by Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
10/26/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials here recognized an ROTC cadet during this year's Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Corporation convention in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 7 to 9.
Cadet Jose Gutierrez, from the ROTC Detachment 645 at Ohio State University, earned the HENAAC 2010 Military ROTC Cadet Award for his achievements as an electrical and computer engineering major.
The cadet maintained a 3.7 grade-point average and earned the Minority Engineering Program award for the third consecutive year.
In 2009, HENAAC and Defense Department officials announced the expansion of the cadet awards to include ROTC cadet honorees from each of the service branches.
For eligibility, students must be part of the ROTC program pursuing a science, technology, engineering or math degree.
Comments
10/29/2010 7:56:18 AM ET I agree the Air Force puts too much emphasis on diversity in times where it may no longer be necessary. It is unfair to fellow Airmen not to get some benefits just because their physical or cultural background. Maybe its time to reconsider our diversity policies. However, do recognize that the AF DOES NOT have awards based on race or sex. This is a case where one of our OWN is recognized by a NATIONAL PRIVATE organization for their hard work and dedication. For some GOOD reason his supervisor took the time to properly nominate him. I dont see anything wrong with that. In fact, I see these as opportunities to recognize OUR exceptional AIRMEN. WE should be very proud of such achievements.
Maj, NM
10/28/2010 3:14:11 PM ET To read some of these comments is disturbing. I'm disappointed some in the AF cannot see the benefit of recognizing outstanding achievement where it is apparent. There are many different awards out there for everyone to achieve and this is purely ONE example. Congrats Cadet Gutierrez.A 3.7 in electrical engineering and computer science is NOT easy.
Capt D, ND
10/28/2010 2:04:43 PM ET Sorry but it wouldn't be socially acceptable for a Caucasian Award simply because Caucasians are still a majority in this country and overwhelming majority in the military. So the people with an issue with this award probably have an issue about awards for females too huh
Capt T, Texas
10/28/2010 10:37:19 AM ET @Maj - You hit the nail on the head. Everytime I see one of these awards that has ethnicity in the title I pose the question would it be socially acceptable to award a similar award with the word Caucasian in the award title. It would be socially unacceptable and everyone would be outraged that we are giving out a Caucasian Engineering National Achievement Award. These awards don't celebrate our diversity they continue to separate a great organization the USAF as G-Man said.
- Capt G., Texas
10/28/2010 9:15:31 AM ET I agree with Capt G on the DoD preaching diversity, but yet we are giving out individual ethnicity awards. Until they come out with an award for every group, i.e., Caucasian Engineer, African American Engineer, Eskimo Engineer (and they build great igloos...haha), etc., then why take us backwards by separating specialty awards based on race?
G-Man, San Antonio
10/28/2010 8:56:43 AM ET SO, we are only giving an award to Hispanics? What kind of comment is that? Have you been in the Air Force? There are tons of awards for everything and everyone. You would not expect a financial officer winning a maintenance award or a civilian winning the Enlisted of the Year award. How is that discriminatory? We need to recognize role models and outstanding work wherever it comes from. Awards like this celebrate diversity and motivates young exceptional talent within a particular group to consider careers in Science and Technology and to join the Air Force ranks. How cool is that? Congrats, Jose, and keep up the great work. BTW, GPA alone is not enough to win this award. Should read the criteria first.
Capt A, Ohio
10/28/2010 7:14:32 AM ET Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Corporation. This is not a DoD or AF award; it is a civilian organization. The guy that won it happened to be a cadet.
TSgt, England
10/28/2010 5:06:16 AM ET The fact this award is open to everyone is only because it would be illegal to do otherwise. Let's not fool ourselves though because this award was created for and is intended for hispanics. Let's create an Excellent Caucasians In Government Service Award but allow anyone to apply. Would anyone have a problem?
Maj, overseas
10/27/2010 4:23:23 PM ET A 3.7 is great but I'd bet anything it's not the highest GPA in ROTC across the country. What gives
Capt T, NM
10/27/2010 3:03:47 PM ET ...Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Corporation convention..did you not read that Capt G
A1C, altus
10/27/2010 1:50:32 PM ET Capt G we are NOT only opening this award up to Hispanics. I know that from past exec experience and if you would take the time to read the award criteria any race/religion/sex, etc is eligible for the award. Just the same with the Tuskeegee Airmen Insitute Awards which are open to other races besides just African Americans. Maybe you should check your assumptions and do research before you spout off with discrimination accusations.
Capt F, CA
10/27/2010 11:03:01 AM ET @ Capt F - So we're only giving out an award to Hispanics. The DoD continues to preach diversity, but hands out awards based on race ethnicity gender etc. Sounds discriminatory to me.
- Capt G. , Texas
10/27/2010 10:03:34 AM ET Would the DoD allow discrimination for anything to include an award? And it's obviously open to cadets. Maybe you should just give kudos to Cadet Gutierrez who won his award fair and square. Good job Jose I hope you have a rewarding AF career ahead of you
Capt F, CA
10/27/2010 8:41:36 AM ET So I'm assuming this award was open to all cadets regardless of ethnicity
