Air Force ROTC detachments remain open Published Oct. 1, 2004 By Ann Easterling Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) -- Five Air Force ROTC detachments previously identified for closure will remain open on a two-year period of evaluation, as recently approved by Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche.The detachments are at the University of Memphis in Tennessee; University of Cincinnati in Ohio; Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark; and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The detachments were scheduled to close the summer of 2007.During the two-year evaluation period, Air Force ROTC and university officials will work to increase cadet enrollment and improve officer production.“We will continue to monitor detachment production levels and progress to ensure that officer production justifies our investment,” said Col. Steve Wayne, Air Force ROTC national commander.According to Department of Defense directives, four-year institutions should normally graduate 15 officers per year to remain viable. Other criteria considered are: -- Quality of officers produced, including academic degrees, specialties and grade-point averages.-- Cost of maintaining the unit.-- The kind of officers produced in hard-to-recruit categories like minority, high-tech and medical students. -- The size of the market the unit provides access to and the quality of support from the institution.“Students wishing to enroll in Air Force ROTC at these institutions will be allowed to compete for Air Force ROTC scholarships, complete their officer training and earn a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force,” Colonel Wayne said. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)