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Air Force ROTC Department of Aerospace Studies
Indiana State University Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is offered through the Bailey College of Engineering and Technology. It is administered and taught by active-duty Air Force officers and enlisted personnel assigned as ROTC faculty. Credits earned in the program count as elective credit towards any degree program at the University. All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to enroll in AFROTC courses; however, entry into the Professional Officer Course (third and fourth year of the program) is limited to qualified students who have been selected to pursue an Air Force or Space Force commission. Students completing the entire program in conjunction with their academic degree will commission as Second Lieutenants and enter active duty in the Air Force or Space Force.
Vision
“We graduate lethal, accountable, and credible warrior leaders.”
Mission
“Develop Air and Space Force leaders of character whom we expect to fight and win our nation’s wars.”
The AFROTC curriculum is primarily a four-year program. The first two years allow non-scholarship cadets the opportunity to participate in the program without any obligation of service. Entry into the last two years of the program is reserved for those who are competitively selected for and successfully complete Field Training (see below) and will continue to pursue a commission in the Air Force or Space Force.
A condensed three-year program is available to students who have three years remaining in their academic degree plan instead of the standard four years. Please call or visit Detachment 218 faculty for more information regarding this program.
FRESHMAN
ARTC 181 - Heritage and Values I
This is a survey course designed to introduce students to the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and provides an overview of the basic characteristics, missions, communications and organization of the Air and Space Forces.
SOPHOMORE
ARTC 281 - Team and Leadership Fundamentals I
This course provides a fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building. The lessons and course flow are designed to prepare students for field training and leadership positions in the detachment.
JUNIOR
ARTC 381 - Leading People and Effective Communication I
This course utilizes student’s field training experience to take a more in-depth look at leadership. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing communication skills and understanding the importance of those skills for leaders. Students have an opportunity to apply learned leadership and management techniques in a supervised environment.
SENIOR
ARTC 481 - National Security & Preparation for Active Duty I
This course is designed for college seniors and provides them the foundation to understand their role as military officers and how they are directly tied to our National Security Strategy. It is an overview of the complex social and political issues facing the military profession and requires a measure of sophistication commensurate with the senior college level.
Leadership Laboratory
All cadets enrolled in AFROTC are required to enroll and attend weekly Leadership Lab in addition to their ARTC course. This two-hour training encompasses leadership and military skills needed to succeed within the program and prepare cadets for service as Air Force and Space Force officers.
General Military Corps (GMC)
Freshmen and sophomore years are considered the GMC. This phase of training allows non-scholarship cadets the opportunity to participate in the program without any obligation of service. The time commitment per week consists of a one-hour class, two hours of leadership laboratory, and two one-hour sessions of physical training. The GMC provides the foundation of general military concepts and procedures such as uniform wear, rank structure, Air Force/Space Force writing/speaking, etc.
Professional Officer Corps (POC)
Junior and Senior years are known as the PMC. Entry into the PMC is reserved for those who are competitively selected for and successfully complete Field Training. Cadets undergo the selection process after the fall semester of their sophomore year. Selection is based on grade point average, physical fitness score, aptitude test scores, and the detachment commander’s overall evaluation. Cadets who are selected, attend Field Training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama during the summer before their junior year. POC apply skills learned in the GMC and at Field Training. Through cadre oversight, POC manage the cadet wing, design the physical training program, and run the leadership laboratories. Emphasis is placed on group discussions and cadet presentations. Classroom topics include management, communication skills, and national defense policy.
MILITARY LEADERSHIP MINOR
All ISU students have the option to get a Military Leadership Minor. This minor requires 5 additional credit hours in addition to the AFROTC curriculum. For more information consult the ISU Undergraduate Catalog here.
Cadets on scholarship contract into the Air Force Reserve and incur a service commitment upon graduation and completion of the AFROTC program. Non-scholarship cadets do not contract until they are selected and accept an allocation to attend Field Training. Prior to contracting, non-scholarship cadets can drop the program with no commitment.
Scholarships are available for qualified cadets majoring in certain academic disciplines (engineering, science, mathematics, or foreign language emphasized) and can be earned to pay for tuition, textbooks, and some fees. For cadets on scholarship, a monthly tax-free allowance, ranging from $300 to $500 per month, is also provided for the academic year. Health professions scholarships are also available to qualified students in any academic major who intend to go on to medical school. Nursing scholarships are available to qualified students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Non-scholarship cadets can still receive a $300 to $500 per month tax-free monthly allowance, to offset living expenses during junior and senior years. Scholarship are competitive and are based on the availability of Department of Defense funding.
Academic Requirements. There is no specific major degree requirement for enrollment in AFROTC. Degrees in engineering, the sciences, mathematics (BS only), and some foreign languages are highly valued by the Air Force, but not required. Certain Air Force and Space Force career paths are restricted to specific degree fields. Please contact Detachment 218 faculty for more information.
Physical Requirements. AFROTC requires cadets to pass the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) physical in order to compete for Field Training slots. Additionally, cadets must meet specific height and weight requirements, adhere to Air Force dress and appearance standards, and pass the Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment comprising of a 1.5 mile run, push-ups, and sit-ups.
Living Learning Community Housing Option for Cadets
Responding to requests from cadets and prospective cadets, AFROTC Detachment 218 has created a new opportuniy for cadets of all ranks: the ROTC Living Learning Community (LLC). The LLC will allow Air Force and Army ROTC cadets of all ranks who wish to reside in the same area of student housing the ability to have greater support from and camaraderie with other ROTC cadets. The Resident Assistant (RA) for the LLC may or may not be a cadet. RA applicants are required to complete the RA course through the student housing office that is only offered in the Spring semester. This ensures all RAs are trained and they are at least Sophomores. Priority for consideration as RA of the ROTC LLC is given to students who are cadets or have experience managing time in one or more complex, demanding extracurriclar programs, such as Air Force or Army ROTC, NCAA atheletes, etc.
Anyone interested in learning more about the ROTC LLC should visit Residential Life
Brief History Of Air Force ROTC In Terre Haute, Indiana
Until November 1984, AFROTC at both ISU and RHIT had been under a cross-town agreement with the University of Indiana (IU) in Bloomington. In August 1985, ISU designated office space and funding to accompany their request for an independent detachment. Additionally, that year, ISU promoted its first AFROTC instructor to the rank of associate professor. In November 1985, ISU again requested that the Air Force create a new independent AFROTC unit at ISU with RHIT as a cross town and after a thorough review, in May 1987 the Air Force notified ISU that it had agreed to stand up an independent AFROTC unit in Terre Haute beginning with the 1987-1988 academic year. Detachment 218 was born!
At first, Rose-Hulman served as the only cross-town university in the program. Over the years, students from several schools in the region have joined as active cadets and the current group of cross-town schools includes Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, DePauw University, and Ivy Tech Community College. Further, the cadre make up has also changed over the years including Active Duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and contractor personnel. Currently Detachment 218 operations and training are under the purview of three Active Duty Air Force Officers, two Active Duty Air Force Non-Commissioned Officers, and one University Employee. This team has worked out of multiple locations over the years and settled in the Myers Technology Center on ISU campus for over twenty years until moving to their newest offices in the Technology Annex on Cherry Street in downtown Terre Haute. Visitors are always welcome to meet with the staff and cadre to learn more about the detachment history and opportunities available through Air Force ROTC.
