Lt. Col. Baum, Department Chair
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program at Wilkes University permits students attending The University of Scranton to earn commissions as officers in the United States Air Force while pursuing a University of Scranton degree. Students enroll in either the four-year or two-year program. Students with three years remaining until graduation may enroll concurrently in the freshman and sophomore Aerospace Studies courses and can complete the four-year program in three years. Interested students may call the detachment and query staff at (570) 408-4860/4872 to inquire about additional programs. Additionally, information on the program can be found at afrotc.wilkes.edu and www.afrotc.com.
General Military Course (GMC)
The first two years of the four-year program constitute the General Military Course. GMC courses are open to any University student. Students enrolling in these courses do not incur any military service obligation. (Exception: Air Force scholarship recipients incur a commitment at the beginning of their sophomore year.) The GMC curriculum consists of four 1-credit Aerospace Studies courses; a non-credit leadership laboratory each semester, which introduces students to U.S. Air Force history and environment, customs, courtesies, drill and ceremonies, and leadership skills; and Physical Training (PT) at least twice weekly.
Field Training
Field Training consists of a four-week, 3-credit Aerospace Studies course at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. It provides students an opportunity to observe Air Force units and people at work; to participate in marksmanship, survival, athletics, and leadership training activities; to experience aircraft orientation flights; and to work with contemporaries from other colleges and universities. Transportation from the legal residence of the cadet to the field training base and return, food, lodging, and medical and dental care are provided by the Air Force.
Professional Officer Course (POC)
The final two years of the four-year program comprise the Professional Officer Course (POC). It consists of four 3-credit Aerospace Studies courses, a non-credit leadership laboratory each semester, and Physical Fitness Training sessions throughout the week. To be accepted into the POC, students must pass a physical examination and an Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT), a physical fitness test, and meet certain academic standards. Additionally, four-year cadets must complete a four-week field training program before POC entry.
Professional Development Training (optional)
The program allows both GMC and POC members to visit a USAF base during the summer (cadets attending Field Training are not eligible.) Professional development training allows the cadet to “shadow” an active duty officer working in the student’s career interest area. Transportation from the legal residence of the cadet to the professional development training base (and return), food, lodging, and medical and dental care during the visit are provided by the Air Force. The participating cadet is also provided a nominal stipend during the program. There are other PDT opportunities as well to include: Combat Rescue Officer Shadow and Orientation Week, Special Tactics Officer training, Advanced Cyber Education-Information assurance (full-time paid research internship), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (student internship), National Reconnaissance Office and Project Global Officer study abroad programs at multiple locations.
Scholarships
AFROTC offers full- and partial-tuition scholarships for which qualified students may compete if they enroll in AFROTC. All scholarship awards are based on individual merit, regardless of financial need, with most scholarship recipients determined by central selection boards. Since scholarship applicants must meet certain academic, physical fitness and medical requirement to be considered by the scholarship boards, students should contact the Aerospace Studies Department early in the fall semester. High school students wishing to compete for AFROTC college scholarships must complete and submit an application between May and December of their senior year. Contracted cadets also receive a monthly stipend and book allowance.
Commissioning
Students who satisfactorily complete the POC curriculum requirements are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force and will serve on active duty in a career specialty they have chosen, consistent with USAF needs.
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