Leadership Laboratory (LLAB) is mandatory for all Air Force ROTC cadets. Conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the semester from 1100 to 1200 (11am to 12pm), this is primarily when underclass cadets receive training from upperclass cadets, often referred to as POC (Professional Officer Course) cadets.

As a first-year cadet in Air Force ROTC, you will be classified as an AS 100 (according to your Air Force Science class), but you will often be referred to as an IMT (Initial Military Training) cadet. As an IMT, you will learn drill and ceremonies (marching), uniform wear, customs and courtesies (reporting and saluting), and proper conduct as a cadet in Air Force ROTC. You will be learning and following as your flight commander provides leadership, instruction, and your introduction to Air Force ROTC. During this time you will also be meeting the other cadets in your class and forming lasting friendships. There are also several cadet organizations you can join.

Second-year cadets are referred to as AS 200s or FTP (Field Training Preparation) cadets, and as the name suggests, you will be preparing for field training the following summer. You will have several POC cadets in charge of your instruction. They will teach you the various procedures required for field training, prepare you physically and give you an insight into what it takes to succeed during your field training encampment.

Once cadets successfully complete field training, they are inducted into the POC and are also referred to as ICLs (Intermediate Cadet Leaders). These cadets are assigned intermediate leadership positions within the cadet wing. These positions include flight commander, physical training officer, public affairs and recruiting, to name just a few. You´ll spend your ICL year learning how to be a leader and directly interacting with the IMT and FTP cadets to pass along helpful instruction and advice as those cadets learn more about Air Force ROTC and active duty.

In the final year of Air Force ROTC, cadets are referred to as SCLs (Senior Cadet Leaders). These cadets are assigned the top leadership positions such as squadron commander, group commander or wing commander. As an SCL, you will have several ICL and possibly many IMT and FTP cadets under your command. SCLs are expected to conduct themselves as leaders and mentors of the cadet wing as they prepare for the final step of earning their commission as second lieutenants in the US Air Force.

Cadets with specific technical majors are allowed to complete their degree requirements over a 4 ½ - 5-year period. Cadets who have completed all Air Force Science classes are classified as AS 700 and 800s and do not fill a cadet wing position. AS 700 cadets have completed their Air Force Science coursework and are finishing degree plans not approved for a 4 ½ - 5-year extension of scholarship benefits. AS 800 cadets have been approved to complete their degree plan and remain their scholarship. It is important to note that you do not have to be on scholarship to be in Air Force ROTC or complete the program. Our detachment has a long-standing record of cadets who either start their college careers with an Air Force ROTC scholarship or are awarded one within their first or second year of school.

Detachment 825 - Cadet Wing

The Cadet Wing embodies the structure of the cadet training program at Air Force ROTC detachments. Three groups form the cadet wing: Operations, Support and Maintenance. Within these groups, upperclass cadets lead the wing and are directly responsible for much of the hands on training their underclassmen receive. In your first and second year in the program, you will be assigned to a flight in Operations Group. Your flight commander will be an upperclass cadet who has completed field training and has demonstrated the capability to instruct cadets in drill and ceremonies, uniform wear, and conduct as a cadet in Air Force ROTC. (see summer programs for more on Field Training) Your flight will be part of a squadron, composed of two or more flights. Your squadron commander reports to the group commander, who in turn reports to the cadet wing commander.

The Support and Maintenance Groups are composed of squadrons and flights (with just one or two cadet officers to a flight) who attend to the many aspects of running a Cadet Wing. This may range from keeping the detachment computers up-to-date to planning social events. As you spend more time in Air Force ROTC, you´ll learn about various cadet wing duties and job positions, and how they all work together to support the mission of producing leaders for the Air Force.

Uniform Issue and Wear

When you sign up for AFS classes and Leadership Laboratory, your books and uniforms are issued at no cost to you from the Military Personnel Custodian (MPC), located in the ground floor of the RAS building on the UT campus. Don´t be scared about your uniforms. Other cadets will be more than willing to help you ensure correct placement and appearance of your uniform. On the first day of classes, after you´ve registered, make the MPC your first stop--pick up your uniforms and books so you´ll have them when it´s time to start using them.
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