What is Clemson AFROTC like?
What is involved in the physical training?
Do I have to wear a uniform?
You are required to wear a uniform all day on the days of your AFROTC classes (except freshman cadets, they wear normal civilian clothes) and on Thursdays during Leadership Lab (all cadets to include freshmen). You will also wear PT gear during PT unless otherwise specified by the Detachment Commander or the Operations Flight Commander.
Do I have to live in a military dorm?
No. However, we do have an agreement with Clemson University to provide our program with rooms in McCabe dorm for cadets. 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 try to handpick an upper-class cadet to live in the dorm as the Residence Advisor 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.
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:
Our cadets also have opportunities to participate in numerous Professional Development Training activities such as:
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.
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.
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 December 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 long. This training is held at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, and partially in a field environment just outside of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 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 a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
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. 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 undergraduate pilot training.
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:
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. In-college scholarships are available once you've started college. The scholarships are based on merit, not need. See http://afrotc.com/scholarships/ for more information.
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 Professional Officer Course (POC - for juniors and seniors).