Aerospace Studies Department

College of Education and Professional Studies
Ellensburg
Lind Hall, room 202A
Mail Stop 7568
509-963-2314
800-CWU-ROTC
Fax: 509-963-2235
https://www.cwu.edu/academics/specialized-programs/air-force-rotc/index.php

Faculty and Staff
Chair
Lieutenant Colonel Joel C. Hearn, USAF, MS

Professor
Lieutenant Colonel Joel C. Hearn, USAF, MS, business administration-finance

Assistant Professors
Major David A. Liapis, USAF, MA, christian ministry
Captain JonCharles L. Tenbusch, USAF, MS, curriculum and instruction

Staff
Technical Sergeant Mark L. Bratic, USAF, NCO and AFROTC instructor
Technical Sergeant Roddricus A. Philpot, USAF, NCOIC, personnel
Staff Sergeant Tafelefele D. Fitu, USAF, NCOIC, administration
Kendra L. Sterkel, program coordinator

Department Information
The United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), represented at CWU by Detachment 895, develops leaders in preparation for commissioning as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force. Upon completing a baccalaureate/master’s degree and all officer qualifications, graduates are commissioned and enter active duty service in the U.S. Air Force. The program is designed to work with your other academic courses and is taught by active duty officers/professors. The Air Force is seeking qualified candidates from all backgrounds to include under-represented groups such as women, African Americans, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Native American/Alaskan Natives.

The program is designed to educate students about aerospace studies, with a leadership lab to provide a unique opportunity to practice leadership skills. The aerospace studies courses cover Air Force heritage and values, team and leadership fundamentals, leading people and effective communication, and national security/commissioning preparation. Between sophomore and junior year, students attend a multi-week field-training encampment, where they are introduced to an intensive training environment designed to teach critical teamwork, leadership, and fellowship skills. Each year there is also an opportunity to visit an Air Force base to see the Air Force work environment in person and meet members of the Air Force. All textbooks, materials, and uniforms are provided.

Admission Requirements
Students from any academic major degree program with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA are eligible. Enrollment in the first-year and sophomore classes creates no obligation to the Air Force. A contractual agreement is required after the sophomore year to continue in the ROTC program. Students are eligible to compete for an enrollment allocation into the Professional Officer Corp (POC) only after successfully passing a medical examination, physical fitness test and having an excellent SAT, ACT or AFOQT (Air Force Officer Qualifying Test) score.

Transfer Students
Students transferring from other institutions who are interested in pursuing a commission in the Air Force should contact the unit admissions officer prior to their fall quarter, if possible.

Scholarships
AFROTC competitive merit scholarships are available and awarded to both non-technical and technical majors. A scholarship will normally cover tuition, fees, and books. Those who have never been a full-time college student may apply for a four-year AFROTC scholarship at www.afrotc.com prior to the deadline posted on the website (the year prior to attending college). College first-year and sophomores may compete for three-year and two-year scholarships. All contracted cadets in good standing receive a monthly stipend, separate from any scholarships.

Special Training Opportunities
There are a variety of summer programs available to enhance a student’s knowledge of the Air Force. Opportunities include base visits, flying, parachuting, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, engineering, space orientation, as well as trips to other countries to enhance cultural awareness or language immersion. All travel and meals are provided.

Course Offerings
Frequency of course offering information can be found at the department website: https://www.cwu.edu/academics/specialized-programs/air-force-rotc/index.php or by contacting the department directly.