Once I join my detachment what equipment will I be required to purchase? Also, will I be able to buy a personal set of boots or should I wait until I start in the program? Finally, is there a list somewhere of required materials? I have received a scholarship, but I have not contracted yet. I just wanted to get a head start.
AFROTC Supplies
- Thread starter cjcoppess
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eljay60
AFROTC parent, former ANC in USAR
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I believe it is detachment specific. My son's detachment provided the whole uniform, although he needed some incidentals like V-neck tee shirts to go under the polo shirt. While he was issued a dress uniform, he will not get ABUs until his 200 year. First year cadets wear polo shirts (issued) and khakis to class their first year, unless they are having a uniform inspection, a dining in/out, or pictures. I'm sure at some of the military colleges they are in ABUs the first week. Best bet: contact the cadre at your school. I would get a shoe shine kit... 
Thank you! I will be sure to contact Purdue.I believe it is detachment specific. My son's detachment provided the whole uniform, although he needed some incidentals like V-neck tee shirts to go under the polo shirt. While he was issued a dress uniform, he will not get ABUs until his 200 year. First year cadets wear polo shirts (issued) and khakis to class their first year, unless they are having a uniform inspection, a dining in/out, or pictures. I'm sure at some of the military colleges they are in ABUs the first week. Best bet: contact the cadre at your school. I would get a shoe shine kit...
AbsoluteBearing
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My DD is an A&M Plan B if she doesn't make it into USNA. I don't remember anything separate to get into the NROTC program there, was there something something specific your son filled out? She's also still waiting to hear about the NROTC Scholarship.
TexasSoccerMom
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I'm an Aggie Corps mom. My son is a fish. For A&M I think you just need to register for new student conference, register for housing and select Corps option. That's what my son did last year.
I'd suggest getting new student conference at one of the early sessions. They select a unit at their new student conference. Some units fill up quickly. Last year was the largest fish class on record. All the Air Force Squadrons were full by early July.
He did this in February as his plan B. He did not receive his TWE from USAFA until the end of April. The Corps has a Facebook page and Col Sam and other Corps staff are very active and answer any questions quickly.
I'd suggest getting new student conference at one of the early sessions. They select a unit at their new student conference. Some units fill up quickly. Last year was the largest fish class on record. All the Air Force Squadrons were full by early July.
He did this in February as his plan B. He did not receive his TWE from USAFA until the end of April. The Corps has a Facebook page and Col Sam and other Corps staff are very active and answer any questions quickly.
AbsoluteBearing
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Excellent advice TexasSoccerMom, thanks!
My son is a cadet at Purdue's AFROTC. When he initially joined, he had to wear good pants, shirt and a tie. I think he later wore something else until he got a uniform. From what I seee from the pictures of the freshman, they are using polo shirts. I wouldnt bother buying your own boots unless you hate the ones they give you. In any case, if you join Arnold Air you boots wont stay nice and clean. I think just about everything is provided including 2-3 t shirts every year. My son has a collection T-shirts. I dont know how the rest work, but Purdue AFROTC provides pretty much everything regardless if you are on scholarship or not. Fortunately or unfortunatley, you wont get to meet my son as he commissions this MayThank you! I will be sure to contact Purdue.I believe it is detachment specific. My son's detachment provided the whole uniform, although he needed some incidentals like V-neck tee shirts to go under the polo shirt. While he was issued a dress uniform, he will not get ABUs until his 200 year. First year cadets wear polo shirts (issued) and khakis to class their first year, unless they are having a uniform inspection, a dining in/out, or pictures. I'm sure at some of the military colleges they are in ABUs the first week. Best bet: contact the cadre at your school. I would get a shoe shine kit...
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From my experience, it varies a lot from detachment to detachment and even from year to year. We had a couple freshman classes with T-shirt’s and jeans, some with polos and khakis, some with both and some that wore PT uniforms. Anyhow, I’d wait till the summer and call your det and ask. They should be in contact with you and give you specific information with regards to reporting, AFROTC orientation (my det did an orientation a couple days before classes started) and whatever else you’ll need. At this point, I’d just confirm with the det that you’re enrolled for the fall and that they’re expecting you.
For boots, definitely don’t buy them yet. You won’t need them initially (likely not till your sophomore year) and your det will get you some standard issue ones when you get a uniform. At that point, you can see what other cadets have and explore your options within AF regs. Personally, I stuck with the issued ones until after I commissioned and then bought some lightweight ones.
For boots, definitely don’t buy them yet. You won’t need them initially (likely not till your sophomore year) and your det will get you some standard issue ones when you get a uniform. At that point, you can see what other cadets have and explore your options within AF regs. Personally, I stuck with the issued ones until after I commissioned and then bought some lightweight ones.
Freshman Purdue students go to school one week before school starts for orientation. Those applying to AFROTC and my guess the other two Rotc programs split off from the main freshman group at the end of the week and do 2-3 days of AFROTC orientation. Not saying you wont talk to them during the summer, but just about everything you need to know will be told then. I dont recall my son being in contact with AFROTC during the summer but that was 4 years ago and who remembers. I do think he had to sign up on-line and there were a couple of things he had to bring with him.