Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Air Force ROTC

Administration

Lt. Col. Joshua A. Payne, Commander, Professor, Aerospace Studies

Faculty

Capt. Christopher T. Hand, Assistant Professor, Aerospace Studies
Capt. Christopher R. Pitkins, Assistant Professor, Aerospace Studies

Undergraduate Programs and Requirements

Minor
Aerospace Studies Minor

Programs
General Military Course (GMC)
Professional Officer Course (POC)
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The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Program is offered at Samford University and to students at cross-town schools in the Birmingham area including: Birmingham-Southern College, Miles College, University of Montevallo, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and Jefferson State Community College. Students enrolling will attend class at Samford. Call the Detachment for course offering details. Students will need the class and lab schedule from the Detachment to help avoid scheduling conflicts (205) 726-2859.

The AFROTC provides college men and women the opportunity to earn a commission as an officer in the United States Air Force or Space Force upon graduation from college. The program is divided into the General Military Course (GMC) and the Professional Officer Course (POC). The GMC includes the freshman-level and sophomore-level courses and is open to all students without military obligation. The POC includes the junior-level and senior-level courses for those committed to service on active duty. Uniforms and textbooks for all aerospace studies courses are provided at no charge.

Contact Info: Recruiting Flight Commander, Detachment 012, Air Force ROTC
                      (205) 726-2859
                      det012@us.af.mil
                      https://www.samford.edu/departments/air-force-rotc/

Scholarship Programs

Some freshmen enter AFROTC with a four-year college scholarship. Interested high school students should apply online at www.afrotc.com. Applications are due by December 1 of their senior year in high school.

Most freshmen and sophomores enter AFROTC without a scholarship. Once in the AFROTC program, these students may apply for in-college scholarships. For additional information, contact the AFROTC at Samford University, (205) 726-2859.

Freshmen and sophomores are able to compete for two-year and three-year scholarships through the In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP) that provides funds for tuition, books, and a monthly tax-free stipend. Air Force scholarships cannot be used to pay for room and board.

Leadership Laboratory (LLab)

Leadership Laboratory is an integral part of the AFROTC Program. Each academic class has an associated leadership laboratory that meets for two hours each week. It provides an opportunity for students to apply classroom teachings in a military training environment. Instruction is conducted within the framework of an organized cadet corps with a progression of experiences designed to develop leadership skills. Leadership Laboratory involves a study of the life and work of Air Force and Space Force junior officers. Students develop their leadership potential in a practical, supervised laboratory.

The first two years of Leadership Laboratory involve activities classified as initial leadership experiences. This includes studying Air Force and Space Force customs, courtesies, drill and ceremonies; giving military commands; instructing, correcting, and evaluating the preceding skills; studying the environment of an Air or Space Force base; and learning about career opportunities available to commissioned officers.

The last two years of LLab consist of activities classified as advanced leadership experiences. They involve planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, and controlling the military activities of the cadet corps; preparing and presenting briefings and other oral and written communications; providing interviews, guidance, and information to increase the understanding, motivation, and performance of other cadets.

Field Training

All cadets pursuing a commission through the AFROTC must complete Field Training. It is typically offered during the summer months at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and normally occurs between the sophomore and junior years. It is an intense training environment designed to orient students toward service in the United States Air Force or Space Force. The major areas of study include officership training, aircraft and aircrew orientation, career orientation, survival training, Air Force environment, and physical training.

Air Force ROTC Courses

See below for a list of Air Force ROTC Courses. Classes are conducted at Samford University, unless otherwise indicated. Call Detachment for course schedule (205) 726-2859.

Army ROTC

The Army ROTC office is located on the host campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Under the partnership agreement, Samford University students are eligible to participate. Any freshman or sophomore can take the Military Science (MS) 100 and 200-level courses, but only those who contract with the Army to commission upon graduation are eligible to register for MS 300 and 400-level courses. Group Physical Fitness sessions are a requirement for all MS course levels. Contact the instructor of your course for days and times. Course credits are granted on a semester credit/hour basis. Registration for the classes should be coordinated through the student’s advisor. UAB parking permits may be picked up in Samford’s Office of the Registrar.

Programs

Minor

Aerospace Studies Minor

Requirements - Undergraduate

Courses

Air Force ROTC

Classes conducted at Samford University, unless otherwise indicated. Call Detachment for course schedule (205) 726-2859.