Aerospace Studies Programs Available
General Qualifications
Courses of Instruction

(AEST)

The United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) provides women and men at Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, Dallas Baptist University, University of Texas at Arlington, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Weatherford College and Tarrant County College the education and training necessary to develop the management and leadership skills vital to professional Air Force officers.

Enrollment in the General Military Course (first two years) is voluntary for eligible students and does not obligate non-scholarship students for further military service. The Professional Officer Course (last two years) is also voluntary but competitive. Because the POC leads to a commission in the United States Air Force, those selected to continue training will incur military obligation.

Aerospace studies courses are taken concurrently with other degree programs. No degree is offered in aerospace studies, but up to 24 semester hours may be earned in aerospace studies over the four-year period. Some of the classes may be used to meet major elective requirements. See your academic advisor for confirmation. Students who enroll in aerospace studies classes must attend both classroom and leadership laboratory classes at Texas Christian University, 2800 W. Lowden St., Fort Worth, Texas. The laboratory classes give students first hand experience in developing leadership and organizational skill while preparing them for enrollment in the Professional Officer Course.

Programs Available

Four Year Program: This program enables students to take advantage of four years of aerospace studies courses. Each semester, for the first two years, cadets take a one-credit hour academic class and a one-credit hour pass/no credit Leadership Laboratory (LLab). The first two years collectively are referred to as the General Military Course (GMC). Upon successful completion of the GMC and an ensuing four-week Air Force paid field training course, qualified and selected students may elect to enroll in the final two years referred to as the Professional Officer Course (POC). Each semester in the POC, students will take a three-credit hour academic class and a one-credit hour pass/no credit LLab. AFROTC uniforms and textbooks are issued by the unit.

Two Year Program: This program is commonly known as the Professional Officer Course (POC) and enables eligible graduate and undergraduate students to obtain a commission in the United States Air Force. Formal selection for entering the POC requires completion of a summer field training course.

Students electing this option must apply to the Professor of Aerospace Studies early in their sophomore year or before entering a graduate degree program, pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, and pass a physical examination prior to attending the field training course. Two-year students enrolled in the POC receive similar benefits and advantages to those enrolled in the four-year program, including the opportunity to apply for various Air Force ROTC college scholarships. Students selected for the POC receive a monthly subsistence allowance.

General Qualifications

A student enrolling in AFROTC must:

1. Be a full-time student (12 semester hours or more; 9 hours for postgraduate students)

2. Be a United States citizen

3. Be in good physical condition/health

4. Have good moral character

5. Be no older than 34 years old upon commissioning

Scholarships. Air Force ROTC offers 4, 3, 2 , and 1 year (in some situations) scholarships. Scholarships pay for most of tuition, textbooks, and fees plus a monthly, nontaxable stipend during the school year. Scholarships are offered in various majors. In addition to meeting the general qualifications mentioned above, scholarship applicants must be at least 17 years of age when the scholarship is activated and must be under 27 years of age as of June 30 of their commissioning year. Individuals with previous military experience may obtain a year extension of the maximum age restriction for up to 3 years of prior service. Requirements for each scholarship category may vary; therefore, applicants should contact the Department of Aerospace Studies at (817) 257-7461 for specific details.

High School students may apply for a 4-year scholarship no later than Dec. 1 of their high school senior year. Scholarship applications for college students are made through the Aerospace Studies Department in the spring semester. Scholarship applicants are selected using the whole person concept, which includes objective factors (i.e. grade point average and physical fitness test) and subjective factors (i.e. personal evaluations). Students who are enrolled in Air Force ROTC generally improve their scholarship selection opportunity.

Those students who are offered an AFROTC scholarship with an SAT of 1100 or ACT of 24, and who attend TCU, may be offered a TCU Room and Board subsidy. Three-year scholarship winners with the above scores may also receive an additional semester of tuition paid if attending TCU.

Program Benefits. As Air Force ROTC cadets, students are entitled to selective benefits. Social and co-curricular activities, together with leadership and academic training, are all part of Air Force ROTC. Contracted cadets receive a nontaxable subsistence allowance each month during the school year. The detachment sponsors a Civil Air Patrol where cadets can obtain front-seat and back-seat flying time in Cessna aircraft for a small fee. Drill team, honor guard, Arnold Air Honor Society, and Silver Wings Service Organization are just a few social outlets for the cadets. Summer opportunities for cadets can include a paid visit to a military installation for 5 days, Rising Sophomore Program (4 weeks paid visit to a military installation - shadowing program), Freefall Parachuting, Combat Survival Training, Flight Nurse shadowing, and cadet training assistant duty at field training.

Receiving Commission. Upon successful completion of the AFROTC program and baccalaureate or graduate degree, a student will be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force. Newly commissioned officers can normally expect to be called into active service within 60 days from the date of their commissioning. In some instances, active service can be delayed by students continuing in post-baccalaureate degree programs.

Additional Information. More detailed information about the Air Force ROTC program is available through the Department of Aerospace Studies. The department is located at 2800 W. Lowden Street on the Texas Christian University campus. The telephone number is (817) 257-7461 or call 1-800-TCU-FROG and ask for Air Force ROTC.

Courses of Instruction

AEST 10001 Leadership Lab. The Leadership Lab (LLab) also includes studying the environment of an Air Force officer and learning about areas of opportunity available to commissioned officers. The AS3000 and AS4000 LLabs consist of activities classified as leadership and management experiences. They involve the planning and controlling of military activities of the cadet corps; and the preparation and presentation of briefings and other oral and written communications. LLabs also include interviews, guidance, and information which will increase the understanding, motivation, and performance of other cadets.

AEST 10211 Foundation of the United States Air Force. Air Force AEST 10211 in the fall and 10221 in the spring: A survey course designed to introduce students to the U.S. Air Force and Air Force ROTC. Featured topics include: mission and organization of the Air Force, officership and professionalism, military customs and courtesies, Air Force officer opportunities, group leadership problems, and an introduction to communication skills. Leadership Laboratory 10001 complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.

AEST 10221 Foundation of the United States Air Force. Air Force AEST 10211 in the fall and 10221 in the spring: A survey course designed to introduce students to the U.S. Air Force and Air Force ROTC. Featured topics include: mission and organization of the Air Force, officership and professionalism, military customs and courtesies, Air Force officer opportunities, group leadership problems, and an introduction to communication skills. Leadership Laboratory 10001 complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.

AEST 20211 The Evolution of USAF Air and Space Power. Air and Space Power (AEST 20211 in the fall and 20221 in the spring): A survey course designed to examine general aspects of air and space power through a historical perspective. Utilizing this perspective, the course covers a time period from the first balloons and dirigibles to the space-age global positioning systems of the Persian Gulf War. Historical examples are provided to extrapolate the development of Air Force capabilities (competencies), and missions (functions) to demonstrate the evolution of what has become today's USAF air and space power. Furthermore, the course examines several fundamental truths associated with war in the third dimension: e.g. Principles of War and Tenets of Air and Space Power. As a whole, this course provides the student with a knowledge level understanding for the general element and employment of air and space power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. In addition, the students will continue to discuss the importance of the Air Force Core Values with the use of operational examples and historical Air Force leaders and will continue to develop their communication skills. In addition, Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for Air Force ROTC cadets (not special students), and it complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.

AEST 20221 The Evolution of USAF Air and Space Power. Air and Space Power (AEST 20211 in the fall and 20221 in the spring): A survey course designed to examine general aspects of air and space power through a historical perspective. Utilizing this perspective, the course covers a time period from the first balloons and dirigibles to the space-age global positioning systems of the Persian Gulf War. Historical examples are provided to extrapolate the development of Air Force capabilities (competencies), and missions (functions) to demonstrate the evolution of what has become today's USAF air and space power. Furthermore, the course examines several fundamental truths associated with war in the third dimension: e.g. Principles of War and Tenets of Air and Space Power. As a whole, this course provides the student with a knowledge level understanding for the general element and employment of air and space power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. In addition, the students will continue to discuss the importance of the Air Force Core Values with the use of operational examples and historical Air Force leaders and will continue to develop their communication skills. In addition, Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for Air Force ROTC cadets (not special students), and it complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.

AEST 30113 Leadership Studies. Case studies are used to examine Air Force leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of the concepts being studied. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course.

AEST 30123 Leadership Studies. Case studies are used to examine Air Force leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of the concepts being studied. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course.

AEST 40113 National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty. Special topics of interest focus on the military as a profession, officership, military justice, civilian control of the military, preparation for active duty, and current issues affecting military professionalism. Within this structure, continued emphasis is given to refining communication skills. An additional Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.

AEST 40123 National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty. Special topics of interest focus on the military as a profession, officership, military justice, civilian control of the military, preparation for active duty, and current issues affecting military professionalism. Within this structure, continued emphasis is given to refining communication skills. An additional Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences, giving students the opportunity to apply the leadership and management principles of this course.

Texas Christian University