Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to join as a freshman?

• No, but cadets must participate in the program for at least three years in order to meet all Air Force ROTC graduation requirements.

When do cadets take the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOTQ)

• The AFOQT is typically taken during the fall of your sophomore year, although those wishing for a better score my retake the test another time.

What uniforms will I get issued?

• A cadet would be issued operational camouflaged uniform (OCP's), Air Force Blue, and Air Force Service Dress.

When will I get issued uniforms?

• Uniforms are issued based on supply, but with a normal cadet experience, Blues and Service Dress are issued in the spring of Freshman year and OCP's are in the fall of Sophomore year.

What is AS100 (IMT)?

• "Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force," is a survey course designed to introduce students to the United States Air Force and provides an overview of the basic characteristics, missions, and organization of the Air Force.

What is AS200 (FTP)?

• "Team and Leadership Fundamentals," focuses on laying the foundation for teams and leadership. The topics include skills that will allow cadets to improve their leadership on a personal level and within a team. The courses will prepare cadets for their field training experience where they will be able to put the concepts learned into practice. The purpose is to instill a leadership mindset and to motivate sophomore students to transition from AFROTC cadet to AFROTC officer candidate

What is AS300 (ICL)?

• "Leading People and Effective Communication," teaches cadets advanced skills and knowledge in management and leadership. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing leadership skills and communication. Cadets have an opportunity to try out these leadership and management techniques in a supervised environment as juniors and seniors

What is AS400 (SCL)?

• "National Security Affairs/Preparation for Active Duty," is designed for college seniors and gives them the foundation to understand their role as military officers in American society. It is an overview of the complex social and political issues facing the military profession and requires a measure of sophistication commensurate with the senior college level. The final semester provides information that will prepare the cadets for Active Duty.

What is Physical Training (PT)?

• PT is group workouts to help individuals in our detachment establish physical readiness. It is held twice a week.

What is Leadership Laboratory (LLAb/LeadLab)?

• LLAB is where cadets are about to build a foundation and understanding of leadership, public speaking, event planning and management, as well as developing those skills

What is a Cadet Training Exercise (CTX)?

• A CTX is a day long training event for cadets. They were created so that out detachment can still train cadets in person through RPI's covid policy.

What are Mandatory Professional Military Training (PMT) Events?

• Mandatory PMT events are LLAB and PT. These are the events all cadets have to attend.

What are Non-Mandatory Professional Military Training Events?

• Non-PMT events are events like CTXs, UDT, FTCC, and FTP. While attendance is not not mandatory for these events, they are highly encouraged.

What is a Crosstowner?

• A crosstowner is a cadet that is not a student at RPI (the host school), and from a satellite school. All of the satellite schools are: Albany Law School, Albany Medical College, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Excelsior College, Hartwick, The College of Saint Rose, Skidmore, Siena College, Schenectady Community College, Sage College of Albany, Russell Sage College, Montgomery County Community College, Maria College, Hudson Valley Community College, SUNY Empire State College, University at Albany, Williams , SUNY Cobleskill, Columbia Green Community College and SUNY Adirondack.

What is FT?

• Field training (FT) is an intense, 2 week leadership challenge that occurs during the summer months, typically 2 years before graduation. It is designed to evaluate leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, critical-thinking and communication skills. Cadets currently attend Field Training at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

What is Arnold Air Society (AAS)?

• Arnold Air Society is a national organization that gives cadets professional experience, as well as being a service organization advocating the support of aerospace power.

What is Silver Wings (SW)?

• Silver Wings is a national, co-ed, professional organization dedicated to creating proactive, knowledgeable, and effective civic leaders through community service and education about national defense.

What is Honor Guard?

• Honor guard is an elite team that carries and guards the colors using specialized drill movements. The team consists of three flag bearers, two rifle bearers, and a commander.

What is Armed Drill Team?

• We perform competitive exhibition drill with rifles (M1 Garand). Unlike UDT, we use rifles; unlike the Honor Guard, (we’re better) we don’t use flags and our team size is much bigger