Do I have to be a student at Howard University to be part of Detachment 130?

Not at all! Detachment 130 hosts a number of crosstown schools which you can attend while still being part of the program.

Our crosstown schools include the following:

  • Catholic University of America,
  • George Washington University,
  • Georgetown University,
  • University of the District of Columbia,
  • American University,
  • Marymount University, and
  • Trinity University. 

What are the requirements for the program?

You must be a full-time student at Howard University or one of our crosstown schools.

The program starts every fall and takes three years to complete at a minimum for undergraduate students or two if you have prior military experience and get approved for an accelerated program. 

Can I join during the spring semester?

Yes, freshmen will join the class of freshmen who join in the fall.

In the following fall, you will take an extra class to receive the information you missed from fall of the previous year. For sophomores, admission is made on a case-by-case basis. 

What is Field Training and do I need to attend it?

AFROTC cadets participate in a 13 day rigorous training program the summer before their junior year of college. Field Training is the equivalent of Air Force Boot Camp for AFROTC cadets. 

Field Training takes place at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. While at Field Training, you will receive weapons familiarization, physical training, officer training, career orientation, survival training, and familiarization of organizations within an Air Force base.

Do I need to sign an active duty contract in order to join?

Not to join AFROTC.

If you are a high school scholarship recipient, you will have one year to try out the program and decide if it is something that you want to continue to do. After that one year, you will be under contract for four years active duty and four years reserves.

If you are not a scholarship recipient, you will not be under contract until you return from Field Training. At that point, you would need to sign the contract for the Air Force for four years active duty and four years reserves.

What is the schedule for AFROTC?

AFROTC cadets will participate in an Aerospace Studies course, Leadership Laboratory, and Physical Training for a minimum of five hours a week.

Cadets who are cross town students will perform one physical training session at the host university followed by one session at their respective campus.