Aerospace Studies with Utah State University and Naval Science (Navy and Marines Corps) through an inter-campus agreement with the University of Utah. Students may minor in any three of the above by satisfying requirements as identified in the programs below. AEROSPACE STUDIES (AIR FORCE ROTC) Chair: Lt Colonel Kenyon L. Peterson Assistant Professors: Captains Douglas J. Bristow, Robert F. Rocco, Donna M. Howell The Program Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is an educational program designed to provide you, as a college student, the opportunity to become an Air Force commissioned officer while completing requirements for an undergraduate or graduate degree. AFROTC provides numerous educational experiences for developing skills and attitudes vital to the career of a professional Air Force officer. The program is designed to develop an understanding of the mission and the global responsibilities of the United States Air Force. Academic course work provides background in national and international affairs to help candidates understand and evaluate world events. In addition, opportunities exist to apply the principles of leadership, human relations, management, and staff work in practical situations. AFROTC offers a Two-Year Program and a Four- Year Program. Most cadets go through the Four-Year Program. It's tailored for students with three or more years of college remaining. If you have two years of college remaining, you need to apply for the Two-Year Program prior to February of your sophomore year. The Four-Year Program begins with the General Military Course, GMC. You can "try out" AFROTC before deciding whether to apply for the last two years. There is no military commitment with the GMC; it is an opportunity to become acquainted with the doctrine, mission, organization of the U.S. Air Force and the development of air power. To qualify for entry into the GMC at WSU, a student must be enrolled at WSU, be a citizen of the United States (for scholarship appointment only), be in sound physical condition, and be of good moral character. The academic class lasts one hour per week and there is a two hour Leadership Laboratory period held at Utah State University. Before entering your junior year, you will attend a rigorous Field Training program—a four-week summer camp for a cadet in the Four-Year program or a six-week camp for a cadet in the Two-Year program. Training is conducted at Air Force bases throughout the country and includes leadership training, career orientation, physical fitness training, survival, small arms marksmanship, and jet trainer flights. Cadets are paid approximately $500 and are provided with free room, board, and transportation to and from field training. Once you have completed Field Training, you are eligible to enter the junior year of the AFROTC program or the Professional Officer Course, POC. In the POC you'll take an in-depth look at the theories of management and their application, followed by the role of the armed forces in today's American society. You'll examine a broad range of American domestic and international military relationships and the environmental context in which American national security policy is developed and carried out. As a POC student, you'll receive a tax-free allowance of $100 for each month you're in school. The academic class lasts three hours a week and there's a two hour Leadership Laboratory period held at Utah State University. Leadership Laboratory is taken every quarter along with the academic class. You will spend two hours each week putting into practice the leadership skills and management theory acquired in class. Leadership Laboratory is a cadet-centered program that improves your ability to perform as an Air Force officer. Orientation flights, military speakers, field trips to military bases, films, social functions, and with case studies and group- problem solving are all part of the leadership laboratory. Cadets do the planning, organizing, directing and controlling of the cadet corps. You'll prepare briefings, written communications and interviews. You'll also help design guidance, information and other services needed to increase the motivation and performance of other cadets. There will be many opportunities for you to be a leader because the class is run by cadets. A select number of upcoming seniors are chosen for advanced training where they spend two or three weeks on an Air Force base. If selected, you'll be paid to work and learn. Your housing and meals will be provided, and the government will pay for your transportation. It's a great opportunity to see the Air Force in action. You'll see officers doing the same work you'll be doing after graduation. Students in the Four-Year Program must satisfactorily complete the requirements of the GMC, which includes course work and a four-week summer training course at an Air Force base. Completion of the GMC qualifies cadets for application for admission to the POC. To qualify for entry into the POC, a student must be a United States citizen, be at least 17 years of age, qualify on the Air Force physical examination, be interviewed and selected by a board of Air Force officers, qualify on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), successfully complete Field Training, and have two academic years remaining (undergraduate, graduate, or a combination of the two). Students in the Two-Year Program will complete the GMC requirements at a six-week summer training course 288 Aerospace Studies • at an Air Force base. The entrance requirements for the six-week program are the same as for the four-week program. Once a student enters the last two years of AFROTC, successful completion of the POC course becomes a requirement for commissioning. In addition, when entering the final two years, a student must agree to accept an Air Force commission if it is offered and to serve on active duty if directed to do so. Upon initial enrollment at the university, students should schedule aerospace courses to be completed simultaneously with requirements for a university degree. SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AFROTC college scholarships are available on a competitive basis in both three-year and two-year awards. Scholarships are also awarded to all eligible juniors and seniors contracted in the program (POC Incentive Scholarship). All academic majors qualify for the POC Incentive Scholarship, which is currently funded through the 1994-95 academic year. Each of the above scholarships provide full tuition, laboratory and incidental fees, plus an allowance for curriculum-required textbooks. In addition, scholarship cadets receive a nontaxable $100 subsistence each month during the school year while on scholarship status. Eligible freshmen and sophomores should apply directly to the head of the Department of Aerospace Studies at USU. High school students should apply for four-year scholarships early in the fall of their senior year through their high school counselors or directly through the USU AFROTC detachment. All scholarship recipients must complete English composition, mathematical reasoning, and foreign language course requirements as established by the AFROTC. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES To meet the challenge of the aerospace age, its technological advances, and its ever-broadening horizons, officers possessing a variety of skills are required within the Air Force. Men and women who can meet the stringent demands of pilot or navigator training may command the aerospace forces of the future. The complexity of modem aviation, space technology and communications generates a critical need for first rate engineers, scientists and computer scientists. Officers are also needed in non-technical, general management degree areas. In all fields, the Air Force assigns young officers to responsible positions early in their careers. After being called to active duty, cadets will serve four years minimum. Navigators serve six years and pilots eight years, after completion of flight training. There are 200 different career fields in the Air Force. A few examples include development engineer, system program manager, computer analyst, logistician, missile launch officer, and civil engineer. Benefits include a good starting salary, about $26,000, commissary and exchange privileges, free medical and dental care, free legal service, inexpensive life insurance, 30 days annual vacation with pay, unlimited sick leave with pay, travel opportunities, eligibility for VA housing loans, advanced educational opportunities, and an outstanding retirement plan. FUTURE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS If cadets complete the AFROTC program and receive commissions, they may request a delay in call to active duty if they desire to continue studies toward a graduate degree before going on active duty. The length of the delay depends upon current AFROTC regulations and directives. You can continue your education through a variety of Air Force programs once on active duty. Most bases have extensive on-base graduate college programs. The Tuition Assistance Program will pay up to 75 percent of your tuition costs. The Air Force Institute of Technology provides full- time graduate study for selected officers. Some classes are taught in residence at the institute's campus at Wright- Patterson AFB in Ohio and others at civilian universities. Selected AFROTC graduates enter some of the institute's scientific and engineering graduate programs as second lieutenants following graduation. Many make the Armed Forces their career, but some plan to use the skills and training obtained in military service in civilian jobs. Most private businesses and government agencies require the same basic skills that are needed for functional support and administration jobs in military service. Air Force training and experience provides excellent leadership skills and can be a valuable asset in obtaining civilian employment. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS To qualify as a pilot or navigator, a cadet must be able to finish the Aerospace Studies program and graduate from the university before age 26-1/2. Other cadets must complete the military program and graduate from the University prior to reaching the age of 30. Scholarship recipients must fulfill commissioning requirements before reaching age 25 on June 30 of the year of commissioning. DEGREE AND PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH THIS DEPARTMENT The Air Force ROTC at Weber State University offers a program leading to a commission in the United States Air Force upon completion of specific requirements. These include meeting all requirements for a degree according to the university as well as completing all Air Force Professional Officer Course and commissioning requirements. Interested students should contact the Aerospace Studies Department for information on Air Force specialist fields related to their academic major. 289