Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth awarded COL Frank Rubio ’98 the Army Astronaut Device during a pinning ceremony at the Pentagon on February 22, 2024.
Rubio spent 371 days aboard the International Space Station from 2022-2023 breaking the record for the longest spaceflight for an American astronaut.
“COL Rubio, you are a stellar example of the Army’s core values and what it means to lead a life of service,” Wormuth said. “You inspired audiences around the world as you orbited the Earth for 371 days, and now, back on Earth, you continue to inspire others as you share your experience with the public.”
The Army awards the astronaut device to personnel who complete at least one operational mission in space. With the award, Rubio joins COL Anne McClain ’02 and COL Andrew Morgan ’98, who are all West Point graduates, as the only active-duty Soldiers authorized to wear the device.
Army astronauts choose which specialty badge the device is placed on for their uniform. Rubio will wear his badge on his senior aviator badge.
