About Air Force ROTC

Ohio University's Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is a 4-year, in-college officer training program that allows college students to obtain a undergraduate degree while training to become an officer for the United States Air Force (USAF) or Space Force (USSF). As part of the AFROTC, students earn elective credit hours towards their undergraduate degrees. At Ohio University, AFROTC cadets earn a minor in Aerospace Studies upon graduation. Upon course completion and graduation, our cadets commission as active duty second lieutenants and serve the nation in a multitude of exciting career fields and duty locations.

Commander's Welcome

On behalf of the Detachment 650, welcome to the Bobcat Wing! We have partnered with Ohio University since 1948 to produce high-quality officers for the United State Air Force. We provide many resources to help students succeed academically, physically, and mentally prepare for the challenges and great opportunities that await them upon graduation. Through this program, we build the cadet’s character, perseverance, and strength through application of the Air Force Core Values – Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

We are proud of the achievements of our commissioned graduates, including four general officers and two members of the US Air Force Thunderbirds. We are confident our current cadets will also find great success. Are you ready to challenge yourself and not just have a good job, but a great career? Give us a call or, better yet, stop by and see for yourself!

Det 650 Mission

Air Force ROTC recruits, develops, and commissions trustworthy, selfless, and professional Second Lieutenants for the nation.

About Detachment 650

Detachment 650 is a proud organization with a rich history that has grown into a top of the line AFROTC detachment. We are dedicated to molding and guiding quality, respectable and responsible second lieutenants and civilians. The detachment is geared towards helping others do their very best. Excellence in all we do-- one of the USAF Core Values--certainly hits home for the cadre at the Detachment. We provide a program that will push you to achieve your goals while getting involved in the community, making new friends, learning new skills and turning you into an excellent officer in the world's best Air and Space Force.

The program focuses on teaching college students the skills they'll need to become successful Company Grade Officers (CGOs) in the USAF and USSF. We do this by instilling a broad set of personal, professional, leadership, and managerial skills into each cadet throughout their three to four years in the program. These skills are developed through academic, hands-on experience, and mentorship. Every cadet is held to a high standard as a future officer and is challenged to continuously push themselves in order to stimulate personal growth throughout the breadth of their cadet careers.

Choosing to participate in becoming an officer in the United States Air Force or the United States Space Force will be one of the best decisions you can ever make. If you have any questions, please contact us at 740-593-1343 or afrotc650@ohio.edu. 

Disclaimer: It is not the intent of Ohio University to imply an endorsement by any service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Det 650 History

Following World War II, General Dwight D. Eisenhower signed General Order No.124 establishing Air ROTC units at 78 colleges and universities throughout the nation. Ohio University was one of those institutions.

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) first arrived at Ohio University in 1935. At this time, the Air Force as it is known today, was under the Department of the Army and called the Army Air Corps.

In the summer of 1946, Capt Mark Treat (a B-26 pilot) went Temporary Duty (TDY) to Perrin Air Force Base (AFB), Texas to join other officers receiving training on how to start Army Air Corps Detachments at these 78 schools. Following training, he reported to the commander of the Ohio University Army ROTC unit; he had been told there would be a separate "Air Force" soon. In September 1946, the first 40 Air Force officer candidates began classes in the basement of what is now Scripps Hall. Their textbook was a 25 cent paperback edition of "The History of the Army Air Corps."

Captain Treat rented a home at 125 North Congress Street, but his Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) lived in some trailers that were set up at the Fairgrounds for World War II veterans. Most of the students were World War II veterans as well, and lived on "Hog Island," a group of barracks built on what is now the East Green. The pilots on the detachment staff had to fly each month to keep their proficiency and flight pay, so they drove to Lockbourne AFB (now Rickenbacker International Airport) and flew with the African American flyers stationed there known as the famous "Tuskegee Airmen."

In September 1947 the National Security Act created a separate Air Force. On 1 July 1949 Army and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) were designated as separate departments at Ohio University. In this era, cadets earned $27 per month in Subsistence Allowance: not bad considering tuition and fees totaled around $45 per semester.

AFROTC underwent changes in the 1950s. In May 1950 the John P. Robbins Squadron of the Arnold Air Society (AAS) formed at Ohio University, just one month after AAS started at the University of Cincinnati. The first cadet regulations were published and a bill to allow women into the corps was introduced. Detachment 650 reached its high point in enrollment in the 1950-51 school year, with 500 basic and 350 advanced students. A record 130 cadets received commissions that June.

Though there was an experimental program at a few universities to commission women through ROTC from 1956-1960, the program officially admitted women in 1969 and the first female Ohio University commissionee was 2nd Lt Harriet Hunter in 1974.

The size of Ohio University's AFROTC program has varied over the years, from the early 1950s when there were over 800 cadets to years with fewer than 50 cadets, depending on the needs of the Air Force. Due to the strong support of then Ohio University President Ping, the unit survived an effort by the Air Force to close the unit as a cost cutting move.

Air Force ROTC at Ohio University has a proud tradition of producing high quality young officers for the United States Air Force. We are very proud of the accomplishments of the first 60 years, and look forward to an even better future!

AFROTC Det 650 Copyright 2018 - Current as of Aug 2018 - Privacy and Security Notice - 35 South Congress St. - Bromley Hall 159 - 1 Ohio University Dr - Athens - OH 45701 - USA • 740-593-1343 • afrotc650@ohio.edu • The Holm Center • AFROTC Recruiting • AF FOIA