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Cornell AFROTCDetachment 520Ever Upward
Cadets in physical training gear hold small red boxes in the detachment heritage room.

Detachment 520Cornell University

Det 520 · Scholarships & Careers

Air Force & Space Force Career Pathways

The two services have distinct missions and career structures. Selection, commissioning, career field, training, and assignment outcomes all follow current official processes.

Visit af.milVisit spaceforce.mil

Two services, current official processes

The United States Air Force and the United States Space Force are separate services within the Department of the Air Force.

Selection, commissioning, career field, training, and assignment outcomes are governed by current official processes and are not guaranteed by participation in AFROTC.

The United States Air Force and United States Space Force marks side by side, with fighter aircraft above the clouds on the left and a satellite in orbit above Earth on the right.

  • Official external source · United States Air Force

    Official United States Air Force website

    Visit af.mil

  • Official external source · United States Space Force

    Official United States Space Force website

    Visit spaceforce.mil

Broad career areas

Detachment 520's public site describes Air Force and Space Force careers as spanning broad areas. These examples are illustrative, not exhaustive, and do not imply availability, qualification, selection, or assignment for any individual.

  • Science and engineering

    Drive institutional research, aerospace engineering, physical sciences, and advanced technological upgrades for both air and orbital platforms.

  • Aviation

    Pilots, combat systems officers, air battle managers, and remotely piloted aircraft operators leading missions in global tactical domains.

  • Cyber

    Defend critical information architecture, manage global military network infrastructure, and build resilient cyber defense forces.

  • Other operational specialties

    Space operations, intelligence officers, logistics, security forces, and administrative specialties that form the robust operational spine of the forces.

Base visit

Seeing the force up close

Detachment 520 cadets visited an active Air Force installation to see career fields firsthand — transport aircraft, explosive ordnance disposal, fire protection, and munitions. These photographs show cadets exploring, not career outcomes.

  • Two cadets seated at the controls in the cockpit of a large Air Force aircraft during a base visit.
  • An Airman explains a table of inert training munitions to visiting cadets.
  • A smiling cadet wearing an explosive ordnance disposal suit holds an inert training rocket.
  • A cadet in firefighting gear gives peace signs during a fire-protection demonstration.

Related information

  • Benefits & Service Commitments

    Review the questions that require current authorized guidance regarding scholarship parameters and active service terms.

    Review benefits and commitments

  • Cadet Life

    See the coursework, leadership laboratory, and field training behind the physical and academic requirements of the program.

    Explore cadet life

  • Contact Detachment 520

    Take individual questions about eligibility, physical requirements, and specific career paths to an authorized detachment officer.

    View contact information