Greetings members, alumni and friends of Air Force ROTC Detachment 585! My wife Deanna, our two girls Jenna and April, and I are honored to have the opportunity to serve the Air Force with you at Detachment 585. We couldn’t be more excited. There is no other place we’d rather be!

Let me assure you that the transition of command went exceptionally smooth this summer. We were very fortunate to have an outstanding previous commander in Lt Col Martinez. He did a spectacular job in preparing the detachment for this summer’s transition. I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation for Lt Col Martinez’s leadership, dedication and selfless service to our unit. He and his family will be missed as they move on to their next Air Force endeavor at Santiago, Chile. Lt Col Martinez will be serving there as the International Program Officer for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. He definitely left his mark on Detachment 585 and we are all better off because of his efforts.

Since arriving it is clear that our team is committed to developing quality leaders for the Air Force and focused on becoming the premier AFROTC program in the nation. I’d like to commend your efforts and thank you for setting Detachment 585 off on a strong forward path with outstanding support and execution of New Cadet Orientation, Lead Lab, Physical Training, the Cadet Wing Mentorship Program, Color Guard, Brodie Blowout, Wilson Center RecFest and NCCU Academic Programs Showcase recruiting events and the AFROTC Southeast Region Commander’s visit...to name a few. Although these events are now in our rearview mirror, there are several exciting opportunities to engage your leadership development throughout the rest of the semester. A few upcoming events that I am personally looking forward to are the Veteran’s Day memorial service, NCCU Organization Fair and Pratt School of Engineering recruiting events, Veterans Affairs Hospital service events, Combat Dining-In, Career Day and last but not least the SECAF Sponsored 7th Annual National Security Conference.

Although there are many opportunities to be involved in, please ensure that you continue to focus on your academic success. The successful completion of your degree program is a critical milestone tocommissioning. There are many challenges and demands that all of you face every day. It is important to me that you all succeed and are safe and secure. As the semester progresses, continue to develop your resiliency skill set and watch your wingman’s six. Your good decisions are recognized and appreciated.

Last, but definitely not least, I’d like to welcome our detachment’s newest members. I applaud your pursuit of becoming a commissioned officer in our Air Force. Serving your nation is a true call to service. Your future success is incumbent on your personal commitment and collective team effort. Again, thank you for your outstanding support. It is because of you we are climbing to new heights… Aim High Airmen!