Det 630 History
The first Air Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) units were established between 1920 and 1923 at the University of California at Berkeley, Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois, the University of Washington, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College.
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.
Detachment 630 has been in continuous operation since its inception in 1951 when the Secretary of the Air Force, Thomas K. Finletter, authorized its formation at Kent State University.
North Hall, the wooden barracks that were located underneath the Heating Plant smokestack on campus, was the original quarters of AFROTC from 1951 until 1970. The unit was moved to Rockwell Hall, which was then part of the original library on the main campus. In December of 1984, ROTC relocated to the old Wills Gymnasium offices. The move to Wills Hall allowed all ROTC offices and classrooms to be co-located in the same building for the first time. An official dedication ceremony was held on 22 Feb 1983.
In November of 2000, both the Army and Air Force ROTC detachments moved into Terrace Hall Annex. Almost 20 years later, in July of 2019, both the Army and Air Force ROTC detachments moved into The Michael Schwartz Center. Det 630 has on average 80 to 150 AFROTC cadets in its program each academic year.
As of June 2005, Detachment 660 in Akron, OH closed and the cadets have merged with the Cadet Wing at Detachment 630.
Today, Detachment 630 at Kent State University is a diverse collection of students from 11 institutions:
- Kent State University
- The University of Akron
- Case Western University
- Cleveland State University
- Youngstown State University
- The University of Mount Union
- Hiram College
- Baldwin Wallace University
- Ursuline College
- Walsh University
- John Carroll University
Additionally, Detachment 630 offers two volunteer cadet organizations for the purpose of better preparing future Second Lieutenants for active duty.
- Arnold Air Society is a national, honorary, professional service organization that promotes service projects in the community and on campus
- The Silver Eagles Drill Team is a ceremonial organization that performs at parades, football games, weddings, funerals and many other community activities
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Last Updated: 18 January 2024
