Lt. Col. Robert Hartmann, Department Chair
AFROTC is a professional training program for college students (both undergrad and graduate) in any major. During the program, students are afforded various opportunities and experiences at no cost to create a unique & memorable college experience, develop and practice hands-on leadership skills, and receive expert mentoring from trained Air Force faculty, all in an environment that encourages students to develop and grow to their fullest potential. In addition, students in the program are able make personal connections, receive excellent peer mentoring, and engage in a welcoming support network that strives for excellence.
The Air Force ROTC Program is open to all full-time students at the University of Scranton. The program is an elective course that has 3 components, an academic class (1 credit) and Leadership Laboratory (0 credits), and group fitness (0 credits) taken every semester throughout your degree program. Classes meet once per week on Thursday evenings at Wilkes University.
There are varieties of paths available to students, with varying obligations, outcomes, and options. Students may defer decision to continue in the Program until junior year. Additionally, a wide variety of AFROTC scholarships available to both high school and current college students. Should a student continue in the AFROTC program, the student will have a guaranteed, full-time professional career serving in a leadership role as an Air Force Officer post-graduation in a career field based on their educational background and experience.
Students interested in participating in AFROTC should contact the Air Force ROTC Department at 570-408-4860 or email rotcdl@wilkes.edu. No formal application for AFROTC is required. For more information about AFROTC benefits and scholarship opportunities at www.afrotc.com. To learn more about the program at Wilkes, visit www.wilkes.edu/rotc, course information can be found in our course catalog.
Professional Development Training (optional)
The program allows both GMC and POC members to visit a USAF base during the summer (cadets attending Field Training are not eligible.) Professional development training allows the cadet to “shadow” an active duty officer working in the student’s career interest area. Transportation from the legal residence of the cadet to the professional development training base (and return), food, lodging, and medical and dental care during the visit are provided by the Air Force. The participating cadet is also provided a nominal stipend during the program. There are other PDT opportunities as well to include: Combat Rescue Officer Shadow and Orientation Week, Special Tactics Officer training, Advanced Cyber Education-Information assurance (full-time paid research internship), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (student internship), National Reconnaissance Office and Project Global Officer study abroad programs at multiple locations.
Scholarships
AFROTC offers full- and partial-tuition scholarships for which qualified students may compete if they enroll in AFROTC. All scholarship awards are based on individual merit, regardless of financial need, with most scholarship recipients determined by central selection boards. Since scholarship applicants must meet certain academic, physical fitness and medical requirement to be considered by the scholarship boards, students should contact the Aerospace Studies Department early in the fall semester. High school students wishing to compete for AFROTC college scholarships must complete and submit an application between May and December of their senior year. Contracted cadets also receive a monthly stipend and book allowance.
Commissioning
Students who satisfactorily complete the POC curriculum requirements are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force and will serve on active duty in a career specialty they have chosen, consistent with USAF needs.