Air Force ROTC Detachment 538

Air Force ROTC Detachment 538 Detachment 538 at the Rochester Institute of Technology: Aspire. Commit. Succeed. Welcome to the official page for Air Force ROTC Detachment 538!

We offer a challenging in-college program to develop quality leaders for the United States Air Force with graduates commissioning as 2nd Lieutenants who serve in a variety of career fields the Air Force has to offer. Currently serving nine crosstown schools, the Air Force ROTC program here at RIT is open to many seeking the opportunities that we have to offer, to include (but not limited to) schol

arships, professional/service extracurricular opportunities, base visits, incentive flights, and more! If interested, we encourage you to send us a message here on Facebook or simply check out our website below!

We’re proud to announce that the following cadets have successfully completed their training and have been commissioned ...
05/15/2026

We’re proud to announce that the following cadets have successfully completed their training and have been commissioned as officers in both the Air and Space Forces! Huge congratulations to cadets Wisniewski, Libby, and Malcolm for their achievement!

Years of hard work, dedication, leadership, and sacrifice have allowed these cadets to complete their training and take the Oath of Office. We’re incredibly proud of their journey and the success they’ve had, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for these talented individuals!

We’d like to thank Brigadier General Kaczor, Acting Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Warfighter Communications and Cyber Systems, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, for parting valuable advice onto our new Lieutenants and for speaking at our ceremony.

We’d also like to thank our generous hosts at the National Warplane Museum for allowing us to use their venue!

Finally, we’d like to thank the friends and family of our new officers for supporting these individuals on their journeys to officership. Thanks to your dedication as supporters, our new officers are able to serve.

As the unit continues to grow and evolve, we’re putting a renewed focus on preserving our collective history. The Herita...
05/04/2026

As the unit continues to grow and evolve, we’re putting a renewed focus on preserving our collective history. The Heritage Board serves as a permanent record of the individuals who have contributed to this program over the years, and it remains open for any current member who wants to officially add their name to that lineage. It’s a simple way to ensure that the work put in by this class is recognized by those who follow.

Separately, we’re also building out the Det Drive to capture the parts of our history that a physical wall can’t show. This project is a dedicated resource for archiving our unit’s media, traditions, and major milestones in one central place. By keeping our records organized now, we’re making sure the specific culture and achievements of our era are fully documented for the future of the detachment!

Want to contribute or stay updated on our progress? Send us an email at [email protected] to submit your media or to be added to our official mailing list!

"Our Air Force must be able to thrive in an environment of chaos. Success will not be found in rigid adherence to the pl...
05/01/2026

"Our Air Force must be able to thrive in an environment of chaos. Success will not be found in rigid adherence to the plans of yesterday. It will be found by those who have the courage to accelerate change. As you move forward from this detachment, remember that your greatest asset isn't the technology you'll operate, but your ability to think, adapt, and lead through uncertainty." — General Charles "CQ" Brown Jr.

LLAB 14 marked the conclusion of a high-tempo semester for Detachment 538. Last week was a testament to the hard work of every Cadet in the detachment, from the final parade to the awarding of individual achievements.

In addition to our Change of Command, we recognized our AS200 class as they prepare for Field Training. Seeing them receive their Lieutenant bars from the POC highlights the strong bond of mentorship within our detachment. These awards represent a commitment to the standards of excellence required of the next generation of Air Force and Space Force officers.

We are honored to have had so many visitors from our military community join us for this even, thank you for your continued support.

Congratulations to all award recipients and the Fall ‘26 staff!



Cross-functional training at its finest. Grateful for the chance to learn from the experts at the RIT Public Safety Team...
04/20/2026

Cross-functional training at its finest. Grateful for the chance to learn from the experts at the RIT Public Safety Team!



RIT Public Safety

Last week's LLAB was a deep dive into the world of autonomous systems. We spent the day focusing on drone education and ...
04/17/2026

Last week's LLAB was a deep dive into the world of autonomous systems. We spent the day focusing on drone education and the tactical application of RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) in the field.

We applied these concepts during a high-stakes GLP (Group Leadership Project), where we had to lead our teams through a series of complex maneuvers and mission objectives. The best part? Every cadet got the chance to actually fly. There is a steep learning curve to mastering drone flight, but the experience was invaluable for our development as future officers. Aim High!

The primary goal of MDO, or Multi-Domain Operations, is to coordinate land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace to create si...
04/10/2026

The primary goal of MDO, or Multi-Domain Operations, is to coordinate land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace to create simultaneous dilemmas for an adversary. During our recent LLAB, cadets applied this theory by solving sector-specific GLPs in the Ground, Air, Cyber, and Space domains. These GLPs, Group Leadership Problems, challenge cadets to think critically and communicate across different technical fields. This rigorous preparation establishes the tactical foundation necessary for successful mission ex*****on later this semester.

Last week, our AS200 class reached a defining milestone in their journey to lead. By taking the Oath of Enlistment, thes...
04/09/2026

Last week, our AS200 class reached a defining milestone in their journey to lead. By taking the Oath of Enlistment, these cadets have moved beyond the classroom and into a legally binding commitment to serve.

As Lt Col Crespo shared during the ceremony: "...you are taking a legally binding agreement to commit to a cause."

Congratulations to our newest contracted cadets. We are proud of your dedication to support and defend the Constitution!

Join us for Detachment 538’s Shadow Day! Shadow Day provides an opportunity for those interested in Air Force ROTC to me...
04/08/2026

Join us for Detachment 538’s Shadow Day! Shadow Day provides an opportunity for those interested in Air Force ROTC to meet current cadets and learn more about the program while taking part in exciting activities!

To RSVP to this exciting event, please email: [email protected]

For more information about Air Force ROTC at RIT, visit: https://www.rit.edu/universitystudies/airforcerotc

Join us for Detachment 538’s Shadow Day! Shadow Day provides an opportunity for those interested in Air Force ROTC to me...
04/03/2026

Join us for Detachment 538’s Shadow Day! Shadow Day provides an opportunity for those interested in Air Force ROTC to meet current cadets and learn more about the program while taking part in exciting activities!

To RSVP to this exciting event, please email: [email protected]

For more information about Air Force ROTC at RIT, visit: https://www.rit.edu/universitystudies/airforcerotc

Preparation for commissioning means staying ahead of the curve in every domain. This LLAB was dedicated to the unique ch...
04/03/2026

Preparation for commissioning means staying ahead of the curve in every domain. This LLAB was dedicated to the unique challenges of the United States Space Force. We explored the technical side of satellite communications and the strategic importance of the three satellite orbits. Teams also tackled a complex GLP (Group Leadership Project) focused on the simultaneous planning of two satellites, ensuring our future officers are ready for the multi-domain nature of the Department of the Air Force.

Address

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY
14623

Website

https://www.afrotc.com/

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