University of Portland’s Air Force ROTC program recognized as nation’s top detachment

For the second time in eight years, University of Portland’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) was cited as the nation’s top program in its category, winning the prestigious “Right of Line” award. The award is given to the No. 1 detachment in the nation in each of three categories, based on size of the program.

University of Portland has approximately 120 AFROTC students, placing it in the category of medium-sized detachments. The UP detachment also placed first in 2004. Several categories are considered for the national competition, including production, education, recruiting and retention, university and public relations, training activities, and service activities.

“This is huge recognition for our team here at UP – administrators, instructors, staff and students,” said Col. Paul Huffman, Commander, AFROTC Detachment 695. “I could not be prouder of our accomplishments and the strength of our USAF Officer commissioning program.”

The University’s Detachment 695 ranks third in the nation for the number of cadets per capita of undergraduate enrollment. Five percent of the University’s students are enrolled in ROTC.

The detachment also is in the top five percent for number of AFROTC high school scholarship winners per capita of total enrollment. Ninety percent of the detachment’s seniors are majoring in either engineering or nursing, “critical needs majors,” Huffman said.

“This is validation that we are in fact AFROTC’s best commissioning program, producing incredible future leaders for our nation’s defense,” added Huffman.