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Air Force ROTC Cadet Life

Program Overview

There are three aspects to the AFROTC program: Air Class, Lead Lab and Physical Training. These three aspects occur throughout the 4-year program with upper-class and under-class cadets playing varying roles in those aspects.

Program Overview

General Military Course (GMC)

The first two years of the AFROTC program cadets are GMC members. Their main role is to participate and learn as much as possible. The time commitment for a GMC cadet is: 1 credit hour class, 2 hours leadership laboratory and 2 hours of physical training each week. One professional development training (PDT) must be completed during the first two years. Examples include: base visits, incentive flights, Air Force Academy summer programs and much more.

Field Training (FT)

Field Training is a two-week summer camp that is completed between the GMC and POC years. It is a requirement to enter the POC and to become a commissioned officer. Cadets must compete for an enrollment allocation to attend FT. This is a competitive selection process and based on cadets' grades, physical fitness, class ranking and commander's recommendation.

Professional Military Course (POC)

The final two years of the AFROTC program cadets are POC members. Their main role is to organize and plan the leadership lab and physical training each week. The typical time commitment for POC cadets is: 3 credit hours class, 2 hours leadership laboratory and 2 hours of physical training each week. The time commitment increases with the class moving from 1 hour to 3 hours and the amount of time required to plan the labs and physical training. Another PDT must be completed during the POC years. Cadets do not have to be on a scholarship to enter the POC and become an officer in the USAF.

Graduation and Commissioning

Every cadet that graduates from the program (scholarship or not) becomes a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF. Cadets incur a minimum 4-year service commitment after graduation. Some specialty career fields require longer commitments based on training and education.

Current as of: Spring 2022