University of Florida's AFROTC wins top award second time in three years

November 10, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Air Force ROTC Detachment 150 recently was awarded the Right of Line Trophy for having the best program out of 144 detachments in the nation.

Detachment 150 also earned the award in 2007 for the first time in its 63 years.

Col. Hubert D. “Griff” Griffin, who has led the detachment since July 2006, attributes leadership, teamwork and the strong relationship between ROTC and the UF/Gainesville community as the major reasons for the unit’s success.

“This recognition would not have happened without everyone’s dedicated effort. For instance, we organized a Joint Service Color Guard for home football and basketball games, coordinating aircraft flybys at football games and organizing the unfurling of a huge American flag during the National Anthem at one of the football games,” Griffin said.

The criteria for earning the award include officer production, Air Force military education, recruiting and retention.

The detachment recently commissioned 21 officers with more than 38 percent of them in technology-related majors. In the area of education, World War II and Korean War aviators spoke to cadets about their firsthand experiences, and 42 active-duty officers came to Career Day. Recruiting efforts included rock climbing and push-up competitions.

The detachment also won first-place in the individual category and second-place in the team category at this year’s National Drill Competition.

“Our drill team is just one example; in every area, we strive to be out front,” Griffin said.