University of Portland Bulletin 2016-2017

Air Force ROTC Aerospace Studies

Col. Scott D. Peel, Professor of Aerospace Studies

Faculty: Virell, Parker, Schultz, Ingersoll

The faculty of Aerospace Studies is organized to administer the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) classes and related experiences.

Air Force ROTC offers to men and women four- and three-year programs which lead to an Air Force commission. Students who qualify may elect to pursue any one of these programs. In addition, Air Force ROTC offers many scholarships to qualified students. Two-, three-, and four-year scholarships are available which pay partial or full tuition, fees, a book allowance, and a monthly stipend that varies by academic year.

The four-year program requires student participation during four academic years. The first two years, students are enrolled in the General Military Course (GMC) one credit hour each term. During the spring term of the sophomore year, students compete for entry into the Professional Officer Course (POC). Those selected will attend a four-week field training course, normally during the summer between their sophomore and junior years, and enter the POC at the beginning of their junior year. In the POC, cadets hold the rank of cadet officers and participate in planning, organizing, and conducting the leadership laboratory training. This training is the application of leadership and management theory they have learned. On completion of the POC, the four-week field training course, and receipt of a baccalaureate degree, cadets are commissioned in the Air Force as second lieutenants.

The three-year program is similar to the four-year program but requires students in their first year of AFROTC to be concurrently enrolled in both the sophomore and freshman GMC course, a total of two semester hours each term.

Entry Requirements: All students accepted into the Professional Officer Course (POC) must:

  1. Be a citizen of the United States.
  2. Successfully pass a physical examination (paid for by the Air Force).
  3. Successfully pass the Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment.
  4. Meet minimum predetermined academic and qualitative selection standards.

For further information, contact the Aerospace Studies Program, University of Portland, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97203-5798. (503) 943-7216. Toll Free (800) 227-4568, ext. 7216.