1. How do I visit Detachment 730?
Before you visit Detachment 730, please give us a call so that
we know you are coming and we can plan to meet you. You can
contact us at (412) 624-6396 or 6358. For directions to the
detachment, see (Weblink)
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2. How do I enroll/register in AFROTC?
If you plan on enrolling in AFROTC, please call our Unit
Admissions Officer at (412) 624-6358. In addition, most
Pittsburgh-area universities have AFROTC course listings in
their course bulletin. You register for AFROTC like you would
any other college course. However, please call us so we can
ensure you are registering for the correct AFROTC section.
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3. I’m not a University of Pittsburgh student;
can I enroll in the AFROTC program?
Yes, Detachment 730 has agreements with 12 local Pittsburgh
universities allowing you to pursue and complete academic
opportunities available at your school while simultaneously
enrolled in AFROTC at Det 730. You can usually register for
AFROTC through your own university just as you would for any
other course.
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4. What does it mean to be "on contract" in Air Force ROTC?
Being on "contract" means that you have signed a contract
with the U.S. Government either for a scholarship (as a
freshman or sophomore) or have successfully completed Field
Training (as a junior or senior). Once you sign the contract,
if you do not maintain AFROTC standards (i.e. military, academic,
etc.) you can be subject to disenrollment from the program and
related consequences.
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5. Am I committed to the government once I join?
You can leave AFROTC at any time. However, if you are on contract,
you could be subject to disenrollment, recoupment of monies paid,
and/or be called to extended-active duty.
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6. If I enroll and don't like ROTC, can I quit?
You can leave AFROTC at any time. However, if you are on contract,
you could be subject to disenrollment, recoupment of monies paid,
and/or be called to extended-active duty.
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7. Do I have to be on scholarship to enter AFROTC?
No. In fact, many students do not start with a scholarship but earn
one eventually. Still, at any given time about 80% of AFROTC students
country-wide receive financial assistance.
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8. Can I apply for a scholarship after I join Air Force ROTC?
Although you do not need a scholarship to join the AFROTC program, two-,
three- and three-and-a-half year scholarships are available to qualified
undergraduate and graduate students who join the Air Force ROTC program.
Scholarships pay up to $15,000/year towards tuition, plus $750 for books/year
and a tax-free monthly allowance that ranges from $300-500/month during the
academic year.
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9. What is the difference between AFROTC and enlisting in the Air Force?
AFROTC produces officers for the United States Air Force. To be an
officer you must have a bachelor’s degree and graduate from an officer
commissioning program. An officer fills the management positions
in the Air Force, and their salary reflects this. In addition, you
must be an officer to be a Pilot or Navigator. Enlisted members must
have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and attend basic military
training (i.e. boot camp). Enlisted members are technically trained
and fill technical hands-on positions. Officers lead and manage the
enlisted positions.
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10. Do I have to wear a uniform?
Yes. Within the first couple of weeks in the AFROTC program, we
will issue you a complete uniform, at no cost to you. You are
responsible for keeping the uniform clean and presentable.
Normally, you are required to wear your uniform all day on
Wednesdays, at Leadership Laboratory, and to your Aerospace
Studies class. There are also certain social events scheduled
throughout the year, such as Dining-Out, where the wear of the
uniform is required.
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11. What is my weekly time commitment in AFROTC?
Your weekly time commitment depends on your cadet rank, cadet
position, and optional extracurricular involvement. However,
on average Freshman/Sophomores devote 5-6 hours a week, while
Juniors/Seniors devote 8-9 hours a week to AFROTC, which include
time in your ROTC class.
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12. What summer programs and travel opportunities are available in Air Force ROTC?
You have the option to compete for many of the exciting optional
summer training programs AFROTC offers. You can shadow a junior
officer in a career field of your interest, attend a Foreign Language
Immersion in several countries throughout the world, complete Army
Airborne Training, or experience Combat Survival School. Also, you
can return to field training as a cadet training assistant, work at
NASA as a research assistant, visit the Pentagon to see how the Air
Force operates, or even go to England under the Royal Air Force's
British Exchange Program. Whichever activity you choose, the Air
Force provides your transportation, meals, lodging, and a daily
expense allowance.
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13. Can I participate in intercollegiate athletics while a member of the Air Force ROTC program?
Yes, we highly encourage participation in your school’s activities outside of AFROTC.
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14. What is Leadership Laboratory (LLAB)?
LLAB is a cadet organized and run lab taken each year with your
AFROTC classes. You will spend two hours each week using the
leadership and followership skills and management theory acquired
in class. You also have the opportunity to take orientation flights,
listen to military speakers, visit Air Force bases, view films and
take part in social functions.
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15. How much physical training do I do as an AFROTC cadet?
You are required to participate in at least two one-hour sessions of
Physical Training each week. These sessions are cadet-led, and are
intended to help you maintain excellent physical condition and pass
the required AFROTC Physical Fitness Assessment. Some flexibility in
scheduling exists for distant cross-town school students.
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16. Are there special Air Force ROTC activities during the school year?
Throughout the year, activities take place to help students learn more
about the Air Force and to have fun. These activities may include a visit
to an active-duty Air Force base, aircraft orientation rides, paint ball,
rock climbing, a Dining Out (a formal ball, rich in Air Force tradition),
and many more. Some are optional and some mandatory, but all activities
are scheduled well in advance to help you schedule your time.
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17. What is Field Training, when and how often must I attend it?
Field Training is an intensive, four- or six-week program you attend the
summer after your second year (typically between your sophomore and junior
year) which gives you a first-hand look at the active-duty Air Force and
develops your military leadership and discipline. You will participate in
sport competitions, junior officer education, marksmanship, survival skills,
and physical fitness training. When you finish, you will be ready to return
to your school and assume a leadership position within AFROTC. You only
attend Field Training once as a cadet.
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18. How long is my commitment to the Air Force after graduation and commission?
You commitment depends on your career field. Most officers have a four-year
commitment. However, pilots incur a ten-year commitment after completing pilot
training, and navigators incur six years after training. Air Battle Managers
have a six-year commitment.
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19. What are the benefits of being an Air Force Officer?
While there are many benefits, here are a few highlighted benefits:
1) Starting salary of around $40K, increasing to over $64K in four years
(take-home pay varies depending on location and dependent status)
2) 30 days paid vacation each year
3) Free medical and dental care
4) $400,000 low-cost life insurance
5) Up to 100% of postgraduate tuition paid
6) Worldwide travel opportunities
7) Full retirement benefits after 20 years of service
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20. I want to be a pilot or a navigator, how can I become one?
First, you can major in ANY academic major and qualify as a pilot or navigator.
However, to compete for a pilot or navigator position, you should have a
competitive grade point average, be in excellent physical condition, and score
well on the AFOQT. To compete for the pilot or navigator categories, you must
be able to complete your bachelor's degree and be commissioned before you are
29 years old.
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21. Do I need perfect 20/20 vision to fly in the Air Force?
Not usually, but vision requirements change every year based on number of
applicants, available slots, etc. Call Det 730 at (412) 624-6396 for any
specific qualification questions and for updated vision requirements.
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22. Can I continue my education beyond the baccalaureate level before entering active duty?
Yes. The Air Force offers several opportunities to do so. In many cases
you can request an educational delay. This delay between the time of
commissioning and reporting for active duty will be of sufficient length
to allow you to fulfill the requirements for a professional or master's
degree. You will normally assume all financial obligations.
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23. Can I pursue graduate education after I'm commissioned and on active duty?
The Air Force is education-oriented and financially supports graduate
studies. You can apply for the Air Force Institute of Technology to
earn an advanced, medical, or law degree on full scholarship. Additionally,
most bases have graduate college programs, and you may apply for the
tuition assistance program that pays up to 100 percent of the tuition
cost.
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