United States Air Force ROTC Detachment 850 photograph collection, 2006-2008

The United States Air Force (USAF) Reserve Officres Training Corps (ROTC) Detachment 850 is located at the University of Utah. The Air Force ROTC is a commissioning program that prepares students to become officers in the Air Force while earning their college degrees. The program offers classes in the United States Air Force, Military Leadership, and Airpower history.

This photograph collection depicts the Detachment 850 Commissioning Ceremony held on May 3, 2008 at the Utah State Capitol Rotunda. At the event, Colonel Bernard Francis Fisher (1927-2014), retired USAF, received his diploma from the University of Utah 57 years after attending classes at the university. Colonel Fisher was the first Air Force member to receive the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War. Later in the event, Colonel Fisher presented the inaugural Detachment 850 Colonel Bernard F. Fisher Leadership Award named in his honor. The award is presented to the top graduating Air Force 2nd Lieutenant each academic year. At this event, ten cadets were bestowed the rank of 2nd Lieutenant into the U.S. Air Force. Commander Lieutenant Colonel E. Kent Wong and Colonel Kevin B. Schneider addressed the gathering. Representing the University of Utah was Dean of the College of Social Science, J. Steven Ott, on behalf of President Michael Young.