Vol. 49 No. 19 May 15, 2009 Taking the Hill Photo by Mike Kaplan THE GREAT ASCENT Class of 2009 members fol- This signifies their last day of academic classes. members of the soon-to-graduate class of 2009 low Academy tradition by “Taking the Hill” May 8. With less than two weeks before graduation day, clearly have a lot to smile about. 31 selected for master sergeant Falcon football team ranks 2nd Congratulations to the following Academy technical sergeants for their in NCAA academic excellence selections to the grade of master By Ken Carter provides a real-time look at a team’s Academy leaders and faculty sergeant officially announced Thursday Editor academic success each semester or quarter members alike are quick to acknowledge morning: by tracking the academic progress of each their pride in the Falcon football program Rex G. Barnes Jr. Lindsey Miranda In a recent NCAA ranking, Air Force student-athlete. The APR includes eligi- and all cadets’ overall performance … Elvia Bottino Steve Morris Academy gridiron athletes finished second bility, retention, and graduation in the but none quicker than the head coach Albert DeSarro Jerod Norden Ryan Devine Denise O'Connor in the nation in Academic Progress Rates calculation and provides a clear picture of himself. Christopher DeWitt Ralph Ortiz following only Stanford University. the academic culture in each sport. “Student-athletes at the United States Kevin Frazier Darren Reinert According to Academy Director of Being both a gridiron sensation and Air Force Academy must complete over Jason Haag John J. Saller II Athletic Media Relations Troy Garnhart, an academic dynamo is often considered 140 semester hours of the nation’s most David T. Hall Jr. Jeffrey Selbe the NCAA rack and stack considered the unusual … but, at the Air Force Academy, demanding curriculum. The NCAA’s Peyton Hobbs Patrick Smith overall performance of all 27 intercolle- the NCAA scoring reflects it’s more like recent release of APRs for the 119 Football Dale Jackson Karen Stevens giate sports here with the “983” score James Jamison Ryan Tanner business as usual. When the NCAA Bowl Subdivision playing institutions is John T. King Jr. Tammy Taylor reflecting the performance of the members recently announced the 2009 Academic another remarkable achievement by our Kevin Krumm Michael Vagle of the Falcon football team. Progress Reports, looking at classes from cadets,” said Falcon head coach Troy Jerami Mahaffey Frederick Walker According to a related news release 2003-2004 to 2007-2008, the Air Force Calhoun. “It’s also a sign of the incred- Abel Martinez Aurelia Watkiss recently from NCAA Headquarters in Academy’s performance was nothing short ible dedication of the Air Force Academy’s Mark Middleton Indianapolis, the Academic Progress Rates of a game-winning touchdown. See RANKING, Page 5 Star performer Congratulations to 10th Air Flexibility Heiser Award Air Force retiree remains passionate Base Wing Commander Col. Jimmy Class of 2009 selects senior faculty about fitness and revisits teen McMillian who’s been nominated for members who inspire and challenge. promotion by the president to the bodybuilding competition regimen. Page 11 Senate for appointment to the grade of Page 15 Windy Isolated T-Storm Rain brigadier general, U.S.Air Force. 62 35 58 37 74 40 Energy Savings Tip of the Week: Ensure appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained. 2 May 15, 2009 Prescription drugs can end your career To responsibly inform and educate the By Col. Howard Hayes Academy community and the public Later that year, a master sergeant You cannot self-prescribe medica- about the Air Force Academy 354th Medical Group commander complained to his friend that he was tions for the same symptoms just Lt. Gen. John Regni — having trouble concentrating on the because you have pills left over, unless Academy Superintendent EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, job. His top-three buddy told him it your current provider has clearly given Lt. Col. Brett Ashworth — Director of Public Affairs Alaska (AFNS) — A technical sounded just like his attention deficit you permission to do so and your Tech. Sgt. Cortchie Welch — sergeant in my squadron took a single disorder and he gave the sergeant one prescription is still valid. And, you Chief of Internal Information pill from his son’s prescription bottle in of his pills. He told his friend to wait cannot provide your drugs to another Ken Carter — Editor May 2007, and that pill started him until the weekend to take the drug person; that’s a violation of both state [email protected] Butch Wehry — Senior Staff Writer down the road toward a court-martial since he didn’t know how it would laws and the Uniformed Code of [email protected] and discharge from the Air Force. affect another person. Military Justice. Ann Patton — Staff Writer The drug was a low-level ampheta- That weekend his friend took the Drugs have a shelf-life, are [email protected] mine used to correct attention deficit pill and on Monday it was detected dangerous around young children, and Denise Navoy — Graphic Designer disorder. from a urinalysis. The master sergeant will only cause you problems when The Academy Spirit is published by Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in no Both the sergeant and his son was found guilty of distributing drugs they are no longer needed. If you have way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive suffered from the same condition and and his friend was guilty of using an old prescriptions the President’s Office written contract with the U.S. Air Force Academy. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized used the same medication. The NCO amphetamine without a prescription. of National Drug Control Policy publication for members of the U.S. military services. had exhausted his supply and since he Both were lucky enough to receive recommends that you: Contents of the Academy Spirit are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, was too busy to make an appointment, early retirements. 1. Take your prescription drugs out the Department of Defense or the Department of the he took the pill from his son’s supply. Each time the clinic gives you a of their original containers. Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, Without a current prescription, he was new prescription, your provider will 2. Mix drugs with an undesirable including inserts or supplements, does not constitute found guilty of illegal drug use. give you instructions on the use of that substance, such as cat litter or used endorsement by the Department of Defense, the When I heard about the case, I coffee grounds. Department of the Air Force, or Colorado Springs drug. When you pick the drug up, the Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services thought, “No big deal. It was the pharmacist will review your medica- 3. Put this mixture into a dispos- advertised. Everything advertised in this publication correct drug. He had just run out. tions in the computer, print out an able container with a lid, such as an shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national ori- After all, his doctor would probably instruction sheet for your use, ensure empty margarine tub, or sealable bag. gin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political renew the prescription when he went the bottle is properly labeled, and 4. Conceal or remove any personal affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. The printer reserves the right to reject in for his next appointment.” As it finally ask if you understand how to information, including prescription any advertisements. turns out, this NCO lost his line use the drug. number, on the empty containers by Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the U.S. Air Force Academy Directorate of Public number for master sergeant and was If you are taking an antibiotic, we covering it with black permanent Affairs. The editor reserves the right to edit articles referred for court-martial. will tell you to take all the pills. marker or duct tape, or by scratching it to conform to Air Force policy and Associated Press style. All photos are U.S. Air Force photos unless other- Nothing I could do as his Although you may begin to feel well off. wise indicated. commander could stop the process as soon after the first dose, it is important 5. Place the sealed container with Submissions he had turned up positive on a urinal- to consume all the pills in order to the mixture, and the empty drug Send submissions to: HQ USAFA/PAI, 2304 Cadet ysis without a prescription. The case affect possible resistant strains of containers, in the trash. Drive, Suite 3100, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840- was referred to a major general who bacteria. If you are prescribed a pain Bottom line: Don’t take drugs from 5016 or deliver to Suite 3100 in Harmon Hall. Deadline for free classified ads on a space-avail- allowed the sergeant to remain in the killer, you must use the drug for the your friends or give drugs to others. It’s able basis is noon every Tuesday for that week’s pub- Air Force after paying a fine and losing injury that it is currently prescribed for illegal. It can ruin your career, and it lication date. Paid classified advertising is accepted by the publisher at 329-5236. The number to call for dis- his line number.