~ NCO Corner ~

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 This FAQ is just a small sampling of what is asked of us throughout the year.  Throughout this FAQ and at the end you will find links that will take you to specific point papers that go into more detail on certain subjects.

     1.  How long is the AFROTC Program?
     2.  Do I have to take the AFOQT?
     3.  What are the minimum requirements, and how many times can I take the AFOQT?
     4.  What is the attendance requirement for AFROTC?
     5.  Can I come back into the program after waiting a year, if I fail?
     6.  What Civil involvements must I report?
     7.  What's the difference between a Non-Contracted and Contracted Cadet?
     8.  What GPA do I have to maintain?
     9.  What amount of credit hours do I have to maintain?
     10. Are summer PDT programs available for all Cadets?
     11. Why can't Special Students volunteer for a PDT?
     12. Why can't AS200/250's volunteer for a PDT?
     13. Where is Field Training conducted?
     14. How long do I have to pass the PFA?
     15. What is a conditional event?
     16. How can I get a Scholarship?
     17. How many types of scholarships are there in these programs?
     18. What about book money?
     19. Is there any other money given to AFROTC Cadets?
     20. As a new cadet coming into the program do I have to bring the originals of my birth certificate and
           social security card and the other documents listed?
     21. How long will the In-processing appointment take?
     22. Is any of this information releasable to my parents or guardians?
     23. Do I have to have a full medical exam upon entering the program my first year?
     24. How long is Field Training?
     25. What uniforms are issued to cadets?
     26. How long before I can be issued uniforms?
     27. Is there a specific order as to who gets uniforms first?
     28. How do I get a Security Clearance?
     29. How do I get a Pilot, Combat Systems Officer or Air Battle Manager Slot?
     30. IS ASTHMA DISQUALIFYING FOR MILITARY SERVICE?
     31. ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS TO GET A PILOT SLOT IN THE AIR FORCE?
     32. WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM STANDING AND SITTING HEIGHTS FOR THE AIR FORCE?
     33. IS DODMERB THE FINAL AUTHORITY ON MY MEDICAL QUALIFICATION?
     34. WHAT OTHER MEDICAL ISSUES COULD BE DISQUALIFYING MILITARY SERVICE?
     35. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO STUDY ABROAD IN AFROTC?
     36. HOW CAN I BECOME AN OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS (OSI) AGENT?
     37. WHAT ARE THE COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS TO THE AIR FORCE?
     38. ONCE I COMMISSION WILL I BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE NEW POST 9/11 GI BILL?
     39. WHAT IS DoDMERB?
     40. WHEN WILL I BE SCHEDULED FOR A DoDMERB?
     41. HOW LONG IS MY DoDMERB GOOD FOR?

1.  How long is the AFROTC Program?

The program here at UNCC is a 4 year program.  The program can be extended to 5 years depending on the Degree path you are taking.

2.  Do I have to take the AFOQT?

Yes, it is a requirement for all who wish to commission into the Air Force through AFROTC.

3.  What are the minimum requirements, and how many times can I take the AFOQT?

             - Minimum of 15 on Verbal and 10 on Quantitative

            - For Pilot must have a Minimum of 25 on Pilot and 10 on Navigator

            - For Navigator must have a Minimum of 25 on Navigator and 10 on Pilot

            - You NEED a combined score of 50+ to qualify for Pilot or Navigator

            - Only 2 shots to take, but can be waived in certain circumstances

 4.  What is the attendance requirement for AFROTC?

 Cadets must attend 80% of their AS Classes and LLAB and PT.  If a cadet misses more than the allowable amount, they will fail AFROTC and be dismissed or disenrolled from the program.

 5.  Can I come back into the program after waiting a year, if I fail?

 Yes but only if HQ AFROTC grants a waiver.

6.  What Civil involvements must I report?

All civil involvements must be reported from parking tickets/warnings, to DWI, DUI etc.

7.  What's the difference between a Non-Contracted and Contracted Cadet?

A contracted cadet is one who is on Scholarship or is a junior or Senior in the program.  A Non-Contracted cadet is a freshman or sophomore who is not on scholarship in the program.

8.  What GPA do I have to maintain?

Term GPA 2.0 for Non-Contracted / Contracted Non-Scholarship

Term GPA 2.5 for Contracted on Scholarship

Cum GPA 2.0 to Graduate from UNCC

9.  What amount of credit hours do I have to maintain?

Undergraduate Students must maintain 12 Credit hours to be considered full-time students

Graduate Students must maintain 9 Credit hours to be considered full-time students

 10.  Are summer PDT programs available for all Cadets?

No, Only AS100, AS300, and AS400 moving to completed status can attend a PDT.  Also the cadet must meet all AFROTC standards to include PFA, Body Fat, Academic and Military retention standards.   Special Students cannot volunteer for a PDT, neither can AS200/250's.

11.  Why can't Special Students volunteer for a PDT?

They are not Active members in the cadet corps for one reason or another as they have not met all standards to be an active member.

 12.  Why can't AS200/250's volunteer for a PDT?

They will attend Field Training during the summer between their AS200 and AS300 year.  This is a mandatory training and cannot be moved to another summer unless a medical condition arises to make it so.

 13.  Where is Field Training conducted?

At Maxwell AFB AL

14.  How long do I have to pass the PFA?

Freshman Scholarship Cadets have until the end of their first fall term to pass the PFA or be disenrolled from the program.  Freshman Cadets who are not on scholarship only have to attempt to pass the PFA but they must pass it the fall semester of the AS200 year, also if a cadet has 3 semesters of failing the PFA they will be dismissed from the program.  If a contracted cadet passes the PFA then fails it that will be a conditional event.

 15.  What is a conditional event?

 A conditional event, put in simplest terms is a 3 strike rule.  If you get 3 conditional events you will be disenrolled from the program.  You can receive conditional events only when contracted and for a variety of reasons such as Academic Standards, Military Standards, PFA Failure, Honor Code Violation etc.

 16.  How can I get a Scholarship?

 There are 5 different types of scholarship programs; they are HSSP, ICSP, EXP, HBCU or NSP.  Each of these programs is designed specifically for a group of people.  You can find more by clicking on this link:  Scholarship Point Paper

17.  How many types of scholarships are there in these programs?

 There are 6 Types of scholarships and each pays different amounts of the tuition and fees.

 18.  What about book money?

 Book money is paid evenly over all scholarship types at $900.00 per year or $450.00 per semester.

 19.  Is there any other money given to AFROTC Cadets?

 Yes, but only if you are on Contract.  Contracted Cadets are given a monthly stipend or living allowance based upon their AS Year.  You can find more by clicking on this link:  Money Point Paper

20.  As a new cadet coming into the program do I have to bring the originals of my birth certificate and social security card and the other documents listed?

 Yes, we need to verify that we have seen the originals per AFROTCI 36-2011

21.  How long will the In-processing appointment take?

 Depending on if you are the only person or there are multiple cadets being in processed it could take from 60 minutes to 2 hours.

 22.  Is any of this information releasable to my parents or guardians?

 No, if you are 18 years of age we are required by law to protect your personal information under the Privacy Act of 1974 and will not discuss your progress in the AFROTC program or your grades with parents or guardians, that is your responsibility if you so choose.

23.  Do I have to have a full medical exam upon entering the program my first year?

 No, only those cadets on scholarship will have a full medical exam which is accomplished through the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board or DoDMERB.  You will be scheduled for a DoDMERB at the beginning of your AS200 year.  You can read more about the medical process by clicking on this link:  Medical Point Paper

 24.  How long is Field Training?

 It depends if you are a standard cadet it is 4 weeks long, if you are an extended cadet who didn't start the program on time and missed their first year, you will be at field training for 5 weeks.

 25.  What uniforms are issued to cadets?

 Due to the length of what is issued, we did not place the answer here, but you can find that answer by clicking on this link:  Uniforms Point Paper

26.  How long before I can be issued uniforms?

 Under our current program which is Issue-In-Kind cadets cannot be issued uniforms until after the 60th day of the Host Institution. 

27.  Is there a specific order as to who gets uniforms first?

 Yes, and you can see that order at this link:  Uniforms Point Paper

28.  How do I get a Security Clearance?

Security Clearances are not started on cadets until they are within 23 months of commissioning/graduation.  You can read more at this link:  Security Clearance Point Paper

 29.  How do I get a Pilot, Combat Systems Officer or Air Battle Manager Slot?

 This process is a bit more complicated than a 1 or 2 line answer, but you can find out how by clicking on this link:  Rated Officer Selection Point Paper

 30.  Is Asthma disqualifying for military service?

There are 2 answers to this question, one if you have suffered with asthma and have used an inhaler after the age of 13 then yes it is disqualifying, if you have not used an inhaler and have not had an episode since before the age of 13 then it is waiverable by HQ AETC/SGPS

 31.  Are there any special medical requirements to get a pilot slot in the Air Force?

Yes, since you will be flying a multi-million dollar airplane, there are strict medical standards to receive a pilot slot. The main areas in AFROTC we look at in the beginning are eye sight, hearing, depth perception, color vision, standing and sitting height.

Eye Sight - You don't have to have perfect 20/20 vision to be a pilot but your vision does have to meet certain standards, but since we are not medical personnel we can't provide that information we can however tell you that if you don't qualify for Pilot because of eye sight you can (at your own expense) obtain Corneal Refractive Surgery (CRS). There are four different types of CRS surgery you can obtain and they are PRK, LASEK, Epi-LASIK, and LASIK. We provide you with the documentation and checklist that must be completed by your surgeon to ensure you meet the qualifications for flying status. The above also applies to the Combat Systems Officer (Navigator) position as well.

 32. What is the minimum and maximum standing and sitting heights for the Air Force?

For standard entry into the Air Force Males less than 60" tall or greater than 80" tall can be disqualified for entry into military service. Females less than 58" tall or greater than 80" tall can be disqualified for entry into military service. There is no sitting height for general entry in to military service unless on flying status.

STANDING:
(Pilot) any gender less than 64" or more than 77" is disqualified from becoming a pilot.
(Combat Systems Officer) any gender less than 64" or more than 77" is disqualified from becoming a CSO.

SITTING:
(Pilot) any gender less than 34" or more than 40" is disqualified from becoming a pilot.
(Combat Systems Officer) any gender less than 33" or greater than 40" is disqualified from becoming a CSO.

 33.  Is DoDMERB the final authority on my medical qualification for service?

No. DoDMERB has to go by the AFI they cannot deviate from it, so if they find in your medical exam or records a disqualifying factor they will automatically disqualify you for service. This however doesn't mean you cannot continue in the program. After DoDMERB disqualifies you your package is automatically submitted to HQ AETC/SGPS (Air Education and Training Command Surgeon General) who has final say and waiver authority for all entry medicals into the Air Force.

 34.  What other medical issues could be disqualifying for military service?

There are numerous items listed in the Air Force Instructions (AFI) in regards to medical issues for military service. To talk more about them please contact us by e-mail det592@uncc.edu or phone 704-687-8100, and your questions will be directed to the appropriate individual.

35.  Who is eligible to study abroad in AFROTC?

Only Contracted (Non-Scholarship) or Contracted (Scholarship) cadets who's Degree completion requires a study abroad can do this program.  Again it must be a "REQUIREMENT" in your Major or Degree Path.

36.  How can I become an Office of Special Investigations (OSI) Agent?

This is an in-depth question please see Talking paper located here.

37.  What are the Commitment Requirements to the Air Force?

It depends on your level of participation within the program and if you are on scholarship.  First if you are not on scholarship there is no commitment to the Air Force during the first 2 years of the program.  After you have completed those 2 years and attending and completed Field Training successfully you will be contracted into the Obligated Reserve or (ORS) for the Air Force, which will put you on contract with AFROTC after that you will be required to commit to at least 4 years of active duty service.  If you are a High School Scholarship winner and were contracted within the first week of classes starting at UNCC the first year is a trial period for you, and if you don't like it you can walk away without any consequences or having to pay back the scholarship monies paid during your freshman year.  If you continue into your 2nd year (sophomore year) of AFROTC, once you attend your first class of AS200 you will be contractually obligated to the Air Force for a minimum of 4 years of active duty service.  If you receive a scholarship while in the program called an In-College Scholarship once you are contracted and begin receive monies you will be contractually obligated to the Air Force for a minimum of 4 years of active duty service.  Now when you get categorized in your Junior year (4 year program cadets) or senior year (5 year program cadets) this obligation could change if you receive a Pilot, Combat System's Officer (CSO), or Air Battle Manager (ABM) slot.  If you are awarded a Pilot Slot your commitment to the Air Force will be 10 years, for CSO and ABM your commitment will be 6 years.

NOTE:  If you just wish to take the Aerospace Studies classes for college credit, you can do this as well and not be obligated to the Air Force.

38.  Once I commission will I be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill?

Yes, but there are some stipulations.  Any non-scholarship cadet is automatically eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill after 3 years of active duty service.  Any scholarship cadet who wishes to have the Post 9/11 GI Bill MUST serve an additional 3 years beyond their Active Duty Service Commitment.  So a Pilot has a 10 year active duty commitment after completion of pilot training, to be eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill he/she must serve and additional 3 years beyond those 10 years to be eligible for a total of 13 years.  A CSO and ABM must serve an additional 3 years beyond their initial 6 years to be eligible for a total of 9 years.

39.  What is a DoDMERB?

DoDMERB is the Acronym for the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board.  They are the medical authority for entry and scholarship approval for AFROTC.  DoDMERB is bound by AFI 48-123 V1 - V4.  If you have a condition that is disqualifying they will disqualify you, but you will be automatically submitted for a waiver to the AETC/SG (surgeon generals office) who is the final say on all medical issues for AFROTC.

40.  When will I be scheduled for a DoDMERB?

For the most part you will not be scheduled for a DoDMERB here at Det 592 until the Fall Semester of your AS200 (sophomore) year.  The only other way to be scheduled for a DoDMERB is if you are nominated for a Scholarship.

41.  How long is my DoDMERB good for?

In general ALL DoDMERB Physicals are valid for 48 months (4 years) from the date of the exam.  For cadets being awarded or on scholarship they must be placed on contract within 24 months (2 years) of the date of the exam or a new DoDMERB will be required.  All other cadets who will be contracted but not on scholarship just need to be contracted within the 48 month time period.

 The links listed below on the right will take you to a more detailed explanation of each subject.  Please feel free to click on any of those links.  The links on the right are the forms that are used in certain areas of the program, which you will use at least once throughout your time in our program. 

All questions concerning this website should be directed to the webmaster at:
det592@uncc.edu
Phone: 704-687-8100
Fax: 704-687-3328

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Current as of: 29 Jan 2010 11:06

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