About Detachment 060
History
Detachment 060 has been in existence since 1949, and it has a rich tradition of excellence that has extended throughout its history. The detachment is a two-time “Right of Line” award winner (top detachment in the nation in 1986 and 1997). The detachment has seen enrollment fluctuate from a high of 238 cadets in 1976, to a low of 45 cadets in 1995. Through it all, the detachment’s reputation for excellence persevered. Producing over 1,500 Lieutenants for the USAF, many Det 060 alumni have achieved remarkable success in their careers. Five Det 060 alumni have attained the rank of Brigadier General or higher, led by retired Lt Gen Stewart Cranston, former Vice Commander of Air Force Materiel Command. On the forefront of providing a diverse officer corps, Detachment 060 proudly claims Brigadier General Stacy Harris; the Air Force’s first African American female to command an active flying squadron. While the detachment is incredibly proud of those who go on to serve the Air Force, we are equally as proud of those who pass through our doors into civilian life. Detachment 060 boasts NFL Hall of Famer Frank Gifford, College Football Hall of Famer and former NFL great John Arnett (1952), two-time Olympic gold medalist Parry O’Brien (1956), and Olympic Gold Medalist Max Truex (1959-1960) among its alumni.
Demographics
Detachment 060 is comprised of 63 students from 26 different institutions. Of the 63 cadets, 15 are female (24%). Scholarship entitlements are afforded to 34 of Det 060 students. Detachment 060 is a diverse cadet environment, with 44% of our cadets coming from minority ethnic classes.
Accomplishments
The Detachment 060 cadet wing possesses an impressive 3.29 average grade point average, boasting scholars on the dean’s list at such prestigious institutions as the University of Southern California, Cal Poly Pomona, and Azusa Pacific University. Two cadets are NCAA Division 1 Intercollegiate athletes, and five play in the 2-time Grammy Award winning USC Trojan Marching Band. Our eight graduates for the 2011-12 AY are composed of three pilots, one combat systems officer, one engineer, one medical services officer and one space and missile systems officer. In addition to individual excellence, Detachment 060 seeks opportunities to integrate with its sister-service ROTC detachments as well as local AFROTC detachments. All USC ROTC detachments participate in the “Trojan Games,” a joint athletic competition to build camaraderie and esprit de corps among all service detachments. Detachment 060 also participates in “Five-Det Field Day,” an AFROTC competitive athletic event that includes all AFROTC detachments from Southern California.Signature Events
The Southern California Invitational Drill Meet (SCIDM) is Detachment 060’s signature event. In its 47th year, SCIDM is the largest invitational drill meet west of the Mississippi river, boasting attendance of more than 30 teams and over 1,000 junior and senior ROTC cadets from across the nation each and every year. The event garners positive publicity for the detachment and the Air Force.
