Air Force ROTC Detachment 538

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Air Force ROTC Detachment 538

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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) scholarships, 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!

10/22/2026

Mastering the movement. 🇺🇸 During LLAB-2, our cadets honed the core fundamentals of flight marching—building bearing, alignment, and synchronized teamwork from the ground up. Leadership starts with getting the basics right.

10/16/2026

The Fall 2026 semester kicked off with LLAB-01, Commander’s Call. New cadets are welcomed by our cadre and cadet leadership. After the briefing from our cadre, new cadets participated in the fundamentals of static drill so they can get a view of what to expect from future Leadership Labs. After static drill fundamentals, we transitioned to announcements where Cadets Vehslage, Slattery, and Sheehan were congratulated for obtaining their solo flight wings. Whether it is Day 1 or Year 5, we are committed to building a cohesive unit where every member plays a vital role in our mission. Stay tuned to see what lies ahead!

10/13/2026

✈️NSOP 2026 🚀‼️

At NSOP 2026, prospective cadets at Detachment 538 got a brief look into the program by being introduced to the A-Staff for this semester and participated in a GLP, LRC, and an FTX scenario.

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10/01/2026

Congratulations to C/Cook on graduating BMT in June and for serving as an Airman Leader at Tech school.

C/Cook is currently attending the Judge Advocate General’s School at Maxwell Air Force Base for Paralegal tech school. He is also currently an enlisted Paralegal with the NY-ANG 107th Attack Wing.

Congrats on your accomplishments C/Cook, we can’t wait to have you back here at Det 538!

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09/30/2026

Last ones out hit the lights…

Congratulations to C/Reichmann, C/Sheehan, and C/Nettles on completing Field Training Max 6!!! You’ve officially conquered Field Training and earned those prop and wings! ✈️ Up next: taking everything you learned at Maxwell and leading the detachment to new heights.

What is your favorite Field Training experience?
Cadet Sheehan: “My favorite experience was doing combatives and while an A-10 flew over! Additionally, I learned how important a good team is to mission success.”

Cadet Reichmann: “My favorite experience was getting the helicopter incentive flight and getting to see the base from above. I learned that finding joy in the little things can make difficult times feel a little easier!”

Cadet Nettles: “My favorite experience was learning combatives.”

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09/29/2026

What is the Cadet Cadre ODT?

The Cadet Cadre Officer Development Training (ODT) is an opportunity for cadets to spend time at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, supporting the Field Training mission and helping develop GMC cadets into future POC. This 45-day experience allowed cadets to take on instructor and leadership roles while gaining mentorship from active-duty cadre and networking with other cadets from across the nation.

What did you get to do?

I had the opportunity to serve as a Combatives Instructor, where I first completed the 40-hour Air Force Combatives Program Basic Combatives Instructor Course. Throughout the program, I instructed approximately 1,600 cadets across 180 hours of combatives training and 71 specific objectives, covering stand-up, ground, and close-quarters battle skillsets. I also assisted with PFA administration, in-processing, and DFAC operations while providing mentorship to cadet trainees.

What is your favorite experience or memory from this ODT?

Some of my favorite experiences included taking a Huey incentive flight, providing 20 hours of mentorship to cadet trainees, pinning on some of our Detachment’s newest POC, and getting coined. The opportunity to support Field Training while developing as an instructor and leader was an experience I will carry with me throughout my career.

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09/28/2026

What is the program?
This eight-week aviation program was hosted at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, where cadets worked toward earning their Private Pilot Certificate. The program provided cadets with extensive flight training and hands-on aviation experience while also developing leadership and mentorship skills. The entire program was funded by the United States Air Force, with a value of approximately $30,000.

What did you get to do?

I had the opportunity to work toward my Private Pilot License while mentoring a flight of high school JROTC cadets. Day in and day out, I trained in the classroom and in the aircraft, developing my knowledge, confidence, and skills as a pilot. Balancing flight training with mentoring allowed me to grow both as an aviator and as a leader.

What is your favorite experience or memory from the program?

My favorite experience was completing a two-hour cross-country solo flight. During the flight, I traveled over 100 nautical miles while flying at 5,500 feet. Being able to navigate and operate the aircraft independently was an incredible experience and a major milestone in my journey toward becoming a pilot.

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09/25/2026

🇺🇸 Never Forget.
On 9/11, Arnold Air Society Col. Andrew J. Dougherty Squadron and Detachment 538 brought together the Rochester and RIT community at the 9/11 Vigil to honor and remember the 2,977 lives lost on September 11, 2001.
Cadets also came together to conduct a 24-hour guard of the area, with a cadet on watch continuously from 0830 on 9/11 until 0830 the following day.
We remember the victims, the first responders, the service members who answered the call, and the countless families and communities forever changed by that day.
Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Their legacy lives on.

09/02/2026

First Space Cadet coming back from Field Training 2026! Congratulations to C/Rahman on successfully completing Max 5!

“My favorite experience was completing flight paths around the DFAC before eating as well as getting to know all the other Space Force Cadets in my flight.” C/Rahman

Coming back from Field Training, Cadet Rahman will assume the role of Social Media Division Chief under A6.

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08/26/2026

Is that a bird? A plane? No its the Thunderbirds‼️

Over the summer, members and alumni of Detachment 538 were able to witness the greatness of the USAF Thunderbirds, in action, at the Rochester Air Show!!

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Address

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY
14623

Website

https://www.rit.edu/universitystudies/airforcerotc, https://www.afrotc.com/

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