Air Force ROTC Air and Space Studies
Col. Robert (Scott) Grainger, professor of air and space studies
Faculty: Cowan, Heimerman, Hotchkiss, Waggoner
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is a three or four-year college-based program designed to educate and train men and women to become officers in the United States Air Force. Each semester, cadets participate in aerospace studies, leadership laboratory, and physical training where they will grow mentally and physically while acquiring the leadership skills to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force. AFROTC offers students a pathway to enter the U.S. Air Force as second lieutenants following graduation.
For the first two years in AFROTC, students are enrolled in the General Military Course, consisting of three credit hours per term, with no military obligation. The summer between sophomore and junior year, students compete to attend Field Training, a two-week training in which cadets are evaluated on their potential to be Air Force officers. Upon completion of Field Training, cadets enter the Professional Officer Course, consisting of five credit hours per term, where they participate in planning, organizing, and conducting the Leadership Laboratory training.
The three-year program is similar to the four-year program but requires students in their first year of AFROTC to be concurrently enrolled in both first-year and sophomore courses, a total of four credit hours per term. This option is only offered to fall term sophomores or students with three years left until graduation.
AFROTC offers a variety of scholarships that vary from high school and in-college programs. Visit the AFROTC Scholarship website for more information.
Entry Requirements: All students accepted into the Professional Officer Course during junior or senior year must:
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Successfully pass a physical examination (paid for by the Air Force).
- Successfully pass the Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment.
- Meet minimum predetermined academic and qualitative selection standards.
For further information about the academic program, cadet life, or scholarships, visit the University of Portland AFROTC site or contact the Air and Space Studies Program, University of Portland, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97203-5798. Email: rotc695@up.edu, Phone: (503) 943-7216 or toll free (800) 227-4568, ext. 7216,