AFSC Information

Who's Who in Air Force Science

Commander and Professor:
Lieutenant Colonel Aldru Aaron

Associate Professor:
Major Kari Tackett, Major albert Meza, Captain Shawn Owens

Overview

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training (ROTC) program prepares men and women of character, commitment, and courage to assume leadership positions as commissioned officers in the active duty United States Air Force. Upon completion of the curriculum, students will have a thorough understanding of the core values, leadership, teamwork, and other requirements to be an effective officer in the world's greatest Air Force.

For more information on the Air Force Science program, contact the Air Force Science Department at the University of Houston by calling 713-743-4932 or online at http://www.class.uh.edu/rotc/airforce/.

All courses and physical training sessions take place at the University of Houston. Flight orientation occurs at airports in the Houston metro area.

Course Credit

ROTC classes may be taken for elective credit toward any degree plan at the University of Houston. Freshman and sophomore level classes are open to all students. No military obligation is incurred as a result of enrollment in these courses. Junior and senior level courses are more restrictive and do require a military obligation. ROTC scholarship students also incur a military obligation.

Four Year Program

The General Military Course (GMC) is the first half of the four year ROTC program and is taken during the freshman and sophomore years. This program allows the student to experience Air Force ROTC without obligation (unless the student is on an Air Force ROTC scholarship).

Each semester of the GMC consists of one classroom hour of instruction as well as Leadership Laboratory each week.

During the first two years, the student will learn about the Air Force and the historical development of aerospace power.

During the summer preceding the junior year, the student will compete for the opportunity to attend a four-week Field Training Unit. Successful completion of field training is mandatory for entrance into the Professional Officer Course (POC), the junior and senior years of the four year program.

As a junior, the student will study the core values, leadership, teamwork, and management tools required to become an effective Air Force officer.

During the senior year, students study the national security policy process, regional and cultural studies, and complete final requirements for commissioning as second lieutenants.

Leadership Laboratory

As an Air Force ROTC cadet, each student is required to attend an additional two-hour class known as Leadership Laboratory.

Although not part of the academic class requirement, it is an essential part of officer training. Leadership Laboratory is an intensive, military training program in which students gain invaluable leadership and managerial experience while learning about the Air Force way of life. Students have numerous opportunities to hear guest speakers, panel discussions, participate in field trips, and experience practical leadership exercises.

AFROTC Scholarship Opportunities

Air Force ROTC offers various scholarship opportunities for students at the University of Houston:

In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP)— is a highly competitive scholarship program aimed primarily at college freshmen and sophomores in any major (students with a bachelor's degree can compete to earn a master's degree). The ICSP awards cover tuition capped at either $18,000 per year plus $900 per year for books or $9,000 per year plus $900 per year for books.

The Express Scholarship Program— is operated on a fully qualified basis: those who meet the qualifications are awarded the scholarship. Though the list of eligible college majors differs from year-to-year, the express scholarship cover full tuition per year and $900 for books. Current majors who qualify include Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nursing, and strategic foreign languages. For the most up to date information, visit www.afrotc.com.

Stipend

All AFROTC scholarship recipients and POC cadets receive a nontaxable monthly stipend. The annual stipend amount ranges from $3,000 per year to $6,000 per year depending on the recipient's enrollment year.

For additional information

on AFROTC scholarship opportunities, please visit the AFROTC Web site at http://www.class.uh.edu/rotc/airforce/
or call 1-866-4AFROTC.

Field Training (FT)

Cadets completing the General Military Course attend four weeks of field training (FT) during the summer at a selected Air Force base. Those who have not completed the GMC attend an extended FT Unit. This rigorous program of leadership training, physical conditioning and academics assesses the cadet's potential to be an Air Force officer.

Cadets also receive survival and firearms training and career information. Cadets receive travel pay and daily pay for FT.

Flight Orientation Program

All cadets can volunteer to participate in a joint Air Force ROTC/Civil Air Patrol flight orientation program. This consists of eight flights, four in the front seat of a small passenger aircraft and four additional fights in the back seat as an observer. In addition, an abbreviated flying ground school course is taught in the ROTC classrooms using FAA textbooks. The flight orientation and ground school course are both free for all cadets.

Physical Fitness Training

Cadets meet two times per week at the University of Houston Alumni Center to perform physical fitness training. The training is mandatory and emphasizes push-ups, sit-ups, and running in order to pass the USAF physical fitness test.

Professional Development Training (PDT)

Cadets are eligible to compete to attend PDT during summer months.

PDT consists of several programs, including:

  • Tours of active duty Air Force bases.
  • Soaring and free-fall parachuting at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).
  • Cultural and Foreign Language Immersion.
  • Hands-on research at Air Force laboratories.
  • Shadowing an Air Force officer in Operation Air Force.
  • Internships at NASA and other government organizations.

Cadets receive travel pay and daily pay for the majority of these programs.

For more information

contact the Unit Admissions Officer at 713-743-4932, 713-743-3704, or visit the University of Houston Air Force Web site at http://www.class.uh.edu/rotc/airforce.

During this time of war, our mission of producing Air Force second lieutenants of character, commitment, and courage is more important than ever.

Catalog Publish Date: August 22, 2012
This Page Last Updated: July 15, 2011