MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- U.S. Space Force Col. Corey Ramsby took command of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps from Col. Christopher Bennett during a change of command ceremony, April 4, 2022, at Maxwell.
Brig. Gen. Leslie Maher, commander of the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development presided over the ceremony.
“Over the last three years, the ROTC enterprise has experienced so much change and turbulence,” said Maher. “Colonel Chris Bennett has been fantastic in guiding our 14,000 cadets and 800 cadre members through it. He has my deepest gratitude. Now, Colonel Ramsby is just the right person to further this mission as it will face challenging times in recruitment and keeping pace with the speed of change our Air and Space Forces must meet to maintain our nation’s competitive edge.”
Bennett is retiring from the Air Force after 29 years of service.
Prior to taking command, Ramsby served as the Air Force ROTC deputy commander since July 2021. He is the first Space Force officer to command AFROTC.
Ramsby is a former AFROTC cadet himself, earning his commission in 1994 as a distinguished honor graduate from Purdue University. His previous command assignments include the 54th Combat Communications Squadron, Robins AFB, Georgia; 375th Communications Squadron, Scott AFB, Illinois; and AFROTC Detachment 225, University of Notre Dame, Indiana.
The mission of AFROTC through its 145 detachments is to recruit, educate, train, motivate and develop officer candidates into Air Force commissioned officers through a comprehensive college program comprised of fundamental Air Force doctrine, academic instruction and practical leadership experiences.
“There is no greater privilege in the profession of arms than the opportunity to lead and inspire others,” said Ramsby. “I’m excited to lead Air Force ROTC and continue the legacy of excellence in developing the leaders of character our nation wants and needs. I can’t wait to see where our great Airmen and Guardians take us next.”