WHAT ARE YOUR OFFICE HOURS?
We are open Monday – Friday (excluding Federal Holidays and NMSU Holidays) from 8:00AM – 4:00PM
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP?
If you are in high school, you can apply for the High School Scholarship Program (HSSP) at the following link before December of your Senior year: afrotc.com/scholarships.
If you are in college, we automatically consider all of our enrolled cadets for a merit-based scholarship during the Fall and Spring semesters of their Freshman and Sophomore years. This gives us a chance to evaluate the leadership potential of each cadet and also lets each cadet prove their academic abilities. Things we consider for in-college scholarships include: GPA, college major, standardized test scores, commander’s ranking, and military fitness.
I DIDN’T GET A SCHOLARSHIP, WILL THE AIR FORCE STILL HELP?
Aside from offering an amazing career as an Air Force or Space Force officer, we still want to help you make it through college. NMSU offers dedicated dorms rooms for AFROTC cadets to live in that provides a living learning community. Also, once contracted (normally the start of the Junior year), all of our cadets receive a stipend between $400 and $500 per month.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL AFROTC TAKE?
AFROTC is an academic elective and, time-wise, isn’t significantly different than any other elective. The Freshman and Sophomore level classes meet for 1 hour per week, while the Junior and Senior classes meet for 2.5 hours per week. In addition, all cadets attend a 2-hour leadership lab and two 1-hour physical training sessions (either morning or afternoon). Additionally, every other week will feature an additional 1-hour physical training session.
I’M ABOUT TO GRADUATE COLLEGE OR I’M ALREADY WORKING ON A GRADUATE DEGREE. CAN I STILL JOIN AFROTC?
You must be able to participate in AFROTC for three years and remain a full-time student. If you are nearing the end of your Bachelor’s degree, you have the option to start work on your masters or other advanced academics during your last year in the program. You should ask the cadre to review your transcripts and let you know which options are best for you.
WHAT IS FIELD TRAINING AND WHEN IS IT?
Field Training is a 2-week program at Maxwell AFB, AL that cadets typically attend during the summer between their Sophomore and Junior year. Field training includes physical conditioning, weapons and survival training, as well as leadership development. Graduation from this course is required to enter into the upper division AFROTC courses as a candidate for a commission as an Air/Space Force officer.
WHAT IF I HAVE A CLASS THAT CONFLICTS WITH AFROTC?
Make every effort to re-arrange your schedule. If you are unable to adjust your schedule, contact the staff to find out what your options are. Conflicts will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
I AM A STUDENT ATHLETE AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY FREE TIME, IS THERE A WAY I CAN STILL JOIN?
Yes! While your sport is in-season, we will approve a waiver that says your participation in AFROTC physical training has been satisfied. Also, for away-games/meets, we will work with you to make sure you have the opportunity to fulfill AFROTC’s academic requirements.
HOW DO AIR FORCE ROTC GRADS COMPARE TO AF ACADEMY AND OFFICER TRAINING SCHOOL GRADUATES?
There’s no difference. Each program is slightly different, but all three programs produce one thing: highly-qualified officers. Once on active duty, the single-most important factor to being promoted is your performance on the job.
IF I JOIN THE PROGRAM (i.e. Enroll in AFROTC Class), DOES THAT MEAN I AM OBLIGATED TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY?
No. Absolutely not. Freshman and sophomore level courses are designed to give you insight into the Air Force as a whole. Therefore, you may discontinue the program at any time prior to attending Field Training. The only exception to this is freshman/sophomore cadets that have accepted AFROTC scholarships (which is a small percentage of cadets). There are no contracts to sign obligating you to serve until AFTER you have successfully completed field training. All cadets that have graduated Field Training are on contract and receive a monthly stipend of between $400-$500 through graduation.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE AIR FORCE ROTC INSTRUCTORS HERE AT DET 505?
We all have master’s degrees plus many years of active duty Air Force experience from a variety of career fields (e.g. space operations, maintenance, cyberspace operations, pilot, etc). Each instructor was selected as part of a competitive process (both through the Air Force and University) to join the Det 505 team.
WHEN DO I ACTUALLY GET COMMISSIONED AS A 2ND LT IN THE AIR OR SPACE FORCE?
Normally, the same day you graduate from NMSU or UTEP.
WHEN DO I GET MY AFROTC UNIFORM AND WHEN DO I WEAR IT?
There are several different uniforms that will be issued at varying times, provided that standards are met by the individual
To earn the physical training uniform, you must obtain an 80% on the physical fitness assessment (PFA) which is composed of push ups, sit-ups, a 1.5 mile run, and a waist measurement. The PFA is administered in October during the fall semester, and March during the spring semester.
To earn the blues uniform and service dress uniform, your first semester’s GPA must meet acceptable academic standards which are determined by the staff.
The final uniform, the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU), more commonly known as the “camo uniform,” will not be given until you are officially selected to attend Field Training. This will occur around March-April of your sophomore year.
HOW MUCH MONEY DOES A NEWLY COMMISSIONED (2ND LT) AIR/SPACE FORCE OFFICER EARN?
After graduation and getting to your first assignment (normally within 1-6 months), you’ll earn over $50,000 per year. Your paycheck consists of “basic pay,” a “subsistence (food) allowance,” and a “housing allowance” based upon the average standard of living in the zip code of your duty station. In addition to the $50,000 you’ll earn in just that first year out of college, you can also earn a variety of “incentive & special pays” as determined by your career field and/or your amount of business travel. For more information, you can look at the official DoD Finance and Accounting Service website which has the Military Pay Charts (e.g. an O-1 is a 2nd Lieutenant, O-2 is a 1st Lieutenant, O-3 is a Captain, and so on). After a short 4 years and being promoted to Captain, you’re looking at about $80,000 per year minimum.
I HAVE A NURSING RELATED QUESTION, WHERE DO I LOOK?
Please visit this page for all nursing-related questions and how AFROTC and the Nursing programs interface!
