Resources

Additional resources and how to contact us

FAQs

Find answers to all of the frequently asked questions about Airforce ROTC at UNC.

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Program Requirements

Discover the requirements that every cadet must meet to stay in the program.

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Get in touch with us for more information, to ask questions, or get involved.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Cadets at Det 90 are generally issued uniforms during their sophomore year and wear the Informal Uniform (IU) to Aerospace Studies classes and Leadership Lab (LLAB) during the freshman year.

The Informal Uniform (IU) consists of a royal blue polo shirt, khaki pants, and brown or black shoes and belt.  It can be seen in several of the photos on this site.  Detachment polos (optional) are available for purchase through the Dactyls Student Organization.

Yes, you will have to shave your beard, but that’s ok!  Cadets must be clean shaven in uniform and follow Air Force standards of dress and appearance during official functions.  Regulations on uniform wear and grooming standards can be found in AFI36-2903 Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel.

As of 2019, Detachment 90 is approximately 200 cadets strong.  Annually, we welcome 70 – 100 new cadets from Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado, Aims Community College, and Front Range Community College.

If you are a freshman starting with us in the fall, you will sign up for Aerospace Studies (AS) 101, Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force and AS196, Leadership Labratory .==.

AFROTC is designed to be a four year program, but this is an option.  We have several active cadets in the program who started in the spring of their freshman year.  If you would like to join in the spring, sign up for AS102 and AS196, and you will need to make up the missed AS101 class in the fall of your sophomore year (see the Course Catalog).

Yes!  Cadets can apply for medical careers through either the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUSHS) or the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program (AFHPSP) which involves attending a civilian medical school.

  1. Connect withUNC Pre-health Advising.  
  2. Choose the right major.  You are able to major in any subject when deciding to study medicine, however, you must take a certain set of undergraduate classes to meet pre-medical requirements (requirements vary by medical school).  We recommend choosing an eligible major for a Type I scholarship (i.e. Chemistry).
  3. Take the MCAT.  We recommend taking the MCAT no later than spring semester junior year.
  4. Apply to the Cadet Pre-Health Selection Board.  The board for selecting Pre-Health cadets will come through a message from HQ AFROTC to your detachment cadre.  When your cadre sends out the calling message, it will contain important information regarding application requirements and suspenses.  You will also need to submit a memorandum to your detachment commander for approval to compete for a non-line commission in the Pre-Health category.
  5.  Gain acceptance into accredited medical school or USUHS.  We recommend you apply for civilian medical schools at the end of your junior year or beginning of your senior year.  If you receive an unconditional acceptance letter from an accredited medical school, bring a copy of the letter to your detachment cadre as soon as possible.  See the USUHS website for more information.
    • Pre-Health cadets not accepted into an accredited medical school prior to graduation have two options.  They either enter active duty as a line officer or apply for an educational delay.  For more information about educational delays, contact your detachment cadre or the AFPC Educational Delay Program Manager at 210-565-2638.
  6. Your detachment forwards your acceptance letter to HQ AFPC/DPANE (Physician Education Branch).  When the Physician Education Branch receives confirmation of your acceptance to medical school, they will email a contract and pay package to the detachment for completion.
  7. Cadet completes contract and pay package.  The detachment will assist you in completing the required forms and will submit the complete package to HQ AFPC/DPANE (Physician Education Branch) by the suspense.

The Graduate Law Program (GLP) is a two-year Air Force ROTC program for law students.  Once selected for the GLP, students are guaranteed a position as an Air Force Judge Advocate upon successful completion of the Air Force ROTC program, graduation from an ABA-approved law school, and completion of legal licensing requirements, including admission to practice before any state’s highest court.  More information can be found about this career field on the Air Force JAG Website.

Program Requirements

As a member of AFROTC, your ultimate goal will be to graduate and commission as a second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. This program provides a curriculum aimed at developing students into professional leaders and teammates, and there are numerous opportunities to grow and prepare yourself to become an officer, leader, and wingman.

Every semester, cadets are required to meet and maintain eligibility requirements to stay in the program. These are requirements that every cadet must meet and are an important part of building character and maintaining standards. As an officer, you will be expected to set the example so it is important to understand and exceed standards as a cadet.

Physical fitness is an important part of AFROTC and active duty service. Every semester, cadets are administered a physical fitness assessment (PFA) which consists of pushups, situps, a mile and a half run, and an abdominal circumference measurement.  Cadets must achieve a passing score to remain eligible for the program.

While physical training (PT) is conducted three days a week, it is highly recommended that cadets work out on their own outside of mandatory PT. Here are the requirements for passing the PFA: AFROTC Fitness Requirements

GPA requirements differ based on scholarship status:

  • 2.0 for non-scholarship
  • 2.5 for scholarship

Although these are the minimum requirements, cadets should shoot as high as they can. Having a higher GPA opens up additional opportunities like internships or incentive flights.

Additionally, students must sign up for their Aerospace Studies (AS) class and the weekly lab, both of which they must pass with a C or better, and meet the 80% attendance rate.

In addition to meeting fitness and GPA requirements, there are a few rules cadets must follow. The Air Force has instituted zero tolerance policies on substance abuse, discrimination, harassment, and hazing.  These behaviors erode team cohesion and adversely impact the mission we are trying to achieve together.

Professionalism is expected of cadets at all times, in or out of uniform, on or off campus. Upon joining AFROTC, you will represent the Air Force which is something to take great pride in.  The civilian population places great trust in Airmen to carry out the mission, and we must uphold this trust with our actions.

AFROTC cadets can commission with any major they like, though some careers are restricted to certain majors, like Engineering, Nursing, or Meteorology. See Air Force desired majors.

Contact Us

Phone: (970) 491-6476

Email: AF_ROTC@unco.edu