U of A Air Force ROTC Detachment 030 Earns Top National Rating

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Current members of the Top Small Air Force Detachment in the U.S.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Air Force ROTC Detachment 030 at the University of Arkansas has earned the highly coveted 2014 AFROTC Right of Line Award as the Top Small Air Force Detachment in the United States. This national competition seeks to reward Air Force professionals for their positive impact on the Air Force ROTC program, university and local community. 

To earn the award each detachment competes in areas of production (quality and numbers), education, recruiting/retention, public relations and cadet activities.

More than half of the U of A’s cadets who have passed their field training and are members of the professional officer corps ranked in the top third at Summer Field Training encampments — producing six Distinguished Graduates and two Superior Performers. To achieve these distinctions, the cadets have to prove themselves in their leadership, physical fitness, problem solving and overall professional bearing — highly sought qualities expected in excellent military officers.

Air Force ROTC instructors are motivated to excel and lead by example, and all three instructors in the U of A program earned the New Faculty Commendation for Teaching Commitment. Education and training of cadets has increased the average cadet GPA to 3.3, ranking them in the top 3 percent in the nation. Air Force ROTC instructor Capt. Sean Kreps earned a Colonel Leo A. Codd Memorial award for Instructor of the Year, making him one of the top nine Army/Navy/Air Force ROTC instructors in the nation.

Detachment 030 cadets have been extremely busy this year under excellent cadet leadership. Most notably, the Air Force ROTC partnered with Army ROTC and the Associated Student Government to help with clean up and relief following the deadly tornado in Central Arkansas last spring semester.

In addition, cadets were involved in many recruiting events, directed a 24-hour POW/MIA vigil, and volunteered in many campus and community activities. The cadre volunteered at the Veterans Affairs’ National Golden Age Games on the U of A campus, and also performed crowd control at the local Race for the Cure. The color guard participated in many special events, including Razorback football games.

In addition to their commitment to scholarship and community service, U of A Air Force ROTC cadets showed their commitment to fitness and a high moral code. By weaving the high intensity CrossFit program into their regular physical training, cadets improved their fitness, ranking them in the top 6 percent in the nation. The detachment’s 'No Dumb Alcohol Stuff' pledge helped maintain 781 days with zero reported alcohol-related incidents for the cadets.

“The Right of Line award reflects the hard work and dedication to excellence modeled by our professional cadre and emulated by You of A Air Force ROTC cadets,” said Lt. Colonel Buster McCall. “Dually promoting the mission of both the Air Force and the university produces outstanding community, state and national leaders.”