The Department of Air Force Aerospace Studies (AFAS) is set within the College of Liberal Arts and Science as an interdisciplinary program but does not offer an academic Degree. The courses offered in the program are developed by the Air Force Air Education and Training Command and approved by the Department of the Air Force. The Department of Air Force Aerospace Studies aims to provide qualified student leaders the opportunity to earn a commission as active duty officers in the United States Air Force (USAF) or United States Space Force (USSF). All AFAS courses are open to any ISU student who has met the course prerequisites. Entry into the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program is not dependent on a departmental major or year in the university and is open to all qualified students; however, it is intended for students who have at least three years of coursework remaining.
For further information on AFAS and AFROTC, please get in touch with afrotc@iastate.edu or call 515-294-1716.
Undergraduate Study
The curriculum is divided into two basic phases: the General Military Course (GMC) and the Professional Officer Course (POC). The GMC is introductory and open to all ISU students. It consists of four consecutive one-hour courses normally taken during the freshman and sophomore years.
Selection for entry into the POC is on a competitive basis. Cadets enrolling in this course must meet certain academic, mental, and physical requirements as well as having high moral standards. If selected, cadets who have completed the GMC will attend Field Training, a two-week intensive summer program aimed at evaluating a cadet's leadership, followership, and problem solving skills. Field Training includes officer training, physical training, career orientation, expeditionary training, and an introduction to military base functions. Successful completion of Field Training is a requirement to enter the POC.
Upon enrollment and acceptance into the POC, all cadets complete a contractual agreement with the Air Force, committing them to serve at least four years on active duty as a U.S. Air Force (USAF) or U.S. Space Force (USSF) officer after graduation. Cadets interested in an aviation career are able to compete for positions as a pilot, combat systems operator (CSO), remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA) operator, or air battle manager (ABM).
Example schedules for GMC and POC cadets:
GMC
- 1 hour per week in the AFAS academic course
- 3 hours per week of physical training which is typically held at 6 am on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
- 2 hours per week of Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) held Tuesday mornings at 6 am
POC
- 3 hours per week in the AFAS academic course
- 3 hours per week of physical training which is typically held at 6 am on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
- 2 hours per week of Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) held Tuesday mornings at 6 am
AFROTC scholarships are available and provide payment for up to full tuition and fees. In addition, scholarship cadets receive a $300-$500 monthly subsistence allowance and $900 per year book allowance. Scholarships can be awarded for periods from two to five years, depending on academic major. Upon acceptance of a scholarship, students complete a contractual agreement with the Air Force, which commits them to serve at least four years on active duty as a USAF or USSF officer after graduation. To determine eligibility and initiate application procedures for the scholarship program, interested students should contact the AFAS department.
Military Studies Minor
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a minor in Military Studies. Requirements for the minor include taking a minimum of 15 credits of ROTC instruction, which may be taken from one or more of the ROTC programs. At least six credits must be in courses numbered 3000 or above.