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UNM ROTC NCO named best in Southwest

  • Published
  • Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 510
Kirtland Air Force Base --  Lt. Col. Raul V. Garcia, University of New Mexico Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 510 commander, opened the detachment's first class Jan. 18 by unveiling awards and decorations for the program. Det. 510, in its 63rd year, remains No. 1 in the Southwest Region at graduating the best Air Force officers. A cadet who graduated last year finished No. 1 in his flight training class and will fly F-15 fighters.

UNM Student Veterans president John Boyd presented the Air Force 'Warhawks' with the Annual 'Miles of Coins' Commander's Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the ROTC program that contributes the most to the Student Veterans' "Miles of Coins" scholarship fundraiser. Det. 510 has won the trophy for four consecutive years.

"Since 2008, we've given more than $1,000 in change to the 'Miles of Coins' drive. We are proud that we can help some of our veterans pay for school and get their degrees," said Staff Sgt. Tiffany Keown, a member of the Air Force ROTC staff.

Garcia bolstered the detachment's heritage by placing two Air Force Organizational Excellence Award streamers onto the unit's guidon. These streamers were awarded in 1998 and 2000 for continued excellence in commissioning Air Force officers. In addition, a cherry and silver streamer was placed on the guidon to signify the detachment as the best in the Southwest. Thanks to the support of Dr. Cheo Torres, the university's vice president of student affairs, the detachment is now fully recognized for its past achievements.

Garcia invited Tech. Sgt. Julie M. Carr to the front of the class and announced that she was awarded the Southwest Region Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year for 2011. Carr, an Albuquerque native, joined the Air Force ROTC staff in August 2010. She graduated from Cibola High School and enlisted as a personnel specialist in 1997. She thanked all the students for their support in making her job easier.

"This is great recognition for Sergeant Carr," said Judy Ortiz-Aragon, the student program specialist for aerospace studies. "She reflects the awesome quality of everyone on the AFROTC staff. We are energized and proud. The students see this and thrive on it. It's awesome.