Air Force/Space Force ROTCVerifiedDrill TeamColor GuardAir Force ROTC at University of Utah
Detachment 860 The University of Utah · Utes · 860
Detachment 860 The University of Utah trains cadets at University of Utah for service in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
About this program
Headquartered on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Detachment 860 The University of Utah is the local accession point into the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Founded in 1947, the unit has graduated officers across every major service era since.
Sister-school participation is a real piece of this detachment. Cadets from Brigham Young University, Westminster College, Salt Lake Community College, and Weber State University contract through Detachment 860 The University of Utah and travel to University of Utah for the military-side requirements while keeping their core degree at the partner.
On the scholarship side: AFROTC HSSP Type 1 (full tuition), AFROTC HSSP Type 2 ($18k cap), AFROTC HSSP Type 7 (in-state) are all live channels at Detachment 860 The University of Utah. Academically, University of Utah is well-regarded for international affairs and language study — a track that pairs well with ROTC's emphasis on technical and leadership majors.
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 860 The University of Utah by commuting to University of Utah.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at The University of Utah.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at The University of Utah.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at The University of Utah.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at The University of Utah.
Cross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at The University of Utah.
Contact & location
Phone: 801-581-6236
Site: https://afrotc.utah.edu
Located at: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9008
Air Force ROTC FAQ
Where is Detachment 860 The University of Utah located?
Detachment 860 The University of Utah is hosted at University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. The detachment's training events, classes, and PT all run on the University of Utah campus.
Which colleges and universities can attend Detachment 860 The University of Utah?
In addition to University of Utah, students enrolled at Brigham Young University, Westminster College, Salt Lake Community College, Weber State University, and Utah Valley University can contract through Detachment 860 The University of Utah 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 860 The University of Utah?
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 860 The University of Utah?
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 860 The University of Utah?
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 860 The University of Utah?
Yes — Detachment 860 The University of Utah accepts cross-town and partner students from 5 other institutions, including Westminster University, Salt Lake Community College, Weber State University, Utah Valley University. See the cross-town options for distance and enrollment paths.
Can I commission through Detachment 860 The University of Utah as any major?
Air Force programs accept students from most academic majors at University of Utah. Some scholarships and commissioning options (e.g., nursing, engineering, foreign-language) carry major requirements — confirm with the unit before declaring.
When was Detachment 860 The University of Utah founded?
Detachment 860 The University of Utah was established in 1947.
Interested in Detachment 860 The University of Utah?
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