Aerospace Studies – U.S. Air Force

Aerospace Studies – U.S. Air Force Website

Leadership

Russell T. Montante, Lt Col, USAF
Commander

AFROTC Det 207, Saint Louis University

Overview

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (Air Force ROTC) provides you the opportunity to become a United States Air Force or a United States Space Force officer while completing your college degree. Combining traditional undergraduate and/or graduate education with military instruction, the program will prepare you to tackle the leadership challenges awaiting the Air Force and Space Force in the years ahead.

In addition to classroom time, you must participate in a two-hour Leadership Laboratory per week throughout your enrollment in Air Force ROTC. Instruction is conducted within the framework of an organized cadet corps with a progression of experiences designed to develop each student’s leadership potential. The first two years of the Leadership Laboratory include the study of:

  • Military customs and courtesies
  • Drill and ceremonies
  • Issuing military commands
  • Instructing, directing and evaluating the preceding skills
  • The environment of an Air Force and Space Force officer
  • Areas of opportunity available to commissioned officers

The last two years of Leadership Laboratory consist of activities classified as advanced leadership experiences. They involve:

  • Planning and controlling military activities of the cadet corps
  • Preparation and presentation of briefings and other oral and written communications
  • Guidance and information that will increase the understanding, motivation and performance of other cadets

Federal scholarships are available for Air Force ROTC cadets – any academic major may apply. For high school seniors, applications must be made online at the Air Force ROTC website: http://www.AFROTC.com. Scholarships may be available for college students who are already enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program and meet academic and physical fitness requirements.   

Participation in Air Force ROTC is not required to take aerospace courses.

AES 1010Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force 12
AES 1020Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force 22
AES 2010Team and Leadership Fundamentals 12
AES 2020Team and Leadership Fundamentals 22
AES 3010Leading People and Effective Communication 13
AES 3020Leading People and Effective Communication 23
AES 4010National Security Affairs / Preparation for Active Duty3
AES 4020Preparation for Active Duty3
Total Credits20

AES 1010 - Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force 1

Credit(s): 2 Credits

This course is the first part of a two course sequence designed to introduce students to the United States Air Force and provides an overview of the basic characteristics, missions, and organization of the Air Force. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for Air Force ROTC cadets and it complements this course by providing students with followership experiences and prepares them for Field Training. Classroom activity, one hour per week; Leadership Laboratory two hours per week.

AES 1020 - Heritage and Values of the United States Air Force 2

Credit(s): 2 Credits

This course is the second part of a two course sequence designed to introduce students to the United States Air Force and provides an overview of the basic characteristics, missions, and organization of the Air Force. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for Air Force ROTC cadets and it complements this course by providing students with followership experiences and prepares them for Field Training. Classroom activity, one hour per week; Leadership Laboratory two hours per week.

AES 2010 - Team and Leadership Fundamentals 1

Credit(s): 2 Credits

This course is the first part of a two course sequence that focuses on laying the foundation for teams and leadership. Topics include skills that will allow cadets to improve their leadership on a personal level and within a team. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for Air Force ROTC cadets and it complements this course by providing the first opportunity for applied leadership experiences and prepares them for Field Training. Classroom activity, one hour per week; Leadership Laboratory two hours per week.

AES 2020 - Team and Leadership Fundamentals 2

Credit(s): 2 Credits

This course is the second part of a two course sequence that focuses on laying the foundation for teams and leadership. Topics include skills that will allow cadets to improve their leadership on a personal level and within a team. Leadership Laboratory is mandatory for Air Force ROTC cadets and it complements this course by providing the first opportunity for applied leadership experiences and prepares them for Field Training. Classroom activity, one hour per week; Leadership Laboratory two hours per week.

AES 2220 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 0 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This class is for second year EA pursuing students who do not need to take the lecture course. This will be held together with AES2010/20 LLab.

AES 2980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

AES 3010 - Leading People and Effective Communication 1

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course is the first part of a two course sequence that teaches advanced skills and knowledge in management and leadership. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing leadership skills and communication. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course for Air Force ROTC cadets. Leadership Laboratory provides advanced leadership experiences and gives cadets opportunities to develop and apply leadership skills. Classroom activity, three hours per week; Leadership Laboratory two hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): AES 1010; AES 2010

AES 3020 - Leading People and Effective Communication 2

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course is the second part of a two course sequence that teaches advanced skills and knowledge in management and leadership. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing leadership skills and communication. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course for Air Force ROTC cadets. Leadership Laboratory provides advanced leadership experiences and gives cadets opportunities to develop and apply leadership skills. Classroom activity, three hours per week; Leadership Laboratory two hours per week.

AES 3930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

AES 3980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

AES 4010 - National Security Affairs / Preparation for Active Duty

Credit(s): 1-3 Credits

Cadets learn about the role of the professional military leader in a democratic society; societal attitudes toward the armed forces; the requisites for maintaining adequate national defense structure; the impact of technological and international developments on strategic preparedness and the overall policy-making process; and military law. In addition, cadets will study topics that will prepare them for their first active-duty assignment as officers in the Air Force. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course. Leadership Laboratory provides advanced leadership experiences and gives cadets opportunities to develop and apply fundamental leadership and management skills while planning and conducting corps activities. Classroom activity, three hours per week; Leadership Laboratory two hours per week. Aerospace Studies courses (AES-301 through AES-402) are advanced courses designed to improve communication and management skills required of Air Force officers. Grades earned in these courses will be computed in the student's overall grade point average. Credit hours of these courses may be included in the hours needed for graduation at the discretion of individual departmental chairpersons.

AES 4020 - Preparation for Active Duty

Credit(s): 3 Credits

Cadets learn about the role of the professional military leader in a democratic society; societal attitudes toward the armed forces; the requisites for maintaining adequate national defense structure; the impact of technological and international developments on strategic preparedness and the overall policy-making process; and military law. In addition, cadets will study topics that will prepare them for their first active-duty assignment as officers in the Air Force. A mandatory Leadership Laboratory complements this course. Leadership Laboratory provides advanced leadership experiences and gives cadets opportunities to develop and apply fundamental leadership and management skills while planning and conducting corps activities. Classroom activity, three hours per week; Leadership Laboratory two hours per week. Aerospace Studies courses (AES-301 through AES-402) are advanced courses designed to improve communication and management skills required of Air Force officers. Grades earned in these courses will be computed in the student's overall grade point average. Credit hours of these courses may be included in the hours needed for graduation at the discretion of individual departmental chairpersons.

AES 4930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

AES 4980 - Independent Study

Credit(s): 1 or 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)