How to Join

Steps to Join Detachment 370

Step 1: Meet the Admission Requirements

For a comprehensive list of admission requirements, please visit What It Takes | U.S. Air Force ROTC (afrotc.com).

The General Military Course (GMC) consists of freshmen and sophomores. The following are some minimum requirements:

  • Enrolled full-time in an accredited college that hosts or has a crosstown agreement with an AFROTC detachment.
  • A United States citizen (if on scholarship).
  • In good physical condition.
  • Of good moral character.
  • 17 years or older to receive a scholarship.
  • Committed to attending both the aerospace studies class and Leadership Lab each semester.

The following conditions may prevent you from AFROTC membership but will not hinder you from enrolling in a 100 level or 200 level aerospace studies class:

  • Conscientious objectors—one who has or had a firm, fixed and sincere objection to participation in war, in any form, or to the bearing of arms because of religious training or belief, which includes solely moral or ethical beliefs
  • Present or former commissioned officers of the Armed Forces
  • Officers of the Health Services and Mental Health Administration and members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Those medically diagnosed with asthma or who have been prescribed Ritalin or any other medication for ADD and/or ADHD at any point in their life may be precluded from military service, but this may be waived, depending on circumstances.
  • Individuals on active duty with any military service—enlisted/warrant officers of Reserve or National Guard, unless conditionally released
  • Non-immigrant students from nations not approved by the Department of State
  • Students who do not or cannot meet required standards of weight, appearance, decorum, discipline and military performance
  • Individuals who have dropped out of a previous officer training program. This may be waived, depending on circumstances

The Professional Officer Course is offered to juniors and seniors who have already committed to a four-year post-graduation service commitment with the Air Force.

  • You must meet all the GMC membership requirements and:
  • Be a United States citizen
  • Be of legal age as required by the state in which you will be attending ROTC or 17 years old with parent or guardian consent
  • Be in good academic standing
  • Four-year Program: has two academic years remaining in a degree program (undergraduate, graduate or combination of both)
  • Participate in both Aerospace Studies classes and Leadership Laboratory each semester
  • Meet the age requirements:
  • Rated (pilot or combat systems officer) – commissioned before reaching the age of 29
  • Scholarship applicants – be less than 31 years old as of December 31 of the year you will commission
  • Tech, non-tech and non-rated – commissioned by age 30 (waiverable up to age 35)
  • Be physically fit
  • Meet Air Force height and weight standards
  • Pass the Air Force Physical Fitness Test
  • Have a military certified/qualified physical
  • Pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
  • Be selected by a board of Air Force officers
  • Complete a Field Training course
  • Four-year Program: four-week Field Training Unit
  • If you are single with a dependent or married to a military member with dependent you are eligible to enter the POC however, you must have an approved Family Care Plan completed (In accordance with AFI 36-2908, Family Care Plans; If you have more than two dependents under the age of 18, a waiver may be requested to permit accession of applicants. (Maximum total of three dependents only). A dependent is defined as anyone incapable of self-care, e.g., child, parent, etc.

Step 2: Register for Aerospace Studies courses (COMPLETED BY CADET)

Please see the directions below.

Four-Year Program

If you are a current or incoming college freshman, to try out AFROTC, with no commitment, all you have to do is take one Aerospace Studies class (AEROSPAC 111/112), physical training (AEROSPAC 191), and a two-hour leadership lab each semester. Total time devoted to AFROTC is about 5 hours a week as a freshman, and that is it. 

  • UMass Amherst students: Sign up for the classes just like you would with any other class in ‘SPIRE’. 
  • WNEU students: Sign up for the classes just like you would with any other class in ‘Administrative Systems Access Point’. 
  • Five Colleges and Springfield area students: To sign up for AFROTC courses, please visit your school’s registrar. 

Three-Year Program

If you are a current college sophomore, to try out AFROTC, with no commitment, you will need to take two Aerospace Studies classes (AEROSPACE 111 and 223), physical training (AEROSPACE 191), and a two-hour leadership lab each semester. Total time devoted to AFROTC is about six hours a week as a sophomore in the three-year program.

  • UMass Amherst students: Sign up for the classes just like you would with any other class in ‘SPIRE’. 
  • WNEU students: Sign up for the classes just like you would with any other class in ‘Administrative Systems Access Point’. 
  • Five Colleges and Springfield area students: To sign up for AFROTC courses, please visit your school’s registrar. 

High School Students

If you are a high school senior, go to the Air Force ROTC website and apply online at afrotc.com/scholarships. 

Step 3: Locate the Following Items (COMPLETED BY CADET)

In order to complete enrollment and New Student Orientation, you must provide the following documents:

  • Original and photocopy of the birth certificate (original will be returned)
  • Original and photocopy of signed Social Security Card (original will be returned)
  • Certificate of naturalization (naturalized citizens only)
  • Proof of Selective Service Enrollment (males only; www.sss.gov)
  • ACT or SAT score sheet
  • Transcripts from any post-high school technical or prior colleges attended (if applicable – unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
  • JROTC certificate of completion and Letter from JROTC Commander (if applicable)
  • Civil Air Patrol Award (Billy Mitchell Award, Amelia Earhart Award, Carl Spaatz Award – if applicable)
  • Boy Scouts Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Cadet Senior Scout with Gold Palm Award paperwork (if applicable)
  • Name and address of any law enforcement offices that issued you a ticket or fined you, and also the dates of the incident(s)

Contact Information