Why Montana State Air Force ROTC?

Cadets at Montana State University make up a wide cross section of the campus community. Cadets represent a variety of ethnic groups, religious groups, academic majors, student organizations and clubs, and athletic and social interests. There are cadets from military and non-military backgrounds, urban and rural areas, and from as close as Bozeman to as far away as Alaska and Hawaii. The diversity of cadets enhances the AFROTC program at Montana State University. No matter what background the cadets may have, they all work toward one common goal: to become officers in the United States Air Force.

Detachment 450 has a long and distinguished history at MSU. With humble roots as a course known as College Training (Aircrew) in 1943, Det 450 had its formal beginnings in 1948 with the arrival of Lt Col John Carr (our first Professor of Air Science). By 1952 the needs of the still-young Air Force led to the creation of AFROTC Detachments, and on 1 August 1952 AFROTC Detachment 450 was officially activated. Det 450 has been providing the Air Force with quality officers and pilots from the dawn of the jet age and the first F-86 fighters through today's high-tech F-22 fighters and advanced space platforms.

Over the years the AFROTC program has grown from a World War II effort to boost specialist training into a major source of Air Force officers and pilots. Det 450 has grown with the Air Force, weathering the ups and downs of various political and social changes that have marked the American landscape since 1953. Through it all, the excellence of our cadets has remained constant.

Five cadets who have earned their commission through Det 450 have gone on to become general officers. Two have risen to the rank of Lieutenant General (3-star), one to the rank of Major General (2-star), and two have risen to the rank of Brigadier General (1-star).

Historically, Det 450 has had an impressive selection rate for pilot, navigator, and air battle manager training. Roughly one third of commissioning cadets are selected for one of these rated positions, and Det 450 cadets consistently win awards for superior performance at AFROTC Field Training.

Det 450 cadets are more than just students who will go into the Air Force after graduation. The cadets who complete the program are literally the best and the brightest that the nation has to offer.

They have followed in the illustrious footsteps of those who came before them to become leaders, and they have a definitive advantage, both in the Air Force and in life, over those who have not completed the program.

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Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 1/18/2008