Detachment History

Michigan Tech Detachment 400 History

1946—President Grover C. Dillman announces the reestablishment of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program following World War II. The combined Air/Army ROTC program, technically classified as a civil engineering unit, is activated at Michigan Technological University (formerly Michigan College of Mining and Technology).

1947—Michigan Tech ROTC assumes space at the former clubhouse/gym. Air ROTC Detachment 19 specializes in aircraft maintenance; all cadets are required to study engineering.

1950–51—Michigan Tech officially receives a full complement of Air Force personnel and establishes a separate Air Force ROTC department.

1952—Air Force ROTC Detachment 400, aka “Guardians of the North,” is formed.

1972—The first woman is admitted to the Michigan Tech ROTC program.

1979—1 in 5 female cadets nationally selected for the Air Force pilots' program come from Detachment 400. Only 16 female pilots are on active duty.

2000—The Aerospace Studies minor is offered to both AFROTC and non-AFROTC students.

2014 -- Detachment 400 awarded Team of the Year Award, recognizing the top among 145 AFROTC detachments world wide.

2018 -- Detachment 400 awarded "High Flight" as the "Top Detachment in the Northwest Region."