Air Force/Space Force ROTCDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at University of Southern Mississippi
Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi · Golden Eagles · 435
AFROTC in Hattiesburg, MS runs out of University of Southern Mississippi as the Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi.
About this program
Operating out of University of Southern Mississippi, Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi commissions cadets into the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force under Air Force ROTC (Holm Center). Cadre and cadets commonly identify by the unit's nickname — the Golden Eagles. The program traces its lineage on this campus to 1972.
Cadets from William Carey University, Pearl River Community College, and Jones County Junior College cross-enroll into Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi on a typical once-per-week schedule, with leadership labs, PT, and Military Science classes held on the University of Southern Mississippi campus. AFROTC General Military Course (GMC) and Professional Officer Course (POC) blocks both flow through the host detachment, with consortium shuttles or carpools handling the commute.
Funding paths into this detachment include AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition) and AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap), with AFROTC HSSP Type 7 (in-state) also available. University of Southern Mississippi's academic strengths in nursing and health professions and mathematics and applied analytics give contracted cadets flexible major options on either side of the technical/non-technical line.
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 435 University of Southern Mississippi by commuting to University of Southern Mississippi.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Southern Mississippi.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Southern Mississippi.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Southern Mississippi.
Contact & location
Located at: University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi located?
Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi is hosted at University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the University of Southern Mississippi campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi?
In addition to University of Southern Mississippi, students enrolled at William Carey University, Pearl River Community College, and Jones County Junior College can contract through Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi 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 435 University of Southern Mississippi?
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 435 University of Southern Mississippi?
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.
Can students at other schools join Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi?
Yes — Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi accepts cross-town and partner students from 3 other institutions, including William Carey University, Jones County Junior College, Pearl River Community College. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at University of Southern Mississippi. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi founded?
Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi was established in 1972.
How do I contact Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi?
See the contact section for current cadre information.
Interested in Detachment 435 University of Southern Mississippi?
Send your details and the cadre can reach out about visits, scholarships, and next steps.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military.