Members of Kent State University’s Air Force Reserve
Officers’ Training Corps (AFROTC) engage in training
exercises at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center
on the Kent Campus. The AFROTC recently won three
national and three regional awards.

Kent State University’s Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFROTC) detachment recently won three national and three regional awards.

Detachment 630 was recently awarded the Right of Line Award on the national level, which recognizes it as the number one medium-sized detachment (the largest category) in the country, says Lt. Col. Daniel Finkelstein, of the U.S. Air Force and detachment commander. Detachment 630 won the Right of Line Award on the regional level earlier this year.

Detachment 630 comprises students from Kent State, the University of Akron, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Youngstown State University, University of Mount Union, Hiram College and Baldwin Wallace University.

In addition, Capt. Phillip Bergeron was honored with a national award when he was named the Air University Company Grade Officer of the Quarter. This makes Bergeron the most outstanding young officer in Air University during that period, says Finkelstein, competing against nearly 2,000 other lieutenants and captains.

“It’s very humbling to receive this honor,” Bergeron says. “You never do work like this thinking you’re going to get recognized at such a high level. It was very surreal and unexpected.”

Bergeron says the love and support of his wife and Finkelstein’s leadership and guidance helped him win this award.

Capt. Christopher Deaver won the Operations Flight Commander of the Year award.

“The award recognizes Capt. Deaver and our training program as the best out of all 145 AFROTC detachments nationwide,” says Finkelstein.

Deaver says he restructured Detachment 630’s Cadet Wing to mimic an active duty training wing.

“This was a new direction that was unheard of but has paid positive dividends for the cadets and students in our program,” Deaver says.

“Capt. Deaver and Capt. Bergeron are amazing officers,” says Finkelstein. “I am glad they are receiving national recognition for the tremendous work they are doing here. They are shaping the future leaders of the Air Force every day.”

“These awards are great testaments to the quality of the cadre and staff here at Detachment 630,” says Finkelstein. “More importantly, they are only possible because of the tremendous support we receive from Kent State, the administration, the Office of the Provost — especially Associate Provost Melody Tankersley, the faculty and the student body.”

To learn more about the AFROTC program at Kent State, visit http://www2.kent.edu/afrotc/index.cfm.