AFROTC FAQs
What is my end Goal of Det 630's AFROTC program?
Program Requirement Questions:
What are the basic requirements to enter the AFROTC program?
A potential cadet must be:
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A U.S. citizen (either by birth or by naturalization). Most foreign students may participate in our program but must obtain their citizenship by time of commissioning.
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Enrolled in an accredited college that hosts or has a crosstown agreement with an AFROTC Detachment
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In good physical condition
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Of good moral character
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14 years or older (17 years old to receive a scholarship)
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Committed to attending both the Aerospace Studies class and Leadership Lab each semester
What conditions may preclude me from entrance into the AFROTC program?
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Conscientious objectors—one who has or had a firm, fixed and sincere objection to participation in war, in any form, or to the bearing of arms because of religious training or belief, which includes solely moral or ethical beliefs
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Present or former commissioned officers of the Armed Forces
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Officers of the Health Services and Mental Health Administration and members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Those medically diagnosed with asthma or who have been prescribed Ritalin or any other medication for ADD and/or ADHD at any point in their life may be precluded from military service, but this may be waived, depending on diagnosis and treatment.
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Individuals on active duty with any military service—enlisted/warrant officers of Reserve or National Guard, unless conditionally released
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Nonimmigrant students from nations not approved by the Department of State
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Students who do not or cannot meet required standards of weight, appearance, decorum, discipline and military performance
- Individuals who have dropped out of a previous officer training program (e.g., Officer Training School, United States Air Force Academy, etc.). This may be waived, depending on individual circumstances.
What are the requirements for the AFROTC program?
All program requirements can be found at:
What are the age requirements?
Rated (Pilot, Combat Systems Officer, Air Battle Manager and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot)—commissioned before reaching the age of 29.
Scholarship applicants—be younger than 31 years old as of December 31 of the year you will be commissioned.
Tech, non-tech and nonrated—commissioned by age 31 (waiverable up to age 35).
Enrollment Questions:
How do I enroll?
AFROTC course information is contained on your university website and course catalog. For enrollment in the General Military Course (GMC) program, sign up for the Aerospace Studies 100 and 200 course just as you would for any other college course. Please ensure you select the corresponding Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) for your respective AS 100 / AS200 course.
If you are enrolled in your 2nd or higher college year, please contact the AFROTC detachment so that we may properly advise you.
What documents will I need to start the enrollment process?
Please visit our website at: http://www.kent.edu/afrotc/future-cadets for forms required for enrollment and http://www.kent.edu/afrotc/events (NCOP Section) for a complete list of forms required to begin in-processing.
You must also reveal any dual citizenship status you may hold.
Is information disclosed during the enrollment process provided to my parents?
Not if you are 18 years of age or older. Federal law, university laws, and the Privacy Act of 1974 prevent cadre from disclosing any information pertaining to your enrollment forms or academic performance, to include any disenrollment actions.
General Program Questions:
What does GMC and POC mean?
GMC stands for General Military Course. The GMC is a 2-year course, consisting of AS 100 and AS 200, designed to motivate and prepare cadets for entry into the professional officer course (POC). Each course is designed as a weekly, one academic-hour course.
POC stands for Professional Officer Course. The POC is a 2-year course, consisting of AS 300 and AS 400, designed to prepare cadets for active duty as Air Force officers. Each course in the POC is designed as a weekly, three academic-hour course.
When will I receive my uniform?
Typically, first year non-contracted cadets (those not on scholarship) will only be issued Physical Training gear. These cadets are expected to wear professional civilian attire when attending classes or meeting with cadre members.
All Field Training Preparation cadets (AS200/250), scholarship cadets, and AS 300/400 cadets will receive a full complement of uniform items.
When will I wear my uniform?
Cadets will wear an authorized military uniform for at least one full day per school week, regardless of length of school week, during their attendance at Leadership Lab (LLAB), and for Practical Military Training (PMT) as directed by the detachment commander. Wear of the uniform for AFROTC academic classes on other school days is at the detachment commander’s discretion.
For Det 630 cadets, the mandatory full day is Friday of each week.
What is Leadership Laboratory?
Lead Lab (LLAB) is the non-academic portion of the AFROTC program that is conducted during the normal academic year. Cadets are taught Drill and Ceremony, Customs and Courtesies, and other leadership based lessons that are applicable to active duty service. Other activities include group leadership problems and guest speakers.
What is Field Training (FT)?
The FT program will train cadets in the AF institutional competencies and evaluate cadet suitability for entry into the Professional Officer Corps (POC). AFROTC will issue guidance each year on requirements for FT attendance.
Field Training is a 2-week summer encampment held at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama and and Expeditionary portion held at Vigilant Warrior in Titus, Alabama. Cadets wishing to continue and commit to the Air Force attend Field Training mostly between their sophomore and junior years.
This rigorous program involves physical conditioning, weapons training and survival training. Field Training offers cadets the opportunity to develop their skills as both a leader and team member.
Field Training activities include:
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Physical conditioning
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Marksmanship training
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Survival training
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Air Force specialty orientation
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Confidence course
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Aircraft and crew orientation
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Human relations
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Drill and ceremonies
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Leadership study
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Group and expeditionary leadership activities
Does Completion of Field Training commit me to remaining in AFROTC?
Completion of FT does NOT commit you to AFROTC. Cadets returning from successfully completing LEAD that are non-scholarship/non-contracted will have the option to contract or drop the program at this time.
What is the AFOQT and is it mandatory?
The AFOQT is the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, which is a standardized aptitude test (similar to the SAT and ACT) used to select applicants for officer commissions programs or specific training programs. The AFOQT is mandatory for any cadet wishing to commission in the Air Force.
The AFOQT takes approximately five hours to complete. It contains 550 questions, divided into 12 subtests:
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Verbal Analogies
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Arithmetic Reasoning
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Word Knowledge
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Math Knowledge
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Reading Comprehension
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Situational Judgment
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Self-Description Inventory
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Physical Science
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Table Reading
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Instrument Comprehension
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Block Counting
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Aviation Information
You will receive test results in these areas:
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Combat Systems Officer
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Air Battle Manager
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Quantitative (Math)
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Academic Aptitude
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Situational Judgment
What do I have to score on the AFOQT?
Cadets must score a minimum of 15 Verbal and 10 Quantitative to remain in the AFROTC program. Additionally, those cadets wishing for a rated position (i.e. pilot, combat systems officer, remotely piloted aircraft, and air battle manager) must meet the minimum requirements above as well as scoring a 25 in the respective career area.
For example: A cadet wishing to become a pilot must score 15 Verbal, 10 Quantitative, and 25 pilot to even be considered.
When will I be required to take the AFOQT?
Per AFROTC Instruction 36-2011, paragraph 5.4.1:
All cadets must take the AFOQT NLT 31 December of their AS200 year, however, cadets are discouraged from taking the AFOQT prior to their sophomore year in college.
The AFOQT was designed for 3rd-year college students and students in their freshman year typically have taken fewer college-level courses in preparation for the test. Cadets who elect to test in their freshman year should be counseled beforehand on the limited number of authorized attempts.
How many times can I take the AFOQT?
Cadets are given two opportunities to take the AFOQT.
Cadets may retest at least 150 days after the previous attempt (for test preparation). The second test (or first retest) can be taken no earlier than the sophomore year.
What happens if I do not meet the AFOQT standards after my second attempt?
Under certain circumstances, a waiver can be submitted for a third attempt, but those are rare.
Per AFROTC Instruction 36-2011, paragraph 5.4.3:
To qualify for a third attempt the cadet must prove that they have meet the requirements IAW AFI 36-2605 guidance and the Det/CC recommends the third attempt. A waiver package will then be initiated, through the Region to AFROTC/RRFP, who will coordinate with AFPC on the request. When a third attempt is authorized, the retest will be accomplished before the end of their AS300 year.
Educational Questions:
What are the GPA requirements for the program?
Term GPA 2.0 for Non-Contracted / Contracted Non-Scholarship
Term GPA 2.5 for Contracted on Scholarship
Are there credit hour requirements for the program?
Undergraduate Students must maintain 12 Credit hours to be considered full-time students
Graduate Students must maintain 9 Credit hours to be considered full-time students
Are there any restrictions as to what students select as their academic major?
None at all. In fact, we encourage cadets to take a curriculum they are interested in and in which they have the capability to do well. Our main academic concern is that they maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) above 2.0 and attain their degree in the time period planned. The GPA requirements are different if they are applying for a scholarship and once they are on scholarship.
Information for Parents:
Concerned about your child entering the AFROTC program? Please visit the official AFROTC website () and see the “Parents” section. If you still have questions, please visit the Det 630 website (http://www.kent.edu/afrotc) and fill out an information request form.
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Last Updated: 03 October 2022
