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The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) is the best school of leadership in the nation, and our detachment ranks among the top AFROTC programs. Our hundred-strong cadet wing strengthens themselves with academic instruction from highly experienced officers and demanding physical training. Each year, we commission a new group of lieutenants fully prepared to serve the nation as the leaders of the world's greatest Air Force and Space Force.

As a cadet at Oklahoma State University, you will lead a full life, taking classes that teach the Air Force and Space Force curriculum alongside your regular college course load. These courses are designed to provide foundational knowledge for any United States Air Force or Space Force officer candidate while simultaneously promoting the development of problem-solving and team-building skills. AFROTC is a large part of your schedule, but many of our cadets also pursue fraternities, student government, athletics and more. While the AFROTC program is certainly challenging, you will still be able to enjoy a full college experience, receiving high quality education without sacrificing your extracurricular freedom. Furthermore, those who are curious about the military can pursue AFROTC for two years without incurring any service commitments.

The cadets of Detachment 670 develop critical leadership and followership skills during their time in the program, accumulating many hours of military training. Additionally, cadets are given many unique professional development opportunities, such as visiting Air Force installations and meeting important members of the military community.

Detachment 670 cadets live by high standards, acquiring leadership skills that will be useful their entire lives—and they have a great time doing it!

For more information, please continue to browse the website or call us at 405-744-7744. Alternatively, if you would like to stop by in person, our office is located on the Oklahoma State University Campus in Thatcher Hall Room 314 on the third floor.

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AEF Instruction

Boomer Lake Memorial Run

AFWI

Commander

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher J. Stewart, Professor of Aerospace Studies

Lt Col Christopher J. Stewart holds the position of Commander, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 670, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Ok. In this role, he provides leadership and oversight of all detachment operations, supervising 6 personnel and over 150 officer candidates and is responsible for recruiting, educating, training, and developing men and women of character to become the best quality leaders as citizens and as United States Air Force and United States Space Force officers.

Lt Col Stewart received his commission in 2006 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 670 at Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Sciences. He holds a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Administration and Logistics from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma.

A Master Air Battle Manager with more than 2,600 hours in the NATO E-3A, E-8, E-3B/C, and MU-2, Lt Col Stewart has flown in and supported numerous contingency operations including Operations NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, UNIFIED PROTECTOR (Libya), RESTORE HOPE (Yemen), INHERENT RESOLVE, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, and FREEDOMS SENTINEL, as well as NATO Air Policing, Assurance Measures, and Enhanced Vigilance Activities (Ukraine). During his career, he has held a variety of positions, including Director of Operations, Chief of Wing Test and Evaluation Branch for NATO E-3A AWACS, Deputy Director of Wing Plans and Programs, Instructor/Evaluator Mission Crew Commander, Air Surveillance Officer, Senior Director, Instructor Air Battle Manager, Executive Officer, Security Manager, and Section Chief. Prior to his current assignment as Branch Head, Lt Col Stewart served as the Director of Operations for both the NATO Operations Wing and the US NATO Operations Squadron, NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. During which time he supervised 45 international military personnel and oversaw the execution of all aspects of the NATO E-3A 6,000 hour flying program, including short- and long-range scheduling, exercise scheduling, current operations, and command post duties.

Operations Officer

Major Matthew C. Dirksen, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Maj Matthew Dirksen is the Recruiting Officer, Detachment 670, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), Oklahoma State University (Stillwater). As the Recruiting Officer, Maj Dirksen participates in community outreach and ensures prospective new cadets have proper information for joining the program and discussing potential scholarship opportunities.

Maj Dirksen graduated from the Texas Tech University in 2011, where he received his commission from AFROTC Detachment 820. He is a senior combat systems officer (CSO) with more than 2,100 flight hours in the T-6, T-1, C-130E, HC-130P, HC-130N, HC-130J, and MC-130J. He has multiple combat deployments supporting Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, and Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South.

Recruiting Officer

Major Michael S. Vander Sys, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Major Michael Vander Sys is the Education Officer, Detachment 670, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), Oklahoma State University (Stillwater). As the Education Officer, Maj Vander Sys oversees standardization and evaluation of the AFROTC curriculum within the detachment.

Maj Vander Sys enlisted in the Air Force in October 2006 as an Electronic Warfare Avionics technician. He performed avionics maintenance on E-3 Sentry Aircraft in various positions including two combat deployments and served as an avionics technical training instructor, surpassing 2,000 hours of instruction and earning AETC’s Master Instructor designation. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Finance in 2014, and commissioned through Air Force Officer Training School In 2015 as a Nuclear Missile Operations Officer. He accumulated over 6,700 hours of active nuclear alert while serving in various positions.

Education Officer

Captain Jason Nadle, Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies

Captain Jason Nadle is the Operation Flight Commander, Detachment 670, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), Oklahoma State University (Stillwater). He oversees and is responsible for all facets of cadet training and discipline, including directing/supervising leadership laboratory, field training preparation, and career guidance within the detachment.

Capt Nadle graduated from the University of North Carolina in 2012, where he received his commission from AFROTC Detachment 590. He is a senior pilot with more than 1,600 flight hours in the T-6, T-1, and E-3. He has multiple combat deployments supporting Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa during his various assignments.

NCOIC, Personnel

Technical Sergeant Ryan Carter, Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Personnel & Enlisted Training Instructor

Technical Sergeant Ryan Carter is the second enlisted Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Training Instructor at AFROTC Detachment 670, Oklahoma State University (Stillwater). Sergeant Carter serves as the detachment's Key Enlisted Leader and the primary enlisted advisor to the detachment commander on cadet academics, professional development programs, military training, and discipline. He also supports cadet life cycle management and completes actions for contracting, commissioning, extended active duty, and AFROTC Field training.

Technical Sergeant Carter entered the Air Force in November 2009, completing Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base. He attended Technical Training at Sheppard Air Force Base as an Electrical and Environmental (E&E) Aircraft Mechanic Specialist. Sergeant Carter has served as an E&E Specialist at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on the KC-10, RAF Mildenhall Air Base on the CV-22, Dyess Air Force Base (AFB) on the C-130J, and Maxwell-Gunter AFB, where he served as an Affiliate School Manager at the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).

NCOIC, Administration

Staff Sergeant LaDarron Tutton, Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge of Administration

Administration Support Specialist

Mrs. Mendi Cronister, Administration Support Specialist I

Mrs. Mendi Cronister is the Administration Support Specialist at Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), Detachment 670, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, Oklahoma. As the Administration Support Specialist, she is responsible for all detachment administrative duties for 100 officer candidates from OSU and 9 cross-town universities.

Mrs. Cronister is a native Oklahoman and was raised in Lucien. She began her career with OSU in 2000 and AFROTC Detachment 670 in 2016.

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