Cairn 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 Cairn 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.
Objectives
The AFROTC objectives are to:
- Recruit, select, and retain officer candidates until they are commissioned as second lieutenants in the US Air Force;
- Provide college-level education that qualifies cadets for commissioning in the US Air Force; and
- Develop each cadet’s sense of personal integrity, honor, and individual responsibility; enhance knowledge of how the US Air Force serves the national interest; increase understanding of officer professionalism in the US Air Force; and develop potential as a leader and manager.
The Program
The Department of Aerospace Studies through Saint Joseph’s University offers Cairn University students a three-year and four-year curricula leading to a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. In the four-year curriculum, a student takes the General Military Course (GMC) during the freshman and sophomore years, attends a four-week summer training program, and then takes the Professional Officer Course (POC) in the junior and senior years. A student is under no contractual obligation to the Air Force until entering the POC or accepting an Air Force scholarship. In the three-year curriculum, a student completes AER 101, AER 102, AER 201, and AER 202 during the sophomore year, and then enters the POC in the junior year.
The subject matter of the freshman and sophomore years is developed from a historical perspective and focuses on the scope, structure, and history of military power with an emphasis on the development of air power and its relationship to current events. During the junior and senior years, the curriculum concentrates on the concepts and practices of leadership and management, as well as the role of national security forces in contemporary American society.
In addition to the academic portion of the curricula, each student participates in a two-hour Leadership Laboratory (AER 251, 252, 351, or 352) each week. During this period, the day-to-day skills and working environment of the Air Force are discussed and explained. The Leadership Lab utilizes a student organization designed for the practice of leadership and management techniques.
Air Force ROTC offers scholarships for two, three, and four years on a competitive basis to qualified applicants. All scholarships are applied to tuition and lab fees, including a textbook allowance, and a tax-free monthly stipend which varies from $300 to $500, depending on graduation date.
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. Information is also available on the Detachment 750 website at sites.sju.edu/afrotc.
Curriculum
AER 101 - Foundation US Air Force I Credits: 1
AER 102 - Foundation US Air Force II Credits: 1
A survey course designed to introduce students to the United States Air Force and encourage participation in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Featured topics include: overview of ROTC, special programs offered through ROTC, mission and organization of the Air Force, brief history of the Air Force, introduction to leadership and leadership-related issues, Air Force Core Values, Air Force officer opportunities, and an introduction to communication studies. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for AFROTC cadets and complements this course by providing cadets with followership experiences.
AER 201 - Evolution of USAF Aerospace Power I Credits: 1
AER 202 - Evolution of USAF Aerospace Power II Credits: 1
A course designed to examine general aspects of air and space power from a historical perspective. The course covers the period from the first balloons and dirigibles to the space-age systems of the Global War on Terror. Historical examples are provided to show the development of Air Force distinctive capabilities (previously referred to as core competencies), as well as missions (functions) to demonstrate the evolution of what has become today’s USAF air and space power. Furthermore, the course examines several fundamental truths associated with war in the third dimension, e.g., principles of war and tenets of air and space power. As a whole, this course provides students with a knowledge-level understanding for the general employment of air and space power from an institutional, doctrinal, and historical perspective. In addition, what the student learned about the Air Force Core Values in AER 101/102 is reinforced through the use of operational examples, and they complete several writing and briefing assignments to meet Air Force communication skills requirements.
AER 301 - Air Force Leadership Studies I Credits: 3
AER 302 - Air Force Leadership Studies II Credits: 3
A study of leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel and evaluation systems, leadership ethics, and communication skills required of an Air Force junior officer. Case studies are used to examine Air Force leadership and management situations as a means of demonstrating and exercising practical application of the concepts being studied. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course by providing advanced leadership experiences in officer-type activities, giving students the opportunity to apply leadership and management principles of this course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Air Force Field Training.
AER 401 - National Security Affairs I Credits: 3
AER 402 - National Security Affairs II Credits: 3
An examination of the national security process, regional studies, advanced leadership ethics, and Air Force doctrine. Special topics of interest focus on the military as a profession, officership, military justice, civilian control of the military, preparation for active duty, and current issues affecting military professionalism. Within this structure, continued emphasis is given to refining communication skills. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Air Force Field Training.
Leadership Labs
AS 100 - (Freshmen) Cadets Credits: 0
Leadership Lab (LLAB) for Initial Military Training (IMT) cadets is a recruiting and retention tool. It is an informative and motivational experience, one that inspires cadets to continue to pursue the AFROTC program and an Air Force commission. The focus is on activities that promote the Air Force way of life and help effectively recruit and retain qualified cadets.
AS 200 - (Sophomore) Cadets Credits: 0
The Field Training Preparation (FTP) program provides training to ensure every cadet is mentally and physically prepared for the rigorous field training environment. In coordination with AFROTC/DOT (Field Training Staff), the FTP curriculum specifies a set of skills all cadets must learn prior to attending field training.
AS 300 - (Junior) Cadets Credits: 0
LLAB provides intermediate cadet leaders the opportunity to further develop the leadership and followership skills learned at field training. Every cadet position should provide the intermediate cadet leaders the opportunity to sharpen their planning, organization, and communication skills, as well as their ability to effectively use resources to accomplish a mission in a constructive learning environment.
AS 400 - (Senior) Cadets Credits: 0
LLAB for senior cadet leaders (SCL) provides precommissioning cadets with additional opportunities to develop leadership and supervisory capabilities and prepares them for their first active duty assignment. Like the ICL development program, there is ample opportunity to develop and receive feedback on those leadership skills they will be expected to possess when they arrive at their first duty station. The SCL LLAB program is also designed to provide prospective officers with the basic active duty survival skills.
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