Philadelphia Biblical University students are eligible to participate in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) through a cross-town agreement with Saint Joseph’s University. This agreement allows Philadelphia Biblical University students to take Aerospace Studies classes at Saint Joseph’s University and earn a commission as an Air Force officer while concurrently satisfying requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
The AFROTC program at Saint Joseph’s University offers 1- to 4-year curricula leading to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. In the 4-year curriculum, students take classes as part of the General Military Corps (GMC) during the freshman and sophomore years.
Students will also attend a four-week summer training program following the spring semester of the sophomore year. Upon their return, students then progress to the remaining two-year curriculum, taking courses corresponding to the Professional Officer Corps (POC) during the junior and senior years. Those who begin the program as juniors enroll in the two-year curriculum and attend a five-week summer training program following the spring semester of the junior year. Accordingly, students who enter as sophomores are part of the three-year curriculum and take the second half of GMC courses. Entering seniors will be in the one-year curriculum and take the remaining half of POC courses followed by a seven-week summer training program. Students are under no contractual obligation to the Air Force until they accept an Air Force scholarship as sophomores or later status, or enter the POC.
The subject matter of the freshman and sophomore years is developed from an historical perspective, and focuses on the scope, structure, and history of military power with the emphasis on the development of air power. During the junior and senior years, the curriculum concentrates on the concepts and practices of leadership and management, and the role of national security forces in contemporary American society.
In addition to the academic portion of the curriculum, students participate in a two-hour Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) each week. During this period, the day-to-day skills and working environment of the Air Force are discussed, explained, and simulated. The leadership lab is structured to allow students to practice leadership and management techniques through various methods.
Air Force ROTC offers two-, three-, and four-year scholarships on a competitive basis to qualified applicants. All scholarships cover tuition, application fees, lab fees, the cost of textbooks, and also provide a $250, $300, $350, or $400 tax-free monthly stipend. For further information about the program, scholarships, and career opportunities, contact AFROTC Det 750, Saint Joseph’s University, 5600 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1399, (610) 660-3190/3191. Information is also available on the Detachment 750 website at http://www.det750.com
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