A Posse Ad Esse (From Possibility to Actuality)

If you are interested in becoming an AFROTC Cadet, please do not hesitate to fill out this Contact/Information Request Form or call our our Unit Admissions Officer (UAO), Capt. Hunt at (312) 567-3525. There are numerous scholarship opportunities available for qualified applicants. Commissioning into the United States Air Force is not only a great honor, but also an excellent and rewarding career opportunity.

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Det 195 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The official AFROTC website has lots of information regarding AFROTC. Go to their website FAQ to get a lot of your questions answered.

Here are some Det 195 specific Frequently Asked Questions:

GENERAL FAQs

Q.) Do I have to join ROTC as a college freshman?

A. No, there are various opportunities for college students. Ask the Unit Admissions Officer (UAO) for more information.

Q.) Do I need a specific major to enroll in AFROTC?

A. No, AFROTC accepts any major.

Q.) How do I enroll into AFROTC at Det 195?

A. The application and associated paperwork is provided to the student by the detachment staff. This normally occurs during the Fall New Student Orientation or at any other specified time prior to the first day of class or during the first day of class. The important thing to remember is to plan your class registration process at your school around the detachment's AFROTC classes and Leadership Lab schedule. The schedule may change and the most updated is located here.

Q.) Are there scholarships available?

A.) Yes. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Q.) What about my previous military training?

A.) There are specific waivers for prior military experience as well as Junior ROTC, Civil Air Patrol and Service Academies. Ask the UAO for details.

Q.) Do I have to fly?

A. No. There are other many career fields in the Air Force but pilot and navigator opportunities are available on a competitive basis. Pilot and navigator training start after you graduate.

Q.) Can you guarantee me a pilot or navigator slot?

A.) No. Pilot and navigator candidates are selected during cadets' junior year.

Q.) Do I have to live in a barracks?

A. No, not while you're in school. You'll live in a barracks or dorm during summer field training.

Q.) Do I have to cut my hair?

A.) Maybe. Hair must be kept in accordance with Air Force guidelines when in uniform.

Q.) Do I have to wear a uniform to class every day?

A.) No. You are only required to wear your uniform the same day as your Air Force ROTC classes and Leadership Lab each week.

Q.) How much time do I have to spend with ROTC each week?

A.) You are only required to attend your Air Force ROTC class and Leadership Lab (3 to 5 hours each week). There may be additional physical training and optional extracurricular activities.

Q.) How often do I have to go away for training?

A). All training activities take place during scheduled classes and Leadership Lab. You will be required to attend summer field training once for 4 or 6 weeks; field training usually occurs during the summer after your sophomore year.

ENLISTED FAQs

Q.) Can I be in the Reserves or National Guard and enroll in AFROTC?

A.) A contracted member of the Reserves or National Guard can enroll in AFROTC. However, he/she must be released from their contract before contracting with AFROTC. Individuals cannot have another military contract while contracted with AFROTC. All the necessary forms and paperwork are available at your local base education office.

Q.) Will I get paid my current salary while enrolled in AFROTC?

You will remain on active duty and receive full pay and benefits under the (AECP) Airman Education and Commissioning Program. This is the only enlisted scholarship program offered by the Air Force ROTC with Active Duty pay and benefits.

CROSSTOWN FAQs

Q.) What is the Crosstown Program?

The Crosstown Program allows Air Force ROTC cadets to attend colleges and universities other than the host university (Illinois Institute of Technology). This allows cadets to complete a degree at a university while still taking part in Air Force ROTC officer training.

Q.) How will I get to and from the Illinois Institute of Technology for classes?

A.) It is the student’s responsibility to arrange transportation to and from IIT. All crosstown schools except Northern Illinois University and Lewis Univeristy have public transportation access to the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Q.) Will I be able to fully participate in the Air Force ROTC program if I am a crosstown student?

A.) Yes, Crosstown cadets are treated no differently then cadets attending the host school. All cadets will have the same opportunities to actively participate in ROTC and earn positions of responsibility in the Air Force ROTC program.

Q.) Will Air Force ROTC interfere with my school schedule?

A.) No, Air Force ROTC commitments are mainly satisfied through the ROTC class and leadership lab. Students are still able to schedule classes around the Air Force ROTC activities. In Air Force ROTC, education comes first and a college degree is necessary and essential to the Air Force officer commissioning program.

Q.) How will I stay in contact with the rest of the Detachment?

A.) Detachment 195 makes extensive use of its AFROTC website (afrotc.iit.edu) and electronic mail to keep all cadets informed about important information and current detachment events. Most crosstown schools provide students with access to electronic mail even if the student does not have a personal computer. All information pertaining to schedules and uniforms will be relayed on a weekly basis to all cadets in the Detachment.

Q.) What other events will I have to attend?

A.) Besides the normal class and leadership lab schedule, all cadets must attend the Dining-In (formal military dinner held once during the fall semester) and the Military Ball held in the spring semester. Both of these events occur during the evening and will not interfere with your class schedule. Cadets will also have mandatory Physical Training (PT) they must attend twice a week. Cadets at any of our crosstown schools have the option of attending PT sessions at their school with the Army or Navy ROTC units.

About Detachment 195

Picture of Chicago

AFROTC Detachment 195 is located on the south side of Chicago hosted by the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). With almost one-hundred active cadets, our detachment works hard to produce the best officers for the greatest Air Force in the world: United States Air Force.

We are located on the northwestern side of the intersection between State Street and 31st Street. We are easily accessible from the north and south directions off of I90-94 (Dan Ryan Expy) or by rapid transit (CTA Red or Green Line). Enter the Stuart building, and head up the stairs to room 208. For directions and parking information, click here.

Along with IIT, there are 16 crosstown schools that are associated with Detachment 195. To see a list of them click here.

If you plan to participate in the AFROTC program here in Chicago, it's important that you plan your class registration process at your school around the detachment's AFROTC classes and Leadership Lab schedule. Prospective students should contact us to enroll in our class.

Our schedule (subject to change) in the past has been:

- Leadership Lab - Thursdays (12:50 - 3:00 PM)

- Classes (ALL taught at IIT main campus)

AS100: Thursdays (3:15 to 4:30 PM)

AS200: Thursdays (3:15 to 4:30 PM)

AS300: Tuesdays (12:50 - 4:00 PM)

AS400: Tuesdays (12:50 - 4:00 PM)

- All cadets must attend 2 Physical Training (PT) sessions per week at IIT. The cadets at any of our crosstown schools have the option of attending PT sessions at their school with the Army or Navy ROTC units.

All AFROTC classes and Leadership Laboratories (Lead Labs) are conducted in the Stuart Bldg at Illinois Institute of Technology's (IIT) main campus.

For some frequently asked questions, go to our FAQ page.

START now by following our Pre-Flight Checklist!

Information Request

If you are interested in joining the AFROTC program, please do not hesitate to fill out our Contact/Information Request Form or contact us at (312) 567-3525.

To learn how you can become an Air Force Officer, please go to the Air Force ROTC Website

Contact Information

AFROTC Detachment 195
10 W 31st Street
Chicago IL 60616
(312) 567-3525

FAX: (312) 567-5902
afrotc@iit.edu

Illinois State Tuition Waiver

Background:

The program is established by Illinois State Senate Bill 381 which authorizes a total of 40 Illinois State Tuition Waivers to be awarded to eligible Air Force ROTC cadets at each of the following state schools (10 per year group): University of Illinois at Chicago, Northern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University, and Chicago State University.

In addition, it authorizes three tuition waivers (per year group) be awarded to eligible AFROTC cadets attending College of DuPage or Governors State (2-yr schools).

ISTW is a state-funded program that waives tuition, NOT room & board.

Students incur NO military obligation for receiving an Illinois State Tuition Waiver Applications are accepted year round.

Eligibility Requirements:

High School or College Applicants Must:

- Be an active member of AFROTC during the semester for which the Illinois State Tuition Waiver is issued

- Be a full-time student at UIC, NIU, NEIU, CSU, or CoD (excludes summer session attendance)

- Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative high school GPA (if applying as a freshman) or a minimum 2.0 cumulative college GPA

- Tuition waivers will be awarded on a first qualified basis based on the application and availability.

- Complete both AFROTC Drug Use Checklist and Certification of Involvements with Civil, Military, or School Authorities/Law enforcement Officials (Form 35) to ensure eligible for AFROTC program.

To apply contact the Unit Admissions Officer at (312) 567-3525 or at afrotc@iit.edu.

Schools Associated With Det 195

New Student Orientation Program (NSOP)

Purpose: to introduce prospective cadets to the Air Force ROTC program prior to the start of the semester.

Participants: incoming Air Force ROTC students as well as those interested in learning more about the program.

Fall 2008 (updated 18 June 2008)

Orientation for Fall 2008 will be held from 12-15 August 2008.

Below is the information for this year's orientation. Most of the information will be very similar.

Orientation Letter (Fall 2008)

Attachment 1: Orientation Registration Form (Fall 2008)

Attachment 2: Pre-participatory Sports Physical

Attachment 3: Directions

Typical NSOP Schedule

If you want to be invited, please contact us at afrotc@iit.edu.

Air Force ROTC Detachment 195