Aerospace Studies Minor

Program Contact/Coordinator
Lieutenant Colonel William C. Pleasants
AFROTC / Aerospace Studies
Box 2236 DePuy Military Hall
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 57007
Bonnie.Luecke@sdstate.edu
Det780@maxwell.af.mil
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Program Description
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.

Additional Academic Requirements
Students entering AFROTC must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, maintain 2.0 GPA until their sophomore year and then maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in AFROTC courses to earn this minor.
Students must be a sole US citizen, either by birth or by naturalization.

Course Delivery Format
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.

Commission
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:

1. 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.
2. Apply for a delay in entering active duty for the purpose of pursuing an advanced degree.
3. 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.