Florida State University 2008-2009 General Bulletin Undergraduate Edition
Department of Aerospace Studies
Air Force ROTC College of Arts and Sciences
Professor: Colonel Jeff Spraggins; Assistant Professors: Major Paulsen, Captain Haynes, Captain Guy
The Department of Aerospace Studies provides precommissioning education for qualified students who desire to serve on active duty as commissioned officers in the United States Air Force. The department offers two-and-a-half- and four-year commissioning programs, each with its own requirements and advantages. The two-and-a-half-year program allows transfer students and other high-quality students with two academic years remaining, either in undergraduate or graduate status, and who have met the five (5) 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. The aerospace studies curriculum is divided into two phases: 1) the general military course; and 2) the professional officer course. Students are invited to e-mail, visit, call the Department of Aerospace Studies (850) 644-3461, or visit our Web page at http://www.fsu.edu/~rotc to obtain additional 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 Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program. These courses deal with the Air Force structure 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, and ERAU 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 and FAMU students enrolled in the AFROTC program.
Required Admission Criteria for Air Force ROTC
- Pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
- Pass a military physical examination
- Pass the three-event physical fitness test
- Pass height/weight standards
- Have a 2.5 GPA or higher
Note: These must be completed satisfactorily before consideration for financial assistance can occur.
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
Once the admission criteria have been met, the student may compete for the opportunity to contract for four years of active duty as a commissioned officer upon graduation. Upon selection and acceptance, the student receives a monthly, tax-exempt stipend ranging from $250.00–$400.00. Tuition assistance is possible but not guaranteed. It is awarded on a competitive basis.
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 three and one-half (3.5) years. Four-year scholarships must be applied for by December 1 in the year prior to enrollment as a freshman. Other scholarships are available after enrolling in aerospace studies courses. Scholarships are available for students attending Florida A&M University (FAMU), a historically black university, if the student has a 2.50 or higher cumulative GPA.
Field Training
Cadets in the two-year program must complete a six-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 six-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. 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
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.
- Successfully complete (grade of "C–" or better) the verbal presentation portion of three AFR courses
- Apply to the department office assistant for award of the competency. Students should be advised that application alone does not guarantee that credit toward the completion of the oral communication competency requirement will be awarded. All applications must be reviewed prior to graduation.
- All AFROTC courses 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, and ERAU 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/ERAU 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, 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—Aerospace Studies
Undergraduate Courses
AFR 1101. USAF Strategic Forces (1). This course deals with the Air Force structure as well as traditions behind customs and courtesies, and team building skills.
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 Officer Leadership (3). Continuation of the study of leadership and management begun in AFR 3201.
AFR 4211. U.S. Defense Policy and Strategy Formulation (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.