The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) produces leaders for the Air Force. It is an educational program that gives men and women the opportunity to become Air Force officers while completing their degrees. Cadets receive military training while going to college at the same time. The program lasts between 2-4 years. Any student (graduate or undergraduate) with more than 2 years remaining could be eligible for ROTC. As a freshman cadet, you take a one-hour class each week to learn basic Air Force knowledge. As a sophomore, you take a 1-hour class on Air Power history. There is no commitment for the first two years unless you are on scholarship. The academic courses, along with the weekly Leadership Laboratory (LLAB), comprise the curriculum. Between the sophomore and junior years, cadets attend a four week field training camp (boot camp). Physical conditioning, an aircraft orientation flight, and weapons practice are some of the activities you will be exposed to. Field training is scheduled over the summer months at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. The Air Force pays for your plane fare, lodging, meals and provides you with a stipend while at field training. Cadets who are still serious about becoming an Air Force officer after field training begin the Professional Officer Course (POC) program in their junior year. This 3-hour course each semester offers advanced training in leadership, management and communication skills. After a year in the POC, cadets find out what their jobs will be in the Air Force. Entering the POC obligates you to serve on active duty for 4 years. Upon graduation, cadets receive their commissions as Second Lieutenants and begin their careers.

As a Second Lieutenant fresh out of college, you'll be making about $44,000 per year! As an officer, your pay depends on your rank and time in service. If you're a doctor or a pilot, you'll receive special pay considerations and bonuses. In four years, you'll be making about $69,000 as a Captain. (Note: these estimates use 2008 figures). Current pay information can be found on www.military.com.

Aerospace Studies (AS) 100 and 200 are open for freshmen and sophomores (cadets and non-cadets).  You register for AS classes just like any other course. Non-cadets are NOT required to attend the Leadership Laboratory portion. All AS classes are held in the Stokely Athletic Center. There is no service commitment for students who take our classes with no intention of becoming an Air Force Officer.

You incur commitment once you begin your junior year OR you activate a scholarship. This is called "contracting." Upon graduation, you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the active duty Air Force. Your commitment is 4 years, whether you are on scholarship or not. Pilots, navigators, doctors and lawyers have an extended commitment. Pilots serve a minimum of 10 years, navigators serve 8 years and Air Battle Managers serve a 6-year commitment. Doctors and lawyers serve the equivalent to their years of education in their field.

The closest thing to Basic Training in AFROTC is the 4-week field training program. This is normally taken during the summer after your sophomore year. The Air Force pays for your plane fare, lodging, meals and even provides you with a stipend while you are there. Cadets are sent to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama to do their training. "Camp" as it is commonly called, is an intense training period that gives cadets a first-hand look at Air Force life. Cadets from all over the country attend camps to gain hands-on experience in leadership, management, and problem solving. Cadets are also taught survival training, aircraft indoctrination, weapons familiarization and physical fitness training.

No. Not while in college and not while in the Air Force! Entry-level officers are equivalent to junior executives. They can live off base in a house or apartment or on base in Officer's Quarters.

No. Obviously not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. There are around 120 other career fields to choose from. Visit www.af.mil and click on "Careers."

No. The first two years of the program are designed to be a trial period for you. The classes during this time provide general information about the Air Force. It is a time to decide if ROTC and the Air Force are for you without commitment. For instance, if you enter the program with a 4-year scholarship, you can quit after the first year with no obligation. If you are awarded a 3-year scholarship coming into the program, you aren't committed until you accept the scholarship. If you don't accept the scholarship, there is no commitment until a contract is signed.

Possibly. Hair must be kept in accordance with Air Force guidelines concerning grooming standards when in uniform.

Not as much as you think. Marching and drilling is a small part of our overall program. This is practiced during Leadership Laboratory (LLAB). There are no mandatory drill sessions outside of LLAB.

Yes! You may play sports, join fraternities and sororities, play in the marching band, work and/or fill you spare time as you desire. We encourage you to be well-rounded and involved on campus. The total time commitment for ROTC (including classes, leadership lab, meetings) for freshmen and sophomores is approximately 3-6 hours per week. For juniors and seniors who assume leadership roles in the corps, the commitment is approximately 5-8 hours per week.

ABSOLUTELY NOT! All cadets, no matter what year, are treated with respect. This isn't an in-your-face shouting book camp style environment at all. It's quite the opposite. Senior cadets guide and mentor the new cadets - in fact that is what our cadet officers are trained to do. Our Detachment Cadre (active duty commissioned and non-commissioned officers) are concerned about you as a person, a student, and as a cadet. We are your ROTC family and your well-being and progress is our number one concern.

Yes! There are scholarships available for almost everyone, regardless of what you major in. Scholarship types vary from year to year. Contact our Admissions Officer at afrotc@utk.edu or visit www.afrotc.com.

"Lead Lab" is our Leadership Laboratory (LLAB). It is planned and run by junior and senior cadets and is attended by the entire cadets corps (in uniform). It is held from 3:35 PM - 5:30 PM on Tuesdays in the Stokely Athletic Center. Cadets (ROTC students who are both scholarship and non-scholarship) learn the basics of Air Force drill & ceremony, customs & courtesies and other hands-on skills you will need to know as a leader in the Air Force.

No. Cadets select a major according to their scholarship type (if on scholarship). Otherwise, cadets are free to major in anything they want. You must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 cumulative in order to participate in the program.

No. All uniform items and workout clothes are provided free of charge. After the program and prior to going on active duty, cadets have the option to buy their uniforms at a reduced rate.

No. All textbooks are free and are given to you the first day of class.

Yes. Scholarship cadets have their tuition paid as well as a textbook entitlement ($900/yr) and a monthly stipend ($350-$500/mo). Contracted cadets (those who have committed to joining the Air Force, but who may or may not have a scholarship) receive a monthly stipend ($450-500/mo).

The total time commitment for ROTC (including classes, leadership, meetings) for freshman and sophomores is approximately 3-6 hours per week. For Juniors and Seniors who assume leadership roles in the corps, the commitment is approximately 5-8 hours per week.

Cadets wear the Air Force uniform all day on Tuesdays (LLAB day) and during special events. Typically, you wear the uniform only once per week.