Aerospace Studies

Air Force ROTC

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program is administered by the Department of Aerospace Studies. The mission of Air Force ROTC is to develop quality leaders for the Air Force. It is the Air Force's largest officer commissioning source.  Air Force ROTC offers a number of opportunities for Missouri S&T students who wish to become commissioned officers by offering professional, academic, and military training. Leadership, communication, and basic military skills are the focus of the ROTC program. In addition to helping a student succeed during college, Air Force ROTC also fosters self-confidence and self-discipline.

Opportunities in the Air Force are excellent, with more than 100 possible career fields available. Career field availability depends on academic discipline, medical condition, desires of the individual, and needs of the Air Force. As newly commissioned Second Lieutenants on active duty, Air Force ROTC graduates can serve worldwide, performing challenging and rewarding duties in highly technical, scientific, and operational areas. A few of these include developmental engineer, pilot, combat systems operator, remote pilot, scientist, cyber operations, intelligence operations, space operations, civil engineer, logistics, acquisitions, and maintenance.

Although Air Force ROTC is set up as a four-year program, students can choose a four, three and a half, or three year course of study. The first two years of the program, called the General Military Course (GMC), cover basic introductory military topics as well as communication and leadership. The final two years of the program, called the Professional Officer Course (POC), cover topics such as leadership, management, doctrine, international events, communication, and officership. In addition to the academic ROTC class, all cadets attend a two hour leadership laboratory each week and two hours of physical training. Leadership laboratory provides cadets with the knowledge and practical command and staff leadership experience in preparation for active duty as Air Force officers. It is largely cadet planned, directed, and centered.

Air Force ROTC scholarships, which generally cover full tuition and fees, are available to qualified cadets. A monthly stipend is given during the academic year to each cadet on scholarship and contracted members of the POC. Scholarship recipients also receive a $450 book allowance each semester. ROTC scholarship recipients are eligible to receive other Missouri S&T scholarships.

Cadets usually attend Field Training (FT) during the summer between their sophomore and junior year, before enrollment into the POC. Entrance into the POC is based on an extensive evaluation and selection process during the sophomore year, and is dependent on completion of Field Training. Cadets who complete the POC in good standing and earn their academic degree are commissioned as Second Lieutenants and serve on active duty for four or more years, depending on their assigned Air Force career field.

The Air Force ROTC unit at Missouri S&T is organized as an objective wing, with associated groups, squadrons, and flights. Freshmen and sophomore cadets receive instruction from POC cadets in basic military customs and courtesies, drill movements, and many other facets of Air Force operations. Additionally, they are offered the opportunity to visit Air Force bases and discuss career opportunities with Air Force members. Junior and senior cadets are assigned and rotated through various leadership positions, gaining experience in management procedures.

Military Aerospace Studies Minor

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is administered by the Department of Aerospace Studies. Although Air Force ROTC is set up as a four-year program, students can choose a four, three and a half, or three year course of study. The first two years of the program, called the General Military Course (GMC), cover basic introductory military topics as well as communication and leadership. The final two years of the program, called the Professional Officer Course (POC), cover topics such as leadership, management, doctrine, international events, quality, communication, and officership. To fulfill the requirements for the proposed Aerospace Studies minor, students will complete all of the following classes for a total of 12 credit hours.

MIL AIR 1110	Air Force Heritage and Values I	0.5
MIL AIR 1120	Air Force Heritage and Values II	0.5
MIL AIR 2110	Team and Leadership Fundamentals I	0.5
MIL AIR 2120	Team and Leadership Fundamentals II	0.5
MIL AIR 3110	Leading People & Effective Communication I	2.5
MIL AIR 3120	Leading People & Effective Communication II	2.5
MIL AIR 4110	National Security, Leadership Responsibilities & Commissioning Preparation I	2.5
MIL AIR 4120	National Security, Leadership Responsibilities & Commissioning Preparation II	2.5

Capt. Keith Schiesz, Lecturer
BA Ashford University

Lt. Col. Daniel Willis, Lecturer
MA, MS Missouri State University, Naval War College

Capt. Lee Wise, Lecturer
MS Air Force Institute of Technology