Detachment 520Cornell University
About
About Detachment 520
Detachment 520 at Cornell prepares students for the possibility of serving as commissioned officers in the United States Air Force or United States Space Force.
Det 520 identity
Detachment 520 at Cornell and Barton Hall
Detachment 520 is based in Barton Hall and follows the national Air Force ROTC academic framework.
Approved Detachment statement
Detachment 520 mission
To recruit, educate, and develop cadets in a high-quality training environment and commission the strongest leaders for the United States Air Force and Space Force.
This organizational mission statement describes the Detachment's purpose. Participation does not, by itself, guarantee commissioning; individual outcomes remain subject to current qualification, selection, completion, and approval requirements.
The detachment today
One team at Barton Hall
Cadets from Cornell and the crosstown institutions train together as one detachment — in the classroom, on the Barton Hall floor, and in the field.
A concise supported history
Cornell traces military instruction to 1868 and the establishment of a formal ROTC unit to 1917. Cornell records that its Air Sciences and Tactics Division transitioned into Air Force ROTC Detachment 520 in 1950.
History of ROTC at Cornell
Three milestones in Cornell military history, from 1868 to the founding of Detachment 520.
Explore the history
Official national statements
Mission and values
These current national statements are attributed to U.S. Air Force ROTC and the United States Air Force.
U.S. Air Force ROTC mission
Develop Air and Space Force leaders of character whom we expect to fight and win our nation’s wars.
The current official U.S. Air Force ROTC mission statement.
View the official AFROTC mission sourceAir Force Core Values
Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence in All We Do.
The three Core Values published by U.S. Air Force ROTC and the U.S. Air Force.
View the official Core Values sourceUnited States Air Force mission
To fly, fight, and win...airpower anytime, anywhere.
The current mission statement published by the United States Air Force.
View the official Air Force mission source
Air and Space Studies at Cornell
Cornell's Officer Education catalog lists the detachment's military personnel under Air and Space Studies. The Cadre page introduces them and links to each full biography.
Current Cornell catalog listing
See the Cadre page for the names and ranks checked against Cornell's catalog on July 12, 2026.
Meet the cadreProgram framework
Explore the current Cornell course sequence and the public Detachment 520 experience.
Explore Program & Courses
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