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Cadet Life

Leadership Development is at the core of the Air Force ROTC program.  And while we emphasize physical training, academics and discipline, the cadets find time to have fun.

Program timeline

The timeline provides a focus and information by year. For freshman year, the program focus is on followership, training, and personal growth. That year you'll begin your medical clearance and also compete for scholarships. During your sophomore year we focus on mentorship, critical thinking and Wingman culture. That year you'll have to solidify a major of study and again be able to compete for scholarships. After your sophomore year, you'll attend field training, which is a basic officer training in Alabama. During your junior year we'll emphasize team leadership, decision making and solidify your identity both in the Air Force and within yourself. That same year you'll select your Air Force Career Field and receive a monthly stipend. Your last year in the program we focus on organizational leadership, ethical reasoning, program integration as a leader in the cadet wing. You'll also apply for a base of preference while still receiving a monthly stipend. Upon graduation you are commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and will then transition to Active Duty service.

 

Wingman Culture

Detachment 027 embraces the Air Force tradition of supporting our fellow Airmen.  The cadet wing has a strong mentorship program and mandates counseling and other support functions for academic and physical success within the chain of command.  Once enrolled, cadets find strong bonds in Air Force ROTC, more than with sports teams, clubs, sororities, or fraternities.

Detachment Cadre and Cadet Wing leadership demand ALL cadets assume responsibility for one another’s well being. It’s an extremely rewarding feeling to know you’re not alone when struggling in new surroundings and intense studies while in college.

 

1. Is a scholarship required to be a member of Air Force ROTC? Accordion Closed
No.  In fact only 45% of our cadets are currently on scholarship (as of June 2025). Current members are in AFROTC because the program’s benefits (an emphasis on discipline, academics, physical fitness and most importantly leadership development) and the fact that completion and a degree warrant a commission in the world’s greatest air, space and cyberspace force.

2. Can I join AFROTC in the… Accordion Closed
  •  Fall? Yes. Most cadets begin AFROTC in the Fall term
  • Spring? Yes, but fewer students start AFROTC in the Spring term. You would likely complete a hybrid 3.5-year program. To catch up with your peers, you will need to double-up on Aerospace Studies classes the following fall.

3. From where do your cadets originate? Accordion Closed
Only ~38% of the Cadet Wing are from Arizona.  California represents the next majority with ~30% followed by Vegas with ~6%.  The remaining cadets come as far as the following states:  Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin (as of June 2025).

4. What’s your breakout of Technical Majors? Accordion Closed
This graph is a pie chart showing the percentage of technical versus non-technical majors in our cadet wing. 31% of our cadets are in technical majors while 69% are in non-technical majors.

5. What does it mean to be “on contract” in AFROTC? Accordion Closed
Before any entitlements can be paid or prior to entry into the Professional Office Course (Juniors/Seniors), you must enter into a contract with the Air Force.  The contract states you’ll receive a commission upon graduation and fulfillment of AFROTC program requirements.

6. Medical Eligibility Requirements Accordion Closed
  • Where do I go to complete the sports physical?
    • You may complete the sports physical either with your family doctor, or your university’s medical clinic.
  • Will AFROTC pay for the participatory sports physical?
    • No, AFROTC does not reimburse the cost of the sports physical.
  • Do I have to go to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for my medical requirements?
    • No, AFROTC cadets complete their medical review through the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB). Though you have completed MEPS, you will still be required to go through the DoDMERB process.
  • What is DoDMERB?
    • DoDMERB is one of the governing approval authorities for medical accession standards into the armed forces. During the semester, cadets will attend appointments at locally contracted medical offices to accomplish required DoDMERB medical appointments.
  • I have a physical/mental/dietary restriction, can I still commission through AFROTC?
    • DoDMERB will investigate the nature of your restriction, and determine if the condition does or does not meet armed forces medical accession standards
  • Where can I find the list of medical disqualifications?
    • DoDMERB’s medical qualification standards are not available for public dissemination.

7. Are there other AFROTC-related activities which I can participate in? Accordion Closed

Air Force ROTC strives to provide you with a wide variety of professional and social activities.  But your first and most immediate concern is attending classes and maintaining good grades.  The program and university offer many activities for any student’s particular interests.  Here are just a few:

  • Arnold Air Society
  • Silver Wings
  • Military Dining Events (formal and informal)
  • Honor Guard
  • Special Warfare
  • i5
  • Base Visits

 

 

8. When do I have to wear my uniform? Accordion Closed

All “cadets” that meet height and weight requirements will be required to wear appropriate uniform in accordance with weekly routine orders (e.g. Physical Training Uniform for Physical Training–AS 250, Air Force Blues for Academic class–AS 101, etc.).

All “civilians” will wear appropriate and respectable attire (e.g., collared shirt/pants for AS 101, etc.)

9. What is Field Training? Accordion Closed
Field Training is basic training for officers with leadership development at the core.  You’ll be tested on your leadership and followership skills on a daily basis in a stressful but encouraging environment.  Field Training is a pre-requisite for the Professional Officer Course (the last two years in the program) during the summer at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.  Most cadets will tell you it is the most challenging and rewarding experience in the Air Force ROTC program.

10. What exactly is Leadership Lab? Accordion Closed
The Cadet Wing is organized into a hierarchical rank structure, as in the operational Air Force.  The POC (Professional Officer Course) cadets are responsible for organizing and administering a lab for the entire wing.  It is usually two hours of learning activities as drill and ceremonies, group leadership projects, team building, and physical fitness.

11. Do I have to live in a specific dorm? Accordion Closed
No.  ROTC cadets have no preferred or recommended campus housing locations.  Your living arrangements are your choice.  In fact, nearly half of our current cadets live off-campus.  However, we do recommend living on-campus at least your Freshmen year.  You’ll find NAU’s dormitories quite nice, and we have several cadets go on to become CA’s–it is a great way to live rent free near your classes and the detachment.

12. If I take AFROTC classes, do I have to join the Air Force? Accordion Closed
Absolutely not!  There is no obligation.  Any NAU admitted student can take Aerospace Studies academic courses (but not the Physical Training or Leadership Lab courses).

13. Do Air Force ROTC courses count for credit? Accordion Closed
Yes, as general electives for most majors at NAU.  We also offer a minor in Aerospace Studies.

14. What if I want to be in a fraternity/sorority or play college sports? Accordion Closed
Please do!  We highly encourage cadets to be involved in campus life.  Those gained experiences make better leaders. There are countless clubs for you to join, please see The NAU Clubs and Organizations page

15. Academic Requirements Accordion Closed
  • What are the GPA requirements to be an AFROTC cadet?
    • To be in AFROTC, non-scholarship cadets must have and maintain a minimum CGPA of at least 2.0.
    • Scholarship cadets must have a minimum TGPA of at least 2.5. Multiple occurrences of TGPAs of less than 2.5 will result in scholarship suspension

16. How long is the AFROTC program? Accordion Closed
  • AFROTC is a 4-year program.
  • Certain degree plans of study may require a 5th year of study to meet all AFROTC program and university degree requirements.
  • Some students may qualify for a 3-year or 3.5-year program. Contact a cadre member to see if this is an option for you.
  • At this time, AFROTC does not offer abbreviated (2-years or less) undergraduate commissioning programs unless you have a prior military service record.

For additional FAQs, please visit the National Air Force ROTC website.

 

Detachment newsletters- The Eagle

Academic Year 2019-2020
Fall, Issue 1
Fall, Issue 2

Academic Year 2018-2019
Fall, Issue 1
Fall, Issue 2
Spring, Issue 1
Spring, Issue 2

Academic Year 2017-2018
Fall, Issue 1
Fall, Issue 2
Fall, Issue 3
Spring, Issue 1
Spring, Issue 2
Spring, Issue 3

Academic Year 2016-2017
Fall, Issue 1
Spring, Issue 2
Spring, Issue 3

Academic Year 2015-2016
Fall, Issue 1
Fall, Issue 3
Spring, Issue 2
Spring, Issue 3

Academic Year 2014-2015
Spring, Issue 1

Academic Year 2013-2014
Fall, Issue 1
Fall, Issue 2
Fall, Issue 3

Academic Year 2012-2013
Fall, Issue 1
Fall, Issue 2
Fall, Issue 3
Spring, Issue 1
Spring, Issue 2

 

For additional information, please visit the national Air Force ROTC website.

Detachment 027 | Home of the Highlanders
Location
Building 47-A
1415 S. San Francisco St PO Box: 15076
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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