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Academic Catalog

Reserve Officer Training Corps

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) 

Air Force ROTC – Det 270 (KSU)
1304 N. 17th Street, Room 108
Manhattan, KS  66506-2101
(785)532-6600         afrotc@ksu.edu

Air Force ROTC – Det 280 (KU)
AFROTC Detachment 280
1520 Summerfield Hall Drive, Room 109
Lawrence, KS 66045-7605
(785)864-4676         afrotc@ku.edu

Program Eligibility and Enrollment

Students from Washburn University, Barton County Community College-Fort Riley Campus, and Manhattan Christian College may currently attend Kansas State University for Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) classes while simultaneously working towards their degree from these other schools. They will be enrolled in the AFROTC classes as non-degree seeking students at K-State.  Students from Washburn University, Baker University, Benedictine College, Donnelly College, Haskell Indian Nations University, Johnson County Community College, Mid-Nazarene University, Ottawa University, and the University of St. Mary may currently attend the University of Kansas for Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) classes while simultaneously working towards their degree from these other schools. They will be enrolled in the AFROTC classes as non-degree seeking students at KU. 

General Information

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps provides the best means for undergraduate 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 service.

Any undergraduate student with at least three years left in their degree program who is a U.S. citizen may apply to become a cadet by enrolling in AERO 110 and AERO 099 at Kansas State or AIR 100 and AIR 144 at KU. The duration of the program is typically four years but can be condensed into three years or expanded to five years, depending upon an applicant’s academic major.

Scholarships

Full-time students who qualify to become Air Force officers, with three 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 a book allowance paid for by the U.S. Air Force; they will also receive a $300 to $500 monthly stipend while in school. All payments are tax free.

High school students considering the four-year Air Force High School 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 January of their senior year of High School. Financial benefits are the same as the undergraduate scholarships mentioned earlier. Applicants should contact their high school counselor or visit. afrotc.com for more details on the high school scholarship program.

Four-year program

Basic course:  Students electing the four-year program normally will begin with the General Military Course (GMC) during the freshman or sophomore year. This program consists of four semesters of 1 credit hour each and enrollment in the Air Force ROTC Leadership Lab.  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.

Advanced course:  The Professional Officer Course (POC) 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 $450 to $500 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.

Field training:  Cadets practice their leadership and management skills in a cadet group. Cadets who are in the four-year program attend 13 days of field training at an Air Force base during the summer prior to entering the POC. 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. Students are also eligible to participate in Honor Guard, a team that presents the colors at University and local community events.

Aerospace Studies Minor:  Students who complete the AERO progam and select physics and science classes at Kansas State University can earn an Aerospace Studies minor.

Air Force ROTC Courses (taken at KSU or KU)

AERO 099 (KSU) or AIR 100 (KU) - Aerospace Studies Lab (0)
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 AERO/AIR 100, 200, 300, and 400 level classes; is required for all cadets; and includes mandatory physical fitness training.

AERO 110 (KSU) or AIR 144 (KU) – The Foundation of the United States Air Force – Heritage and Values 1 (Fall Only, 1)
Introduces the Air Force (AF) by examining general aspects of the Department of the AF, AF Leadership, AF benefits and opportunities for AF Officers.  This course lays the foundation for Airman by outlining our heritage and values through topics such as: customs and courtesies, AF standards, formation of the AF and building officer communication skills.

AERO 111 (KSU) or AIR 148 (KU) - The Foundation of the United States Air Force – Heritage and Values 2 (Spring Only, 1)
Builds on AERO 110 and the introduction to the Air Force (AF) by examining general aspects of the Department of the AF, AF Leadership, AF benefits and opportunities for AF Officers.  This course continues to lay the foundation for Airman by outlining our heritage and values through lessons such as: war and the US military, AF operations, principles of war and airpower.

AERO 210 (KSU) or AIR 284 (KU) – Team and Leadership Fundamentals 1 (Fall Only, 1)
Provides a fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building.  Covers subjects such as self-assessment, listening, followership, problem solving, motivation, and standards and accountability.

AERO 211 (KSU) or AIR 288 (KU) - Team and Leadership Fundamentals 2 (Spring Only, 1)
Builds on the fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building started in AERO 210.  Covers subjects such as building teams, human relations, conflict management, feedback, and ethical decision making.

AERO 310 (KSU) or AIR 344 (KU) - Officer Leadership Studies 1 (Fall Only, 3)
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.

AERO 311 (KSU) or AIR 348 (KU) - Officer Leadership Studies 2 (Spring Only, 3)
Continuation of AERO 310.

AERO 410 (KSU) or AIR 404 (KU) - Regional Studies and Defense Policy (Fall Only, 3)
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, social constraints upon the overall defense policy-making process, and the global environment that the military exists within.

AERO 411 (KSU) or AIR 408 (KU) - Aerospace Studies/Civil Military Relationships (Spring Only, 3)
Focuses on the complex environment of rules and regulations that an Air Force officer lives within.  Examines how a new military officer functions both as a leader and as an Air Force member. Communicative skills are stressed.

Army ROTC

Under an agreement between Washburn University, the University of Kansas, and the U.S. Army, students may participate in Army ROTC classes taught at the University of Kansas. Army ROTC classes may be taken by any Washburn student and are available to students at no tuition cost. For those that contract into the program, the culmination of the ROTC program is a commission as an officer in either the active army or in the Army Reserve or National Guard.

For those that choose to seek a commission while participating in ROTC, students pursue an academic degree in any academic major of their choice. ROTC classes are divided into basic and advanced courses. All necessary ROTC books and equipment are provided to the student free of charge.

For those interested in scholarship opportunities, Army ROTC awards four-year, three-year, and two-year scholarships on a competitive basis. For detailed scholarship information contact Lawrence Jenkins, Operations Officer, Admissions & Scholarship, (785) 864-1113, lawerence.v.jenkins@ku.edu.

Army ROTC Courses (taken at KU)

ARMY 101  Introduction to Military Science I  (1)  

Required introductory course for the Army military science program. Course is comprised of lecture, laboratory and physical fitness weekly, as well as other field training exercises. Introduces the military science program as an element of the reserve forces and includes an examination of major legislation, the Army organization structure, and military leadership techniques. Course must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 101L.

ARMY 101L  Army ROTC Lab  (0)  

Required ROTC Lab. Must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 101.

ARMY 102  Introduction to Military Science II  (1)  

Course comprised of lecture, laboratory and physical fitness weekly, as well as other field training exercises. A general study and appreciation of the American military system from colonial times to the present. The course identifies factors present in the American society and national policy in each particular historical period which influenced the development of American military systems. The relationship between the military establishment and the larger American society is examined in each historical period. Course must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 102L Lab. Prerequisites: ARMY 101/ARMY 101L or department approval.

ARMY 102L  Army ROTC Lab  (0)  

Required ROTC Lab. Must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 102.

ARMY 201  Basic Military Science I  (1)  

Course comprised of lecture, laboratory, and physical fitness weekly, as well as other field training exercises. Analyzes the principles of war and military leadership at small unit level, and introduces principles of military writing. Course must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 201L Lab. Prerequisites: ARMY 102/ARMY 102L or department approval.

ARMY 201L  Army ROTC Lab  (0)  

Required ROTC lab. Must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 201.

ARMY 202  Basic Military Science II  (1)  

Course is comprised of lecture, laboratory, and physical fitness weekly, as well as other field training exercises. Curriculum consists of the fundamentals of topographic map reading and their application in a field environment. Includes instruction in various types of maps, marginal information, topographic symbols and colors, scale, distance, direction and use of the magnetic compass. Course must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 202L Lab. Prerequisites: ARMY 201/ARMY 201L or department approval.

ARMY 202L  Army ROTC Lab  (0)  

Required ROTC lab. Must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 202.

ARMY 301  Theory & Dynamics of Tactical Operations I  (3)  

Course is comprised of lecture, laboratory, and physical fitness weekly, as well as other field training exercises. A comprehensive study of conventional tactical operations. Emphasizes the fundamentals of land warfare and the qualities necessary to conduct fluid, non-linear operations. Introduces the student to the tenets of Air-Land Battle, the underlying structure of modern warfare, the dynamics of combat power, and the application of classical principles of war to a contemporary battlefield. Prerequisite: ARMY 202 or department approval.

ARMY 301L  Army ROTC Lab  (0)  

Required ROTC lab. Must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 301.

ARMY 302  Theory & Dynamics of Tactical Operations II  (3)  

Course is comprised of lecture, laboratory, and physical fitness weekly, as well as other field training exercises. Expands on the application of conventional tactical operations in the low, medium, and high intensity conflict spectrum. Examines the three-dimensional nature of modern warfare and the unified battlefield. Prerequisite: ARMY 301 or department approval.

ARMY 302L  Army ROTC Lab  (0)  

Required ROTC lab. Must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 302.

ARMY 303  Military Conditioning  (1)  

Introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of developing physical fitness programs for all Army personnel from the commander or supervisor’s perspective. Provides an overview of total fitness, defines physical fitness, outlines the phases of fitness, discusses various types of fitness programs, and presents evaluation criteria.

ARMY 401  Concepts of Military Management  (3)  

Course is comprised of lecture, leadership, and physical fitness weekly, as well as other field training exercises. An introduction to the military management system with special attention to the functions, organizations, and operations of military training, logistics and administration. The use of standardized staff formats in the development of plans and orders is emphasized from the standpoint of the leader with limited resources. Extensive use of standard staff procedures is emphasized in problem solving scenarios. Prerequisite: ARMY 302 or department approval.

ARMY 401L  Army ROTC Lab  (0)  

Required ROTC lab. Must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 401.

ARMY 402  The Military Profession  (3)  

Course is comprised of three hours of lecture and two hours of leadership laboratory per week. A seminar on the military profession as an object of social inquiry. Focus is on the internal structure of the profession, current problems, and interaction with the larger American society. Seminar topics include but are not limited to the following: a historical perspective on the military profession; civil-military relations; social and political impact of military activities; military justice; professionalism versus careerism. One hour lecture and one hour lab (ARMY 402L) per week. Prerequisite: ARMY 401 or KU department approval.

ARMY 402L  Army ROTC Lab  (0)  

Required ROTC lab. Must be taken in conjunction with ARMY 402.

ARMY 450  Military Analysis  (1)  

A study of present and future military operations; emphasis placed on analysis of problem. The student will defend his/her analysis through written and oral presentations. Prerequisite: Department approval.