Air Force/Space Force ROTCDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at University of New Mexico
Detachment 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus · Lobos · 510
Lobos is the AFROTC detachment at University of New Mexico-Main Campus in New Mexico.
About this program
Air Force ROTC Detachment 510 at the University of New Mexico carries a long history: the program's "long blue line" was first established at UNM in 1949, and today the detachment continues a stated tradition of excellence in recruiting, developing, training, and commissioning Air and Space Force officers.
Based at UNM's Aerospace Studies Building in Albuquerque, the detachment prepares cadets for the technically demanding careers of the modern Air and Space Forces: the officers who will operate air, space, and cyberspace systems and lead the people who support them. Cadets complete their college degree while training toward a commission.
The program points cadets toward a wide range of officer career fields, including pilot, combat systems operator, air traffic controller, engineer, security forces, missile officer, scientist, nurse, maintenance, intelligence, personnel, logistics, and public affairs.
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 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus by commuting to University of New Mexico.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of New Mexico-Main Campus.
Contact & location
Email: afrotc@unm.edu
Phone: 505-277-4502
Site: https://afrotc.unm.edu
Located at: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus located?
Detachment 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus is hosted at University of New Mexico-Main Campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the University of New Mexico-Main Campus campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
In addition to University of New Mexico-Main Campus, students enrolled at Central New Mexico Community College can contract through Detachment 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus 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 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
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 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
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.
When was Air Force ROTC established at the University of New Mexico?
The detachment's "long blue line" was first established at UNM in 1949.
What officer career fields does Detachment 510 highlight?
Cadets can pursue fields such as pilot, combat systems operator, air traffic controller, engineer, security forces, missile officer, scientist, nurse, maintenance, intelligence, personnel, logistics, and public affairs.
Can students at other schools join Detachment 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
Yes — Detachment 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus accepts cross-town and partner students from 1 other institution, including Central New Mexico Community College. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at University of New Mexico. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
Interested in Detachment 510 University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
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