Typically, AFROTC is a four-year program; however, in many circumstances students may join during any semester as long as they have at least three years of school left in either an undergraduate- or graduate-level course of study (or a combination of both).
Four-Year Program. The first two years of the four-year candidate program are called the General Military Course (GMC) and are voluntary. The GMC is designed to acquaint the new college student with the Air Force.
Enrollment in the GMC does not place the student under any military service obligation. Requirements for the GMC include 03:690:121,122 and 221,222 scheduled for one hour per week over the first four semesters. In addition, Leadership Laboratory (03:690:171,172 and 271,272) is scheduled each week for three hours. One academic credit is awarded for the classroom work in each semester of the GMC.
Four-year candidates must attend a four-week field training encampment prior to their junior year.
During his or her sophomore year, the student may apply for entrance into the Professional Officer Course (POC). The POC is contractual and is scheduled during the junior and senior years. Obligations include enlisting in the Air Force Reserve, completion of degree requirements, and acceptance of a commission in the U.S. Air Force if tendered. Semester requirements for the POC include attendance at leadership laboratory and classes. The POC courses are 03:690:323,324; 371,372; 423,424; and 471,472. Three academic credits are awarded for the classroom work in each semester of the POC. Students who successfully complete the POC are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Air Force upon graduation and have an initial active duty obligation of four years. This active duty period is longer for pilots and navigators.
Three-Year Program. The three-year candidate program offers college students, who have at least three full academic years remaining, an opportunity to catch up with their contemporaries and complete the AFROTC program. Three-year candidates take an accelerated schedule of courses their first year in the program in order to make up missed military training objectives.
