FAQ

• Clemson AFROTC is a program that builds cadets’ leadership skills.  
• The academic class will teach military education, aerospace history, leadership, management and international studies.
• Leadership labs take place once a week. They are designed to train cadets to react as leaders and to provide an opportunity to gain leadership and management experience in various situations.  
• Experienced cadets are tasked with leadership positions within the cadet corps and are responsible for training new cadets.  
• Freshman and sophomore cadets attend one hour of class per week, two hours of Leadership Lab on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and two hours of physical training per week for a total formal commitment of five hours per week.
• Junior and senior cadets attend the same Leadership Lab and physical training sessions, but their class time increases to two and a half hours per week for a total formal commitment of six and a half hours per week.

• The physical training takes place three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to 7 a.m. However, you only have to attend two of these each week.  
• The physical training is designed to help you achieve a fitness level that meets Air Force standards and will mainly consist of calisthenics and running.
  • The Air Force tests the number of push-up and sit-ups you can do in one minute as a gauge of strength, but we also perform lunges, jumping jacks, leg raises, etc. to help build overall body strength.
  • We also play team sports such as soccer, ultimate frisbee, basketball, volleyball, etc. as part of our PT program in order to both have fun and stay in shape to meet fitness standards.
  • The Air Force run is 1.5 miles, and you receive points based on your time.

Do I have to wear a uniform?
You are required to wear a uniform all day on the days of your AFROTC classes and on Thursdays during Leadership Lab. You will also wear (issued – shorts and shirts) PT gear during PT, unless otherwise specified by the Detachment Commander or the Commandant of Cadets.

Do I have to live in a military dorm?
No. However, we do have an agreement with Clemson University to provide our program with as many rooms as we need in the McCabe dorm for freshmen-level students only, but our floor is not operated as a military environment. Our dorm is the same as all other dorms except that most students living there will also be members of the Air Force ROTC program. We also hand-pick a senior cadet to live in the dorm to mentor and provide assistance to our cadets. We highly recommend incoming freshmen live in McCabe dorm. This will help them to build stronger ties within the corps of cadets much sooner and give them the added support of fellow cadets and an upper class mentor 
 
Do I have to purchase my Air Force ROTC books and uniforms?
No. Air Force ROTC provides all materials required for our classes, so books and uniforms will be issued to you.
 
Can I participate in other activities and still do Air Force ROTC at Clemson?
Yes! You are a student first and a cadet second, so you can participate in any activity a non-Air Force ROTC student can participate in. In fact, we highly encourage you to do so as that will help you to gain a diverse background.

• We have had cadets who were members of the Clemson Division I baseball, soccer, swim, cross country and rowing teams.
• We have had students who were actively involved in club and intramural sports such as rowing, soccer, frisbee, softball, flag football and basketball.
• We have students who are active in Tiger Band, chorus, and fraternities, sororities and various other organizations.

What activities does the AFROTC program participate in?
We participate in many activities to expose our cadets to team and leadership opportunities as well as to expose them to diverse experiences to help them become well-rounded leaders. Some of these activities include

• whitewater rafting trips
• paintball
• skeet shooting
• outdoor ropes course
• athletic competitions
• distinguished leaders at all levels as guest speakers
• joint activities/competitions with the Clemson Army ROTC program
• clubs
• social events and flight opportunities with the Civil Air Patrol. 

Our cadets also have opportunities to participate in numerous Professional Development Training activities such as

• shadowing active duty officers
• incentive flights
• Jump School
• foreign immersion programs such as Japan, Brazil, South Africa, etc. 

How do I join AFROTC if I am already in college?

The school must offer AFROTC in order for you to join. First, you must meet with a cadre member in the detachment to ensure that you will be able to complete the program and commission within the time frame of your remaining college program. Once this is established and you are enrolled as a full-time student, you will register for Air Force ROTC classes and the Leadership Lab just as you would any other class.   
 
Will the Air Force pay for my school?
Only cadets who compete for and receive an Air Force scholarship or cadets who have contracted with the Air Force after attending Field Training will receive any funding from the Air Force.

• AFROTC offers many scholarship opportunities.  
• Prospective AFROTC cadets who are in their senior year of high school can apply for a high school scholarship before entering into college. 
• Cadets who receive an Air Force scholarship will start to receive a monthly stipend when their scholarship is activated.
• Cadets who receive an Air Force scholarship will also receive $900 per year in book funds ($450 per semester).
• Our detachment currently has an agreement with the Clemson bookstore that allows our scholarship cadets to get their books without paying their full bill until their book allowance is posted to their accounts.
• Once in college, AFROTC cadets can apply for an in-college scholarship. This process is handled by the host detachment.  

Cadets who do not receive an Air Force scholarship, but do participate in the AFROTC program, can receive a monthly stipend starting in their junior year once they have completed Field Training in the summer between their sophomore and junior years.
 
There are also scholarship opportunities for in-college students with certain majors such as nursing or engineering. These are special scholarships and require an application package through the AFROTC detachment.

How do I apply for an Air Force scholarship if I am still in high school?
Students who are seniors in high school can apply for a scholarship from May 1 to Dec. 1 at http://afrotc.com/scholarships/. These scholarships are very competitive and will require not only an application, but also a resume’ and interview with the Air Force ROTC detachment nearest their home. Interviews do not have to take place at the school you wish to attend unless it happens to be the one that is closest to your home.

Do I have to attend basic training?
Yes. You will attend Field Training for AFROTC cadets, which is four weeks for cadets in the four-year program and five to six weeks for cadets in the program for less than four years. This training is held at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama. You will not attend any other type of basic training such as enlisted basic training.
 
What happens after I graduate college and complete AFROTC?
Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree and AFROTC, you will be commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force.  
 
Depending on your assigned career field, you will incur an active duty service commitment ranging from four years, for the majority of career fields, to six years for Navigator and Air Battle Manager, and 10 years for pilots upon graduation from pilot school.    
 
What can I do in the Air Force if I am not a pilot?
There are more than a hundred careers in the Air Force to choose from. A list of careers can be found at http://www.afrotc.com/careers.

What is the difference between AFROTC and enlisting in the Air Force?
Enlisting in the Air Force is done through a local recruiter followed by basic training and prospective technical training. This avenue does not require a college degree.
 
AFROTC is one of three commissioning sources for the United States Air Force:

• Air Force Academy
• Air Force ROTC
• Officer Training School (OTS)

Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree and AFROTC, you will be commissioned as an officer, followed by specific training in a career field. Officers are trained to be the leaders and supervisors of enlisted personnel. Rank, pay and career opportunities for officers are commensurate with their elevated level of responsibility.

Who is eligible for an ROTC scholarship?

You can apply for four-year ROTC scholarships while in high school or two- to three-year scholarships once you've started college. The scholarships are based on merit, not need. To qualify for an ROTC scholarship, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be between the ages of 17-26
• Have a high school GPA of at least 2.5
• Have a high school diploma
• Meet physical standards
• Agree to accept a commission and serve in the military on active duty or in a Reserve component after graduating

What is the relationship between AFROTC and other students on Clemson’s campus?

Outstanding! Clemson University started as a military school and has a rich military tradition, so they fully support the military and both the Army and AFROTC programs to the fullest extent.

What grades do I have to maintain?

Scholarship cadets must maintain a 2.5 GPA, and all cadets must have a 2.0 GPA, to enter the POC (Professional Officers Course) for juniors and seniors.