FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is Clemson AFROTC like?

Clemson AFROTC is a program that builds cadets leadership skills. The academic class will teach military education, aerospace history, leadership, management, and international studies. Leadership labs take place once a week. They are designed to train cadets to react as leaders and to provide an opportunity gain leadership and management experience in various situations. Experienced cadets are tasked with leadership positions within the cadet corps and are responsible for training new cadets. Freshman and Sophomore cadets attend one hour of class per week, two hours of Leadership Lab on Thursdays from 3:30-5:30, and two hours of physical training per week for a total formal commitment of 5 hours per week. Junior and Senior cadets attend the same Leadership Lab and physical training sessions, but their class time increase to 2.5 hours per week for a total formal commitment of 6.5 hours per week.

2. What is involved in the physical training?

The physical training takes place three times per week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 7 am, and on Fridays from 3 to 4pm. However, you only have to attend any two of these each week. The physical training is designed to help you achieve a fitness level that meets Air Force standards and will mainly consist of calisthenics and running.
-The Air Force tests the number of push-up and sit-ups you can do in one minute as a gauge of strength, but we also perform lunges, jumping jacks, leg raises, etc to help build overall body strength
-The Air Force run is 1.5 miles and you receive points based on your time

3. Do I have to wear a uniform?

You are required to wear a uniform all day on the days of your AFROTC classes, unless otherwise specified by the Detachment Commander or the Commandant of Cadets.

4. Do I have to live in a military dorm?

No! Clemson Air Force ROTC does have an agreement with Clemson University that provides our program with as many rooms as we need in the McCabe dorm for freshmen level students only, but our floor is not operated as a military environment. Our dorm is the same as all other dorms except that most students living there will also be members of the Air Force ROTC program. We also hand-pick a senior cadet to live in the dorm to mentor and provide assistance to our cadets. We highly recommend incoming freshmen live in our dorm if they strongly feel that the Air Force is their chosen career as this helps them to build strong ties within the corps of cadets much sooner and gives them the added support of fellow cadets and an upper class mentor.

5. Do I have to purchase my Air Force ROTC books and uniforms?

No! Air Force ROTC provides all materials required for our classes, so books and uniforms will be issued to you.

6. Can I participate in other activities and still do Air Force ROTC at Clemson?

Yes! You are a student first and a cadet second, so you can participate in any activity a non-Air Force ROTC student can participate in. In fact, we highly encourage you to do so as that will help you to gain a diverse background. We have had cadets who were members of the Clemson Division I baseball team, soccer team, swim team, cross country team, and the rowing team. We have had students who were actively involved in club and intramural sports such as rowing, soccer, frisbee, softball, flag football, and basketball. We have students who are active in The Clemson Band, chorus, and various fraternities, sororities, and various other organizations.

7. What activities does the AFROTC program participate in?

We participate in many activities to expose our cadets to team and leadership opportunities as well as to expose them to diverse experiences to help them become well-rounded leaders to include whitewater rafting trips, paintball, skeet shooting, outdoor ropes course, athletic competitions, distinguished leaders at all levels as guest speakers, joint activities/competitions with the Clemson Army ROTC program, clubs, social events, and flight opportunities with the Civil Air Patrol.

8. How do I join AFROTC if I am already in college?

The school must offer AFROTC in order for you to join. First, you must meet with a cadre member in the detachment to ensure that you will be able to complete the program and commission within the time-frame of your remaining college program. Once this is established and you are enrolled as a full time student, you will register for Air Force ROTC classes and the Leadership Lab just as you would any other class.

9. Will the Air Force pay for my school?

Only cadets who compete for and receive an Air Force scholarship, or cadets who have contracted with the Air Force after attending Field Training will receive any funding from the Air Force. AFROTC offers many scholarship opportunities. Prospective AFROTC cadets who are in their senior year of high school can apply for a high school scholarship before entering into college. See further information on this in question number 10. Cadets who receive an Air Force scholarship will start to receive a monthly stipend when their scholarship is activated. Cadets who receive an Air Force scholarship will also receive $900 per year in book funds ($450 per semester). Our detachment currently has an agreement with the Clemson bookstore that allows our scholarship cadets to get their books without paying their full bill until their book allowance is posted to their accounts. Once in college, AFROTC cadets can apply for an in-college scholarship. This process is handled by the host detachment. Cadets who do not receive an Air Force scholarship, but do participate in the AFROTC program can receive a monthly stipend starting in their junior year once they have completed Field Training in the Summer between their Sophomore and Junior years. There are also scholarship opportunities for in-college students with certain majors such as nursing or electrical engineering. These are special scholarships and require an application package through the AFROTC detachment.

10. How do I apply for an Air Force scholarship if I am still in high school?

Students who are seniors in high school can apply for a scholarship from 1 May to 1 December on the AFROTC website . These scholarships are very competitive and will require not only an application, but also a resume and interview with the Air Force ROTC detachment nearest their home. Interviews do not have to take place at the school you wish to attend unless it happens to be the one that is closest to your home.

11. Do I have to attend basic training?

You will attend Field Training for AFROTC cadets, which is four weeks for cadets in the four-year program and five to six weeks for cadets in the program for less than four years. This training is held at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama. You will not attend any other type of basic training such as enlisted basic training.

12. What happens after I graduate college and complete AFROTC?

Upon completion of a bachelors degree and AFROTC you will be commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. Depending on your assigned career field, you will incur an active duty service commitment ranging from 4 years for the majority of career fields to 6 years for Navigator and Air Battle Manager, to 10 years for pilots upon graduation from pilot school.

13. What can I do in the Air Force if I am not a pilot?

There are over a hundred careers in the Air Force to choose from. A list of careers can be found on the Air Force Careers website.

14. What is the difference between AFROTC and enlisting in the Air Force?

Enlisting in the Air Force is done through a local recruiter followed by basic training and prospective technical training. This avenue does not require a college degree. AFROTC is one of three commissioning sources for the United States Air Force.
1. Air Force Academy.
2. Air Force ROTC.
3. Officer Training School (OTS).
Upon completion of a bachelors degree and AFROTC you will be commissioned as an officer, followed by specific training in a career field. Officers are trained to be the leaders and supervisors of enlisted personnel. Rank, pay, and career opportunities for officers are commensurate with their elevated level of responsibility.