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Detachment 085 San Diego State University · Aztecs · 085
Aztecs is the AFROTC detachment at San Diego State University in California.
About this program
Run by cadre at San Diego State University, Detachment 085 San Diego State University is the AFROTC detachment for California and surrounding California. The program dates to 1952. Cadets and alumni use the unit's nickname, the Aztecs, on guidons and class shirts.
Cross-town agreements bring University of California, San Diego, University of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University, and San Diego Christian College into the detachment's footprint. Most cross-town cadets keep their primary academics at the partner school and travel to San Diego State University for ROTC class and lab.
The detachment runs all standard AFROTC scholarship channels: AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition), AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap), AFROTC HSSP Type 7 (in-state). Major-wise, cadets here cluster around engineering and physical sciences and biology and pre-health programs, with cadre encouraging technical degrees where the cadet's career interests fit.
Scholarships available here
Tuition + fees capped at $18,000/yr, plus $900/yr textbook allowance and monthly stipend ($300-$500); may convert to a housing scholarship (up to $10,000/yr). AY27-28 minimums: SAT 1310 / ACT 28 / CLT 93, GPA 3.3. Window: July 1 - December 11, 2026. Award type is fixed at selection - no upgrades.
Service obligation: 4 years
In-College Scholarship Program for freshmen/sophomores already enrolled in AFROTC. Merit-based with fall and spring selection phases; same capped/uncapped structure as HSSP plus the $10,000/yr housing conversion. The General Charles McGee Leadership Award (CMLA) covers non-scholarship cadets who receive an enrollment allocation.
Service obligation: 4 years
Tuition + fees capped at $36,000/yr, plus $900/yr textbook allowance and monthly stipend ($300-$500); may convert to a housing scholarship (up to $10,000/yr). Type 4 replaced the old in-state Type 7 award in the current HSSP structure. AY27-28 minimums: SAT 1310 / ACT 28 / CLT 93, GPA 3.3. Window: July 1 - December 11, 2026.
Service obligation: 4 years
Full tuition with no cap + $900/yr textbook allowance + monthly stipend ($300 freshman to $500 senior); may convert to a housing scholarship (up to $10,000/yr). Most competitive tier. AY27-28 minimums: SAT 1310 / ACT 28 / CLT 93, unweighted GPA 3.3, single test sitting. Window: July 1 - December 11, 2026; two boards (Oct 2026, Mar 2027). 4-year active-duty obligation (longer for rated career fields).
Service obligation: 4 years
Cross-town & partner schools served
Students at these schools can commission through Detachment 085 San Diego State University by commuting to San Diego State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at San Diego State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at San Diego State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at San Diego State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at San Diego State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at San Diego State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at San Diego State University.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at San Diego State University.
Contact & location
Located at: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-0001
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 085 San Diego State University located?
Detachment 085 San Diego State University is hosted at San Diego State University in California. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the San Diego State University campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 085 San Diego State University?
In addition to San Diego State University, students enrolled at University of California, San Diego, University of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego Christian College, Mesa College, Miramar College, and Southwestern College can contract through Detachment 085 San Diego State University via cross-town agreements. Cross-town cadets keep their primary academics at the partner school and travel to the host for ROTC-side coursework.
What scholarships are available through Detachment 085 San Diego State University?
AFROTC cadets at this detachment compete for AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition), AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap), AFROTC HSSP Type 7 (in-state), ICSP (in-college). National awards apply out of high school; on-campus side-loads kick in once a cadet is enrolled and contracted.
What's the AFROTC summer training for cadets at Detachment 085 San Diego State University?
Between sophomore and junior year, cadets compete for slots at AFROTC Field Training at Maxwell AFB — the gate that converts a GMC cadet into a POC contracted cadet.
How big is the corps at Detachment 085 San Diego State University?
Public corps-size figures aren't always published year-to-year; AFROTC detachments in this size class generally carry between several dozen and a few hundred contracted cadets depending on host enrollment.
Can students at other schools join Detachment 085 San Diego State University?
Yes — Detachment 085 San Diego State University accepts cross-town and partner students from 7 other institutions, including Mesa College, San Diego Christian College, University of San Diego, Miramar College. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 085 San Diego State University as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at San Diego State University. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 085 San Diego State University founded?
Detachment 085 San Diego State University was established in 1952.
Interested in Detachment 085 San Diego State University?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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