Department of Aerospace Studies

The Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) program at Texas A&M University is the largest AFROTC program in the United States and is designed to prepare selected students to be commissioned officers in the United States Air Force and Space Force.

The institutional phase of AFROTC, called Aerospace Studies, is divided into two parts. The first two years constitute the General Military Course and the second two years constitute the Professional Officer Course. Details on courses offered are set forth in the alphabetical departmental listing. Concurrent enrollment in more than one aerospace studies course requires the approval of the department head, also known as the Professor of Aerospace Studies.

The General Military Course consists of the 100- and 200-level courses. These courses focus on the structure and missions of Air Force organizations; officership and professionalism; and includes an introduction to communication skills. The General Military Course prepares the cadet, as a candidate, for the Professional Officer Course (POC). Cadets in the General Military Course attend one hour of class plus two hours of Leadership Lab per week.

Students apply for enrollment in the Professional Officer Course during their sophomore year. Enrollment in the Professional Officer Course at the beginning of the junior year is limited to students of high moral character who are academically qualified, physically fit, possess the necessary interest and aptitude, and have demonstrated leadership potential.

Before entry into the Professional Officer Course, cadets must attend AFROTC Field Training during the summer months typically between the sophomore and junior academic years. The major areas of study in the Field Training program include Junior Officer training, career orientation, survival training, base functions, deployed environment, physical fitness training, and a culmination field training exercise. Those who complete Field Training are enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and enter the POC.

The purpose of the Professional Officer Course is to develop skills and attitudes vital to a career as a professional Air Force or Space Force Officer. The 300- and 400-level courses focus on critical thinking, effective supervision and feedback, leadership, ethics, joint operations, national security affairs, air and space competencies, and military justice system. A degree is a prerequisite for an Air Force or Space Force commission. Cadets attend class three hours a week and Leadership Lab two hours per week during each semester of the Professional Officer Course.

If a student is selected for and enrolled in the Professional Officer Course, the student must sign a contract with the government in which they agree to enlist in the Air Force Reserve, complete the course and, upon graduation, accept a commission as an Officer in the United States Air Force or Space Force. They also must agree to serve on active duty for not less than four years after being commissioned. Persons selected for flight training must serve ten years of active duty following completion of pilot training. During their two years in the Professional Officer Course, cadets are eligible to receive monthly subsistence pay, plus added monetary incentives.

Leadership training is continuous during the student’s life as an AFROTC cadet. One way this is accomplished is through Leadership Laboratory. Instruction is conducted within the framework of an organized cadet corps with a progression of experiences designed to develop each student’s leadership potential. Leadership Laboratory involves a study of Department of the Air Force customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, Air Force and Space Force career opportunities, and expectations of a Junior Officer. Students develop their leadership in a practical, supervised laboratory, which typically includes field trips to Air Force installations.

Students enrolled in the four-year program may apply and compete for two- or three-year AFROTC College Scholarships. The AFROTC In-College Scholarship Program is a highly competitive program aimed primarily at college freshmen and sophomores in any major. If selected for an AFROTC scholarship, the student will receive tuition payment, textbook allowance, and monthly subsistence allowance.

Upon completion of the Professional Officer Course and graduation from the University, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force or Space Force. All instructors are active duty Officers assigned to the University by the Department of the Air Force. Information about the Air Force ROTC program may be obtained by contacting the Detachment, or visiting the Air Force ROTC website.

Aerospace Studies (AERS)

AERS 101 Air Force Heritage and Values I

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Introduction to the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC); overview of officership, officer opportunities and benefits, and DAF heritage and values and operations. Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in AERS 105.

AERS 102 Air Force Heritage and Values II

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Continuation of AERS 101; introduction to the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC); overview of officership, officer opportunities and benefits, and DAF heritage and values and operations. Prerequisites: AERS 101; concurrent enrollment in AERS 106.

AERS 105 AFROTC Leadership Lab I

Credit 1. 2 Lab Hours. Dynamic leadership development activities designed to prepare prospective Department of the Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academics with experiential learning. May be taken six times for credit. Must be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

AERS 106 AFROTC Leadership Lab II

Credit 1. 2 Lab Hours. Continuation of AERS 105; dynamic leadership development activities designed to prepare prospective Department of the Air Force second lieutenants and complement the AFROTC academics with experiential learning. May be taken four times for credit. Must be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisites: AERS 105.

AERS 201 Team and Leadership Fundamentals I

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Fundamental survey of leadership and team building through topics such as followership, listening, ethical decision-making, and conflict management. Must be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in AERS 102; concurrent enrollment in AERS 105; or approval of department head.

AERS 202 Team and Leadership Fundamentals II

Credit 1. 1 Lecture Hour. Continuation of AERS 201; fundamental survey of leadership and team building through topics such as followership, listening, ethical decision-making, and conflict management. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in AERS 201; concurrent enrollment in AERS 106 if seeking a military contract; or approval of department head.

AERS 303 Leading People and Effective Communication I

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. In-depth look at leadership through topic-guided discussions and verbal communications in Department of the Air Force formats; leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel and evaluation systems, and leadership ethics with case studies of leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of concepts. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in AERS 202; concurrent enrollment in AERS 105 if seeking a military contract; or approval of department head.

AERS 304 Leading People and Effective Communication II

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Continuation of AERS 303 with an in-depth look at leadership through topic-guided discussions and verbal communications in Department of the Air Force formats; leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel and evaluation systems, and leadership ethics with case studies of leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of concepts. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in AERS 303; concurrent enrollment in AERS 106 if seeking a military contract; or approval of department head.

AERS 403 National Security Affairs, Leadership Responsibilities, and Commissioning Preparation I

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Examination of the Constitution, national security processes, the military's role in society, and the military justice system; preparation for life as a second lieutenant in the Department of the Air Force. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in AERS 304; concurrent enrollment in AERS 105 if seeking a military contract; or approval of department head.

AERS 404 National Security Affairs, Leadership Responsibilities, and Commissioning Preparation II

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Continuation of AERS 403; examination of the Constitution, national security processes, the military's role in society, and the military justice system; prepares students for life as a second lieutenant in the Department of the Air Force. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in AERS 403; concurrent enrollment in AERS 106 if seeking a military contract; or approval of department head.

AERS 485 Directed Studies

Credits 1 to 3. 1 to 3 Other Hours. Directed study of problems in the field of aerospace studies. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in AERS 404; Air Force ROTC Cadet; approval of department head.