UCLA Air Force ROTC: A Comprehensive Overview
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program at UCLA, known as Detachment 055, offers students the opportunity to commission as officers in the Air Force or Space Force while pursuing their academic degrees. The program is a structured training program and not a club. Detachment 055 generally follows the UCLA academic calendar, which includes a fall term that runs from late September to mid-December, a winter term from January through March, and a spring term that runs from April to early June. All of our training sessions take place on Fridays. Students attend a physical fitness session in the morning followed by Leadership Laboratory and AFROTC aerospace studies class(es) in the afternoon.
Program Structure: GMC and POC
The AFROTC program is divided into two phases: the General Military Course (GMC) and the Professional Officer Course (POC).
- General Military Course (GMC): This introductory phase is taken during the first and second years of college. It allows students to explore the military lifestyle for up to two years without incurring any obligation.
- Professional Officer Course (POC): This advanced phase is taken during the junior and senior years. Admission to the POC is contingent upon completing a two-week summer Field Training course.
Curriculum: Aerospace Studies and Leadership Laboratory
The AFROTC curriculum comprises Aerospace Studies classes and Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) training sessions. You are required to complete 12 terms of Aerospace Studies classes. During your first two years, the classes will be one credit hour per quarter. During your second two years, the classes will be three credit hours per quarter.
Aerospace Studies Classes
Air Force ROTC classes cover topics such as military customs and courtesies, development of aerospace power, leadership and communication theories, and national defense policy. Here's a brief overview of each of the Aerospace Studies classes:
- AS 101/102 DAF Professionalism: AS101, “Department of the Air Force (DAF) Professionalism,” is designed to introduce students to the DAF and its culture, providing an overview of essential attributes required for success in this context. AS102, “Competition and Security,” introduces students to the concept of national security from a broad perspective, encompassing the military’s involvement in securing national interests through a range of activities from cooperation to armed conflict. This course is designed to lay a solid foundation for understanding the multifaceted nature of global security and the critical role of the DAF in maintaining peace and security.
- AS 200 Team & Leadership Fundamentals: This course provides a fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building. The lessons and course flow are designed to prepare students for field training and leadership positions in the detachment.
- AS 300 Leading People and Effective Communication: This course utilizes the student’s field training experience to take a more in-depth look at leadership. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing communication skills and why that is important as a leader. Students have an opportunity to try out these leadership and management techniques in a supervised environment as juniors and seniors.
- AS 400 National Security and Preparation for Active-Duty: This course is designed for college seniors and provides them the foundation to understand their role as military officers and how they are directly tied to our National Security. Provides students to learn leadership skills through participation in our military training program.
Leadership Laboratory (LLAB)
In addition to classroom instruction, students participate in weekly Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) training sessions, where they put into practice the leadership skills and management theories discussed in the classroom. LLAB activities include basic military drill and ceremonies, guest speakers, challenging group problem-solving activities, and physical fitness training. Active-duty officers provide oversight, but the LLAB program is run by the students in the cadet wing.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
Physical Fitness
All cadets are required to take a Fitness Assessment (FA) each semester. The FA consists of sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run. To prepare for the FA, and to ensure that cadets are able to meet the physical fitness standards, cadets participate in two mandatory PT sessions each week.
Enrollment and Important Information
Students may enroll if attending online classes if the university has a crosstown agreement with Det 055 and they are full time. If you already have a WINGS account (from HSSP or past applications), use that login. It is important to disclose all prior civil, legal, or academic infractions including minor traffic violations. Additionally, write down your WINGS username and password.
Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA
Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors
tags: #UCLA #Air #Force #ROTC #program #details
