Our Story
In 1972, FSU Chancellor Dr. Charles Lyons pursued and gained the installation of Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at Fayetteville State, opening the door to Air Force Officer Training and the opportunity to earn commissions as U.S. Military Officers. This was a momentous step in that less than 5% of all U.S. Military officers were African American. A handful of FSU students decided to step up to this opportunity and in 1974 FSU Detachment 607 commissioned its first U.S. Military Officers. All six initial officers went on to serve 20 years or more, each retiring after illustrious careers and re-entering the civilian world to become successful business and community leaders.
Over the next 50 years FSU, in partnership with Methodist University, UNC at Pembroke, Campbell University and Fayetteville Tech Community College, have gone on to help produce hundreds of military officers. These officers have served as pilots, navigators, weapons controllers, logisticians, intelligence officers, engineers, personnel officers, medical professionals and in just about every profession that make up the military.
This story would not be possible without the vision of university leadership and without the persistence and fortitude of the officers commissioned through the ROTC programs. Several retired officers have shared stories about their struggle upon receiving their commissions. And though most struggled to compete in a world largely foreign to their background, they persevered due largely to a common ethic “I will not fail, given an opportunity.”
FSU ROTC Programs can boast commissionees achieving rank from Brigadier General, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, and below. More importantly, upon completing sterling military careers, most have gone on to lead businesses, serve in the political arena and hold various leadership positions in civilian life.
“ I was woefully underprepared and learned quickly that I had to get up
earlier, stay later, study harder, compete more fiercely; but in the end I knew
it was up to me to succeed.”
Det 607 Retiree
HISTORY OF DETACHMENT 607
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a training program of the United States armed forces present on college campuses to recruit and educate commissioned officers. It is designed as a college elective, and studies focus on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics. ROTC commissions roughly 60% of all officers in the U.S. Armed Forces. Other officers are commissioned through the academies (such as the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs) and OTS (Officer Training School).
After World War II, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Chief of Staff of the War Department, signed General Order No. 124, establishing Air ROTC units at 77 colleges and universities throughout the nation. Today, there are 144 AFROTC Detachments on American colleges and university campuses with cross-town arrangements with over 1025 other schools.
In 1972, under the leadership of Dr. Charles A. Lyons, and assisted by Dr. William M. Bell, and Gen Daniel “Chappie” James, Fayetteville State University petitioned and received an Air Force ROTC unit. The unit was designated Detachment 607 with Lt Col Dillard serving as its first commander. The first students were enrolled in the program at the beginning of fall semester 1972. Two years later, 1974, Det 607 commissioned its first Air Force officers. These six officers successfully served the Air Force with distinction and retired with honor. They are, with highest rank achieved, Colonel Bobby Washington, Lt Col Conrith Davis, Lt Col Frank Melvin, Lt Col Bernard Taylor, Major Frank Douglas and Major Ronnie Smith. The trailblazing spirit of these first six cadre remains strong at the unit today.
Presently, Fayetteville State University serves as the ROTC host school in partnership with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Methodist University, Campbell University and Fayetteville Technical Community College. Together these schools produce some of the finest Air Force officers for our great nation.
