Program Overview
What Is OSU Air Force ROTC?
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is a vehicle to commissioning as
an officer in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Through AFROTC, you will make
the most of your college experience. You will hone your time-management skills, analytical
skills, and physical fitness. It will not be easy! However, if you are up for the
challenge, the reward will last a lifetime. At the completion of this program, you
will commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force!
Academics
A bachelor's degree is required to receive a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the
U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force; thus, academics are of the utmost importance
in the AFROTC program at OSU. To ensure you are on track to graduate and commission,
you will meet with your academic advisor and your AFROTC instructor every semester
to review your academic plan.
We also have an active mentorship program within our cadet wing that matches students with similar interests and majors, who are at different stages within the program. This is a great way for cadets to foster friendships and camaraderie while prioritizing academics.
A 2.5 or above term and cumulative GPA is expected for ALL cadets. When you register for classes make sure you add your weekly AERO (AS) class and the once a week leadership lab (LLAB). It is required to achieve a "C" or higher in your AS class. It is also required that you have 80% attendance for both AS class and LLAB—there are no virtual options for AFROTC. In order to be accepted in the program make sure you maintain full time student status (12+ hours each semester).
Physical Fitness
Physical fitness is an important aspect of the daily life of every U.S. Air Force
and U.S. Space Force member, including AFROTC cadets. Each week, four physical training
sessions are offered, of which each cadet must attend two sessions. Morning and afternoon
sessions are offered in order to best accommodate all 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
(required to continue in the program).
It is our goal for ALL cadets to achieve an 85% or above on the PFA (physical fitness assessment).
Leadership
The AFROTC mission is to "develop premier leaders of character for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force." We will give you the training, tools, and opportunities you need to test and develop your leadership abilities from day one. 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 active duty U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Upper-class cadets hold positions of leadership that further enhance their exposure to the responsibilities of an officer.
Training
In the AFROTC program at OSU, you will receive the finest 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 years. 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 Detachment 670.
While Field Training is a mandatory summer event for all cadets, there are voluntary summer training opportunities called Professional Development Training (PDT). PDTs are opportunities for cadets to gain further exposure to U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force bases and operations. They are available for cadets to attend during the summers between their freshman and sophomore year, and again between their junior and senior year. Among PDT opportunities are programs 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), and the list goes on.
Character Development
The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force are looking for Second Lieutenants with the utmost character and AFROTC will help develop that, beginning with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force Honor Code:
"We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does."
The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force Honor Code inspires and guides 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
What It Takes
Our cadets learn to carry out the core values and cadet honor code in everyday life.
They are driven, dedicated, and disciplined individuals who strive to succeed.