Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) offers students a course of study leading to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force or Space Force. The student/cadet has an opportunity to explore and evaluate Air Force and Space Force career opportunities while earning a college degree. Completion of the AFROTC curriculum is the initial step in the education of the professional officer and provides a firm understanding of basic Air Force doctrine, missions, organization and operations.

The AFROTC program consists of two phases: the General Military Course (GMC) and the Professional Officer Course (POC). Each phase requires four (4) semesters of study. All AFROTC cadets must enroll in the lab associated with their course. This lab consists of a 2-hour leadership lab and 3 approximately 1-hour physical training (PT) sessions each week (note that documentation of medical clearance using AFROTC provided forms will be required prior to authorization to participate in PT).

General Military Course (GMC)—The Basic Course

Students may enroll in the GMC course with no military obligation; however, students new to AFROTC must speak with a member of the UWF Air Force Department for enrollment approval and instructions. The GMC courses deal primarily with general Air Force knowledge and the structure of the Air Force and Space Force organizations along with basic leadership principles and concepts. Communication skills are also emphasized.

Students may join in their sophomore year but must dual enroll in both the AFR 1101 as well as AFR 2130. This requires individuals to speak with a member of the AF ROTC cadre for approval and course override.

The GMC is further divided into two phases:

1. Initial Military Training (IMT), a cadet's first year in AFROTC where the cadet is introduced to the Air Force and Space Force:

2. Field Training Preparation (FTP), a cadet's second year of training where the cadet is introduced to the evolution of air and space power and competes for a Field Training allocation for the following summer:

Summer Field Training

During their Field Training Prep year, all students must compete for the opportunity to attend Field Training that summer. This is a competitive application process and selection is based on interest in the Air Force or Space Force, cumulative college GPA, performance on the Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT) standardized test, demonstrated leadership potential, and physical fitness.

Field Training takes place at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL and spans approximately two weeks. Students are furnished with uniforms, medical care and transportation, or payment for travel, associated with their Field Training session.

Professional Officer Course (POC)—The Advanced Course

POC Enrollment is limited to those students who have been accepted for the course (generally upon successful completion of the summer Field Training). Individuals entering the POC must have a minimum of two academic years remaining in college as full-time students as an undergraduate. Upon completion, all POC students are obligated to accept a commission and enter active duty Air Force or Space Force.

Junior-year materials emphasize student involvement in learning and practicing leadership and effective communication techniques. Senior-year materials cover national security policy and the Armed Forces as an integral element of society. Throughout the entire AFROTC curriculum, leadership and communication skills as they apply to a Junior officer in the Air Force or Space Force are emphasized.

Students who enter the POC in good standing are contracted into the POC. This contract obligates the cadet to pursue completion of the AFROTC program and commission in the Air Force or Space Force and provides a monthly nontaxable allowance.

AFROTC College Scholarship Program

The Professor of Air Force Studies (PAS) may nominate qualified freshmen and sophomores to compete for scholarships covering up to 3.5 years. Scholarship recipients contract with the Air Force to pursue completion of the AFROTC program and subsequent commission. The scholarship entitlement pays tuition and fees at UWF, a textbook allotment and the monthly allowance mentioned in the POC section. Scholarship consideration is predicated on student ability (e.g. grades/transcript, SAT or equivalent exam scores, fitness scores), performance (e.g. demonstrated leadership and followership traits) and Air Force needs (e.g. filling needed majors or career fields). Additionally, all students/cadets selected for Field Training will be contracted prior to departure and receive the Charles McGee Leadership Award upon completion and entrance into the Professional Officer Course. This scholarship is for undergraduates only and covers up to $18,000 tuition, a term book stipend, and monthly stipend. Individuals may convert up to $10,000 from tuition to housing for on-campus housing costs.

Three and four-year scholarships are also available to high school students. High school students interested in applying should contact the UWF Air Force ROTC Detachment by phone at 850-473-7273, by mail at UWF Air Force ROTC (AFROTC), 11000 University Parkway, Bldg 78 Room 124 Pensacola, FL 32514-5753 or apply via afrotc.com.

Air and Space Studies Minor

The Air and Space Studies Minor assists Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets and other students in meeting the criteria for a commission as an Officer in the United States Air Force, or entry as a civil service employee into the Department of the Air Force or Department of Defense. The courses emphasize leadership and management techniques with an emphasis on Air Force and Joint military processes and programs.

Program Requirements

The Air and Space Studies Minor requires four semester hours of lower-division and 12 semester hours of upper-division work in aerospace studies. None of the 16 aerospace studies hours may be taken online. A grade of "C" or higher is required for all courses in the minor.