HANDBOOK PREMIER SPONSOR PARENT 2014/15 Recognition/Class 2018 patch Patches and Class Pins will debut at Parents Weekend Designed by cadets, for cadets and their families. Each patch and pin proudly displays the Prop & Wings and Class color. Proudly support your cadet. Wear these at USAFA activities: Parents Weekend, Graduation, Swearing In, Acceptance Day, sporting events, and at home. Only $5 each + Shipping To order, visit www.afapan.org Questions? Email: [email protected]. Please include class year in subject line. Thank you for supporting the AF Academy Parents Association of Nebraska. Actual size 3 1/2” Actual size 1” Not authorized to wear Pins available for all 4 on official uniform. classes. See website for 1 details. Dear Parents, We welcome those of you with upper-class cadets back to your very special community—one dedicated to Integrity First; Service Before Self; and Excellence in All We Do. Since 1959, 56 classes have pro- duced over 47,000 graduates who have become leaders of character throughout society. We have 633 general officers, 36 have earned four stars and four have become Air Force Chief of Staff—one fol- lowing in his father’s footsteps. The Long Blue Line includes 40 astronauts, 37 POWs and a former member of the United States Congress. Academy graduates are leaders in their communities across the nation. From business leaders, doctors, and lawyers to teachers, clergy, authors and airline professionals, our men and women are making a positive difference. Your cadet is already a part of this great tradition. The Association of Graduates is here to support them and to encourage you to share 2 your cadet’s experience through the products and services we pro- vide. This handbook is just one of the ways the AOG demonstrates our commitment to all parents in the Academy family. For those of you who are members of the AOG, you know that you get much more. We hope you enjoy the commentary and photos from WebGuy. As a member, you have access to even more information. Members receive Checkpoints, our quarterly, award-winning magazine dedi- cated to telling the stories of graduates, cadets and the Academy. ZoomiEnews and 7258’, our electronic newsletters, give you weekly updates on Academy news, events and activities. Member- ship includes expanded services on our website. AOG members also receive a 15 percent discount on merchandise in both our gift shop and online store. If you aren’t a member, don’t wait a minute longer. Join the AOG today and maximize the thrill of having a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. To the parents of the Class of 2018, your cadet is facing the first major challenge of the Academy journey—Basic Cadet Training. Encourage them to stay the course. Nothing good ever comes easy and the pride that comes from doing a difficult thing will soon be theirs. They have the ability or they would not have been selected and your support and encouragement can make all the difference. The Long Blue Line is looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2018 to its ranks. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need additional information. I’m looking forward to meeting you soon at one of the many upcoming activities we sponsor. Wishing you and your cadets all the best, William “T” Thompson, ’73 President and CEO Association of Graduates 3 Academy Overview Mission To educate, train, and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Basic Academy Information The Air Force Academy is both a military installation and a university, essentially operating similarly to other Air Force Bases. Academic and athletic operations are overseen by a Superintendent (akin to a university president), Dean, and Director of Athletics. The Commandant (no civilian equiv- alent) oversees the military aspects of your cadet’s training. Under this organization, rank structure is as follows: Superintendent – Lieutenant General (3-star) Dean – Brigadier General (1-star) Commandant – Brigadier General (1-star) Athletic Director – Civilian 4 w The Long Blue Line Over 47,000 Graduates 633 Generals, including 36 Four-Star Generals 1 (former) Member of Congress 40 Astronauts Over 1,500 Company Presidents, Vice Presidents, Owners and Chief Executive Officers More than 482 Medical Professionals 579 Legal Professionals 1 Medal of Honor 19 Air Force Crosses 278 Silver Stars 3,727 Distinguished Flying Crosses 37 POWs 181 Graduates Named on Academy War Memorial AIR FORCE ACADEMY fund USAFA PARENTS Your collective generosity makes an impact. Parents play a vital role by supporting crucial Academy programs, which provide transformative support to the Air Force Academy and its mission of “developing leaders of character for the nation.” Thanks to the generous support from parents like you, essential Academy programs and services are provided to cadets and graduates through your gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund. Each fall, parents receive a call from the USAFA Endowment’s calling program representative. The Endowment strategically partners with the company RuffaloCODY, which provides calling center services on behalf of the Air Force Academy Fund. When you receive a phone call from a trained RuffaloCODY caller, we hope you will be inspired to make your first gift or renew your support. Please welcome these calls as an opportunity to help the Endowment provide support to vital cadet and graduate programs and services. Like your cadet, we can’t do it without you. The Air Force Academy Fund Air Force Academy Fund gifts enable the USAFA Endowment to provide unrestricted support to the Academy in the following areas: Support for projects n The Center for Character and Leadership Development Support for cadet programs n Academy Assembly n Cadet Clubs and Intramurals n Character Development Programs and Seminars n International Immersion n Summer Internships n Undergraduate Research Gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund also supplement membership dues and enable the Association of Graduates to offer programs and services designed specifically for the needs of the Academy’s cadets, graduates, and parents like: n Career Services n Appointee Bed and Breakfast n Chapter Programs n Inprocessing Support n Checkpoints Magazine n Parent Handbook n Class Legacy Program n WebGuy online service n Class Ring Maintenance 3116 Academy Drive, Ste 200, USAF Academy, CO 80840 719.472.0300, ext. 200 www.usafaendowment.org Association of Graduates Overview Vision The Association of Graduates (AOG) aspires to be the primary organiza- tion of United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) graduates and friends dedicated to supporting the Academy mission of building leaders of char- acter for the Air Force and the nation, and works to provide world-class services and support for graduates and cadets. Mission To pursue our vision and to serve and support the United States of Amer- ica, the United States Air Force, the United States Air Force Academy, and the graduate community by: I. Working in partnership with the Academy to produce and foster graduates with an enduring commitment to integrity, excellence, and service to country. II. Providing leadership, communication, and support to all the Acad- emy’s graduates, and promoting camaraderie among them. III. Promoting the Academy’s heritage, our common traditions, and the accomplishments of our graduates. Basic AOG Information The AOG will be one of the primary resources you will use to navigate the Academy alongside your cadet during their time here. We are dedicated to providing parents with a link to their sons and daughters, so they can experience Academy life as much as possible. With the following unique programs, we give you a window into day-to-day life “on the hill” and a way to stay connected to your cadet: • Parent Member Plus and Class Club Membership Programs • WebGuy • Online Parent Portal • Parents Club President’s Forum • 7258’ and ZoomiEnews e-newsletters • WebGuy Social (Thursday evening prior to Parents’ Weekend)* • Ongoing communication through email and social media It is our duty to advance the Academy’s mission and preserve its heritage for future generations who will one day join the Long Blue Line. *Date subject to change 8 CO NTENT Get Involved Parents Clubs and Graduate Chapters..........................................................................10 National Events ..........................................................................................................................................................14 FAQs ................................................................................................................................................................................................15 S Cadet Help ..........................................................................................................................................................................16 Stay Connected Parent Programs .........................................................................................................................................................18 Academy Phone Guide ................................................................................................................................20 Squadron Phone Guide ..............................................................................................................................22 Visit Your Cadet Colorado Springs Area Highlights ........................................................................................25