Department of AEROSPACE STUDIES

Air Force ROTC

College of Arts and Sciences

Professor: Colonel Thomas C. Bowermeister; Assistant Professors: Captain Bailey, Captain McElroy

The Department of Aerospace Studies pro-vides precommissioning education for qualified students who desire to serve as commissioned officers in the United States Air Force. The department offers one-year, two-year and four-year commissioning programs, each with its own special advantages. The one-year college program is designed for students graduating the following year to gain a commission into the Air Force. Upon enlistment, full scholarship and monthly stipend are available. The two-year program allows transfer students and other students with two academic years remaining, either in undergraduate or graduate status, and who have met required qualifications, to obtain an Air Force commission while completing their studies. The four-year program provides on-campus study during the freshman through senior years. All programs provide the opportunity to compete for full academic scholarships. The aerospace studies curriculum is divided into two phases: 1) the general military course; and 2) the professional officer course. Students are invited to write, visit, call the Department of Aerospace Studies, (850) 644-3461, or visit our webpage at http://www.fsu.edu/~rotc to obtainadditional information.

General Military Course

This program of instruction is open to any student and consists of the first- and second-year courses for students in the four-year Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) program. These courses deal with the Air Force in the contemporary world and the development of air power. They strengthen interest in becoming a professional Air Force officer, develop knowledge of world military forces, and enable the student to understand how the United States Air Force supports national objectives and policies. Class enrollment size is limited and priority will be given to FSU/FAMU/TCC students enrolled in the AFROTC program.

Professional Officer Course

Aerospace studies courses offered during the third and fourth years must be completed by all students who seek a commission through AFROTC. Coursework continuity is designed to prepare college students to serve as active duty Air Force officers upon graduation and commissioning. The curriculum stresses national security in contemporary American society, leadership, management, and professionalism. Special emphasis is placed on developing the cadet's communicative skills. Students entering this course must be selected in accordance with the prerequisites listed below. Students not currently enrolled in the AFROTC program must have permission of the department chairperson prior to enrolling in these courses. Class enrollment size is limited and priority is given to those FSU/FAMU/TCC students enrolled in the AFROTC program

Prerequisites for Admission to the Professional Officer Course

1. Be at least 17 years of age at time ofacceptance;
2. Be able to complete the professional officer course and graduate from a four-year university prior to reaching age of 30 if entering pilot training or before age 34 ifentering a nonflying category;
3. Pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test;
4. Pass a physical examination;
5. Pass the three-event physical fitness test;
6. Pass height/weight standards;
7. Have a 2.5 GPA or higher.

Leadership Laboratory

Leadership laboratory is required for members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps, or students who are eligible to pursue a commission as determined by the chairman of the Department of Aerospace Studies. Leadership laboratory is the formalized phase of leadership training conducted by the cadets. It is scheduled for up to two (2) hours each week. All uniforms and equipment required for cadet activities are furnished.

Monetary Allowances

All students enrolled in the professional officer course or on academic scholarship receive a tax-exempt monthly stipend ranging from $250.00 to $400.00.

AFROTC College Scholarship Programs

Financial assistance may be available in the form of AFROTC academic scholarships. Under this program, the Air Force pays for full tuition and fees and provides an allowance for books, supplies, and equipment. Scholarships may be awarded for up to four years. Four-year scholarships must be applied for by December 1st in the year prior to enrollment as a freshman. Other scholarships may be applied for after enrolling in aerospace studies courses. Scholarships are available for studentsattending a historically black college oruniversity if the student has a 2.50 or higher cumulative GPA.

Professional Officer Corps Scholarships: All juniors and seniors who maintain a 2.00 term GPA, pass the fitness test, and maintain weight standards, regardless of academic major, will receive up to $3450 for tuition and textbooks, and $200.00–$400.00 per month tax-exempt stipend. There are also numerous national scholarships that students may compete for as a member of Air Force ROTC.

Field Training

Cadets in the two-year program must complete a five-week field training course before they may formally enroll in the professional officer course. This course includes career training, physical conditioning, and the general military course academics. Academic credit for up to four (4) semester hours may be given for cadets attending a five-week Field Training and who have not previously completed AFR 1101, 1102, 2130, and 2140. See the Professor of Aerospace Studies for further information and to apply for the credit.

Cadets enrolled in the four-year AFROTC program are required to attend a four-week field training course before they may formally enroll in the professional officer course. Field training provides a better understanding of the United States Air Force mission, increases the cadets' proficiency in junior officer training areas, and stresses the importance of physical conditioning.

All field training courses are conducted at active Air Force bases. Students attending these courses receive pay for the encampment plus travel allowances.

Officer Commissions

Upon graduation from the University, cadets who complete the professional officer course are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force. All new lieutenants will be on active duty within thirty (30) days of commissioning. As graduates they incur an obligated active duty tour of four years for nonflyers, six years for navigators, and ten years for pilots.

Minor

A minor in aerospace studies is offered and may be selected by the student with the approval of the major department and the Department of Aerospace Studies. Requirement for a minor is twelve (12) semester hours in aerospace studies courses.

Oral Communications Competency

The Florida State University requires students to demonstrate competency in oral communications prior to graduation. Students who meet the specific criteria below may be awarded the competency through AFR courses.

1. Successfully complete (grade of "C–" or better) the verbal presentation portion of three AFR courses.
2. Apply to the department office assistant for award of the competency. Students should be advised that application alone does not guarantee that credit towards the completion of the oral communication competency requirement will be awarded. All applications must be reviewed prior to graduation.
3. All courses completed beginning with the Spring 1998 semester are eligible for consideration.

Note: students not currently enrolled in the AFROTC program must have the permission of the department chairman prior to enrolling in any AFR course. Class enrollment size is limited and priority will be given to FSU/FAMU/TCC students seeking a commission in the Air Force and needing AFR courses. Non-AFROTC program students are not eligible for scholarships, incentive pay or stipends as a result of enrollment in AFROTC program courses.

Special Activities

Special activities provide for the development of teamwork and esprit de corps. Included are the Arnold Air Society, a national honorary organization, and the FSU - FAMU - TCC AFROTC Silver Eagles Drill Team, an armed precision drill unit. Students who desire to fly can participate in a flying program with the Florida Civil Air Patrol.

Awards and Decorations

Awards and decorations, made available by national organizations, The Florida State University, and local/national military organizations, are presented to both general military course and professional officer course cadets each year. These plaques, trophies, medals, and ribbons symbolize superior achievement in AFROTC and other University academic courses and in outstanding campus and cadet corps leadership.

Definition of Prefix

AFR - Air Force ROTC

Undergraduate Courses

AFR 1101. USAF Strategic Forces (1). This course deals with the Air Force in the contemporary world through a study of the total force structure, strategic offensive and defensive forces, general purpose forces, and aerospacesupport forces.

AFR 1102. USAF General Purpose and Support Forces (1). This course is a continuation of AFR 1101.

AFR 2130. Development of Airpower I (1). This course, along with AFR 2140, is a study of airpower from balloons and dirigibles through the jet age, a historical review of airpower employment in military and nonmilitary operations in support of national objectives, and a look at the evolution of airpower concepts and doctrine.

AFR 2140. Development of Airpower II (1). This course is a continuation of AFR 2130.

AFR 2233L. AFROTC Leadership Lab (0).(S/U grade only.) For AFROTC cadets only.

AFR 2940. Basic Aerospace Internship (4).(S/U grade only.) (AFROTC Field Training.) Prerequisites: selection for the two-year AFROTC program and permission of the professor of aerospace studies.

AFR 3201. Air Force Management (3). This course is the initial semester of a study of leadership and management fundamentals. Material deals with general managerial and leadership concepts and theories and relates them to the Air Force junior officer. A block on communicative skills is included in this course.

AFR 3202. Air Force Junior OfficerLeadership (3). Continuation of the study of leadership and management begun in AFR 3201.

AFR 4211. U.S. Defense Policy and StrategyFormulation (3). Prerequisite: AFR 3202. This course, along with AFR 4212, includes an examination of the need for national security, analysis of the evolution of the American defense strategy and policy and of the methods for managing conflicts, and a study of the formulation of American defense policy and strategy.

AFR 4212. Preparation for Active Duty (3). Prerequisite: AFR 4211. Continuation of AFR 4211.

Note: if stated prerequisites are not met, permission of the professor of aerospace studies is prerequisite to all courses.

AFRICAN HISTORY:
see African-American Studies; History

AFRO-AMERICAN STUDIES:
see African-American Studies