NEWS

LEXINGTON, Va., Nov. 9, 2010 – VMI’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 880 was named runner-up for the Right-of-Line Award in the large unit category at the annual Headquarters Air Force ROTC Commanders Conference held last week at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. The unit’s Maj. Stephani Hunsinger, who was reassigned in September to Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, was named Education Officer of the Year for 2010.

The awards recognize outstanding accomplishments during a two-year period from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2010.

“We were No. 2 out of a total of 57 large AFROTC detachments nationwide,” said Col. Steve Amato, Detachment 880 commander. “This is the highest level of achievement Detachment 880 has ever accomplished for this award. Detachment 220, at Purdue University, edged us out for the No. 1 large detachment title.”

Over the summer, Detachment 880 earned the No. 1 large unit High Flight Award for Air Force ROTC’s Southeast Region, leading to its participation in the national competition. That was only the second time the unit had been a regional winner; the last time was in 2005.

Hunsinger, who was named first of the 144 education officers throughout Air Force ROTC, attended the awards ceremony and was presented the trophy by Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force.

“I am ecstatic with the performance of Detachment 880,” said Amato. “It is a team effort with VMI faculty, staff, and alumni, Headquarters AFROTC, Air Force Association Chapter 285, and the Marshall Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

“Our mission is to produce quality future leaders for our Air Force, but our training and education philosophy goes beyond that because our AFROTC education teaches cadets important life skills applicable not only in a military career, but in a non-military career.”

The Right-of-Line competition measured performance over five categories: production of officers, education, recruiting and retention, university and public relations, and cadet activities. The VMI detachment is the largest Air Force ROTC unit in the nation, said Amato, and is in the top 10 percent nationwide for commissioning second lieutenants.

“Our Detachment 880 cadets contributed significantly along with Detachment 880 staff members to be recognized so high in the national level, and I am very, very proud of them,” said Amato.