called Professional Development Training (PDT). PDTs are opportunities for cadets to gain further exposure to Air Force bases and operations. They are available for cadets to attend during the summers between their freshman and sophomore years and again between their junior and senior years.  Additional PDT opportunities are programs are available during the school year, such as Freefall (parachute training at the Air Force Academy), SOAR (largest glider operation in the world), International Immersion Program (travel to another country), Combatives (hand-to-hand, unarmed combat), Field Engineering and Readiness Lab (for civil engineering majors), the list goes on.

Character Development

The U.S. Air Force is looking for Second Lieutenants with the utmost character, and ROTC will help develop that, beginning with the Air Force Honor Code:
"We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does."

The Air Force Honor Code inspires and guides the development of officers with character and discipline who are better citizens for America. We expect to produce officers with the following core values:
"Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do."