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To be eligible to join AFROTC, each cadet must meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in an accredited college that hosts or has a crosstown agreement with an Air Force ROTC detachment
• Be a U.S. citizen after freshman year
• Be in good physical condition (cadets must pass the Fitness Assessment)
• Be of good moral character
• Attend both the Aerospace Studies class and Leadership Lab each semester.

Fitness Assessment (FA)

The FA is taken every fall and spring term while a cadet is enrolled in Air Force ROTC. Cadets in the General Military Course (GMC) or not on a scholarship must attempt the test but do not have to pass. Scholarship cadets and cadets in the Professional Officer Course (POC) must pass the test each fall and spring term.

The FA consists of:

• An abdominal measurement
• Sit-ups
• Push-ups
• 1.5-mile run

All events must be completed, with a short rest period between each event. The minimum score is 75 points, and all minimums must be met.

Are you dreaming of flying as an Air Force pilot, leading ground operations in Special Warfare or monitoring rockets during space lift as a space operations officer? Air Force ROTC scholarships are your gateway to these exciting careers and more. These scholarships do more than fund your education — they provide opportunities for leadership, camaraderie and a lifelong commitment to excellence.

Opportunities Start Early

High school students can begin their journey with Air Force ROTC scholarships. High school seniors are encouraged to !

Pathways in College

Most AFROTC cadets start without a scholarship but have the chance to compete for one during college. As a freshman, if you excel and meet eligibility requirements, you’ll be automatically considered for the In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP). If selected, your scholarship will begin in your sophomore year. The ICSP is highly competitive, but don’t worry if you don’t earn it right away.

Continued Opportunities

If you continue in the program during your sophomore year and successfully earn an enrollment allocation (EA), you’ll receive the Charles McGhee Leadership Award (CMLA), which provides $18,000 per year for your junior and senior years.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Every year, many organizations provide grants and scholarships to cadets ranging in value from $100 to over $5,000.

Air Force Scholarship Aid

• High School Scholarships (HSSP): Three- or four-year scholarships for high school graduates.
• In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP): This program is for cadets after they start college. In addition, this type of scholarship is available on a year-by-year basis from the Air Force ROTC HQ. Furthermore, this scholarship is very competitive, and the distribution of this type of scholarship is based on the following: grade point average (GPA), Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), academic major and class ranking.
• General Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA): This in-college scholarship is awarded to all individuals not already on scholarship who receive an enrollment allocation and thus are selected to commission into the Air or Space Force. It pays $18,000 per year for two years and cannot be applied to graduate studies.
• Housing Benefit:

Embry-Riddle Scholarship Aid

If you receive an Air Force ROTC national high school scholarship of any type (three- or four-year, full or partial tuition, etc.), then you are guaranteed a minimum of $8,500/year in university institutional aid. 

If you were already awarded more than the $8,500 in university institutional aid (i.e., Merit Scholarships), then you would receive the larger amount of the two, as long as it does not exceed the direct cost of attendance (tuition and fees, on-campus room and board).

For example, if you receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship from Air Force ROTC and have already received a $10,000/year Merit Scholarship from the university, then you would receive the $10,000 Scholarship, not the $8,500 Minimum Assurance Scholarship (the $8,500 would not be added to the $10,000).

“Frontloading” Option for Three-Year ROTC Scholarship Winners

As a three-year ROTC scholarship winner, you can “frontload” your Embry-Riddle scholarships and grants for your freshman year. This can help fill the gap until your ROTC scholarship is activated in your sophomore year. If you choose this option, you could receive up to $30,000 for Air Force ROTC for your freshman year only. Your Embry-Riddle scholarships will total $8,000 per year in the following years.

University funding includes any university scholarships, need-based grants and awards. It's important to note that the combination of university funding and ROTC funding cannot exceed the cost of education. This assurance is provided at the discretion of the university's Financial Aid Office, not AFROTC.

For more information on this grant, please contact the Embry-Riddle Admissions Office at 800-888-3728.

As a future leader and warrior in the U.S. Air Force, you must excel in your degree, physical fitness and leadership experience and be a well-rounded individual who understands the history, principles and future of the world's finest Air Force.

Each semester, you will learn more about the Air Force and become better prepared for the challenges that await you. In addition to the required academic classes, you must participate in Leadership Laboratory, where you will put your academic understanding into practice, applying what you learn to become an effective follower in the General Military Course (GMC) and transforming into an effective leader in the Professional Officer Course (POC).

Your freshman year will provide you with a solid understanding of the Air Force's organization, officership and professionalism, military customs and courtesies and officer career opportunities. As a freshman, you will take AF 101 and 102.

In your sophomore year, the Air Force classes will give you the necessary background in air and space history while continuing to emphasize the Air Force core values and officership. As a sophomore, you will take AF 201 and 202.

During your junior year, the focus will be on the leadership and management traits essential for serving the nation as an Air Force officer. As a third-year cadet returning from field training, you will be assigned leadership positions in the cadet wing, and the corresponding Air Force academic classes will prepare you for the challenges ahead. As a junior, you will take AF 301 and 302.

In your senior year, the Air Force classes will prepare you to enter active duty as a newly commissioned officer. Topics will include regional studies to help you prepare for the diverse locations where you may deploy throughout your career. Additionally, you will cover subject matter related to Air Force doctrine and military justice. As a senior, you will take AF 401 and 402.

Competition for flight careers, commonly known as rated careers, is highly competitive and based on merit. The Air Force seeks the highest-qualified applicants for the Pilot, Combat Systems Operator (CSO), Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RFA) Pilot and Air Battle Manager (ABM) career fields. A selection board at AFROTC Headquarters — not at local detachments — will determine who is selected for these rated careers.

Order of Merit Criteria

Your selection for a rated career will be based on your Order of Merit, which is determined by the following criteria:

• Cumulative GPA
• Fitness Assessment (FA) results: This is based on a 100-point scale and includes sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run.
• Pilot Candidate Scoring Method (PCSM) score: Composed of:
• Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Pilot score: This is a standardized, multiple-choice test similar in format to the SAT. The AFOQT is administered several times during the school year, and you may take it twice (90 days apart). The highest scores from each attempt are recorded, a process known as "super-scoring."
• Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS) score: This computerized test assesses psychomotor skills, spatial agility and multi-tasking abilities and is used as a tool for pilot selection.
• Total flying hours: Flying hours contribute to the overall PCSM score. While helpful, it is not necessary to have flight hours to compete for pilot selection.
• Field Training (FT) results: If you are pursuing a commission, you must be selected to attend FT. This mandatory program is designed to develop leadership and discipline and to assess your potential for entry into the Professional Officer Course. FT typically occurs between your sophomore and junior years.
• Commander's ranking: The detachment commander will evaluate you based on the "whole person" concept and rank you in relation to your peers. Your overall performance and potential as a commissioned officer will be assessed based on various factors, including your leadership abilities, communication skills, critical thinking, judgment, decision-making, professionalism, character, initiative, attitude, discipline, courage and other essential traits of successful officers.

Note: Contrary to popular belief, your academic major is not a factor in rated selection. For instance, if you are interested in a rated career and majoring in Aeronautical Science or Aerospace Engineering, you will not be given higher consideration than a cadet majoring in Psychology. Additionally, possessing pilot licenses or ratings is not included in the selection process. For more information, you may visit the .

Honor Corps

The Honor Corps consists of four drill teams: Sabre Drill Team, Rifle Drill Team, Unarmed Drill Team and Color Guard. These teams perform several times in front of the Corps each semester and may compete at various drill meets once a year, such as the National Invitational Drill Meet at the Air Force Academy and the Southern California Invitational Drill Meet.

Read more about the Honors Corps below.

Work With Veterans

Honoring our veterans in the local community is very important to the cadets of Det 028. The cadet wing participates in events year-round that honor our veterans, such as the annual POW/MIA Retreat and the Veterans Day Parade. They also regularly visit veterans at Prescott's Veterans Affairs Hospital to hear about the abundance of experiences veterans have.

Dining In/Out

Dining Out is a formal Air Force banquet held once a year. At this event, a guest speaker provides insight based on his/her own experiences to cadets. In the past, speeches have been made by the cadre, Air Force Association members, current officers in the military and other highly respected members of the military community. Combat Dining In is a similar activity, held once a year, in which cadets participate in a field atmosphere version of Dining Out.

Detachment 028 Honor Corps is a division of the AFROTC Detachment 028 at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ in Prescott, Arizona. Honor Corps represents AFROTC spirit, fidelity and integrity through its three principal teams: Honor Guard, Rifle Drill Team and Sabre Drill Team.

Honor Guard

Representing every member, past and present, of the U.S. Air Force, the cadets of Detachment 028’s Honor Guard Team epitomize the core values of the Air Force. From a simple perspective, this team merely consists of everyday college students from around the country brought together by a desire to serve their nation.

However, the audiences that witness them presenting the colors can see the result of generations of strenuous practice and an even greater sense of camaraderie. The Honor Guard has earned a reputation for excellence and has become a model of professionalism for Embry-Riddle and the nation.

Rifle Drill Team

Rifle, also known as Armed Exhibition Drill, is a collection of cadets who, after many hours of practice and perfection, maneuver and manipulate decommissioned service rifles with extreme precision, all while performing complicated drill sequences.

In Rifle, you become part of a family and immerse yourself in an environment with a unique blend of professionalism and team bonding that you can only find in the Air Force. 

By the end of the semester, you will have many new friends who will stick with you throughout your AFROTC career at Embry‑Riddle, a wealth of valuable skills and many happy memories that you will look back upon when you are a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Sabre Drill Team

The Sabre Drill Team is dedicated to upholding traditions that date back to before the founding of the U.S. Air Force.

Like the other Honor Corps teams, you will find that the Sabre Drill Team, through diligent practice, a strong sense of dedication and a close-knit feeling of family and friendship, is renowned for its performances. As a team member, you’ll form lasting friendships and acquire valuable skills while getting to know upperclassmen.

For new students arriving in the Fall Semester, please register for AF101 and AF101L.

You will receive the AFROTC Applicant requirements and a “Zero Week” schedule outlining the dates and times you need to be on campus. Zero Week is an event run by Cadets and Cadre, designed to welcome new students to the AFROTC program and fulfill administrative applicant requirements.

While attendance at Zero Week is not mandatory, applicants who do attend will benefit from early move-in into the dorms on Day One. Most importantly, it allows you and your parents to see what the program is all about. Zero Week is typically scheduled the Monday-Wednesday before Prescott Campus orientation.

Information is usually sent out in early June and then weekly as students register. If you do not receive any communication, please get in touch with us to ensure we have your correct information.

Make sure to complete the online check-in, as this will provide the necessary information to prepare for your arrival.

Required Documents

AFROTC requires several documents for membership. You must have a current sports physical exam date no earlier than August 1 to participate in AFROTC activities, and it must be documented on the AFROTC Form 28, Air Force ROTC Pre-Participatory Sports Physical. The university’s Wellness Center can only accommodate a limited number of these physicals. We strongly recommend you complete your physical before your arrival to avoid delays in your participation in the program.

Note: Be aware that we do not have access to documents sent to the university.

As part of your AFROTC online application, you will be required to report any adverse involvements that you have had with law enforcement or school officials. Please review your history and be prepared to document the following: type of involvement, date of involvement, name and address of arresting authority/court and disposition/sentence.

How Can I Prepare?

Preparation is critical for success. Students will take the Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT) during their first semester before December 31. Take time during the summer to study and prepare for this standardized test, similar to the SAT and ACT. .

Next, getting started on physical fitness is perhaps the most important. A mock Fitness Assessment will be conducted within the first 30 days of the academic term. It consists of sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run. Note: Prescott’s elevation is over 5,000 feet above sea level. Practicing these events before your arrival is essential to help with acclimatization. . (Cadets will only perform sit-ups, push-ups and the 1.5-mile run. Other exercises listed on the scoring sheet do not apply to cadets.)

Applicant cadets are required to wear an informal uniform during AFROTC activities until they receive their dress blues in the Spring semester. They will also be required to wear standardized physical training gear. Air Force physical training gear will be issued upon completion of all applicant requirements and once the cadet has been made an “active” cadet. Please refer to the applicant checklist for uniform requirements.

Congratulations on choosing Embry-Riddle Prescott and AFROTC Detachment 028! We're excited that you will be joining us and look forward to helping you reach your academic and professional goals.

Zero Week is a cadet-run event designed to welcome new cadets into the AFROTC program and accomplish administrative requirements. You do not have to attend Zero Week, but it is highly recommended. If you attend Zero Week, new cadets will be afforded an early move-in to the dorms on the first day, at no additional cost. Most importantly, it provides an opportunity for students and parents to see what our program is all about. Zero Week 2026 is scheduled to run from Aug. 16 to Aug. 19, 2026.

Meet Your Zero Week 2026 Staff

Cadet David Clay
Zero Week Commander

Cadet Sophia Robbins
Zero Week Group Operations Commander

Cadet Emily Torres
Zero Week Chief of Staff

Applicant Checklist

There are several steps to becoming a cadet at Detachment 028. For your convenience, they are listed below in an easy-to-follow format. Please read this information over in its entirety, as it's essential to the application process.

• Apply to, and be accepted by, Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Campus, or be accepted into Embry-Riddle Worldwide or Yavapai College for cross-town students.
• For cadets on a four-year track or longer, please register for AFAS101 and AFAS101L.
• For cadets on a three-year or 3.5-year track, please register for AFAS101, AFAS201 and AFAS201L.
• Create an account in .
• Fill out the .

Required Documents

AFROTC requires several documents for membership that are listed in the applicant checklist.

• Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate — Must be original or certified true copy.
  • If you were born abroad and acquired citizenship at birth or through naturalization of parents, a valid Passport/FS Form 240/DS Form 1350/INS Form N-560A or N-561 can be used.
  • Note: Documents will be verified and returned.
  • Non-US citizens must provide Immigration Form I-551 and a Permanent Resident Card to become an applicant.
• Social Security Card — Must be original
  • If over 18, ensure that it is signed.
  • Note: Documents will be verified and returned.
• AFROTC Form 28, Sports Physical — Signed by a physician/medical authority
  • Note: Exam must be dated no earlier than July 18, 2026.
  • You are not authorized to participate in AFROTC physical activities until one is turned in.
  • HSSP Scholarship Recipients: A sports physical is still required if your status on the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) site reflects "qualified." We do not have access to your certified, qualified physical.
• Copy of Immunization Record
  • Must reflect MMR x2 and Varicalla x2 (chicken pox) vaccines (or positive blood titer).
• Copy of ACT Score Report or SAT Score Report
• Turn in the following items if applicable. These documents can also be uploaded to your online AFROTC application:
  • Copy of unofficial college transcripts for any college credits received and college board AP credits.
  • Copy of AFJROTC certificates (Form 310/1256) or JROTC certificate/high school transcripts for other services
  • Copy of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) certificates — Earhart, Mitchell or Spaatz awards only
  • Copy of Eagle Scout/Gold Award certificate or card
  • Copy of high school transcripts (unofficial) — Only required for applicants with 3-4 years JROTC/CAP awards/Eagle Scout/Gold Award
  • Copy of Private Pilot's License (PPL)
  • HSSP Scholarship recipients — Bring a copy of airline tickets and itinerary if you flew here
  • Copy of DD Form 785, Record of Disenrollment From Officer Candidate-Type Training
• Prior service applicants must also provide:
  • Copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty
  • Copy of DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document Armed Forces of the United States
  • Note: Applicants who were prior service members of any brand of the armed forces must have their prior service verified prior to granting membership to verify reenlistment eligibility.

Note: Submitting documents to Embry‑Riddle or through the official AFROTC application does not fulfill the requirements for Detachment 028 onboarding. These are separate processes. Due to privacy regulations, Detachment 028 does not have access to all documents submitted to AFROTC Headquarters or Embry-Riddle. You should assume we have none of your materials; you are responsible for bringing physical copies of all required documents to Zero Week, regardless of previous submissions.

Uniform Items

Applicant Cadets are required to wear uniforms during AFROTC activities. They will also be required to wear modified physical training gear. As a cadet progresses through the program, they will be issued uniform items. Arriving cadets should expect to start the program wearing the following items.

Detachmant Polo Uniform

• Polo Shirt: Detachment 028 Polos will be available for purchase at the beginning of Zero Week. This will be every cadet’s uniform until they are issued official uniform items.
• Pants: Pants will be without cuffs, regular fit and khaki in color (shorts are not authorized). Cargo khaki pants are authorized. Note: The term "pants" is used on this site for clarity and consistency with modern language preferences. Please note that official Air Force instructions, including AFI 36-2903, use the term "trousers" when referring to uniform components. Both terms refer to the same item.
• Belt: Belt will be black with a silver clasp.
• Footwear: Socks will be black in color. Shoes will be plain black business casual low quarters or plain black athletic style shoes.

Physical Training Gear (PTG)

• Shirt: Plain, light heather gray, athletic, short-sleeve shirt with no symbols.
• Shorts: Solid-color, dark blue athletic shorts (if logo present, no larger than five inches authorized). Shorts must be at least fingertip in length with a relaxed fit.
• Footwear: Socks will be solid black. Shoes will be athletic style, with no color restrictions.
• Applicants may wear personally owned Air Force physical training uniforms (e.g., prior service).
• Cold weather attire will be solid dark blue or black sweats with no symbols.

Other Items

• Jeans: Traditional blue jeans will be required for certain physical activities. A small gold or silver clasp is authorized, but chains are not authorized.
• Solid black, brown, gray or dark blue backpacks may be worn with any uniform combination.
• Backpacks will not have ornamentation, high gloss, designs or hanging/dangling objects. A small gold or silver clasp is authorized, but chains are not authorized.
• Watches must be a conservative, solid color like black, brown, silver or gold.
• Bands cannot exceed 1 inch in width.
• Smartwatches are authorized but must be within the above requirements.
• Sunglass or eyeglass frames will have a conservative color: black, brown, white, dark blue, gray or transparent material, or silver/gold wire.
• Brand-name glasses may be worn with a small logo on frames or lenses. Logo may contrast with frame color or lenses in conservative colors such as black, brown or matte silver/gold.
• Conservative, clear, slightly tinted, mirrored or photosensitive lenses are authorized.
• Sunglasses, to include darkened photosensitive lenses, are not authorized while in formation.

Zero Week Events

Zero Week consists of many events that serve many purposes, from morale to administrative requirements. Be prepared to grow closer to your flight, learn a lot about the Air Force, and get a jump start on your career as a student! If you are unable to attend Zero Week but would still like to join Detachment 028, please still fill out the form appropriately. This will help us prepare for your arrival and ensure you are caught up to speed.

Privacy and Security Notice

This Air Force ROTC Detachment 028 website is provided as a public service. Information presented on the Detachment 028 website is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline, photo, and image credits is requested.

Information concerning visitors: Use of this site is collected for analytical and statistical purposes, such as assessing what information is of most and least interest, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas. For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage.

Raw data logs will be used only to identify individual users and their usage habits for authorized law enforcement investigations or national security purposes. These logs are scheduled for regular destruction in accordance with National Archives and Records Administration Guidelines.

Unauthorized attempts to deny service, upload information, change information, or to attempt to access a non-public site from this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under Title 18 of the U.S. Code to include the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act.

If you have any questions or comments about the information presented here, please inform us.

The Presence of Commercial/External Links

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Air Force, the Defense Technical Information Center, Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, or the Department of Defense of this website or the information, products, or services contained therein.

For other than authorized activities, such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) sites, the U.S. Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of the website.

FOIA Notice

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is mandated by Congress and applies to government agencies. The program allows the public to request information pertaining to an agency's functions, practices, and future plans.

Anyone may request records under the FOIA. Public disclosure is mandatory unless exempted under Title 5 U.S.C. 552. In accordance with the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996, agencies have 20 work days to respond to a FOIA request.

As a general rule, the Air Force will not deliver unofficial mass mailings addressed to individuals at their duty addresses.

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