What is Air Force ROTC?

About AFROTC

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is one of three ways to become a commissioned officer. ROTC produces the largest number of commissioned officers for the United States Air Force, almost doubling the amount of officers produced by the Air Force Academy and Officer Training School.

The National Defense Act of 1916 created the AFROTC program in colleges and universities. The first ROTC units were established in 1920 at the University of California, the University of Illinois, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Washington, and New York University. However, in 1935, these units were eliminated due to budget restraints and other reasons. After World War II, Chief of Staff of the War Department Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower signed General Order No. 124, establishing Air ROTC units at 78 colleges and universities throughout the nation. In 1947, the Air Force became a separate military service and assumed control of the ROTC programs. Later, a two-year senior program, scholarships and a junior program were authorized by the ROTC Vitalization Act of 1964. In 1978 Air Training Command assumed control of AFROTC programs.

There are 144 Air Force ROTC units located in colleges and universities throughout the United States.

AFROTC at Howard University

The Air Force ROTC Detachment located at Howard University services a total of eight Colleges and Universities in the Washington, DC metropolitan area: Howard, American, Catholic, Georgetown, George Washington, Marymount, Trinity, and University of the District of Columbia. AFROTC provides students the opportunity to become military officers while completing their college degree and offers an excellent pathway from college to a rewarding active duty career in flying, intelligence analysis, communications and computers, space operations, medical professions, and engineering, to name a few. The program, combining traditional undergraduate education with military instruction, will prepare students to tackle the leadership challenges awaiting the Armed Forces in the 21st century. Our program, not only, provide excellent leadership training and management opportunities for young men and women who want the prestige of becoming an Air Force officer-- it prepares them for success in life!
As an AFROTC cadet, you may pursue any of the academic opportunities available at your school*-- along with your other university courses, you enroll in two AFROTC courses per semester. These courses, along with a four-week summer course (Field Training) provide the framework for your officer training. Any entering or current student may apply to participate in the AFROTC program.

AFROTC has a specific interest in several majors to include, but not limited to:

Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Nursing
Foreign Languages: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Swahili and more

For more information on Air Force ROTC, click the AFROTC shield below to visit the website.

Air Force Mission

To fly, fight, and win…in air, space, and cyberspace.

Air Force Core Values

Integrity First
Service Before Self
Excellence in All We Do

Air Force Mission

To develop quality leaders for the United States Air Force.

Honor Code

We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does.