Aerospace Studies Minor

Program Coordinator/Contact
Lt Col Craig D. McCuin
AFROTC / Aerospace Studies
Box 2236 DePuy Military Hall
605-688-6106
E-mail: bonnie.luecke@sdstate.edu
E-mail: det780@us.af.mil
Click here for additional information.  

Program Information
Satisfactory completion of the four-year Air Force ROTC program, 18 credits, constitutes a minor in Aerospace Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completing an Aerospace Studies minor, students should be able to:

• Understand and demonstrate leadership principles, methods and skills.
• Effectively apply leadership skills including problem solving, coordination, control, delegation, dynamic leadership, and taking the initiative.
• Comprehend professional qualities including loyalty, discipline, dedication and integrity.  Accepting responsibility, develop attention to detail, situational awareness, professional attitude and human relations awareness.
• Effectively demonstrate communication skills.  Be clear, concise, articulate and confident with verbal and written skills.
• Comprehend and implement effective judgment and decision making skills including time management, resources, learning from mistakes and reacting to counseling.
• Comprehend a warrior ethos.  The ability to adapt to stress and change, austere environments and adapt to the expeditionary environment.
• Demonstrate dynamic followership through supporting and motivating others, enhancing team cohesiveness and contributing to the team.
• Comprehend the breadth and depth of National Security requirements of the United States.
• Understand the historical significance and legacy of the U.S. Air Force and its contributions to our National Security.
• Comprehend the chain of command within the military branches.
• Comprehend and demonstrate positive ethics to a variety of scenarios.
• Comprehend and demonstrate the Air Force’s core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.
• Comprehend current challenges of our Combatant Commands and their future roles as officers within those commands.

Academic Requirements
Students entering AFROTC must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, maintain 2.0 GPA through their sophomore year and then maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA their junior and senior year 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 an active duty 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. After initial aviation training, 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.