1. Does Valparaiso have its own Air Force ROTC detachment?

Actually, no.  Valparaiso is affiliated with Detachment 225 which is based out of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.  Other schools in Det. 225 include Bethel College, Holy Cross, IUSB, and St. Mary's College.  All of the cadets from these schools meet at Notre Dame for classes, leadership labs, PT, and other Air Force ROTC events.  For Valpo cadets, however, it is logistically very difficult to travel to Notre Dame three or four times a week.  While we go to Notre Dame on Tuesday evenings for LLAB and flight practice, PT and MWR events are held here at Valpo.  Everyone takes classes at Notre Dame as of Fall 2007.

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2. What is the weekly time commitment?

During the first and second years of the program, the weekly commitment consists of a one hour class on Thursday afternoons.  After LLAB at Notre Dame on Tuesday evenings, there is flight practice for freshmen and sophomores.  Flight practice concentrates on teaching GMC cadets drill and ceremonies.  Occasionally there are activities that take place of a lead lab or class, such as the annual Air Force Gala or a Dining-In.  Other optional events include ski trips, Air Force base visits, trips to the shooting range at Grissom AFB, paint-balling, and extra physical conditioning.  There is also two hours of required physical training per week.  One of those hours is at the mandatory PT session on Thursday evenings and the second hour is on your own.  So overall, freshmen and sophomores have five hours of commitment per week.  Juniors and seniors have slightly more with their three hour class on Tuesdays and time devoted to planning Wing activities.

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3. Do I have to have a specific major to join Air Force ROTC?

No, you do not.  While the Air Force does prefer technical majors, you may have any major and still join AFROTC and become an Air Force officer.  If you are a nursing major, the Air Force does offer an express scholarship.  Contact us if you would like more information.

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4. Will I have to go to boot camp?

For the Air Force, ROTC cadets will spend four weeks in a training environment at an active Air Force Base (Tyndall AFB, FL, Ellsworth, SD, or Maxwell AFB, AL).  This is called Field Training and typically occurs for cadets during the summer between their sophomore and junior years.  This challenging and rewarding training will help prepare you to become an outstanding Air Force officer.  Field Training marks the division between GMC (General Military Course) and POC (Professional Officer Corps).  Freshmen and sophomores are considered GMC, while juniors and seniors who have attended Field Training are considered POC.

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5. What are some of the differences between GMC and POC?

As mentioned before, the GMC typically consists of freshmen and sophomores as well as juniors who have not yet attended Field Training.  Freshmen are classified as AS100s while sophomores are traditionally AS200s.  An AS100's responsibilities include learning the basics of the Air Force, how to wear the various Air Force uniforms, marching, and the customs and courtesies of the military.  The AS200 year typically includes refining what was learned during the AS100 year as well as preparing for Field Training.  After attending Field Training, cadets move from the GMC to the POC.  While they are POC, cadets are responsible for the planning and execution of lead labs as well as the general operation of the Valpo flight and the collective wing at Notre Dame.  POC cadets also take a three hour class once per week that is held at Notre Dame rather than the one hour class for GMC.  Classes are prior to LLABs on Tuesdays.

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6. I want to be a leader.  What type of leadership opportunities can I expect from Air Force ROTC?

Everyone in Air Force ROTC is expected to lead when necessary.  After all, cadets are training to be officers in the Air Force and be leaders in that capacity.  When you enter the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant, you outrank over 80% of the Air Force.  You are expected to be a leader and Air Force ROTC helps you prepare.  Are you going to be in charge of the entire flight as a freshman?  No.  First you must learn how to follow and use your chain of command.  But everyone does have at least one position, if not more, that they are responsible for.  You can see what types of positions there are on the cadet bio page.

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7. What is flight practice?

Unfortunately, flight practice isn't actual "flying" practice.  Rather, it is marching practice for the flight.  Flight practice is held after LLAB each week and it allows AS100's and other new cadets to learn how to march and allows AS200's the opportunity to call commands to the flight in preparation for Field Training.  Flight practice also gives the flight time to practice other facets of drill and ceremony, such as inspection procedures.

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8. Air Force ROTC sounds like it's a lot of hard work.  What type of fun things do you do?

While it does take work to train to be an officer in the Air Force, we do have a lot fun in Air Force ROTC.  There are activities that include the whole detachment such as the annual Air Force Gala, which is a military ball held typically in the Fall in which you can bring a date.  If you're into sports, you'll often find ultimate frisbee games or basketball games going on around campus with cadets.  We also have other optional activities such as an FTX (camping and canoeing for a weekend), a trip to a ropes/confidence course, and a trip to Grissom AFB to train on firing the M9 pistol.  For freshmen, there is a Freshman ROTC Retreat.  This retreat involves the freshmen from the 3 branches of ROTC at Notre Dame (Air Force, Army, and Navy) and is normally a 24-hour event in which you can get to know many other freshmen that don't necessarily go to Valparaiso or are even in Air Force ROTC.  Additionally, from time to time we'll host guest speakers who tell us about their experiences in the Air Force.

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9. I'm a sophomore here at Valpo.  Can I still join Air Force ROTC?

Absolutely.  Each year, several cadets join during their sophomore year.  However, in order to attend the 4-week Field Training, you would have to take both AS100 and AS200 class.  If you are unable to, you would have to attend the 6-week encampment in order to catch up on the academics.

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10. I'm a junior here at Valpo.  Can I still join Air Force ROTC?

It depends on your major.  There is a two year program in which you would take AS300 and AS400 class as a junior and senior and take AS100 and AS200 at Field Training, which would take place after your junior year.

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11. I'm a senior here at Valpo and I just learned about Air Force ROTC.  Can I still join?

Unfortunately, no.  However, once you graduate, you can apply for Officer Training School and still become an officer in the Air Force. 

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12. What's the deal with having to wear a uniform?

AFROTC provides you with a uniform at no cost to you.  You are required to wear the uniform to class and lead lab.  Cadets are also encouraged to wear their uniforms throughout the day on Tuesdays to practice uniform wear and to show pride in the uniform and being part of AFROTC.

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13. Do I have to buy any books for Air Force ROTC classes?

All materials are provided for free through the class.  You will never have to buy any books for the AS classes.

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14. Is there any hazing?

Absolutely not.  There is no hazing permitted in Air Force ROTC.  While cadets are professional with each other in uniform, everyone is on a first-name basis with each other out of uniform and in most cases, good friends.

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15. How are new cadets treated?

Very well.  Remember, the older cadets in Air Force ROTC are college students just like you.  In many cases, they have gone through the same things you may have to go through as a new cadet and new student and can help you avoid problems that they might have experienced.  If you are new to Valpo as a freshman or transfer student, the older cadets are available to help you with getting acclimated to college life at Valpo.  The older cadets are also responsible for helping you learn how to be a cadet in the program.  If you have any sort of problem, Air Force ROTC or otherwise, the older cadets are available to help you overcome it.  For instance, if you have a difficulty in academics, you can always get with an older cadet and they can tutor you.  Additionally, we have a mentor program here in our Valpo flight.  The Mentor Program involves POC cadets assigned to GMC cadets and being responsible for making sure all of their questions are answered and problems eliminated.  Although it certainly can't solve everything, the Mentor Program is just another resource available to you in Air Force ROTC.

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16. Do I have to be in really good shape or be an athlete to join?

Yes and no.  In order to be an Air Force officer, you will eventually have to pass the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) before you would be able to contract to the Air Force.  The PFT consists of 1 minute of pushups, 1 minute of situps, and a 1.5 mile run.  However, you do not have to be an athlete to join.  While many of the cadets here at Valpo are or have been in sports, being an athlete is not a prerequisite to join.  Even if you are not in the greatest shape, there is PT on Thursday evenings  to help you get in shape.  There is also the "Rugged-E" Workout Program that is run by cadets and actually open to anyone at Valparaiso that wants to attend.

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17. What is PT and what is this "Rugged-E" Workout Program?  Are they different?

Physical training (PT) is held every Thursday evening at 5:10 PM (Spring 2007).  It is a required event for cadets and it normally lasts around an hour.  PT generally involves stretching, pushups, situps, and an activity such as a warrior run or a sport.  Additionally, cadets must complete another hour of PT per week for a total of 2, 1-hour workouts.  The "Rugged-E" Workout Program is completely optional, although highly encouraged.  The workout program is generally more intense that weekly PT and its chief aim is to prepare sophomores for the physical requirements of Field Training.  "Rugged-E" is 5 days a week, either in the evening or in the afternoon after classes.  Although it is more intense, you can go at your own pace and there are cadets there that can help you improve yourself physically and help you with any problems that you might have.

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18. Will Air Force ROTC affect my social life?

Many cadets are involved in extracurricular activities such as Greek life, varsity sports, clubs, etc.  You can visit the Cadet Bio Page and see the different activities in which current cadets participate while they aren't at ROTC events.  In terms of a social life, you still have plenty of time to do things with your friends that are not involved in Air Force ROTC.  And an advantage of Air Force ROTC is that you have at your fingertips nearly 20 other cadets that can help you if you're having problems in any facet of Valpo life, AFROTC or not.  Also, many of the Valpo cadets hang out on a regular basis outside of AFROTC events.  And If that isn't enough for you, there is always the rest of Detachment 225 at Notre Dame (currently 80 or so cadets) that you'll be able to meet at certain detachment-wide events.  That offers you the opportunity to meet students outside of Valparaiso that have similar interests as you.

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19. If I choose to join Air Force ROTC, what would be my commitment to the Air Force after I graduate?

First of all, you aren't obligated to serve in the Air Force until you either accept an Air Force scholarship or complete Field Training and sign a contract with the Air Force.  Until you contract, if you think Air Force ROTC isn't for you, you can always choose to leave the program.  Once you sign the contract, the service obligation is typically 4 years in the active duty Air Force.  However, the service commitment for pilots is 10 years and the commitment for navigators and air battle managers is 6 years.  For nurses, the commitment is 4 years after successfully completing their licensing examination.  Once your commitment is complete, you can either decide to continue your military career or you can decide to leave and enter the civilian job market.

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20. I've read everything, but I still don't know how to join.  How do I?

You should email Maj. Powell (powell.52@nd.edu) , the Detachment 225 Admissions Officer, if you are interested in the program.  Joining is as simple as visiting the Registrar's Office and signing up for AS111 (AS112 if during 2nd semester) if you are a freshman or AS211 (AS212) if you are a sophomore.  You would also have to sign up for the Leadership Lab (AS111L, AS112L, AS211L, AS212L) to become a cadet.  Each class counts as one credit, although the Lead Lab does not count for any credits.  If you aren't sure you are completely ready to sign up for the class, you can always sit in on an AS100 class and see if you like it before you actually sign up for the class. 

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