College of Aviation

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Air Force ROTC

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps—ROTC—program, offered in collaboration with Michigan State University, is an educational program designed to give men and women the opportunity to become an Air Force or Space Force officer while earning a degree.
AFROTC Detachment 380 Primary Website

College of Aviation
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5461 USA
(269) 964-6375

About

We are proudly partnered with the AFROTC Detachment 380 at Michigan State University, joined by Olivet College, and Lansing Community College.

After successfully completing the program, students will be commissioned as a second lieutenant and begin serving as an officer in leadership roles of increasing responsibility and importance in the "active duty" Air or Space Force.

Training to become an officer occurs at over 1,000 institutions throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The training, which occurs in a four-year program (or in special cases a three-year) consists of the following:

General Military Course Academics

The General Military Course—GMC—portion of the program is usually taken during a students freshman and sophomore years. This program allows students to "try out" Air Force ROTC for up to two years without incurring any obligation (unless a student has accepted an Air Force ROTC scholarship). While attending class, students will learn about the Air Force and the historical development of air power, essentially setting the foundation of their military knowledge.

Want to learn more?

Watch our episode of Hangar Talks featuring the AFROTC program!
Watch here
WMU Aviation Flight Science Student Avery Bush

Field training

Cadets will attend Field Training during the summer between their sophomore and junior years, and before entering the Professional Officer Course—POC—portion of the program. Field Training, which takes place at an Air Force base, offers cadets a first-hand look at the Air Force environment. While there, cadets are put under pressure, tested both physically and mentally, and pushed to succeed in critical thinking. Field Training has a highly competitive enrollment process, and those cadets wishing to continue in the program must be selected to attend.

As an Air Force ROTC cadet, students will also have up to three hours each week to put into practice the leadership skills and management theories presented in class. Leadership Laboratory is a cadet-centered program taken each year to improve a student's leadership skills. Leadership Laboratory is only offered at Michigan State University and cadets from Western Michigan University will travel to MSU once per week for the Leadership Laboratory class. Bussing is provided at set times for students to take advantage of. If a student cannot make the bus, transportation to MSU’s campus is their responsibility.

The Professional Officer Course—POC—portion of the program is only available to students who have successfully completed their GMC years, as well as students who have been chosen to attend Field Training. The POC course is offered to Cadets in their junior and senior years. POC classes are focused on national security, understanding higher level leadership challenges, and learning what life will look like once they reach active duty.

Air Force ROTC offers a variety of different professional development opportunities. Cadets can take part in summer internships, Air Force Base visits, the Air Force Academy jump school, and many more career broadening activities.

Air Force ROTC offers High School Scholarships, and In College Scholarship opportunities. For either opportunity please reach out to Detachment 380 via telephone number 517-884-6868 or email at airforce@msu.edu. Cadre will help to explain each opportunity, as well as guide you on how to apply.

Students can join the ROTC program and remain a Western Michigan University student, although students are required to go to MSU's campus once per week. The majority of students from WMU will ride the bus to East Lansing, but students may also drive themselves. Leadership Laboratory is held on Thursday from 3:10 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Students will attend a one-credit class as a freshman or sophomore, or a three-credit class as a junior or senior. Students are able to sign-up for the program at WMU at the same time when enrolling for other classes. Contact us to determine what classes you should be enrolled in.

To qualify for the general military course, students must:

  • Be a full-time student at Western Michigan University.
  • Be a United States citizen (by the end of sophomore year).
  • Be at least 14 years old (17 to receive a scholarship appointment).
  • Be in good physical condition.
  • Have good moral character.

After graduating from college and completing all Air Force ROTC requirements, students will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air or Space Force. Non-flying officers serve four years on active duty, navigators serve six years after training, and pilots serve ten years after training. After those initial commitments, it is your choice to continue to serve. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to an Air Force Cadre member.

The Air Force offers over 100 officer career fields including:

FieldCareer
AircraftPilot, Navigator, Maintenance
Space and MissileSatellite Operations, Space Warning, Missile Launch Operations, Maintenance
EngineeringResearch, Development, and Technical Management in various engineering fields
ScientificMathematics, Nuclear Physics, Metallurgy, Meteorology
Computer ScienceProgramming, Systems Analysis, Development
LawLabor, Claims, International Contracts, Military Justice, Legal Assistance
Health ServicesPhysician, Osteopathy, Nursing
ManagementIntelligence, Security Forces, Personnel, Air Traffic Control, Supply, Finance, Communications and Electronics, Munitions
  • A monthly, tax free, cash stipend of $250 to $400 a year given during the academic year while on scholarship.
  • Academic credits toward the completion of most degrees.
  • Opportunity to delay entering active duty to pursue a graduate degree.
  • Scholarships pay the majority of college tuition and up to $750 for textbooks.
  • Travel on military aircraft on a space available basis while on scholarship or enrolled in the POC portion of the program.
  • Visits to Air Force bases and orientation flights aboard Air Force aircraft.

Active duty Air Force

CategoryBenefit
ProfessionRewarding, meaningful, positions of responsibility
AdvancementPromotions based upon job performance
PayCompetitive salary and allowances
Education100 percent tuition assistance towards an advanced degree
RetirementOpportunity to retire after 20 years with a percentage of base pay
Vacation30 days of leave with pay each year
Medical CareFurnished at no cost
Dental CareFurnished at no cost
Sick LeaveUnlimited: full pay continues
Living QuartersOn-base housing available or off-base housing allowance paid.
ShoppingSave as much as 25 percent using on-base stores
Social LifeOfficer's clubs, swimming, golfing, bowling and tennis at reduced rates
Travel AllowanceA daily stipend available while on official orders

AFROTC Detachment 380
104 Bessey Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1033 USA
(517) 884-6868

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Also see: Army ROTC

Army ROTC is an elective curriculum you take along with your required college classes. It gives you the tools, training, and experiences that will help you succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, Army ROTC can pay for your college tuition. Because Army ROTC is an elective, you can participate your freshman and sophomore years without any obligation to join the Army. You will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when you graduate, you will be commissioned as an officer in the Army. At that point, you will have a wide range of interest areas that you can specialize in.