UNM ROTC wins award

  • Published
  • By Danny Monahan
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 510 at the University of New Mexico was recently named the 2011 Right of Line winner for the Southwest.

Each year, the Right of Line is awarded to the best AFROTC detachments in small, medium and large categories, based on the number of enrolled cadets. Det. 510 was rated tops out of 15 medium-sized detachments across 11 states.

"This recognition acknowledges the hard work our staff have put in since 2009," said Lt. Col. Raul V. Garcia, Det. 510 commander. "The cadre and UNM staff has spent many hours behind the scenes changing our learning environment to one that is really focused on producing the best leaders for the Air Force. The results brought tremendous improvements in physical fitness and administrative procedures. Most importantly, I think this designation recognizes the positive culture that we have built here within the detachment."

Among its many accomplishments, Garcia said the most significant was when the detachment underwent a short-notice unit compliance inspection in December and received its highest grade since 1998.

The unit has also been involved in several community outreach projects, such as blood drives, food drives and honor guard demonstrations.

"We have a phenomenal team and it's great to be recognized with this award," said Maj. Jennifer Bradley, Det. 510 operations officer. "We look forward to doing great things in the future."

Det. 510 will compete against the three other regions' medium-sized winners at the annual AFROTC Commander's Conference in October.

"We are one of the top four medium-sized detachments in the country, and I hope to win the overall AFROTC award," said Garcia.

Air Force ROTC is a college program available at more than 1,000 campuses across the U.S., educating and commissioning officer trainees.

Det. 510 has trained more than 1,000 Air Force officers since 1949.

"Today, our detachment introduces several new freshmen to AFROTC. Not only will they have the distinction of being a member of the Warhawks, but one of the best detachments in the Air Force, and we've proved it," said Garcia.