Detachment 550, the unit based on campus, was given the award for consistently producing cadets who can become strong leaders in the Air Force. Before winning the Right of Line award, the detachment won the High Flight award, given to the best small unit in the Northeast Region of the 14 small unit detachments that exist. This qualified them to compete against the four other regional High Flight award winners for the prestigious Right of Line award.

According to Colonel Tom Bell, head of the Air Force ROTC program at RPI, the Regional Commander uses criteria such as cadet leadership and citizenship to determine which unit will represent the region for the Right of Line award. Col. Bell gives credit to the cadets, saying “the cadets were focused and only they could win” this award. In his second year here, Col. Bell recognized he just had to “improve on already good programs” and gave thanks to the Air Force ROTC staff at RPI for their contribution toward this award.

Detachment 550’s mission statement, “To facilitate leadership training and prepare cadets for active duty in the Air Force” exemplifies the goals that the Right of Line award was meant to honor. Cadet Pat Stallings ’06, attributes the detachment’s success to the motivated, hard-working nature of the cadets involved in the program. “The program really makes better leaders,” Stallings enthused.

Detachment 550 is composed of approximately 70 cadets, not only from RPI, but also from colleges such as Siena, St. Rose, SUNY Albany, and Hudson Valley Community College. In addition to completing the Air Force ROTC program, cadets also participate in Arnold Air Society, a professional service organization run entirely by ROTC members. Cadets participated in events such as a trick or treat program for canned food, in addition to supporting organizations like Joseph’s House and the Troy Boy’s and Girl’s Club.