VOL. 45 NO.26 JULY 1, 2005 Inside COMMENTARY: Chief’s sight picture, Page 2 NEWS: Girl of West visits Academy, Page 3 Before arrival, AOG knew Class of ’09, Page 4 Destination: Families of deployed not forgotten, Page 6 Front Line ‘In Their Honor’ air show, Col. Gary Woltering, 34th Training July 9-10, Page 7 Group commander, gives a pep talk to the first group of 50 cadets Training squadron ready 1st class who were hand-selected for new Class, Page 8 to take part in the Operation Air Ops Air Force gives Cadets Force Brevet Lieutenant - front-line experience, Page 9 Deployed program. The second First female Thunderbird group of 50 left Sunday for is ’96 grad, Page 11 Southwest Asia. See story page Rodeo ’05 teams compete, 9. (Courtesy Photo) Page 12 SPORTS: Pounds caps dream Class of ‘09 arrives, inprocesses, begins BCT season, Page 13 By Eddie Kovsky an unusually high year for us.” my country. It’s a very big opportunity for J&J wild win over AH, Academy Spirit staff Page 14 “Essentially, applications have returned to me. I was enrolled in my country’s academy pre-9/11 numbers when we averaged 9,634 per for five months, but came here. I hope to Approximately 1,400 members of the year,” said the associate director. “We can major in aeronautic engineering.” Briefly Class of 2009 arrived at the Academy Thursday only speculate as to why applications were Thursday’s inprocessing was a one day to inprocess and begin basic cadet training. higher for the Classes of 2007 and 2008 and event which includes medical processing, hair- This is the largest class to enter the why they’ve returned to normal this year.” cuts, clothing and equipment issue, and Cadet Clinic hours Academy since the class of 1992 entered in This year’s class has an average GPA of squadron and dormitory room assignments. change during BCT 1988. 3.90 and average SAT score in the 1280-1290 The event marks the start of 37 days of The cadet clinic is oper- There were 9,584 applicants for the class range. Women will comprise about 18 percent basic cadet training, and is designed to prepare ating at the following times of 2009, and 1,726 qualified applicants were and locations for active duty offered appointments. Approximately 1,400 of the class, while minorities will be about 19 the basic cadets for entry into the cadet wing. enrollees and non-BCT cadets have accepted and were expected to inprocess. percent. About 55 percent of the class will be During the first 18 days, most of basic cadet during BCT. “The Class of 2009 is about 100 larger medically qualified to attend flight school. training is conducted within the cadet area. On Go to Cadet Clinic on the than the Class of 2008,” said Mr. Rollie There are 11 international cadets entering July 22, the new cadets march to Jacks Valley following dates: Stoneman, associate director of Admissions. the class of 2009, coming from Colombia, for the field training portion of basic cadet July 1-21: 1-2 p.m. Active “We made some additional offers in order Honduras, Lithuania, Philippines, Singapore, training. Duty enrollees/non-BCT to ensure enough potential pilots meet Air Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, Oman, Brig. Gen. John Weida, commandant of cadets for sick call; routine Force needs in 2009. In addition, we expe- and the first cadet from Uzbekistan. cadets, conducts the formal swearing in of the appointments available after 2 rienced the highest rate of acceptance in the “I’m excited since I flew in from class of 2009 today at the Honor Wall at 8:30 p.m. (Call 333-5180 to past 15 years. Applications were substan- Honduras,” said cadet appointee Carlos a.m. Visitors can observe the ceremony from schedule) tially lower than last year when 12,430 Sanchez. “Being selected for this is very impor- the Honor Court near the Cadet Chapel, which Go to the Jack’s Valley sought admission; however, last year was tant in Honduras. I’m the only one sent from overlooks the Terrazzo. Medical Tent on the following dates: July 22 – August 3: 1-2 Shuttle bus stops, cadet area parking expanded p.m. Active duty enrollees/ non-BCT cadets for sick call By Eddie Kovsky issued soon. Until vehicle stickers imity badge holders, may park in staff. Individuals who require Academy Spirit staff (no routine appointments avail- are issued, a cadet area proximity any open parking area. In addi- access to the cadet area for sched- able) badge alone will enable access. tion, the parking spots immedi- uled medical/dental appointments Shuttle bus service into the August 4: 6-7 a.m. Several of the new parking ately south and west of the Aero will be placed on the entry access cadet area from Clune Arena has Active duty enrollees/non-BCT slots are reserved for handicap Lab are reserved for employees list by the 10th Medical Group. stopped. People working in the cadets for sick parking, air officers commanding of that building only. The preferred entry point for cadet area can now drive into the Go to Cadet/Flight and Academy military trainers. No changes have been made visitors is the Charlie-2 entry area and park. New parking spaces Medicine Clinic on the Those, and other, parking areas are to the parking procedures under control point south of Sijan Hall. have been made available following dates: throughout the cadet area. restricted and are designated by Fairchild Hall and the Fairchild Security forces will verify infor- August 5: 1-2 p.m. Active People who have a cadet area blue paint on the curb at the head Hall Annex. Cadet parking priv- mation and exchange a photo ID duty enrollees/non-BCT cadets proximity badge, or who are listed of the parking space with white ileges have not changed. card for a temporary visitor badge. for sick call on an entry access list, will be lettering. Only personnel with a Visitors who do not work in A temporary parking pass will Weekend and Holiday granted access into the area and cadet area proximity badge and the cadet area or who do not have also be issued for vehicle access. hours are only for the basic will be allowed to park in desig- a vehicle sticker may park in a cadet area proximity badge must Sponsors may add a visitor to the cadets and cadre. nated parking areas. A standard restricted parking spaces. All be sponsored into the area by the entry access list by calling the Normal clinic hours will “CA” vehicle sticker will be others, including cadet area prox- appropriate mission element or entry controller at 333-0576. resume August 8. Academy Spirit 2 COMMENTARY July 1, 2005 Airmen, spiritual strength and core values By Gen. John P. Jumper able to elevate the human spirit and inspire extraordi- Air Force Chief of Staff nary performance. Spiritual strength is what drives us to make sacrifices for others, for our Nation, and for Our lives changed when we took the oath to the greater good. For some, a commitment to a defend our nation and put on the uniform of an specific religious faith is a source for that spiritual Airman. But what was that change? Was it merely strength, but not for all. For some, it is their heritage symbols – uniform, rank, and badges? No, it was a and the experience of a community of people within daily lives to help us wrestle with our toughest deci- transformation from whoever we were before to our human family. For others, it is the way they were someone vested in higher order values, a transforma- sions and to guide us on our path of service as touched as individuals by a family member, teacher, tion into a part of something bigger than ourselves. Airmen. or leader’s work of faith or charity. As we stress our We come from all walks of life, from every part of our At our Air Force Academy, we have experienced Core Value of Service Before Self, we see spiritual Nation. We are different people from diverse back- issues with expressions of religious beliefs and with strength as its foundation, whether or not an indi- grounds and with our diversity we bring different sets perceptions that one set of beliefs is favored over vidual sees himself or herself as religious. of values. We have different hopes and aspirations, others. Remember Service Before Self. Religion is Faith and religious freedom were fundamental to different goals and different beliefs. It is perhaps our intensely personal and disagreements can detract from the founding of this Nation. Chaplains are part of our Nation’s greatest strength that, since its founding, we the teamwork necessary for Air Force units. In partic- can stand shoulder to shoulder with people of ular, sharing personal beliefs in a professional setting, profession of arms and have a unique charter: to different origins and beliefs for a single purpose – to one where leaders are performing their duties in a minister to those who share their specific faith, to serve. chain of command or in a superior-subordinate rela- facilitate ministry to those of other faiths, and to care As part of our service in the United States Air tionship, can easily become improper influence about for all – including those whose spiritual strength does Force we are expected to embrace its Core Values: personal matters. Furthermore, it can be resented. A not come from religious belief.