Air and Space Studies

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Chairman:  Lt. Col. John Bales

The Department of Air and Space Studies offers the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) leadership development curriculum as an elective program to eligible male and female qualified students who wish to pursue commissions as officers in the U.S. Air Force. The program has two phases, a General Military Course (GMC) taken during the first two years and a Professional Officer Course (POC) taken during the last two years. Entry into the POC is competitive and is based upon demonstrated proficiency in the GMC, medical qualifications, academic standing, physical conditioning requirements, the successful completion of field training, aptitude for further officer training, and citizenship. The program consists of academic courses, Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) and Physical Training (PT).

Cadets selected for entry into the POC must attend several weeks of Field Training in the summer immediately preceding their junior year. Additionally, opportunities exist to attend Professional Development Training (PDT) during the summer months. These programs include freefall training, space operations, language and cultural immersion, combative courses, nurse orientation, and many others. Base visit opportunities are used to familiarize cadets with the real-world Air Force operations. Other extracurricular activities include the drill team, honor guard, and Taylor Trophy and Silver Falcons intramural sports teams. Cadets may also join the Arnold Air Society service organization.

Air Force scholarships are awarded on a merit basis and are available to both high school seniors and full-time college students. Multiple-year scholarships are available. Refer to the Air and Space Studies Web site at the following address: http://aas.union.rpi.edu/site_det550 or call (518) 276-6236.

Air and Space Leadership Studies Minor

The minor in Air and Space Leadership Studies is offered to any student completing the Air Force ROTC academic course of study (Leadership Laboratory does not apply). The minor provides any student the opportunity to study one of our country’s major organizational military instruments of power, the United States Air Force. In addition to studying Air Force organizations, missions, and operations, the student will gain a broad perspective of the Department of Defense in general by studying the foundations of the Air Force, the History of the Air Force, Leadership and Management Studies, and National Security studies.

Joint Military Studies Minor

A minor in Joint Military Studies is available to any student by completing 16 credit hours of ROTC academic coursework. The minor provides any student the opportunity to study U.S. military instruments of power. The student will gain a broad perspective of Department of Defense leadership, management, skills, and careers by studying the foundations and history of the Services, leadership and management, and national security studies.

Active Duty Obligation

Enrollment in Air and Space Studies courses carries no obligation to the Air Force; the academic courses are open to all students. Students who complete the Air Force ROTC program and receive a commission normally incur a four-year active duty service commitment. Commissioned officers selected for flying duty will incur additional commitments from the time they complete their pilot training. Students who do not pursue an Air Force commission but desire to complete the courses for a minor are considered special status students and do not incur any active duty service commitment. Field Training and PDT are not available to Special Status students. Other activities may be available based on current policy. 

Faculty*

Professor: J. Bales
Assistant Professor: C. Steele

*Departmental faculty listings are accurate as of the date generated for inclusion in this catalog. For the most up-to-date listing of faculty positions, including end-of-year promotions, please refer to the Faculty Roster section of this catalog, which is current as of the May 2017 Board of Trustees meeting.

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