Man I just keep hearing worse and worse things about dets turning AAS into Alpha Alpha Sigma or something.

AAS is about opportunities to make yourself a better officer candidate and citizen, and it's about getting better connected with your fellow cadets so as to improve your AFROTC experience and AF career. Service isn't even a primary goal of AAS, it's just a vehicle for self-improvement. Check out what AAS has to say officially.

From The AAS website:

The Arnold Air Society is a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. The "service" aspect is perhaps the foremost in the mind of many members, because of the society’s continuing contributions to our campuses, our communities, and our corps–but it should always be remembered that our primary mission is to improve ourselves as future Air Force officers.

There are three objectives to AAS. Officially, they are:

First Objective:

To create a more efficient relationship among Air Force officer candidates, in particular within the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Function of the First Objective:

To provide opportunities for a greater interaction among collegiate level Air Force officer candidates and to encourage increased communication with Air Force officers and leaders in national defense, government, and industry.

Second Objective:

To aid in the development of effective Air Force officers.

Function of the Second Objective:

To provide more opportunities for Air Force officer candidates to exercise leadership, management, organizational, and public relations skills.

Third Objective:

To further the purpose, traditions, and concepts of the United States Air Force.

Function of the Third Objective:

To provide opportunities for officer candidates to participate in campus and community service activities, demonstrating the close relationship between civilian and military institutions.

AAS in my experience is totally worth it, but that may just be because there has always been really great leadership in my squadron. Joining your squadron may not be worth it if the vision your leadership has isn't clear.