Air Force ROTC

What is Air Force ROTC?

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is a 3-or 4- year educational program designed to give men and women the training required to become leaders and officers in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force while earning an undergraduate degree in the major of their choice. AFROTC is available to Southern Virginia University (SVU) students through a partnership with Detachment 880 at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, VA, only six miles from the SVU campus. More information can be found at the Det 880 website.

Why AFROTC?

The U.S. Air Force and Space Force are seeking diverse, talented, and highly qualified individuals to fill their ranks. There are over 40 career fields available to officers in the Air and Space Forces. Newly graduated and commissioned officers begin their careers making more than $60,000 per year. If you have the dedication and desire to serve your nation as an officer, Air Force ROTC is waiting for you.

Students do not need an AFROTC scholarship to commission, but if you are eligible, you can apply for a scholarship at www.afrotc.com. These scholarships pay up to 4 years of full tuition and fees. They also provide ~$500 per semester for books and a monthly stipend ranging from $300 to $500 per month depending on your year in school.

Involvement in the AFROTC program enables you to learn followership, team building, and leadership skills; interact with senior military officials and government leaders, visit and tour Air Force Bases, participate in summer programs like freefall parachuting, gain flight hours, fly traditional and virtual reality simulators, and more!

Families of SVU cadets in AFROTC are welcome to attend social events and activities throughout the year. The program also gives each family a unique opportunity to learn about the Department of the AF support structure for the families of service members.

Many NCAA athletes are also involved in AFROTC.

Program Requirements:

First and Second year cadets in the program spend 4-5 hrs per week in the program. They are required to enroll in one (1-hr) academic course per week, with a (75-min) Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) co-requisite. Cadets also attend two (1-hr) physical fitness sessions per week. The first two years of AFROTC are commitment-free if students are not on an AFROTC scholarship.

Third and Fourth year cadets in the program spend 6-7 hrs per week in the program. They enroll in one (3-hr) academic course per week, with the same LLAB and fitness requirements.

Additionally, about once per month cadets gather on Saturdays from 8-12 for training. Lastly, the many amenities at VMI (obstacle courses, leadership reaction courses, team-building exercises, confidence courses, etc.) allow for a multi-day Field Training exercise (FTX) once a semester, usually over a weekend. Cadets often plan paintball outings during the FTXs.

Uniforms and equipment are provided at no cost.

Learn More

If you are interested and would like to receive more information, contact the SVU Admissions office, or the AFROTC office at VMI at 540-464-7354.