Prospective Cadets
Prospective Cadets
Getting Started
There are several pathways that lead to your enrollment in the AFROTC Program - don't forget to apply to Southern Miss or one of our cross-institution affiliates!
High School Students
High school students are encouraged to apply for the Air Force (HSSP) - who doesn't want the opportunity to receive free money? While the application window is open each year from July - December, it is strongly recommended that rising seniors complete and submit the application prior to the start of their senior year.
College Students
If you are already in college and are interested in enrolling in the AFROTC Program, please contact one of Detachment 432’s faculty and/or staff members – also known as Cadre – to determine the best course of action for your current degree plan. Or, you may call the front office line at (601) 266-4468.
If you are a sophomore or you have three years of college left, you have two options:
- You can sign up for the sophomore class; or you can be enrolled in the freshman and sophomore level class concurrently. The first option means you will have to attend Field Training (an encampment designed to evaluate military leadership and discipline, determine your potential for entry into the professional officer corps, and stratify you among your peers) the following summer for a 19-day encampment. Enroll in the AOS 200 classes: AOS 201 in the Fall and AOS 203 in the Spring, with the attached Leadership Laboratory.
- You can concurrently enroll in both the AOS 100 and AOS 200 courses, and you will be able to attend the 19-day Field Training encampment the following summer. Bear in mind that you would have to take two 1-hour Air Force ROTC classes each week (only one Leadership Laboratory though). If you would like to concurrently enroll, take AOS 101 and AOS 201 in the Fall and AOS 101 and AOS 203 in the Spring, with one Leadership Laboratory each semester.
If you have two or fewer years remaining to earn your college degree and you are interested in Air Force ROTC, please contact the Recruiting Officer.
Enlisted Airman
If you are an enlisted Airmen and are interested in earning a commission while completing your bachelor’s degree as an AFROTC cadet, the (ACSP) as well as the (SOAR) provides scholarships for members who meet certain parameters. Additionally, the Senior Leader Enlisted Commissioning Program (SLECP) allows designated Air Force and Space Force senior leaders to directly select exceptionally performing, highly talented enlisted Airmen and Guardians for commissioning through OTS.