Commander's Welcome
Welcome to the Air & Space Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 550 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York.
Detachment 550 proudly serves as the host unit for RPI and 22 regional cross-town colleges and universities. Since commissioning our first class in 1949, we’ve built a proud heritage of forging warrior leaders, commissioning more than 1,400 Second Lieutenants over the past 75 years. We invite you to become part of this legacy and take your first steps toward becoming a professional officer in the United States Air Force or Space Force.
AFROTC challenges you to improve yourself, step outside your comfort zone, and develop the leadership skills our services demand. Here at Detachment 550, the cadet wing is entirely cadet-run, while cadre provide the instruction, oversight, and mentorship that help shape future leaders. Cadets learn the foundations of the Air Force, leadership fundamentals, and national security affairs in the classroom — then put those lessons into practice during our weekly, cadet-led Leadership Laboratories.
Our five active-duty cadre members represent a diverse range of Air Force career fields and have been competitively selected to teach and mentor the next generation of Air and Space Force officers.
We’re honored to guide you through the process of earning your commission. The Air Force offers scholarships for outstanding high school seniors and college students whose leadership potential and academic goals align with Air Force needs. However, AFROTC isn’t limited to scholarship recipients — any motivated, high-quality student is encouraged to join and pursue a commission as a Second Lieutenant.
For more information on eligibility, scholarships, and how to join, please contact us or visit www.afrotc.com.
Lt Col Ryan Coughlan, USAF
Commander, Detachment 550