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Your Path to Leadership Begins Here
Want to become more than just another college student? Air Force ROTC offers an exceptional opportunity to earn your degree while preparing for a dynamic career as an Air or Space Force Officer. With programs available at over 1,100 colleges nationwide, including right here at the University of Louisville, you'll gain invaluable leadership experience, career training, and the chance to earn scholarships that can cover your college expenses.
At Detachment 295, we're proud of our rich heritage dating back to 1949. Housed in the historic Dougherty Hall, named after former Strategic Air Command commander General Russell E. Dougherty, our detachment has been developing tomorrow's military leaders for over 70 years.
When you join Air Force ROTC, you'll:
- Develop crucial leadership and time-management skills
- Build physical and mental strength
- Form lasting friendships with fellow cadets
- Gain a competitive edge in your future career
- Have opportunities to earn a full college scholarship
The challenge is real, but so are the rewards. Whether you see yourself piloting advanced aircraft, leading space operations, or serving in one of our many other career fields, Air Force ROTC is your first step toward an extraordinary future in service to our nation.
Ready to aim higher? Join the proud tradition of excellence at Detachment 295.
Air Force ROTC is a college program offered at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the U.S. While earning your degree, you'll develop into an Air Force Officer through leadership training, physical fitness development, and professional military education. Plus, you'll have opportunities to earn scholarships that can help cover your college expenses.
Absolutely! While many students start as freshmen, you can join during your sophomore year. Our cadre will work with you to ensure you receive all necessary training.
Freshmen and sophomores can participate in AFROTC with no military commitment. This time is for you to experience the program and decide if serving as an Air Force officer is right for you. The military commitment typically begins at the start of your junior year.
Your service commitment depends on your career path:
- Most officers serve 4 years of active duty after graduation
- Pilots commit to 10 years of active duty service
- Combat Systems Officers and Air Battle Managers serve 6 years
- Nursing graduates join the Air Force Nurse Corps for 4 years after passing their licensing exam
Think of it as launching your career with guaranteed experience and leadership opportunities. These commitments begin after you complete your initial training, and they come with competitive pay, benefits, and incredible opportunities for advancement.
None at all! We encourage you to pursue a major you're passionate about and can excel in. Our main academic requirement is maintaining a grade point average (GPA) above 2.50 and completing your degree as planned.
Your major matters! While we accept students from all academic disciplines, certain degrees may increase your scholarship opportunities. Technical majors like engineering, physics, computer science, and nursing are in high demand. However, we encourage you to pursue any major that interests you – your leadership potential and academic performance are what count most.
To join Air Force ROTC, you'll need to:
- Be a full-time college student
- Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA (2.5 for scholarship recipients)
- Meet Air Force physical fitness standards
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Pass a Department of Defense Medical Examination
- Be of good moral character
- Graduate and commission before age 39
No – all cadets receive the same opportunities and treatment, whether on scholarship or not. Your performance in the program, not your scholarship status, determines your success and opportunities.
Our curriculum builds your leadership skills over four years:
- Freshmen (AS100): Foundations of the Air and Space Forces
- Sophomores (AS200): Evolution of Air and Space Power
- Juniors (AS300): Leadership Studies
- Seniors (AS400): National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty
All cadets also participate in Leadership Laboratory each semester, where you'll practice military customs and courtesies, leadership skills, and physical fitness.
Your Air Force career field (AFSC - Air Force Specialty Code) is determined during your final year. The selection process considers:
- Your academic major
- Your AFROTC performance
- Air Force needs
- Your preferences
- Your commander's recommendation
We work to match you with a career field that aligns with both your interests and the Air Force's requirements.
The Air and Space Forces offer a wide range of exciting career opportunities:
- Pilot positions (fighter, bomber, airlift, tanker)
- Space Operations
- Cyber Operations
- Intelligence
- Engineering
- Medical fields (doctors, nurses, dentists)
- Communications
- Logistics
- Security Forces
- And many more specialized fields
Your career path can align with your degree, interests, and Air Force needs.
Once you're accepted into the program, we'll provide all your uniforms at no cost to you. Our experienced staff will help you with initial uniform issue and ensure proper fit. You'll receive both service uniforms and physical training gear.
You'll wear your Air Force uniform during:
- Leadership Laboratory (weekly)
- AFROTC academic classes
- Special events and ceremonies
- Base visits and field training
- Other official AFROTC activities
This helps you develop military bearing and represent the Air Force professionally.
AFROTC is designed to work alongside your regular college schedule. Expect to commit to:
- One AFROTC academic class per semester (1-3 hours weekly)
- Leadership Laboratory (2 hours weekly)
- Physical Training (2-3 sessions per week)
- Occasional special events and activities
While this may sound like a lot, many cadets find they perform better academically due to the structure and time management skills they develop in ROTC.
Starting your AFROTC journey is straightforward:
- Register for Aerospace Studies (AS) courses during regular university registration
- Contact our detachment at (502) 852-6576 or email cardre@louisville.edu
- Visit us in Dougherty Hall to meet with our cadre
- Complete initial paperwork and medical screening
We'll guide you through each step of the enrollment process.
Absolutely! The Air Force strongly supports continuing education. You have several options:
- Apply for the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
- Use tuition assistance for off-duty education
- Compete for fully-funded graduate degree programs
- Take advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits
Many officers earn advanced degrees while serving, enhancing both their military career and civilian opportunities.
As a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant, you'll receive:
- Competitive base pay (starting around $43,000 annually)
- Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
- Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
- Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
- 30 days paid vacation annually
- Additional special pays and allowances based on duty assignment
Plus, you'll receive regular promotions and pay raises throughout your career.
We're here to help! Contact Detachment 295:
- Visit us in Dougherty Hall
- Call (502) 852-6576
- Email cardre@louisville.edu
Our experienced cadre can answer your questions about AFROTC, scholarships, and your future career as an Air Force officer. Schedule a visit today to learn more about joining our team!