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Chairperson: Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Hedrick

Faculty

Professor: Lt. Col. Hedrick
Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies: Captain Todd Glace
Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies: Captain Nolan Bet

Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC) Minor

Total minimum number of credits required for a minor in Aerospace Studies - 22.

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program at Wilkes University permits students to earn commissions as officers in the U.S. Air Force while pursuing a university degree. Students enroll in either the four-year or three-year program. Students with three years remaining until graduation may enroll concurrently in the freshman and sophomore Aerospace Studies courses and can complete the four-year program in three years; moreover, any interested student may call the detachment and query staff regarding additional programs available (570-408-4860).

A minor in Aerospace Studies is available to students who complete a minimum of 22 semester hours including the following: up to 16 hours of Aerospace Studies courses (AS 101 , AS 102 , AS 201 , AS 202 , AS 301 , AS 302 , AS 401 , AS 402 ) and 3 hours for AFROTC Field Training (4-week AFROTC Field Training AS 240), and a minimum of 3 credit hours within one area listed below. This area should explore a discipline other than the student’s major.

General Military Course

(Four-Year Program Only)The first two years of the four-year program constitute the General Military Course (GMC). GMC courses are open to any Universitystudent. Students enrolling in these courses do not incur any military service obligation. (Exception: Air Force scholarship recipients incur a commitment at the beginning of their sophomore year.) The GMC curriculum consists of the following: four one-credit Aerospace Studies courses; a non-credit leadership laboratory each semester, which introduces students to U.S. Air Force history and environment, customs, courtesies, drill and ceremonies, and leadership skills; and Physical Training (PT) at least twice weekly.

Field Training

Field training consists of a 13-day, 3-credit Aerospace Studies course conducted at Maxwell AFB AL. It provides students an opportunity to 1) observe Air Force units and people at work, 2) participate in marksmanship, survival, athletics, and leadership training activities, 3) work with contemporaries from other colleges and universities. Transportation from the legal residence of the cadet to the field training base and return, food, lodging, and medical and dental care are provided by the Air Force.

Professional Officer Course (POC)

The last two years of the program constitute the Professional Officer Course (POC). POC courses are open only to AFROTC cadets who have successfully completed Field Training or by permission of the Detachment Commander. The POC curriculum consists of the following: four three-credit Aerospace Studies courses; a non-credit leadership laboratory each semester; leadership studies; introduction to national security affairs; preparation for active duty; and Physical Training (PT) twice weekly.

Professional Development Training (PDT)

(Optional)The program allows both GMC and POC members to visit a USAF base for up to three weeks during the summer (cadets attending Field Training are not eligible). PD allows the cadet to “shadow” an active duty officer working in the area of the student’s career interest (i.e., pilot, navigator, communications, intelligence, etc.). Transportation from the legal residence of the cadet to the PD base and return, food, lodging, and medical and dental care are provided by the Air Force. The participating cadet is also provided a nominal stipend during the program.

Benefits

Commissioning

Students who satisfactorily complete the POC curriculum requirements are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force and will serve on active duty in a career specialty they have chosen, consistent with USAF needs. Qualified students may compete for duty as pilots, combat system operators, engineers, missile or space operations officers, nurses, engineers, meteorologists, computer analysts, security forces, or any of a number of other career fields.

Scholarships

AFROTC offers 2.5 to 5-year full and partial tuition scholarships for which qualified students may compete if they enroll in AFROTC. All scholarship awards are based on individual merit, regardless of financial need, with most scholarship recipients determined by central selection boards. Since scholarship applicants must meet certain academic, physical fitness, and medical requirements to be considered by the scholarship boards, contact the Aerospace Studies Department for more information. High school students wishing to compete for AFROTC college scholarships must complete and submit an application no later than the fall term of their senior year.

All AFROTC scholarship recipients entering or transferring to Wilkes University receive free room and board. To receive free room and board, the scholarship recipient must live in a Wilkes University owned and operated residence hall.

Contracted cadets also receive a monthly stipend, $300-$500, depending upon their academic year, and a $900 annual book allowance.

Uniforms and Materials

All uniforms, equipment, and textbooks for AFROTC are supplied by the U.S. Air Force.

Programs

• Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC) Minor

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