Aerospace Studies
Col. Randy O'Boyle, Head
Assistant Professors Capt. Nichols and Capt. Kaiser
108 Military Science Hall 785-532-6600
Fax: 785-532-7049
E-mail: afrotc@k-state.edu
www.k-state.edu/usaf
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps provides the best means for undergraduate and graduate students to become officers in the United States Air Force. Upon completion of the university program, students are commissioned second lieutenants, and then enter active duty as a pilot, navigator, or enter a technical or nontechnical career field; are deferred for graduate study, to enter active service after degree completion; or enter into Air Force-sponsored graduate study at full pay while serving as Air Force officers.
Any student—graduate or undergraduate— who is a U.S. citizen may apply to become a cadet by enrolling in AERO 110 and AERO 099. The duration of the program varies from two to four years, depending upon an applicant's previous experience and the availability of different options.
Scholarships
Full-time students who qualify to become Armed Force officers, with two or more years left for degree completion (including graduate study), are eligible to apply for scholarships. If selected, students will have their tuition, fees, and book allowance paid for by the U.S. Air Force; they will also receive a $250 to $400 monthly stipend while in school. All payments are tax free.
Students who apply for and receive the Aired Forces Health Professions Scholarship, and are subsequently accepted to medical school, are guaranteed scholarship through medical school. The medical school scholarship pays med-school tuition, fees, books, and approximately $950 per month.
High school students considering the four-year Air Force College Scholarship Program must be highly motivated toward becoming Air Force officers. To qualify, students should be above-average scholars, be physically capable, possess leadership potential, and apply before December of the senior year. Financial benefits are the same as the undergraduate scholarships mentioned earlier. Applicants should contact their high school counselor or an AFROTC officer for applications and further information. Visit the website afrotc.com for more details.
Four-year program
Basic course
Students electing the four-year program normally will begin with the General Military Course during the freshman or sophomore year. This program consists of four semesters of 1 credit hour each and enrollment in AERO 099. Aerospace studies GMC courses are open to all students at the university without obligation to military service. Students in the GMC are provided uniforms, texts, and other equipment needed for their AFROTC courses. Students may begin enrollment in GMC courses at any time until two years prior to graduation (graduate or undergraduate).
Advanced course
The Professional Officer Course is the upperclass program and consists of four courses of 3 credit hours each, over a period of four semesters. All cadets in the POC become members of the Air Force Reserve and receive $350 to $400 a month and all necessary AFROTC texts and equipment. Upon completion of the POC and their degree requirements, students are commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Air Force.
Two-year program
The two-year program consists of the POC phase only and may be taken during a stu- dent's final four semesters, undergraduate or graduate, at the university.
POC participation requirements include Air Force aptitude testing, an Air Force physical, and completion of six weeks of summer field training.
Field training
Cadets practice their leadership and management skills in a cadet group. Cadets who are in the four-year program attend four weeks of field training at an Air Force base during the summer prior to entering the POC. Two-year program cadets attend six weeks of field training. During training, cadets are paid and receive travel pay to and from the training base.
Extracurricular activities
Students enrolled in Air Force ROTC may participate in many activities including detachment-sponsored events and social functions. Cadets pursuing officers' commissions are eligible for membership in the Arnold Air Society, a national honorary professional and service organization established to foster good relations among Air Force ROTC, the Air Force, the campus, and the local community. Participation in the Arnold Air Society is voluntary.
General military courses
AERO 099. Aerospace Studies Lab. (0) I, II. The leadership laboratory for aerospace studies. Students will receive leadership training and experience as well as training in Air Force customs and courtesies. This course runs concurrently with AERO100, AERO200, AERO300, and AERO400 classes; is required for all cadets; and includes mandatory physical fitness training. Pr.: Instructor permission.
AERO 110. Aerospace Studies 1A. (1) I. A study of the mission and organization of the United States Air Force; U.S. general purpose and aerospace support forces. One hour of class a week.
AERO 111. Aerospace Studies 1B. (1) II. U.S. strategic offensive and defensive forces; their mission, function, and employment. One hour of class a week.
AERO 210. Aerospace Studies 2A. (1) I. The development of air power from its beginnings to the end of World War II. It traces the development of various concepts of employment of air power. One hour of class a week.
AERO 211. Aerospace Studies 2B. (1) II. The development of air power from the close of World War II to the present. It focuses upon factors which have prompted research and technological change and stresses significant examples of the impact of air power on strategic thought. One hour of class a week.
AERO 215. AFROTC Summer Program. (4) I. Mission and organization of United States Air Force, including function and employment; development of air power from its beginning to the present. Emphasis on factors prompting research and technological change and impact of air power on strategic issues. Taught off campus at selected Air Force bases. Pr.: Open only to students entering AFROTC program at the POC level.
Professional officers courses
AERO 310. Officer Ladership Studies 3A. (3) I. A study of USAF professionalism, leadership, and management. Includes the meaning of professionalism, professional responsibilities, leadership theory, functions and practices, management principles and functions, problem solving, and management tools, practices, and controls. Three hours of class a week.
AERO 311. Officer Leadership Studies 3B. (3) II. Continuation of AERO 310. Three hours of class a week.
AERO 399. Problem in Aerospace Studies. (Var.) I, II. Work offered in any of the AFROTC general or professional courses for students out of phase for graduation; material covered in a basic or advanced course. Pr.: Consent of department head.
AERO 410. Aerospace Studies 4A. (3) I. This course will examine the role of the professional officer in a democratic society; socialization processes within the armed services; the requisites for maintaining adequate national security forces; political, economic, and social constraints upon the overall defense policy-making process. Three hours a week.
AERO 411. Aerospace Studies 4B. (3) II. Focusing on the armed forces as an integral element of society, this course provides an examination of the broad range of American civil-military relations and the environmental context in which defense policy is formulated. Communicative skills are stressed. The role of contemporary aerospace power, and current and future employment of aerospace forces will also be examined. The last portion of this course concentrates on preparation for active duty military service. Three hours of class a week.
AERO 491. Introduction to Flight Training. (1) II. Basic aerodynamics, aviation weather, navigation, flight/mission planning, and introduction to undergraduate pilot/navigator training. Normally taken by senior professional officer course students. Pr.: Consent of instructor.