Ramapo College of New Jersey students may participate in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The Air Force ROTC program provides students the opportunity to become commissioned officers in the Air Force or Space Force after completing their undergraduate or, with exception, graduate degree. AFROTC is designed to develop the leadership and management skills essential for an Air Force or Space Force officer while preparing the student for assignment in a career field related to his or her academic specialty.

Training Program

The program consists of classroom and leadership laboratory work during the four years of academic study and one summer training period of two weeks between the second and third years at an Air Force base. Students with three academic years remaining may enroll in the four-year program by combining the first two years.

The first two years of the four-year program are known as the General Military Course (GMC). Upon completion of the GMC and summer field training, students may compete for entry into the Professional Officer Course (POC). Selection into the POC is based on academic aptitude and performance, successful completion of the GMC and field training, recommendation of the professor of Aerospace Studies, and needs of the service.

Scholarships

Air Force ROTC scholarships are available on a competitive basis to qualified applicants. Scholarships pay up to full tuition, include $900 per year for textbooks, and a $300–500 nontaxable allowance each month. Two- to three-year scholarships are offered on a competitive basis in addition to the four-year scholarships offered to high school seniors.

Classroom Instruction

The Aerospace Studies curriculum emphasizes the history, organization, and mission of the Air Force and Space Force, including its role in national defense strategy and American society. Academic classes and leadership laboratory activities provide training and practical experience in developing leadership and managerial skills.

Students enrolled in the first two years of the program attend one hour of academic class and two hours of Leadership Laboratory (LLAB). In the final two years of the program, the academic class time increases to three hours per week with the same LLAB requirement. LLAB has always been a highlight of the program, introducing cadets to a variety of motivational and interactive activities. Aside from military customs and courtesies, and standard drill practice, students participate in guest-speaker events, athletic competitions, self-defense class, marksmanship training, rock climbing, career day, and much more. Cadets must also complete two hours of physical fitness training each week.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Air Force ROTC scholarship program and the POC, students must be citizens of the United States; physically qualified in accordance with existing Air Force regulations; and be classified as a full-time student at Ramapo College of New Jersey

Application Procedure

Interested students can sign up for the Air Force ROTC program by visiting the New Jersey Institute of Technology Aerospace Studies Department, Faculty Memorial Hall Rm 208; calling 973-596-3626; or they may send an email to the program.

Army Reserve Officer Training

Seton Hall University and Ramapo College of New Jersey maintain an across-town agreement for Northern New Jersey’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (Army ROTC).  Qualified Ramapo students may complete their degree at Ramapo College while taking army ROTC courses at Seton Hall University.  Please visit the Seton Hall University Army ROTC Web Site for more information:

Seton Hall University Army ROTC