Aerospace Studies (AIR)

(Air Force ROTC)
Lieutenant Colonel Carleton H. Hirschel, Head
Department of Aerospace Studies
DePuy Military Hall 003
605-688-6106
e-mail: bonnie.luecke@sdstate.edu

Faculty

Lieutenant Colonel Hirschel, Professor of Aerospace Studies, Head; Assistant Professors Major Hunter, 1Lt Den Hoed.

Programs

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program is conducted by the Department of Aerospace Studies. The purpose of this leadership development program is to enable qualified undergraduate and graduate students to become commissioned officers in the United States Air Force. AFROTC learning experiences will be of long range value whether one pursues a military or civilian career.

The Aerospace Studies curriculum is divided into two courses of instruction. The General Military Course (GMC) is a one-credit academic course and laboratory taken each semester during the freshman and sophomore years. The Professional Officer Course (POC) is a three-credit academic course and laboratory taken each semester during the junior and senior years. Additional curriculum options are available to accommodate freshman students pursuing undergraduate degrees that normally require five years to complete and to accommodate undergraduate students who have three years remaining to complete their degrees. The laboratory includes a mandatory physical fitness program in which all students must have a physical exam certified by competent medical authority. These physicals are available through SDSU Student Health for a nominal fee. All students pursuing a commission will also attend field training at a designated Air Force base during a summer, normally between their sophomore and junior years.

Upon graduation and completion of the AFROTC curriculum, each student is commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. The initial Air Force assignment options for second lieutenants include the following:

Enter the Air Force and complete the designated technical training prerequisite to the lieutenant’s assigned specialty; e.g., flight training, research and development, management, support functions, etc.
Apply for a delay in entering active duty for the purpose of pursuing an advanced degree.
Enroll in one of several Air Force-sponsored graduate study programs while serving with full pay as a commissioned officer.

Upon entering the Air Force, newly commissioned second lieutenants incur an active duty commitment of four years. Those competing and selected for navigator and air battle management specialties incur a six year commitment; those selected for pilot training incur a ten year commitment.

Professional Development and Flight Orientation Programs

Air Force ROTC cadets have the opportunity to participate in numerous Professional Development Training programs during the summer months of each academic year. Some of these include visits to Air Force installations in the U.S. and overseas, shadow programs with active duty officers in all Air Force specialties, foreign language immersion, parachuting, flying gliders, observing spacelift operations, medical and nurse orientation programs, combat survival, etc. Flight orientation is conducted year round at Air Force and Air National Guard facilities and with local aviation programs and Civil Air Patrol squadrons.

Tuition Assistance

All Air Force ROTC courses are tuition free for all students. All Air Force ROTC cadets who are South Dakota residents and who are not on an Air Force scholarship receive a 50% tuition reduction for all courses taken during four semesters of their junior and senior years.

Air Force ROTC Scholarships

Air Force ROTC scholarships are available for qualified undergraduate and graduate students in all academic degrees. These scholarships pay full tuition and fees at SDSU, $900 per year for textbooks, and a monthly stipend of $300 per month for freshmen rising to $500 per month for seniors. All non-scholarship students in the Professional Officer Course who are on contract with Air Force ROTC qualify for the monthly stipend of $450 to $500.

Minor in Aerospace Studies

Satisfactory completion of the four-year Air Force ROTC program, 16 credits, constitutes a minor in Aerospace Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in AFROTC courses to earn this minor.