USAF Proposes Revision In College ROTC System

The Air Force has instituted a complete revision in its ROTC program, the CRIMSON learned yesterday, Officials will put the proposed program before the AFROTC Advisory panel Dec. 8 and will seek approval for it in the next session of Congress.

The revision will out the enrollment in college AFROTC programs considerably and will give scholarship aid to students chosen to enter the new program. The proposal comes as a result of the Air Force's feeling that the course does not cover present or future needs.

To take effort in the junior and senior years, the plan will give not more than $1200 to the student for the two years, and a maximum of $1500 to the college for the student's tuition. The program will also include two summer training camps (as opposed to the present one) after the sophomore and junior years. Attendance at both sessions will be mandatory.

Four Years of Active Duty

In order to enter the two year plan a student would attend the first summer session to qualify for admittance. Once enrolled, the student would sign a contract to continue with the program in college and to fulfill a four years' active duty commitment. Unlike the Army, the Air Force requires no reserve duty.

In addition to the aid given in the junior and senior years, students enrolled in the program will also receive pay equivalent to that of a staff sergeant during the two summer camp periods. Staff sergeant pay is approximately $125 a month, but the Air Force will also provide additional bonuses.

The greater selectivity of the new program will decrease considerably the present enrollment in AFROTC units across the country. There are 64,122 freshmen enrolled in AFROTC now and Major Edward M. Lyman, head of the AFROTC unit in the University, pointed out that the Air Force needs only 3,500. This figure compares with the 14,000 needed by the Army, but Lyman explained that the Air Force does not have reserve units like the Army.