New Cadet Orientation and Registration
New Cadet Orientation Program (NCOP)
Check back in May 2025
for FALL 2025 NCOP info
AFROTC Registration Details
Register Here
Register for AFROTC Classes
University Park Students
Incoming First Year Students
To enter the Air Force ROTC program you need to register for AIR 151 when you schedule your classes. AIR 151 is a 2.0 credit introductory class and has a 2 hour Leadership Lab. You are required to attend class, lab, and two one hour physical training sessions each week.
Sophomore Students
Our program requires that you have 3 academic years remaining to earn your degree, so this is the last opportunity to join our program without special approvals. To enter the Air Force ROTC program as a sophomore you need to register for AIR 151 and AIR 251, our freshmen and sophomore classes, simultaneously. Please contact our administrative assistant Mrs. Beth Neumann at bcn3@psu.edu or call 814-865-5453. Both courses are 2 credits each and have the same once a week Leadership Lab and twice a week Physical Training requirements. You do not double up on the Leadership Lab or PT.
Altoona Campus Students
As an Air Force ROTC cadet you will need to attend the AIR 151 courses offered at University Park campus. Since you are a Penn State Altoona Campus student you are unable to register for this course on your own. You will need to contact the Detachment to register for AIR 151 for incoming first year students. Incoming sophomores will need to register for AIR 151 and AIR 251, our first year and sophomore classes, simultaneously. Please contact our administrative assistant Mrs. Beth Neumann at bcn3@psu.edu or 814-865-5453 to be added to an AIR course.
Penn State Altoona students will be scheduled for the Tuesday section of the AIR course. This will require cadets to travel to University Park on Tuesday for early morning PT and then class and again on Thursday afternoons for LLAB and PT. Take this into consideration when scheduling other courses to avoid any conflicts.
Forms to fill out
The AF Form 28 is required for you to participate in ROTC. The only exception is if you are an AFROTC high school scholarship winner and have a qualified DODMERB.
Print out and have a doctor complete the document and either mail to the Detachment or bring the form with you to NCOP or registration. Ensure that your doctor completes Block 11 of this form.
If you do not send or bring your Sports Physical you will not be able to participate during NCOP or ROTC.
AFROTC FORM28 – Sports Physical (if document does not load, download document and open in folder to print) Physical must be dated no earlier then 30 days from the start of school, the Fall 2024 semester starts 26 August 24, so no earlier then 27 July 2024.
Once completed, mail to the detachment or bring with you to NCOP or registration:
Air Force ROTC Det 720
The Pennsylvania State University
109 Wagner Building
University Park PA 16802-3800
Documents to bring
Bring the originals of the following documents for the first day of NCOP.
Name Change Documentation
We must record your name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate. If you have had or anticipate a name change, please submit all legal papers to our office before arriving.
Birth Certificate/Proof of Citizenship (Original Only)
If you were born in the United States, you need to submit an original birth certificate to our office. DO NOT BRING A COPY. Or, you can bring an original statement of citizenship showing your name (exactly as recorded on your birth certificate), date and place of birth, certificate number, and the date it was filed in the Office of Vital Statistics.
If you were born outside of the United States to US Citizens or Naturalized Citizen, you need to submit an original naturalization documents (i.e. Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad, DS-1350, Certificate of Birth, INS N-560A or N-561, Certificates of Citizenship). For additional assistance contact our detachment office at 814-865-5453.
Selective Service Card (Males 18 years and older only)
If you do not have this card, you can get a print out from www.sss.gov
Social Security Card (Original ONLY) – no copies will be accepted
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) (certificate or HS transcript), Civil Air Patrol-CAP (certificate) and/or Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award documentation (card/certificate) (if applicable)
Items to bring
PT Gear
RUNNING SHOES- Well fitted
ATHLETIC SOCKS (Long) – 4 pairs white or black
ATHLETIC T-SHIRT – Gray colored, no logo
ATHLETIC SHORTS – Dark colored
COMPRESSION SHORTS – If desired, blue or black
Uniform Items
$20.00 to purchase Detachment Polo
(cash or check – made out to Aerospace Studies Student Org)
KHAKI DRESS PANTS – No cargo pockets, full length pants, tuck polo in
DRESS SHOES – With tall black socks
BELT – Brown or black, must match shoes
BLACK BACKPACK – with PT gear inside
Personal Items
WATER BOTTLE – Reusable
PENS – Blue or black only
NOTEBOOK
SUNSCREEN
LINT BRUSH
ALARM CLOCK- You will be getting up early for PT and sleeping through your phone alarm is not a legitimate excuse.
RAZOR/SHAVING SUPPLIES- Male cadets must be clean shaven when in AFROTC setting. Your hair must be within .5 inches on the sides and no more than 1.25 inches on top and not past the top of the earlobe.
HAIR SUPPLIES – Female cadets should bring hair spray, hair gel, bobby pins, hair ties (must match your hair color) and hair clips. More information about hair regulations are in the next section “Forms to Read”.
Forms to Read
Physical Fitness
Under the current Department of the Air Force physical fitness standards, m
Minimum components have been established for each category. Cadets must achieve a score of 75 or greater to pass the fitness assessment. (The new minimum values) can be found on the bottom of the chart and if one fails any of the 4 categories (1.5 mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, or body composition) this will result in an automatic failure, even if the total score is a 75 or greater. Begin exercising now to ensure you meet the minimums an
Do keep in mind that the higher your score, the more competitive you will be in the program. Below is an excellent video that breaks down the PFA showing the proper form for each of the events. Be sure to watch it carefully and take a practice PFA to get a baseline score to see what areas you might need improvement in. If you are not able to meet the minimums, your enrollment in the program will be jeopardized.
Department of the Air Force Regulations
The Department of the Air Force strictly follows regulations concerning appearance and behavior of Airmen and Air Professionals. These regulations are in effect at all times while in uniform. To ease your transition into the program, follow the guidelines below to ensure you are within regulations before arriving at Penn State.
Males
The hair must be neat, clean, and well groomed in appearance. The hair above the ears and at the nape of the neck must be tapered. A block at the neckline is permitted with a tapered appearance. Hair may not touch the ears, eyebrows or collar (except that the closely tapered hair at the neck may touch the collar). The length and bulk of the hair may not interfere with properly worn headgear. Hair extending down the back of the neck (below the natural neckline, also referred to as grizzly man jack) is to remain shaved to maintain a sharp, tapered appearance.
Hair cannot exceed 1 1/4 inches in bulk/length on the top of the head or and exceed 1/4 inch on the sides.
Sideburns may not extend past the bottom of the ear orifice and may not be flared or pointed at the bottom and must terminate with a clean shaved horizontal line. Trendy or unkempt styles are not allowed, and dying the hair any color that does not look like your natural color is not allowed.
The face must be clean shaved while in uniform and during the entirety of NCOP.
***Cleanly shaven heads, military high-and- tight, or flat top haircuts are authorized. High and tights begin with a very short blade near the ears and progress to a slightly larger setting on top.
Females
No minimum hair length, to a maximum bulk of 4 inches from scalp and allows proper wear of headgear. Hair will end above the bottom edge of collar and will not extend below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground, both front to back and side to side unless worn in authorized ponytail or long braid(s). One or two braids or a single ponytail may be worn down the member’s back with bulk not exceeding the width of the head and length not extending below a horizontal line running between the top of each sleeve inseam at the under arm through the shoulder blades. The braid(s) or ponytail cannot be worn over the shoulder or pulled in front of the body. It must go down the member’s back. Bangs, or sideswiped hair, may touch eyebrows but will not touch or cover eyes.
Hair accessories. If worn, hair accessories (e.g., fabric scrunches, hairpins, combs,
clips, headbands, elastic bands, barrettes, etc.) must match hair color. Black hair
accessories are authorized regardless of hair color. Hair must still comply with bulk and
appearance standards.
Cosmetics are to be worn conservatively and in good taste. Fingernails are to be clean and not exceed ¼ inch in length. Fingernail polish must be one solid color and only colors that are conservative and complement skin tone.
Appearance in detachment and at ROTC activities when not in uniform:
While not in uniform, cadets are expected to dress professionally and be clean shaven. No open toed shoes, ripped jeans, short shorts, or shirts that have words or pictures that are foul, offensive or in bad taste. These items will not be tolerated and you will be asked to go home and change. Language will be professional as profanity and inappropriate conversation is unacceptable.
disclaimer: all language is per Air Force guidelines
Altoona and Commonwealth Campus Options
Penn State Altoona
Students at Penn State Altoona are eligible to participate in the AFROTC program at University Park (UP). Each year we have several students participate in the program by commuting two days a week to complete their AIR Class and Leadership Laboratory. Students are responsible for their own transportation to UP, but many students carpool to make traveling safe, convenient, and economical. Altoona Cadets also participate in physical training (“PT”) with the Army ROTC at the Altoona campus once a week.
In one or two years, you can transfer to the University Park Campus and complete the AFROTC program with your peers.
To enroll in the program, find out more information, or speak to a fellow Altoona student in the AFROTC program, complete the form below.
Other Commonwealth Campus Options
Other Commonwealth Campus ROTC programs will be hosted by Detachments at other colleges and universities. Check below for more information on where ROTC is available and their respective detachments.
If you are interested in participating in ROTC, but it is not offered at your campus, talk to your academic adviser about a possible transfer to a campus that does offer ROTC.
Det 730 – University of Pittsburgh
Penn State New Kensington and Penn State Greater Allegheny
Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Penn State Scranton, and Penn State Hazelton
Det 750 – St. Joseph’s University
Penn State Abington and Penn State Brandywine
PRIVACY AND LEGAL STATEMENTS
Penn State Privacy and Legal Statements
Webmaster e-mail: bcn3@psu.edu
Website last updated: 09 March 2023
PENN STATE AFROTC DETACHMENT 720
Address: 109 Wagner Building
University Park, PA 16802-3801
Phone: 814-865-5453
Email: airforce@psu.edu
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