University of Maryland's AFROTC Named Best Large Detachment

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 330 at the University of Maryland has been awarded the Right of Line Award as the nation's number one large-size detachment. That makes the detachment number one out of 51 detachments who have 111 or more cadets. The award came after the detachment was given the High Flight Award as the number one detachment in the Northeast Region.

Detachment Commander - Colonel Robert Pecoraro - said the Cadre and Cadet Wing worked extremely hard for these awards. "We are," he said, "very proud of these accomplishments." The University of Maryland AFROTC was evaluated based on officer production, education, recruiting and retention, university/public relations, and cadet activities.

Pecoraro also pointed to the UMD faculty "who teach and inspire these cadets, giving them the education required to become a quality leader in the United States Air Force."

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During the past two years, Detachment 330 commissioned 46 officers including 5 selected as distinguished graduates and increased the 5-year average from 20 to 23 officers annually. In addition, (during an Air Education and Training Command Inspector General Compliance Inspection) Detachment 330 received an "outstanding" rating with the areas of education, recruiting, and training all specifically rated "outstanding." This made the detachment 1 of 9 units out of 144 in the past 5 years to receive this highest grade.

Many Terps will recognize the cadets for their service and professionalism as members of the Maryland Honor Guard. Over the course of the school year, the Honor Guard represented the University and the Air Force in 118 campus, community and sporting events that included vigils during 9/11, Veterans Day POW/MIA and Memorial Day. In total, the Honor Guard gave more than 400 hours of service in 2011.

In addition, both the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings, AFROTC community service organizations supported by cadets and students, displayed the Air Force core value of "Service before Self" by contributing more than 1200 service hours last year, including mentoring students at Paint Branch Elementary School and volunteering support for Habitat for Humanity.

For more information please visit http://www.afrotc.umd.edu/.

Media Contact
Robert E. Pecoraro
Colonel, USAF
Commander AFROTC Det 330
Professor of Aerospace Studies
University of Maryland
301-314-3242

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