There are three main components of AFROTC. Those components are Aerospace Studies courses, Leadership Laboratory, and Physical Training. At any detachment across the nation, you will variations of the three components. Look below to see a brief description of how we do things at Syracuse University through Detachment 535.
Aerospace Studies
Each year of the four-year program has one level of Aerospace Studies lecture courses. Typically, the freshman and sophomore courses are one credit hour each while the junior and senior courses are three credit hours each.
- The freshman level courses provide the new cadet with a general overview of the Air Force. The topics include introduction to uniform wear, customs and courtesies, benefits, careers, bases, and standards.
- The sophomore level courses will start to introduce more advanced lessons of team and leadership fundamentals.
- The junior level course is a more detailed look at leadership as the cadets take a more prominent leadership role in the functions in the detachment.
- The senior level courses are all about regional studies and equipping the soon-to-be officer with the tools necessary to succeed once on active duty.
Leadership Laboratory
Cadets meet once a week for two hours to complete this requirement. Leadership Laboratory is broken into two different levels. During the lab environment, the General Military Course cadets (freshmen and sophomores) are instructed by the Professional Officer Course cadets (juniors and seniors) on various topics. Those topics include things such as drill and ceremonies, customs and courtesies, leadership, and followership as they prepare their fellow cadets for Field Training.
The Professional Officer Course cadets plan and execute the required training objectives each week, taking on additional responsibility for the coordination of Leadership Laboratory and development of the underclassman cadets.
Physical Training
We meet for physical training several times each week, varying from the field at the JMA Wireless Dome to the Barnes Center Gym or even a workout outdoors on the Syracuse campus. During these workouts, cadets prepare for their Physical Fitness Assessment, familiarize themselves with fellow cadets, and have a chance to lead the detachment in exercises. Workouts are typically dynamic in nature and can include intense levels of both aerobic and anaerobic workouts.