Aerospace Studies

Lieutenant Colonel William C. Pleasants
AFROTC / Aerospace Studies
Box: 2236 DePuy Military Hall
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
605-688-6106
bonnie.luecke@sdstate.edu
Det780@maxwell.af.mil

Faculty
Lieutenant Colonel Pleasants, Professor of Aerospace Studies, Head; Assistant Professor Beaudoin.

Department Overview
The Department of Aerospace Studies is dedicated to training college students for successful careers as officers in the United States Air Force. The department is home of the Flying Jacks–Air Force ROTC Detachment 780 at South Dakota State University. The detachment has had a long history of providing leaders for the nation’s Air Force. The AFROTC leadership development program is open to student in any major and is of long range value whether one pursues a military or civilian career.

Programs
Aerospace Studies Minor

Facilities and Services
The detachment is headquartered in the basement level, Room 3 of DePuy Military Hall at SDSU’s main campus in Brookings, South Dakota.

Student Support Opportunities
Air Force ROTC scholarships are available for qualified undergraduate students. These scholarships pay full tuition and fees at SDSU, $900 per year for textbooks, and a monthly stipend of $250 per month for freshmen rising to $400 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 $350 to $400.”

Student Engagement Opportunities
In additional to military and academic training, students have opportunities to travel, connect with vets, and serve the local community.

Flying Irish AFROTC Basketball Tournament - Annually the cadets will take a trip to Notre Dame and compete in a basketball tournament with the other detachments from around the country.
Royal Blue Drill Team - Cadets have an opportunity to work with the color guard. Upon proving proficiency they perform at various ceremonies in the local community.
Vets and Cadets - A program that encourages local veterans to spend some time mentoring, counseling, and motivating cadets. This program gives cadets the opportunity to give back to some of the men and women that have paved the way for them.