Frequently Asked Questions

The Aerospace Studies 100 course is devoted to an introduction to the military profession and the Air Force. Aerospace Studies 200 is a mini-history course that examines the growth and development of airpower and the role of airpower in the present day. Both of these courses are worth one credit per semester. Aerospace Studies 300, offered in your junior year, is a leadership and management course. Rounding out your AFROTC education is Aerospace Studies 400, a course that examines American defense policy and prepares you for your first tour of duty. The latter two courses are worth three credits each semester. A two-hour leadership laboratory, where you’ll acquire practical command and staff leadership experience, accompanies each of the Aerospace Studies courses. First-year students: be sure to enroll in AFT 110 and AFT 110 L at the time you pre-register for classes.

Purdue is a land-grant institution and has offered military courses since 1876. ROTC members are looked upon with respect as persons who have elected to serve in an honorable profession. Purdue ROTC graduates have served honorably and with distinction. Purdue's Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC units are truly considered part of the university community.

Not as much as you think. During your freshman and sophomore years you are required to attend Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) once a week. Each lab session is two hours long with about a third the time spent on learning how to march and lead others in doing so. Marching helps create a sense of unity and teamwork by creating a single moving unit out of many different people. The remaining time at LLAB is for guest lecturers, joint training sessions, and special projects.

We try to have a uniform ready for you when you arrive (at no cost to you). If it doesn’t fit, we will arrange for alterations. You will be responsible for keeping the uniform clean and presentable.

Everyone in the cadet wing wears his or her uniform on one day each week, the day of Leadership Laboratory. Occasionally, you will wear your uniform to certain special events held during the year.

Yes. Being an Air Force officer means more than just working at an eight-to-five job and ROTC is specifically designed to foster the "whole-person" concept. Such activities as Arnold Air Society and the Tri-service Color Guard offer extra leadership opportunities. You will also become involved with community projects and understand the traditions of the military environment. In addition, there are numerous athletic events and sports nights. Tournaments are arranged in which several AFROTC units in the surrounding states come together to participate in competitive sports. These extra activities are optional; you may participate as your time and schedule allows.

None at all. Your first and most immediate concern is attending school and maintaining good grades. After you have met this responsibility, you may want to participate in various activities sponsored both by the University and Air Force ROTC. We certainly like to see our cadets participate in more than just the required class and lab periods. The more you put into the program, the more you will get out of it.

Yes. We have an active base visitation program. We try to schedule at least one trip per year. In recent years we have toured Hill AFB, Utah; Andrews AFB, Maryland; and Langley AFB, Virginia. We also try to schedule orientation flights at least once a semester. Recently, cadets have participated in orientation flights on KC-135 tankers and C-130 tactical airlifters. AFROTC also offers several summer programs hosted at different bases around the world. During your junior year you may get to visit a base in Japan or Europe. Freshman will have the chance to visit a base in the U.S. As with other extracurricular activities, base visits and orientation flights are always optional; however, they are very popular because it brings cadets face-to-face with the Air Force in which they will serve.

Yes. Generally, extracurricular campus activities and AFROTC are perfectly compatible as long as you do not overload yourself. Serious physical injuries suffered while participating in intercollegiate or intramural athletic activities could result in your being disenrolled from AFROTC because of a change in your medical status.

ROTC duty is a demanding job. Each instructor has been handpicked by the Air Force. In addition, since they are considered part of the academic faculty, the University has a voice in the selection process. Each officer-instructor must possess as least a Master's degree and have considerable Air Force experience. The instructors represent a variety of Air Force backgrounds.

Field Training (FT) is a four-week summer encampment which you must attend during the summer between your sophomore and junior years. It is conducted at Air Force bases located throughout the United States. It is an intensive training period where you receive additional leadership training, attend numerous career orientations, and learn firsthand what life on an Air Force base is really like. We pay all your transportation costs and provide you with all necessary uniform items. In addition, you will be paid a salary equal to about half the monthly pay of a second lieutenant while you are there. You are only required to complete FT once while in the AFROTC program.

No. Like all other students Purdue students, your are free to live where you choose. Living options include 12 residence halls, 12 cooperative houses (five for men and seven for women), fraternity or sorority houses, and off-campus housing.

Your check will automatically be deposited in a savings or checking account that you select.

No. The AFROTC scholarship pays tuition, a book allowance, lab fees, plus the nontaxable stipend each academic month.

You will receive a textbook allowance of approximately $250 each semester. The allowance will be electronically deposited in your account. Because of the processing time for activating your scholarship, you should be prepared to pay for your books at one of the campus bookstores.

Purdue has scholarships you might qualify for. These awards include the Academic Success Award, the Valedictorian Scholarship, and many others offered by the academic schools.

Tell them not to panic. All they need to do is write "Air Force ROTC Scholarship Student" on the bill and return it to the University. Then they should notify the detachment NCOIC of the error.

Detachment 220 Contact Information

Yes, but it is a complex process and should be attempted only after you have given it much thought. The Air Force offers scholarships only in certain academic areas and allows changes only under certain circumstances. You must have permission from the Air Force prior to changing. If you change without permission, you will lose your scholarship.

Yes. Air Force ROTC offers one, two and three year scholarships to members of the Air Force ROTC program. These scholarships cover up to $15,000 of tuition and fees, a book allowance, and monthly stipend (between $250-$400; tax-free) per month Your chances of being awarded a scholarship will depend upon your academic major, Air Force Officer Qualifying Test scores, grade point average, performance in ROTC, and the amount of money available from Congress.

The Air Force encourages its officers to obtain graduate degrees and offers several opportunities to do so. You can request entrance to an Air Force Institute of Technology program whereby the Air Force pays for your graduate school education. You can also request an educational delay. This delay between the time of commissioning and the time you report for active duty should allow you to fulfill the requirements for a professional or master's degree. Under educational delay, you assume all financial obligations. These programs will be explained to you in greater detail as part of your AFROTC training.

If you are on a ROTC scholarship, you can quit anytime during the freshmen year. If you are not on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, you can quit anytime during the freshmen or sophomore years. If you drop out of ROTC before these deadlines, you will have no obligation to serve in the Air Force.

We are located on the second floor of the Armory. Please feel free to stop in Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. We can answer any questions you may have and give you a tour. In the mean time you can call us at our main number.

Detachment 220 Contact Information