Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I join AFROTC?
You are afforded leadership opportunities through hands-on management experience and team-building exercises; you will take courses that will focus on the importance of effective leadership, application of effective leadership concepts, and the role of a military leader in today's society. Upon graduation and commissioning, you will start off in a management position right away and receive a salary and benefits.
2. Do I have to join as a Freshman?
No. As long as you have at least three years left of full-time study (either in undergraduate, graduate, or a combo) you are eligible to join AFROTC, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
3. If I join AFROTC, am I enlisting into the military?
No, there are two opportunities in the AFROTC program where you will enlist into the Inactive Ready Reserve: 1) Upon receiving a scholarship, and 2) Upon selection to attend Field Training, if not already on scholarship.
4. What is the difference between commissioning and enlisting into the Air Force?
Enlisting in the Air Force is done through a local recruiter followed by basic training and technical training, and it does not require a college degree. AFROTC is one of three commissioning sources to produce Officers for the Air Force: Air Force Academy, AFROTC, Officer Training School.
5. Will I attend basic training?
You will not attend basic training in the traditional sense, but you will be required to attend an ~18-day Field Training exercise during the summer between your Sophomore and Junior year.
6. Do I have to live in Air Force dorms or barracks?
No, not in college. You can live on or off campus with or without other AFROTC cadets. It's your choice.
7. What is the time commitment for the AFROTC program?
5-6 hours per week. One hour of academic class, two hours of Leadership Lab, and three hours of physical training (PT).
8. Can I still participate in AFROTC and participate in sports, fraternities/sororities, or other non-AFROTC activities?
Yes! You are a student first and a cadet second, so you can participate in any activity other students can participate in. NCAA athletes should discuss with their Detachment Commander to be excused from weekly physical fitness requirements; however, athletes will still be required to pass the official physical fitness assessment each semester.
9. What other AFROTC activities are available to participate in?
AFROTC cadets have the opportunity to earn flight scholarships through the "You Can Fly Program", expeditionary training, domestic and international language immersion programs through Project GO, USAFA jump school, internships with Air Force Research Lab, incentive flights, base visits, and so much more!
10. What grades do I have to maintain to stay in the AFROTC program?
Scholarship cadets must maintain a 2.5 GPA, and non-scholarship cadets are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA.
11. Do I have to purchase my own AFROTC books and uniforms?
No, all AFROTC materials and uniforms will be issued to you.
12. How often must I wear the Air Force uniform?
Cadets must wear the Air Force uniform to all required AFROTC functions, including aerospace studies, Leadership Lab, physical training, and special events.
13. Does everyone who joins AFROTC become a pilot?
No, there are more than 50 different careers you can pursue as an Air Force or Space Force officer.
14. How does my major affect my career path?
The Department of the Air Force trains officers to perform their specific jobs, so most specialties do not require specific degrees. However, for some technical specialties (i.e. engineer or scientist) a technical degree is required. While your desired career field can restrict your degree, it is more important to choose a major that interests you and you will do well in. If you are not sure which career field is for you, don't worry; you have plenty of time to decide. Cadets identify specialty as a Junior, or as a Senior for 5-year students. Final classification depends on the needs of the Air Force, educational background, personal preference, and AFROTC performance.
15. Can I take 5 years to finish my degree?
Yes, some technical degrees (i.e. engineering) typically take longer to complete due to heavy course requirements, and you may qualify for extended scholarship entitlements.
1. Will AFROTC pay for my school?
Only cadets who receive a scholarship will receive funding from AFROTC. Cadets who receive a scholarship will receive a stipend ~$250 - $450 per month, book funds ~$900 per year, and full tuition and fees per semester.
2. How do I get an AFROTC scholarship?
There are a few different ways to receive an AFROTC scholarship:
- High School Scholarship Program (HSSP)
- Full 4-year scholarship
- Apply July-December starting summer after Junior year in high school
- Boarded Process
- Phase 1: Submit application
- Phase 2: Interview with an AFROTC Detachment Commander
- Phase 3: The Commander provides recommendations to HQ AFROTC
- Phase 4: Records are boarded
- Application eligibility and requirements can be found at www.afrotc.com
- Commander's In-College Scholarship (CICS)
- 3-year scholarship after first year in AFROTC
- Not always available; depends on AFROTC annual budget
- Historically 0-2 awarded per detachment per year
- Based off of merit and medical qualification
- Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA)
- 2-year scholarship
- Currently awarded to all cadets who are selected to continue in the program after Sophomore year and successfully complete Field Training
3. If I have other scholarships, can I use my AFROTC scholarship for room and board?
Yes, you can convert your AFROTC scholarship to a room and board scholarship if your tuition is covered by other scholarships.
4. Are there any other room and board scholarships?
Some schools will offer AFROTC cadets room and board scholarships of varying amounts. Currently, MSU cadets may receive a full room and board scholarship starting after their first semester in the program; WMU cadets receive a $1,500 scholarship per semester toward room and board.
1. What is the eligibility criteria for joining AFROTC?
Applicants must:
- Be at least 14 years of age. If a minor, parent or legal guardian permission is required. Maximum age is 42 by the time of commissioning.
- Enroll as a full-time student (12 credits per semester for undergrad; 9 credits for grad).
- Enroll and be able to participate in AS classes, LLAB, and PT.
- Be a U.S. citizen or pursuing U.S. citizenship with a valid green card. You may also be a dual citizen.
- Be medically fit to participate (complete a sports physical).
- Be pursuing a commission in the United States Air Force or Space Force.
2. What conditions may preclude me from entrance into AFROTC?
- 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 personal beliefs
- Present or former commissioned officers of the Armed Forces
- Officers of the Health Services and Mental Health Administration and members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Medical conditions or diagnoses found to be unfit for service by the Department of Defense Medical Evaluation Review Board (DoDMERB)
- Non-immigrant students from nations not approved by the Department of State
- Individuals who have dropped out of a previous officer training program
3. What are the requirements to stay in the program?
Cadets must:
- Attend at least 80% of all AS classes and professional military training to include Leadership Lab and PT.
- Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA (non-contracted cadets) or 2.5 GPA (contracted cadets).
- Be a full time student (12 credits per semester for undergrad; 9 credits for grad).
- Attempt the physical fitness assessment (PFA) each semester, and pass before contracting.
- Meet BMI and BF standards.
- Pass the Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT) before commissioning.
- Maintain military retention standards to include, but not limited to, moral character, bearing and behavior, physical fitness, professional conduct and relationships, dress and appearance, and other standards as prescribed by Air Force directives.
1. How do I join AFROTC?
Joining is as easy as signing up for the required classes and completing enrollment paperwork. Once you register for our classes through your university, we will give you a Welcome Packet with information on New Cadet Orientation Program (NCOP) and the required paperwork you'll need to complete. NCOP will take place for two days the week before Fall semester starts.
2. Which schools are part of AFROTC Detachment 380?
Our host school is Michigan State University. This is where our main offices are located. We have crosstown agreements with Western Michigan University, Lansing Community College, and University of Olivet. If you attend one of our crosstown schools, you must travel to MSU for AS class and LLAB (Exception: WMU students take AS class at WMU and travel to MSU for LLAB). WMU provides a bus for transportation to and from LLAB at MSU. Other crosstown participants must find adequate transportation to MSU.
Note: Our detachment will have its own separate operating location at WMU starting Fall 2026, so WMU cadets will no longer need to travel to MSU for LLAB. We are also working on forming crosstown agreements with Kalamazoo Valley Community College starting Fall 2025 and Grand Valley State University starting 2026 (not yet guaranteed).
3. Can I join as a Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or grad student?
Although AFROTC is typically a 4-year program, you can still complete it in a minimum of 3 years. In that case, you would join as an "AS250" and will need to take the 100 and 200 level courses concurrently during your first year in the program.
Note: It is possible to get some of the classes waived/accredited by the Detachment Commander if you have prior military service, prior service academy, JROTC experience, or CAP awards.
4. Which classes do I sign up for?
If you're joining the program as a Freshman, you will register for the following classes in the Fall semester:
- MSU - AS111 and AS111L (LLAB)
- WMU - AVS1110 and AVS1130 (LLAB)
- LCC - AS111 and AS110 (LLAB)
- Olivet - contact us
If you're joining the program with only three years left, you will register for the following classes in the Fall semester:
- MSU - AS111, AS211, and AS211L (LLAB)
- WMU - AVS1110, AVS2110, and AVS2140 (LLAB)
- LCC - AS111, AS211, and AS210 (LLAB)
- Olivet - contact us
Contact detachment 380 to learn more!
airforce@msu.edu | 517.884.6868 (phone) | 517.355.0167 (fax)