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 Jr., Fayetteville State University petitioned and received an Air Force ROTC unit. The unit was designated Detachment 607 with Lt Col James 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.
Chancellor Dr. Charles Lyons Dr. William M. Bell General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr.
