NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 790 is dedicated to cultivating tomorrow’s leaders for the Air Force and Space Force. On May 16, several TSU cadets took a major step toward fulfilling that mission during a momentous commissioning ceremony held on campus.
This milestone highlights a unique regional collaboration, as Tennessee State University serves as the host institution for cadets from various universities across Middle Tennessee, including Austin Peay State University, Belmont University, Fisk University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech University, and Vanderbilt University, among others. This year, four of the 11 cadets commissioned as second lieutenants are TSU students.
The ceremony featured the pinning of second lieutenant ranks, first salutes, the official presentation of the new second lieutenants, and the administering of the oath of office. Additionally, senior tribute videos showcased graduating cadets who are set to enter active duty as officers in the United States Air Force and Space Force.
Lt. Col. Stephen Cash, commander of AFROTC Detachment 790 at TSU, oversees the recruitment and preparation of officer candidates through the comprehensive AFROTC program that serves TSU and 11 cross-town universities. Cash said commissioning ceremonies symbolize far more than the completion of a college program.
“TSU is playing an incredibly important role as the host of this detachment and in helping develop the next generation of leaders for our nation,” Cash said. “This ceremony marks the transition from cadet to second lieutenant … a pivotal moment in their careers where family, friends, mentors, and fellow cadets come together to celebrate years of dedication, sacrifice, and achievement.”
Cash noted that AFROTC cadets balance rigorous military training and leadership development alongside the demands of college life.
“From medical qualifications and physical training to academic excellence and conduct standards, these students are held to an incredibly high level of expectation,” Cash said. “This moment reflects not only their hard work, but also the village of people at TSU and beyond who poured into them throughout their journey.”
The four TSU cadets commissioned during the ceremony were:
- Kavonae Jewell, a health administration major from Memphis, Tennessee, who will serve as a 13N Nuclear and Missiles Operations Officer
- Jayln Pridgen, a political science and urban studies/public policy major from Chesapeake, Virginia, who will serve as a 64PX Contracting Officer
- Madison Taylor, a mechanical engineering major from Memphis, Tennessee, who will serve as a 32EXF Mechanical Civil Engineer
- Mallory Taylor, a nursing major from Memphis, Tennessee, who will serve as a 46N Clinical Nurse
“Attending Tennessee State University made this opportunity possible for me,” said Kavonae Jewell. “I’ve always wanted to pursue Air Force ROTC, but being able to do it at an HBCU was especially important to me. TSU gave me the opportunity to achieve that goal while being part of a supportive environment and culture that truly felt like home.”
Jayln Pridgen added, “Tennessee State University gave me more than an education. It gave me the space to grow, lead, and see African American women thriving within DET 790 and ROTC. Being commissioned as a second lieutenant after completing the Air Force ROTC program is an honor I will carry with me forever. Looking back, I would choose this journey all over again. From awarding me a full-ride scholarship to opening doors that transformed my future, TSU has shaped the woman I am today.”
As the host institution for AFROTC Detachment 790, TSU continues its longstanding legacy of preparing students for leadership and service at the highest levels. Cash said programs like AFROTC reflect TSU’s commitment to producing future-ready leaders equipped to serve their communities and the nation.
“Our cadets are making a commitment to the ideals and service of this nation. Regardless of world events happening around the globe, this represents leadership, integrity, sacrifice, and service in its purest form,” Cash said.
The roots of military training and leadership at TSU date back more than a century. The Tennessee Historical Commission established a historical marker on campus recognizing the university’s Reserve Officer Training history and legacy. Since its founding in 1919, the program has evolved into an organization dedicated to developing military officers and expanding opportunities for future aviators and leaders.
In 1951, the United States Air Force established a Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment at TSU under the instruction of two of the first Tuskegee Airmen, Colonel Hannibal Cox and Lt. Col. Howard Baugh. The program was created to recruit and train Air Force officers while expanding the pipeline of military leadership and aviation excellence.
Today, the program continues to evolve with modern resources and opportunities for cadets, including a state-of-the-art flight simulator added in 2018 to enhance training experiences for future officers.
Dr. Erik Schmeller, TSU’s interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, was among those who attended the commissioning ceremony.
