Department of Air and Space Studies

Department of Air & Space Studies (DAAS)

About Air & Space Studies
The Department of Air and Space Studies is focused on developing the next generation of leaders through a comprehensive 4-year undergraduate program resulting in a minor for participating students. The minor in Air and Space Studies focuses on the study of air and space power history, ethical leadership, and officership. In the current geopolitical climate, the modern Air Force & Space Force require officer-scholars to lead in unique and creative ways in order to achieve goals and problem-solve. This program emphasizes 21st century leadership and communication techniques to prepare students to lead modern groups and organizations.

About Air Force ROTC

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is an additional and separate program run by the department. Conducted at over 1000 colleges and universities throughout the United States, AFROTC trains men and women pursuing a 4-year degree to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force and U. S. Space Force. Most graduates who enter the Air Force or Space Force through ROTC are assigned positions consistent with their academic major. Others, who wish to do so, may qualify to become pilots and navigators. Men and women who complete graduation requirements for their major and ROTC, receive an officer's commission becoming active duty second lieutenants in the U.S. Air and Space Force. Additionally, officers who qualify may complete graduate studies prior to beginning their military duties. While Air Force ROTC is taught at Manhattan College in Riverdale, students from 34 associated consortium schools participate in the program attending college in the Greater New York area at qualified consortium locations.

Our Programs

Minor in Air & Space Studies

The minor in Air and Space Studies is offered to any Manhattan College undergraduate student completing the full 16 credit hours. The minor not only prepares students with a comprehensive understanding of leadership and military service, but provides any student the opportunity to study in-depth one of our country’s instruments of power, the United States military. In addition to studying Air Force and Space Force organizations, missions, and operations, the student will gain a broad perspective of the moral dimensions of the military profession. By studying the history of all DoD services and completing an ethical leadership and national security course, undergraduates will comprehend the emphasis on the key elements of leadership required in the profession of arms. All DAAS courses are conducted at Manhattan College on Fridays. Completion of the minor does not fulfill all commissioning requirements.

Academic Course of Study for the Minor

DAAS 101	Heritage & Values I	1
DAAS 111	Heritage and Values II	1
DAAS 201	Team and Leadership Fundamentals I	1
DAAS 211	Team and Leadership Fundamentals II	1
DAAS 301	Leading People and Effective Communication	3
DAAS 311	Leading People and Effective Communication II	3
DAAS 401	National Security/Commissioning Preparation I	3
DAAS 411	National Security/Commissioning Preparation II	3
Total Credits		16

AFROTC Classes

The course content for students participating in AFROTC consists of two parts: (1) academic class and (2) leadership lab class (LLAB). The academic classes are completed with the student's peer group (ex. freshman, sophomore, junior, senior); all lower-division courses are one credit hour and upper-division courses are three credit hours. The LLAB portion brings all four-year groups together where students practice a wide array of activities to enhance leadership skills (ex. drill and ceremonies, group leadership projects, and physical fitness). LLAB is a 1-credit hour. Anyone interested in the military, leadership, government, or national security issues is encouraged to register for the academic classes. Students who chose to be active cadets pursuing a commission are required to attend their respective academic class in addition to LLAB.AF

AFROTC Leadership Laboratory Classes

The Leadership Laboratory is a cadet-centered activity held in conjunction with all courses listed above and required for all Air Force ROTC cadets. It provides leadership and followership training experiences that will improve a cadet’s ability to perform as an Air Force or Space Force officer.

DAAS 102	Leadership Lab 100 I	1
DAAS 112	Leadership Lab 100 II	1
DAAS 202	Leadership Lab 200 I	1
DAAS 212	Leadership Lab 200 II	1
DAAS 302	Leadership Lab 300 I	1
DAAS 312	Leadership Lab 300 II	1
DAAS 402	Leadership Lab 400 I	1
DAAS 412	Leadership Lab 400 II	1

Scholarships
Highly qualified freshmen and sophomores enrolled as cadets in the AFROTC program can compete nationally for the In-College Scholarship Program. Express Scholarships may be available to students pursuing degrees the Air Force deems “critical” (Engineering and Foreign Languages). Scholarships cover tuition and most fees, $900 annually for textbooks, and include a monthly stipend ($300-$500). For High School seniors, four-year scholarships are available through www.afrotc.com and applications are due by February 1 each year.

Advising
For more information about the minor in Air & Space Studies visit our faculty office located in Leo Engineering Bldg room 246. For further information about Air Force ROTC or about the associated scholarship programs, log on to www.afrotc.com, email us at afrotc@manhattan.edu, or contact our office at (718) 862-7901.

Courses

DAAS 101. Heritage & Values I. 1 Credit.

"Heritage and Values - Fall" is a survey course designed to introduce students to the United States Air Force and provides an overview of the basic characteristics, missions, and organization of the Air Force. The following topics are covered: introduction to Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, Air Force career fields, Air Force core values, the formation of the Air Force, dress and appearance standards, customs and courtesies, public speaking, Air Force writing, the benefits of service, introduction to leadership, and the heritage of the Air Force.

DAAS 102. Leadership Lab 100 I. 1 Credit.

This course is for first year ROTC students. The purpose of the Leadership Lab (LLAB) to augment the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps academic curriculum by providing prospective Air Force officers the opportunities and feedback needed to develop the leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills required of successful Air Force officers. This course includes 20+ hours of Physical Fitness training and enhanced exercise science.

DAAS 111. Heritage and Values II. 1 Credit.

"Heritage and Values - Spring" is a survey course designed to introduce students to the United States Air Force and provides an overview of the basic characteristics, missions, and organization of the Air Force. The following topics are covered: defining war, the Air Force and social media, the evolution of the Air Force, the principles of war and tenets of airpower, the department of the air force, ethical decision-making, what the air force brings to the fight, and Air Force MAJCOMs.

DAAS 112. Leadership Lab 100 II. 1 Credit.

DAAS 201. Team and Leadership Fundamentals I. 1 Credit.

"Team and Leadership Fundamentals - Fall” provides a fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building. The lessons and course flow are designed to prepare cadets for field training and leadership positions in the detachment. The following topics are covered: self-awareness, listening, followership, full-range leadership, problem solving, motivation, standards and accountability, your financial future, and communication skills.

DAAS 202. Leadership Lab 200 I. 1 Credit.

This course is for second year ROTC students. The purpose of the Leadership Lab (LLAB) to augment the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps academic curriculum by providing prospective Air Force officers the opportunities and feedback needed to develop the leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills required of successful Air Force officers. This course includes 20+ hours of Physical Fitness training and enhanced exercise science.

DAAS 211. Team and Leadership Fundamentals II. 1 Credit.

"Team and Leadership Fundamentals - Spring" provides a fundamental understanding of both leadership and team building. The lessons and course flow are designed to prepare cadets for field training and leadership positions in the detachment. The following topics are covered: team building, human relations, conflict management, stress management and resiliency, ethical decision-making, and communication skills.

DAAS 212. Leadership Lab 200 II. 1 Credit.

DAAS 301. Leading People and Effective Communication. 3 Credits.

"Leading People and Effective Communication - Fall" utilizes cadet’s field training experience to take a more in-depth look at leadership. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing communication skills, and why that is important as a leader. Cadets have an opportunity to try out these leadership and management techniques in a supervised environment as juniors and seniors. The following topics are covered: critical thinking, leader development, change management, air force writing, effective supervision, the enlisted force, officer/ enlisted differences, bullet writing, bias, managing diversity and inclusion, cross-cultural competence, cultural VEST, your financial future, managing competing priorities, airmanship, code of conduct, ethical decision-making, joint ethics, and communication skills.

DAAS 302. Leadership Lab 300 I. 1 Credit.

This course is for third year ROTC students. The purpose of the Leadership Lab (LLAB) to augment the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps academic curriculum by providing prospective Air Force officers the opportunities and feedback needed to develop the leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills required of successful Air Force officers. This course includes 20+ hours of Physical Fitness training and enhanced exercise science.

DAAS 311. Leading People and Effective Communication II. 3 Credits.

"Leading People and Effective Communication - Spring" utilizes cadet’s field training experience to take a more in-depth look at leadership. Special emphasis is placed on enhancing communication skills, and why that is important as a leader. Cadets have an opportunity to try out these leadership and management techniques in a supervised environment as juniors and seniors. The following topics are covered: leadership theory, mentoring, inspiring action, providing feedback, peer feedback, professionalism, ethical decision- making, ownership, self-awareness, comprehensive airmen fitness, green dot, creating a vision, communication, organizational climate, public affairs and the media, establishing expectations, and theory and innovation.

DAAS 312. Leadership Lab 300 II. 1 Credit.

DAAS 401. National Security/Commissioning Preparation I. 3 Credits.

"National Security/Commissioning Preparation - Fall" is designed for college seniors and gives them the foundation to understand their role as military officers and how they are directly tied to our National Security Strategy. It is an overview of the complex social and political issues facing the military profession and requires a measure of sophistication commensurate with the senior college level. The following topics are covered: civilian control of the military, national security strategy, the department of defense, joint operations, unified combatant commands, the total force, defense support of the civil authority, Air Force domains, terrorism, space operations, cyberspace, nuclear operations, capabilities and force packaging, the law of war, how the Air Force deploys, command and control, global hot spots, and communication skills.

DAAS 402. Leadership Lab 400 I. 1 Credit.

This course is for fourth year ROTC students. The purpose of the Leadership Lab (LLAB) to augment the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps academic curriculum by providing prospective Air Force officers the opportunities and feedback needed to develop the leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills required of successful Air Force officers. This course includes 20+ hours of Physical Fitness training and enhanced exercise science.

DAAS 411. National Security/Commissioning Preparation II. 3 Credits.

"National Security/Commissioning Preparation - Spring" is designed for college seniors and gives them the foundation to understand their role as military officers and how they are directly tied to our National Security Strategy. It is an overview of the complex social and political issues facing the military profession and requires a measure of sophistication commensurate with the senior college level. The following topics are covered: base agencies, professional/unprofessional relationships, ethical decision-making: the tutor, leadership authority and responsibility, green dot, religious accommodation, suicide prevention, military justice, military justice case studies, corrective supervision and counseling, eLearning, blended retirement system, sexual assault prevention and response, airman comprehensive assessment, enlisted evaluation system, officer evaluation system, bullet practicum: evaluation, leadership case studies, pay, allowances, leave, career progression, and the commission/oath of office.

DAAS 412. Leadership Lab 400 II. 1 Credit.

DAAS 502. Leadership Lab 500 Part 1. 1 Credit.

This course is for third year ROTC students who have not yet entered the POC or for returning student who only need to enroll in LLAB and have completed all GMC AS requirements. The purpose of the Leadership Lab (LLAB) is to augment the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps academic curriculum by providing prospective Air Force officers the opportunities and feedback needed to develop the leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills required of successful Air Force officers. This course includes 20+ hours of Physical Fitness training and enhanced exercise science.

DAAS 512. Leadership Lab 500 Part II. 1 Credit.