The Department of Aerospace Studies provides a four-year program of instruction for all qualified U.S. citizens, male and female, divided into two phases, each of two years duration. The first, termed the General Military Course, offers instruction in the foundation of leadership and Aerospace-age citizenship. The second, termed the Professional Officer Course, builds upon these foundations in developing upperclassmen who are to become Air Force officers and serve on active duty upon graduation and commissioning. Students may apply for the two-year or four-year program, or they may enroll one year before applying for the two-year program.

Instruction in Aerospace Studies has been an important phase of the curriculum at the University of Memphis since 1951. Active duty Air Force personnel, approved by the University president, are detailed by the Department of the Air Force to administer the instructional program. Air Force officers serve under appointment by the University as Professor or Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies.

THE GENERAL MILITARY COURSE (GMC)

The two-year (4 semesters) General Military Course consists of one hour a week of classroom instruction and one and one-half hours a week in Leadership Laboratory. Textbooks are furnished by the Air Force without charge. Air Force uniforms are furnished and must be properly worn and kept in good condition. Cadets who successfully complete the GMC may apply for admission to the Professional Officer Course.

THE PROFESSIONAL OFFICER COURSE (POC)

The Professional Officer Course provides instruction and systematic training to selected eligible students who desire to qualify as officers in the United States Air Force while pursuing their academic studies at the University. Successful completion of the requirements for the POC and for a baccalaureate degree leads to a commission in the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. To be eligible for selection to the POC, a student must have at least two years remaining at the University (undergraduate, graduate, or a combination). Final selection is based on academic standing, leadership potential, percentile score on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, and physical qualifications. All eligible POC members receive an incentive payment of up to $1,700 per semester which is applied toward University tuition and textbook costs. In addition, members are furnished ROTC course textbooks without charge, receive a subsistence allowance of $200.00 per month and are issued uniforms provided by the Air Force.

THE TWO-YEAR PROGRAM

All students who meet qualifying criteria may apply for selection to the Professional Officer Course under the Two-Year Program if they are not in the Four-Year Program. Processing of applications for the POC begins in the fall of each year. Application may be submitted through March 15. If selected, the student will attend a five-week field training program during the summer preceding entry into the POC. Graduates of the five-week field training are enrolled in the POC with the same status as cadets in the four-year program.

LEADERSHIP LABORATORY

This lab is designed around a microcosm of the U.S. Air Force. It gives the cadets the opportunity to develop their leadership potential while allowing the staff to make evaluations based on actual managerial and leadership situations.

AIR FORCE ROTC COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Scholarships paying full tuition and fees, book allowance, and transportation to Memphis and a tax free subsistence allowance of $200.00 per month are available to entering freshmen and University students who are competitive academically and will enroll in the Air Force ROTC program. Details concerning qualifications and applications can be obtained from the Department of Aerospace Studies. NOTE: Several loan funds are also available to students enrolled in AFROTC. For more information, contact the department staff.

FIELD TRAINING

Field Training is offered during the summer months at selected Air Force bases throughout the United States. Students in the four-year program participate in four weeks of Field Training (AERO 3211), usually between their sophomore and junior years. Students applying for entry into the two-year program must successfully complete five weeks of Field Training (AERO 3212) prior to enrollment in the Professional Officer Course.

AEROSPACE STUDIES MINOR

Upon successful completion of 18 semester hours in Aerospace Studies with a minimum grade of C, a cadet may apply for a minor in Aerospace Studies.

SUPPLEMENTAL COURSES PROGRAM

The AFROTC Supplemental Courses Program (SCP) exists to enhance the career utility and officer performance of persons commissioned through AFROTC. The program consists of required and recommended college/university-taught courses. Cadets must successfully complete the required supplemental courses in addition to all Aerospace Studies courses.

General Military Course (GMC): Scholarship cadets must successfully complete a course in English composition. Additionally, they are encouraged to take a course in speech. Four-year scholarship cadets must satisfactorily complete the English composition course by the end of the GMC. GMC cadets receiving scholarships of less than four years duration will have two academic years to complete the English composition course. Failure to satisfactorily complete the required supplemental course in the specified period of time will result in termination of scholarship entitlements.

Non-scholarship four-year GMC cadets, two-year program applicants, and persons not required to complete the GMC need not take the GMC supplemental courses before POC entry. However, successful completion of GMC supplemental courses may enhance their chances for POC selection.

Professional Officer Course: cadets must successfully complete a course in mathematical reasoning before commissioning. Ideally, this course should include the acquisition of a specific skill, for example, statistics, computer science, or calculus.