1.) Enroll as a full-time student at the University of Southern California or at one of our crosstown schools.

2.) Visit our How to Join page for more details!

• Fall? Yes. Most cadets begin AFROTC in the Fall term.

• Spring? Yes, but fewer students start AFROTC in the Spring term. You would likely complete a hybrid 3.5 year program. To catch up with your peers, you may need to double-up on General Military Course classes next Fall.

• Summer? No. AFROTC classes are not offered during the summer term.

The university maintains a course “last day to add” date, however, it may be possible for us to enroll you as a cadet following this date. Contact a cadre member to discuss if late enrollment is the right fit for you.

• College Freshman? Yes. You are a good candidate for the 4 or 5 year commissioning program.

• Sophomore? Yes. You are a good candidate for the 4 year commissioning program. There may be opportunities for you to complete the program in 3 years. Contact one of our cadre members to discuss your options.

• Junior? Maybe. The 3 year commissioning program may be an option for you, however AFROTC seeks to recruit and train individuals working on their first undergraduate degree. Officer Training School (OTS) is probably a better fit.

• Senior? In most cases, no. AFROTC seeks to recruit and train individuals working on their first undergraduate degree. There are limited opportunities available if you plan to attend law or medical school. Otherwise, OTS is a better fit.

• Graduate Student? In most cases, no. AFROTC seeks to recruit and train individuals working on their first undergraduate degree. There are limited opportunities if you are a current law or medical student, or plan to apply to law or medical school. Otherwise, OTS is a better fit.

• Transfer Student? It depends. If you have at least 3 years left in your plan of study and have never before been a cadet, you are may a good candidate for one of our commissioning programs. If you were once a cadet at a previous detachment, contact one of our cadre members to see if AFROTC is the right fit for you.

• Prior-service member? Yes, if you do not yet completed your bachelor’s degree. Based on the length of your prior experience, and the number of credits you have left to complete your bachelor’s degree, you may qualify for one or more semesters of AFROTC course accreditation. If this applies to you, contact one of our cadre members to discuss.

• Enroll as a full-time student at USC or one of our crosstown schools

• Enter required application information into WINGS

• Present original identification documents

• Complete in-processing paperwork at NSO or in a 1-on-1 appointment

• Complete and submit a sports physical via AFROTC Form 28

• A qualified DoD Medical Exam can take the place of the sports physical

• Enroll and participate in Aerospace Studies Classes, Leadership Laboratory, and PT.

• Meet the following age requirements. Applicants under the age of 18 must receive permission from a parent or legal guardian.

Program Participation

Category Minimum Age Maximum Age Maximum Waiverable Age

Program Entry 14 NA NA

Enlistment 17 NA NA

Scholarship 17 31 NA

Commissioning

General 18 39 42

Rated 18 29 42 (RPA)

Non-Rated 18 39 42

Pre Health 18 47 49

Cadets are welcome to participate in both Greek life and AFROTC.

You may complete the sports physical either with your family doctor, or your university’s medical clinic.

No, AFROTC does not reimburse the cost of the sports physical.

No, AFROTC cadets complete their medical review through the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB). However, if you already have a current and qualifying MEPS physical, then you do not need to complete the DoDMERB process.

DoDMERB is one of the governing approval authorities for medical accession standards into the armed forces. During the semester, cadets will attend appointments at locally contracted medical offices to accomplish required DoDMERB medical appointments.

DoDMERB will investigate the nature of your restriction, and determine if the condition does or does not meet armed forces medical accession standards.

DoDMERB’s medical qualification standards are not available for public dissemination.

No, joining AFROTC does not mean automatically joining the military. If you are not receiving a military scholarship or a monetary stipend as a contracted cadet, then you have not entered the military.

Qualified, contracted cadets (those in the Professional Officer Course or who have accepted a scholarship) are enlisted into the Obligated Reserve Section (ORS) of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) and are not members of the active duty military. These contracted cadets are in civilian status and are not subject to the provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Enlisted members sign contracts in which they promise to serve in the military for a certain amount of time.

Commissioned members are appointed as officers, and continue military service until the member resigns their commission. Commissioned officers supervise enlisted members, and perform different job functions within their respective services.

• Most AFROTC cadets incur an ADSC of 4 years upon entering Extended Active Duty (EAD).

• Scholarship cadets awarded scholarship entitlements beyond the original scholarship length will incur an additional month of ADSC for every month of scholarship entitlements accepted.

• Cadets pursuing flying careers typically incur an ADSC between 6 to 10 years upon entering EAD, in addition to their career field’s initial training requirements.

New Lieutenants typically enter EAD between one week to one year following their commission. The variation in EAD is due to a variety of factors, including security clearance processing, initial career training school-house capacity, and more.

To be in AFROTC, non-scholarship cadets must have and maintain a minimum CGPA of at least 2.0.

Scholarship cadets must have a minimum TGPA of at least 2.5. Multiple occurrences of TGPAs of less than 2.5 will result in scholarship suspension.

Cadets may pursue any major, and still be an AFROTC cadet.

Cadets are classified into ‘Technical’ and ‘Non-Technical’ majors. While there are no specific academic major requirements to be in AFROTC, scholarships are merit-based, and many highly desired majors fall into the technical category. Therefore, students pursuing a technical major may receive priority in the scholarship selection process.

• AFROTC is a 4-year program.

• Certain degree plans of study may require a 5th year of study to meet all AFROTC program and university degree requirements.

• Some students may qualify for a 3-year or 3.5-year program. Contact a cadre member to see if this is an option for you.

• At this time, AFROTC does not offer abbreviated (2 years or less) undergraduate commissioning programs unless you have a prior military service record.

Cadets are students who intend to commission. All cadets must complete both the lecture and laboratory portions of the program every year while a cadet in the program.

Yes. Most non-contract and contract cadets may transfer to another university offering the AFROTC program and continue to progress in their AFROTC curriculum. The transfer must be approved by both losing and gaining AFROTC Commanders

• Note, that your projected degree plan should still meet projected graduation and commissioning dates and requirements.

Non-contract cadets may transfer to another service’s ROTC program. Completion of AFROTC credit may be accredited towards completion of the other ROTC program at the discretion of the gaining ROTC commander.

Contract cadets may request a transfer to another service’s ROTC program, and the request for release from their military service contract will be evaluated by higher headquarters. Approvals for inter-service transfers are not guaranteed.

PT is required 2 times a week and offered on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays from 0700-0800, and Friday sessions from 1300-1400.

No, AFROTC PT is factored into a cadet’s Leadership Laboratory grade.

At Commander’s discretion, in-season intercollegiate athletes may be excused from PT attendance provided they pass the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) each semester.

Cadets may not be eligible for scholarships, field training, contracting, or Professional Course Officer membership if they do not meet BMI standards.

Air Force fitness standards can be found in DAFI 36-2905, Fitness Program. The most current version of this instruction can be found on the internet.

Enlisted members in any military branch of the guard or reserves may commission through the AFROTC program, as long as the guard/reserves contract ends prior to the member’s projected date of commission. For additional information, speak with a cadre member.

The vast majority of AFROTC cadets commission onto Active Duty. There are limited opportunities to commission into the Guard or Reserves. Cadets may apply for these opportunities as contracted Professional Officer Course cadets.

No, not on day one. Upon beginning the program, you will be given guidance on when you will be expected to adhere to military hair standards.

Yes. Tattoos on the chest, back, arms, and legs are authorized for AFROTC cadets so long as they are not offensive, discriminatory, or vulgar in nature. Tattoos, brands, or body markings on the head, neck, face, tongue, lips, or scalp remain prohibited.

• PT Uniform. Issued upon completion of the participatory sports physical.

• Blues Uniform. Typically ssued the 2nd semester in the program if the cadet…

  • Is medically qualified to serve in the armed forces.

  • Meets physical fitness and BMI standards.

• Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP). Typically ssued during your 2nd semester in the program if the cadet meets the requirements listed for the Blues Uniform.

  • Certain competitive professional development programs may require the utility uniform to be issued at an earlier time.

Air Force appearance standards can be found in DAFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel Program. The most current version of this instruction can be found on the internet.