Our Graduates
Air Force ROTC is the best place to launch your career after college. You'll gain valuable experience that will serve you well – whether you stay in the military or not. Take a look at our featured graduates. Air Force ROTC was the stepping-stone that provided them a solid leadership foundation for life.
Esteemed Alumni
Maj. Gen. Van C. Doubleday
General Doubleday, who retired in June 1980, is known as a behind-the-scenes leader who set the standards for innovation during his 28-year career. This prior enlisted Marine earned his Air Force bars in 1952 and worked as an intercept control officer before entering navigation training and flying with various airborne early warning and control wings. He would later earn the title of master navigator having accumulated 5,000 flying hours and flying 68 combat missions during Vietnam. He also trained as an air traffic control officer and from there he would branch out to serve at all levels of command and staffing in the communications and information fields. He's noted for developing and implementing the plan to move the National Emergency Airborne Command Post from Andrews AFB, Md. to Offutt AFB, Neb., and for re-engineering equipment and procedures for the Washington-Moscow Hot Line during President Carter's term.
He structured and established the first separate J-6 staff (command and control element) within the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and provided the support to fully implement the Global Positioning System within the Air Force. He helped the Royal Air Force develop better low-level training routes and helped to establish the air routes and traffic control that relieved congestion at Heathrow. He established the Retired General Officers Organization in 1976 and after retirement continued a successful career in the private sector. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, and Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
Other notable alumni include:
- ABC Sportscaster Frank Gifford
- General "Chappie" James - The first African American to hold the highest Air Force rank
- Colonel Eileen Marie Collins, NASA Astronaut.