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Air Force ROTC – Detachment 430
University of Mississippi

Please see below for the basic AFROTC time commitments you will have while in College

Air Force Academic Class

As a member of ROTC, you will enroll in unique Air Force classes that will give you tools to succeed in your future career.  All of the Aerospace Studies classes are taught by military faculty and distinguished guest speakers.  A brief synopsis of each academic class you will be required to take throughout your ROTC career is found below.  Once completely all of the mandatory academic classes, cadets will earn a minor in Aerospace Studies (AS).

Freshman Year: AS 101/102 – Heritage and Values   (Two Semesters, One Credit Hour Per Semester)

This course provides an introduction to the Air and Space Forces, hopefully encouraging students to pursue an AF career or at least seek additional information to be better informed about the role of the USAF.  The course allows students to examine general aspects of the Department of the Air Force, leadership fundamentals, service benefits, and opportunities for officers.  The course also lays the foundation for becoming an Air or Space professional by outlining our heritage and values.  As a foundational course, AS100 also provides a historical perspective such as lessons on war and US military, AF operations, principles of war, and airpower (see the complete lesson list below).  As a whole, this course provides students with a knowledge-level understanding for the employment of air and space power, from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective.  The students will be introduced to the military way of life and gain knowledge on what it means to be an Air or Space professional.  A succinct perspective of the AS100 course objective is to sell the AF as a career and lay a strong foundation built on AF Core Values.

Sophomore Year: AS 201/202 – Team and Leadership Fundamentals   (Two Semesters, One Credit Hour Per Semester)

This course is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building. It is imperative that cadets are taught from the beginning that there are many layers to leadership, including aspects that don’t always jump to mind.  Such things include listening, understanding themselves, being a good follower and problem solving efficiently. The students will apply these leadership perspectives when completing team building activities and discussing things like conflict management.  Students should demonstrate basic verbal and written communication skills.  Cadets will apply these lessons at Field Training, which follows AS200.

Junior Year: AS 301/302 – Leading People and Effective Communication   (Two Semesters, Three Credit Hours Per Semester)

This course is designed to build on the leadership fundamentals taught in AS200.  The cadets will have the opportunity to utilize their skills as they begin more of a leadership role in the detachment. The goal is for cadets to have a more in-depth understanding of how to effectively lead people, and provide them with the tools to use throughout their detachment leadership roles.  Secondly, cadets will hone their writing and briefing skills.  Many of the cadets will be uncomfortable with public speaking, and this semester is designed to get them used to briefing.  The second semester of AS300 is centered on leadership and ethics, and is mostly guided discussion.  The goal here is to get cadets thinking about leadership through their own lens, and give them some tools to work on their leadership skills.

Senior Year: AS 401/402 – National Security, Leadership Responsibilities and Commissioning Preparation   (Two Semesters, Three Credit Hours Per Semester)

The AS400 cadet should comprehend the basic elements of national security policy and process.  The student should know basic Department of the Air Force operations as well as understand selected roles of the military in society and current domestic and international issues affecting the military profession. Cadets should understand the responsibility, authority, and functions of a Department of the Air Force commander and selected provisions of the military justice system. The final portion of the AS400 course is designed to prepare cadets for life as a second lieutenant.  This is a great time for instructors to include any information they feel would help their cadets as they transition from civilian life to military life.

Leadership Laboratory

Every cadet must attend the two hour Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) every week.  LLAB is planned and run by the Junior and Senior cadets.  During LLAB, cadets will develop effective communication skills, physical fitness, and knowledge of military customs and courtesies.  LLAB is an excellent environment to improve verbal communication, planning and organizational skills.  Cadets will gain valuable hands-on leadership and management experience with their peers.

Leadership Lab activities may include:

  • Drill and Ceremonies
  • Leadership Studies
  • Air Force Officer Career Days
  • Leadership Building Exercises
  • Field Exercises

Physical Training

In order to maintain good physical conditioning, all cadets are required to attend at least two hour-long physical training (PT) sessions each week.

PT sessions may include:

  • Running (Sprints & Long Distance)
  • Calisthenics
  • Swimming
  • HIIT Workouts

PT will prepare cadets to take the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA).  The PFA ensures cadets maintain an acceptable level of fitness.  There are four events: push-ups, sit-ups, 1.5 mile run and a waist measurement.  Cadets that are on scholarship, must pass the PFA each Fall and Spring term.

Note: New cadets MUST complete a Pre-Participatory Sports Physical prior to participating in PT.