AFROTC at ECU
This article describes the history of the AFROTC and the Department of Aerospace Studies betweeen 1948 to 1982. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: "AFROTC is a Part of ECU's 75th History," ECU Report, Volume 14, No. 5, September 1982.
Following World War II East Carolina's president, Dr. John Decatur Messick, wanted to get a navy detachment on campus, but one was not available at the time, however an Air Force detachment was available and so began an outstanding program for the school.
Detachment 600 of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) was formed in 1948, one year following the establishment of the Air Force as a separate military service. During htat first year a cadet club and a rifle team were formed and the first military ball was held. The graduate who became the highest ranking officer from the detachment came from the first group of cadets to be commissioned. Major General Charles E. Woods, '50, is now retired an with wife, Ruby Lee Bordeaux, '49 lives in San Antonio, Texas.
It was not until 1959 that a local chapter of the Arnold Air Society was organized. Named in memory of General "Hap" Arnold, who was a pioneer in the development of military aviation, this is a professional, honorary, and a service organization. Detachment 600 has earned a reputation of outstanding community service. Thousands of dollars have been raised by March-a-thons for the March of Dimes and hundreds of pints of blood have been secured for the American Red Cross. There have also been Christmas parties for underprivileged children and at one time the group sponsored an orphanage in Viet Nam.
The detachment has received its share of honors such as distinguished military cadet awards, the honor squadron trophy, the chancellor's cup in the intramural program, and an outstanding rating by the air training command inspector general.
Many of the cadets at the University receive Air Force scholarships which pay their tuition, books, and related lab fees.These scholarships are competetive and are awarded after a national screeneing process. Cadets compete for four-, three-, and two-year scholarships with the majority going to students majoring in math, physics, computer science, or business administration with a concentration in quantitative methods.
Today, as it has always been, classroom instruction for all cadets is by active duty officers who have a minimum of master's degree which includes academic instrucotr trianing designed to prepare them for the college environment.During the past 34 years, thousands of students have participated in the AFROTC program here, and 788 have been commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force. This academic year there are 250 cadets (39 women).
The detachment has been fortunate in having leading military figures attend their special function sand in 1981 General Richard L. Lawson became the highest ranking military officer to ever visit ECU and Detachment 600.He was chief of staff at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
AFROT is an integral part of campus and community life, and the curriculum is closely related to the needs of today's society.Detachment 600 is facing up to the challenges of the 80's and proudly joins in the 75th anniversary celebration of ECU.
Detachment Commanders
1948-1950 - Lt. Col. William Brown
1950-1952 - Major Lomax L. May
1952-1954 - Col. Roger A. Fuller
1954-1957 - Lt. Col. Lewis J. Partridge
1957-1959 - Lt. Col. E.J. Maloney
1959-1961 - Lt. Col. Norman F. Merritt, Jr.
1961-1966 - Lt. Elbert L. Kidd
1966-1969 - Lt. Col. Douglas F. Carty
1969-1972 - Col. John D. Duffus
1972-1975 - Col. Earl E. Bruton, Jr.
1975-1976 - Lt. Col. Ronald F. Henderson
1976-1980 - Lt. Col. Carl E. Tadlock, '54
1980- ---- - Lt. Col. James C. Thomas, '56
