What is the POC program?
The Professional Officer Course (POC) is the portion of Air Force ROTC for collegiate upperclassmen. It is designed to build upon what cadets have learned in the GMC program and at Field Training, emphasizing leadership among its cadets. With two years of AFROTC and Field Training behind them, cadets are now expected to behave like Air Force officers and to demonstrate that they are indeed qualified to pursue a commission. POC cadets are required to commit to a minimum of four years on active duty if they wish to continue in the AFROTC program.
What Classes Would a POC Cadet Take?
Coming in as juniors, cadets take AERO3510 their first semester and AERO3520 their second. These classes serve to introduce Air Force leadership principles and management functions. As seniors, cadets take AERO4510 their first semester, which focuses on national security studies, and AERO4520 second, which is geared toward preparation for active duty. These classes meet once a week for two hours at a time and count for three credit hours.
Leadership Laboratory
As AS300’s and AS400’s, cadets will participate in AERO3511L and AERO4521L, respectively. Again, LLAB is taken once a week, either on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, based on the cadet’s schedule at his or her respective university. Professional Officer Course cades are unique in that they are in charge of all LLAB functions, including publishing orders and training the GMC cadets. The structure of LLAB is also entirely different: each cadet has a different job within the cadet wing, and he or she is completely responsible for everything that happens relating to that job. One college credit is awarded for the successful completion of Leadership Laboratory as a POC cadet.
What are the objectives of LLAB for juniors and seniors?
Junior (Intermediate Cadet Leadership): Designed to build upon the leadership experience gained as GMC cadets and at Field Training. While they have different roles within the wing, juniors are primarily responsible for the training of GMC cadets, interacting with them on an everyday basis and serving as the link between the lowerclassmen and upperclassmen.
Senior (Senior Cadet Leadership): Designed to build further upon the leadership experience gained as ICL cadets. Seniors are responsible for leading the entire cadet wing, directly overseeing the junior class and generally managing the GMC cadets. They are the primary link between the cadets and the cadre (active duty officers), and they ensure the overall success of the wing and completion of the training objectives.
