The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), part of The University of Alabama System, has officially launched its Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) operating location.

This program is unique, marking the first of its kind for the Air Force or Space Force ROTC in the United States.

“We are incredibly proud to bring this new Air Force ROTC operating location to UAH,” said Dr. Charles L. Karr, UAH president. “This program will provide our students with a valuable opportunity as they prepare for the next phase of their lives. We extend our gratitude to Maxwell Air Force Base and the broader military community for selecting UAH to host this innovative program that will support both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.”

The activation ceremony, which took place at UAH, featured remarks from university leaders and distinguished guests, including representatives from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery.

The event concluded with a symbolic “passing of the flag” ceremony and the presentation of a presidential proclamation.

“Huntsville was our top choice for piloting this new concept due to its world-class education, strong STEM focus, and willingness to host a military presence on campus,” said Brig. Gen. Joseph Sheffield, commander of the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development. “UAH’s engineering and nursing programs are among the largest at the university, and these fields are critical to the needs of the Air Force and Space Force.”

The UAH AFROTC program, set to begin in the fall of 2024, will be open to freshmen and sophomores. It will allow both scholarship and non-scholarship cadets to pursue their degrees while living as regular college students. Upon graduation, they will be commissioned into the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force.

“Our mission is to build leaders, which aligns perfectly with UAH’s commitment to providing a challenging, hands-on curriculum that prepares graduates to become the leaders of tomorrow,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Johnson, commander of Detachment 012 and UAH’s AFROTC operating location. “This partnership with UAH is the foundation of our long-term initiative to educate and develop students for successful military careers in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force.”

UAH is collaborating with Samford University in Birmingham and Maxwell Air Force Base to develop its AFROTC program. Initially, UAH’s program will operate as an independent location under the administrative support of Samford’s existing AFROTC program until it is fully established.

For more information about the UAH AFROTC operating location and other military and veterans’ programs available at UAH, visit uah.edu/mvp.