Department of Aerospace Studies
MARK HUBBARD, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, Chair
Adjunct Professor
Mark Hubbard, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF.
Adjunct Assistant Professors
Anthony Bond, Major, USAF.
Larry King, Major, USAF.
Introduction
The Department of Aerospace Studies administers the United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program and has been an integral part of the University’s tradition of scholarship, excellence, and achievement since 1947. As the University continues its pursuit of excellence as the nation’s oldest state liberal arts university, AFROTC will continue to develop outstanding officers who will serve the nation.
AFROTC offers both undergraduate and graduate students many opportunities. These include specialized academics, scholarships and financial assistance, applied professional training, job placement, and a variety of extracurricular activities. In many ways, AFROTC is more than a department in the College of Arts and Sciences. It is also a professional organization designed to provide students growth and development opportunities beyond the classroom. AFROTC cadets learn and develop personnel management and leadership talents through hands-on experience both inside and outside of the traditional classroom setting.
The AFROTC Program
AFROTC is not a major; cadets take ROTC courses in addition to the courses in their chosen major. The first two years of the program are referred to as the general military course (GMC) and are designed to introduce the cadet-student to the Air Force and the broad opportunities offered. With this information, a student can make an informed decision on whether the Air Force interests him or her. A two-hour leadership lab (0 credit) meets once a week and is required for all AFROTC cadets. A student may enter, or leave, AFROTC at any point while in the GMC unless obligated by scholarship.
The second two years are referred to as the professional officer course (POC) and are designed to prepare an officer candidate to become a commissioned officer (second lieutenant) in the United States Air Force. These courses meet twice a week (three credit hours), with a two-hour leadership lab (0 credit) once a week. Entry into the POC is competitive. Once accepted, a student is obligated to serve in the active duty Air Force upon graduation.
Undergraduate students may enter the program at the beginning of their first year or as late as their junior year. There is no commitment to the Air Force until the last two years of the program or activation of a scholarship. Any student, graduate or undergraduate, may enter the commissioning track program if he or she has at least three semesters of full-time study remaining at the University. Completion of the AFROTC program requires an obligation to serve in the Air Force as a commissioned officer after graduation. Usually this commitment is four years. It may be longer in professions requiring extended special training, as in the case of pilot, navigator, or physician.
The minimum requirement for initial entry into the program is to be a full-time student at the University. Minimum requirements for consideration to enter the last two years of the program include a 2.0 GPA, United States citizenship, medical qualification, a passing mark on a physical fitness test, achievement of minimum scores on the Air Force Officer’s Qualification Test (AFOQT), and completion of a four-week AFROTC summer field training course after the sophomore year.
Guaranteed Job Placement
Completion of AFROTC guarantees cadets jobs as Air Force officers. Starting salary is around $44,000 and increases to $63,000 after four years in the Air Force.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
Any student may apply for a two or three year scholarship after joining AFROTC. In most cases, these scholarships cover tuition and fees; they also provide a tax-free allowance ($300 to $500 each month) and a textbook allowance each semester. A wide variety of scholarships is available. All POC cadets receive the tax-free monthly allowance once qualified.
Facilities
The Department of Aerospace Studies is located in the ROTC Armory on 221 S. Columbia Street (diagonally across from the Carolina Inn near the center of campus). The building was completely renovated by the University in 1996. Home of the Air Force, Army and Navy ROTC programs, the Armory contains classrooms, a drill deck and offices. Air Force cadet facilities include a lounge and conference room/library. AFROTC classes are held in the Armory.
Applied Professional Training
Summer programs available annually on a competitive basis to AFROTC cadets include:
Air Force Academy Free-Fall Parachuting (AFAFF): A 12-day parachute-training program conducted at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The course comprises strenuous physical training, conditioning, ground school, and five free-fall jumps from 4,500 feet. Cadets completing the program are awarded a basic parachutist rating.
AS100 Special Training (ASSIST): A program designed to give cadets an understanding and appreciation of the diverse careers contributing to the execution of the Air Force mission. This 10-day program is conducted at various bases in the continental United States. An AFROTC instructor serves as an escort to the cadets on tours of various facilities at the base. Cadets should have a few days to “shadow” a junior officer from various career fields. Opportunities may exist for incentive flights.
Combat Survival Training (CST): A 20-day program incorporating combat, basic air crew and water survival training. Training is physically and mentally demanding and accomplished at high altitude at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Air Force Academy Soaring (SOAR): A 15-day program designed to give cadets the opportunity to experience the basic fundamentals of flight in nonpowered glider operations. Training is conducted at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) at Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cadets receive instruction in basic flight through ground school and actual flight, leading up to and possibly including cadet solo. Cadets can expect eight to 15 flights while spending five hours each day on the flight line. The majority of instruction is conducted by upper class USAFA cadets trained as instructors. The program assumes that cadets have no previous flight experience.
Army Airborne Training (AAT): A 24-day program that includes strenuous physical training, conditioning, ground training, and tower training and culminates in five static-line parachute jumps. Daily physical training and formation runs are conducted in hot and humid conditions. Formation runs (three to five miles) at an average pace of seven to nine minutes per mile are conducted in fatigues and running shoes after strenuous exercise. Upon successful completion, cadets are awarded a basic parachutist rating. All training is conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Foreign Language Immersion (FLI): A four-week program for cadets majoring in a foreign language. Cadets take classes in a foreign university while living with a local family or in a dorm. Cadets receive a complete language and cultural immersion.
Nurse Orientation Program (NOP): A four-week program designed to serve as an internship for cadets in an active-duty Air Force hospital. Cadets receive hands-on training and practical knowledge as an Air Force nurse. Training is conducted at Wilford Hall, USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB, in San Antonio, Texas.
Operation Air Force (OAF): A three-week program designed to educate cadets on the workings of operational units and to acquaint them with the everyday tasks, activities, and perceptions of Air Force personnel. Training is conducted in locations worldwide. The beginning of the program is an orientation to the activities that make up the mission of the hosting base. Cadets are then matched to a junior officer, ideally in their chosen career field, to observe and work together for the program’s remainder.
Pentagon Internship (PENT): Provides an opportunity for cadets to work for a directorate within the Pentagon for three weeks. Cadets gain problem-solving experience working with both military and civilian personnel on real world issues and participate as team members with professionals in their field of study.
Extracurricular Activities
The AFROTC experience is much more than classroom studies. Cadets participate in a wide range of activities. These include social functions such as a formal dinner, fundraising events, color guard at home football and basketball games, field trips to military bases, and publication of a cadet newspaper, the Ramjet.
Arnold Air Society (AAS) is a national service organization dedicated to furthering the traditions, purposes and concepts of the United States Air Force as a military organization and a professional calling. The local AAS chapter is active nationwide, and AFROTC cadets attend the national convention each year.
Locally, AFROTC cadets may participate in the cadet flight orientation program, receiving four to eight one-hour sorties with a certified flight instructor at no cost to the student.
Contact Information
AFROTC, ROTC Armory, 221 South Columbia St., (919) 962-2074, afrotc@unc.edu.
AERO
101 [011A] United States Air Force Today (1). An introduction to AFROTC and the United States Air Force (USAF); customs and courtesies, officer opportunities, core values, and communications skills.
102 [011B] United States Air Force Today (1). An introduction to the United States Air Force organization and mission.
190 [199] Seminar (1-3). Seminar in topics related to the United States Air Force.
196 [096] Independent Study (1-3). Readings and research of topics regarding the United States Air Force.
213 [014] Air Power and Modern Warfare (HIST 213, PWAD 213) (3). Examines air power theory and practice from 1914 to the present. Focuses on the application of air power as an instrument of war and the effectiveness of that application.
301 [057] Contemporary Leadership and Management (3). This is the first part of a two-part course concerning contemporary leadership and management. Emphasis is on modern-day experiences, successes, and failures, with various theories on motivating people, organizing, and managing. Lectures and discussion focus on application of various principles as an Air Force officer. Class participation, comprehension, and oral communication skills are stressed.
302 [065] Contemporary Leadership and Management (3). The second part of the course described above (AERO 301). Class participation, comprehension, and written communication skills will be stressed.
402 [051] The Military and Contemporary Society (3). A survey and analysis of the major issues affecting officers in the Air Force. Lectures and discussions will center on gaining insight into the military officer today and the near future, military law, ethics, law of armed conflict, and preparing for active duty as a second lieutenant. Class participation, comprehension, written and oral communication skills will be stressed.
446 [149] Defense Policy and National Security (POLI 446, PWAD 446) (3). A study of national defense policy as affected by the constitutional and political setting, as well as its relation to foreign policy. Some attention to strategic doctrine.
500L [031L] Leadership Laboratory (0.5). Required for all AFROTC cadets. This laboratory is conducted by the cadet corps and involves career opportunities in the USAF, life and work of the USAF junior officer, and military ceremonies.