A Posse Ad Esse - From Possibility to Actuality

Q. I don't have 20/20 vision. Can I still fly?
A. It depends. If you join the program, we can schedule a military physical for your so you'll know for sure. In some cases, corrective eye surgery can be used to become qualified.  Please contact our office for specifics.

Q. Do I have to fly?
A. No. There are other many career fields in the Air Force but pilot and combat systems operator (navigator, electronic warfare officer) opportunities are available on a competitive basis. Pilot and combat systems operator training start after you graduate.

Q. Can you guarantee me a pilot or combat systems operator slot?
A. No. Pilot and combat systems operator slots 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). You have to also attend at least 2 physical training sessions per week. You can also participate in 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 5 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?
A. 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.

CROSS TOWN FAQs
Q. What is the Cross-town Program?
A. The Cross-town 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 cross-town schools except Northern Illinois University and Lewis University 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 cross town student?
A. Yes, cross-town 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 website and electronic mail to keep all cadets informed about important information and current detachment events. Most cross town 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 Military Ball (a formal military dinner held once during the fall semester) and Dining-In which is 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 cross town schools have the option of attending PT sessions at their school with the Army or Navy ROTC units.

Please see the below FAQs and feel free to contact us at admissions@afrotc.iit.edu with any further questions.

Q. Do I have to join ROTC as a college freshman?
A. No, there are various opportunities for college students. Please contact the Unit Admissions Officer (UAO), Capt James Hunt, for more information.  He can be reached at 312.567.3804, or hunt@iit.edu.  Once you have decided to join the program, you can complete the enrollment form here.

Q. Do I have to be in AFROTC to apply for a scholarship?
A. Absolutely not. There are many ways to get money for school. You can apply on-line for a scholarship NOW. Imagine signing up for a college class that pays YOU!  

Q. How do I enroll into AFROTC at Det. 195?
A. The application and associated paperwork can be obtained at www.afrotc.iit.edu/join. 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. Freshmen and sophomore cadets attend Leadership Laboratory from 12:50 - 3:05 pm and an Aerospace Studies class from 3:15-4:30 pm each Thursday on the main camus of IIT.  The schedule is subject to change and we may soon hold some classes off-site at Lewis University to cut down commute times for cross-town students.

Q. Are there scholarships available?
A. Yes. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis for both undergraduate and graduate students.  You can find more information about scholarships at www.afrotc.iit.edu/prosp/scholarships.

Q. If I join AFROTC, does that mean I'm joining the military?

A. Joining AFROTC is not the same as joining the military.  If you accept a 4 year scholarship offer from high school, then the first year of college is paid for and you can quit at the end of your freshman year with NO OBLIGATION. If you acceptt a 3 year scholarship from high school or college, you have no obligation to the Air Force until you accept your scholarship offer (usually in the fall of your sophomore year). If you don't accept a scholarship offer, then you are not committed to joining the Air Force until you start your junior year of college.

AFROTC will expose you to the Air Force while you are completing your college degree so you can decide whether or not you want to purse a career as an Air Force officer once you receive your degree.