The Program

What is Air Force ROTC?

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is a military leadership program designed to give men and women the opportunity to become Air or Space Force officers while completing a degree.  The General Military Course (GMC) is taken during your freshman and sophomore years.  This program allows you to learn about the military lifestyle for up to two years without incurring any obligation.  The Professional Officer Course (POC) is taken during your junior and senior years.  Before you enter the POC, you will attend a two-week summer Field Training course.

Air Force ROTC classes cover topics such as military customs and courtesies, development of aerospace power, leadership and communication theories, and national defense policy.  You will attend weekly Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) training sessions, where you will put into practice the leadership skills and management theories discussed in the classroom.  You will also participate in two weekly physical fitness training sessions. 

AFROTC Training Schedule

Detachment 040 generally follows the Loyola Marymount academic calendar, which includes a fall semester that runs from late August to mid December and a spring semester that runs from mid January to early May. All of our training sessions take place on Tuesdays. Students attend AFROTC aerospace studies class(es) in the afternoons, Leadership Laboratory in the evenings, and a physical fitness session immediately after. Mandatory activities typically last from 1400-1930. 

Aerospace Studies Classes

You are required to complete 8 semesters of Aerospace Studies classes. During your first two years, the classes will be one credit hour per semester. During your second two years, the classes will be three credit hours per semester. A brief overview of each of the Aerospace Studies classes follows: 

• AS 100 Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force  - A survey course designed to introduce students to the United States Air Force (USAF). Provides an overview of the basic characteristics, missions, and organization of the Air Force.
• AS 200 Team & Leadership Fundamentals - Focuses on laying the foundation for teams and leadership. The topics include skills that will allow cadets to improve their leadership on a personal level and within a team. The courses will prepare cadets for their field training experience where they will be able to put the concepts learned into practice. The purpose is to instill a leadership mindset and to motivate sophomore students to transition from AFROTC cadet to AFROTC officer candidate.
• AS 300 Leading People and Effective Communication - Teaches cadets advanced skills and knowledge in management and leadership. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing leadership skills and communication. Cadets have an opportunity to try out these leadership and management techniques in a supervised environment as juniors and seniors.
• AS 400 National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty - Gives college seniors the foundation to understand their role as military officers in American society. It is an overview of the complex social and political issues facing the military profession and requires a measure of sophistication commensurate with the senior college level. The final semester provides information that will prepare the cadets for Active Duty.

Leadership laboratory (LLAB)

Provides students to learn leadership skills through participation in our military training program. LLAB activities include basic military drill and ceremonies, guest speakers, challenging group problem solving activities, and physical fitness training. Active duty officers provide oversight, but the LLAB program is run by the students in the cadet wing. As you progress through the AFROTC program, you will take on increasing levels of responsibility in planning and executing the LLAB program.

Physical Fitness Training (PT)

All cadets are required to take a Fitness Assessment (FA) each semester. The FA consists of sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. To prepare for the FA, and to ensure that cadets are able to meet the physical fitness standards, cadets participate in two mandatory PT sessions each week. Students will participate in a “crosstown PT” session one morning per week and in a full detachment PT session on Tuesday evenings following LLAB.

Current as of 12 August 2022
Disclaimer