Detachment 805
A Proud Heritage
Detachment 805 boasts a proud heritage that is intertwined with the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. Our program traces its roots to the passing of the Morrill Land Grant Act which required colleges, such as Texas A&M, to provide instruction in military tactics and drill in order to provide trained citizen soldiers for the United States should a war break out. It was in 1876 that Texas A&M University was founded on a strip of 2,416 acres donated by Brazos Country to become The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas to eventually become Texas A&M University. While every member of the Corps in those days began their military career as part of the Army, it wasn’t too long after that the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) detachment at Texas A&M would be founded when the Army Air Corps was eventually made into its own service, now the United States Air Force with the passing of the National Security Act of 1947 following World War II.
The Air Force ROTC detachment at Texas A&M became 1 of the 4 original detachments within the country to begin training cadets to become future U.S. Air Force officers.
Since that time, Detachment 805 has continued to produce the highest quality men and women to serve in the Department of the Air Force. With Texas A&M University being designated 1 of 5 Senior Military Colleges (SMCs) within the country, cadets experience a daily routine of service and commitment within the Corps of Cadets that prepares them to become better officers and leaders in their future careers.
Cadets continue to remain Keepers of the Spirit and Guardians of the time-honored Texas A&M traditions. To this day, cadets who contract with the Department of the Air Force still wear the “Air R.O.T.C.” patches on their Corps uniform to designate their commitment to serve in either the U.S. Air or Space Force which has been the case since Detachment 805 was created.
A Commitment to Excellence
The journey to becoming an officer within the Department of the Air Force requires a dedication to serving a cause greater than yourself. Detachment 805 at Texas A&M University has produced some of the highest caliber officers for the Department of the Air Force since our beginnings, having produced eight of the nine Texas A&M Four-Star Generals. These include generals who have served as Combatant Commanders, both an Air Force Chief and Vice Chief of Staff among many other high-level positions within the United States military and private sectors. To this day, the Corps of Cadets and Detachment 805 commission the most officers for service in the United States military outside the service academies.
It’s within the Corps of Cadets and AFROTC that cadets get to take part in a host of experiences that may otherwise be unafforded to them. From immersive excursion trips to another country to learn the language, getting up close and personal with live aircraft, and talking with Air and Space Force professionals from all specialties including Pilots, Nurses, Engineers, Intelligence and Cyber Officers, etc. We strive to ensure our graduates know the full scope of their capabilities and all avenues available to them. Joining Air Force ROTC at Texas A&M is both a challenging and rewarding experience that encourages cadets to push the boundaries of what they thought was possible and strive for new heights when it comes to developing themselves and those around them.
Our cadets remain involved in a multitude of other organizations both on and off-campus serving their local communities and fellow members of the student body. Academics and service are priorities for us here at Detachment 805 and we know that regardless of where our graduates go after they leave us, they will be prepared to take on any of life’s challenges having gained the necessary confidence and skills they learned here.
