AOG Presidents Conference 2019

Day 1

The conference got off to a good start this morning with breakfast and a show at the newly renovated Planetarium. It's now a state of the art facility providing more than just astronomy programs. Everything they do is free and many of their shows and presentations are open to the public. It has become a popular place for those in the Colorado Springs area and is often used for special events, like retirement ceremonies. They are currently playing multiple showings of Apollo 11 weekly and all are welcome. It hosts local school functions daily, USAFA classes, and is focused on STEM education. Thousands are going through the facility each week. They showed us their "Black Holes" show which was beautifully crafted.

Cathy McClain, '82, AOG Chairman, gave an update on recent board decisions. They have made the decision to become an Association of ALL Graduates rather than just a membership organization. The first step is to build a service model to inform, connect, and serve the interests of USAFA. The vision includes cadets, parents, siblings, ALOs... a USAFA family. This is the vision going forward. The hard part will be how to do it. They know there will be challenges in this transition but the time has come and this is the right direction. More to come on this. Also, they are working on hiring the single CEO for the AOG and Endowment as voted in the most recent election. There is a selection committee of three each from AOG and Endowment screening candidates to meet the needs of both boards.

We're going to build on the theme of "Service Before Self" in recognizing that there are many ways to serve. We may start as cadets and serve on active duty but service doesn't stop when we separate from service. USAFA graduates are the best of the best and serve in the private sector every bit as much as when they wore the uniform. It's a lifetime commitment to service, not just a catchy phrase. We're going to work on adding service projects to our chapters. One way the AOG plans to do their part is when they come to away games for tailgating, it will include service projects in the local community. We won't just come as rivals on the fields of friendly strife but also as ambassadors of good will.

Did you know the USAFA Endowment is only about 12 years old? In truth, it's not yet an endowment as understood at most institutions of higher learning. Most endowments spit off interest in support of their institutions. Ours is about 1/10 that of West Point... and West Point has multiple funds beyond just their endowment. We are going to rebrand as the USAFA Foundation and essentially start over in building our endowment. Over 20 years ago, USAFA was nearly all funded by the government. For the last 20 years and into the future, donations are more than important, they are essential. When a project is needed, MILCON will pay for a basic structure. We get facilities like the Center for Character and Leadership Development (with Polaris Hall) and the newest athletic facilities from the generous donations made mostly by grads. USAFA has world-class facilities because we as a grad community make them so. Most of us assume USAFA doesn't need our money because they are funded by the taxpayers. That assumption is wrong. Get involved and find out how you can help. You can target your donations to the programs that matter most to you... the ones that helped you get where you are today. Consider becoming a Saber Society donor at only $1,000/yr.

We then had some breakout sessions. The first one I went to was facilitated by Karina Ross on keeping events fresh and working on service projects in the local area. She gave some ideas for engaging the younger generations and networking as a USAFA family. We want to engage the recent grads, their spouses, and their families and make them feel welcome in the long blue line. I'm bringing back some good ideas for events and always welcome your ideas. Here are some ideas from the breakout group: cooking classes, exercise/hiking/biking outings, attend local events (like concerts or festivals) as a group, game nights, or maybe even story time at a local bookstore. We could consider doing a concealed carry class for our group. I'm wide open for ideas.

When we're considering service events we should keep these four things in mind:

1. They should be meaningful. Find things we can be passionate about.
2. Consider the impact. It's not just about scale. Sometimes the greatest impact isn't felt by thousands but by one. We don't have to change the world but we can change someone's world.
3. It would be great if it's likable. If it isn't enjoyable, people won't want to participate. It's human nature... don't fight it.
4. Make it memorable. Do a service project that is worth remembering.

Some ideas included helping out at a local veterans home (convalescent or otherwise). Spending time with the veterans. Maybe bring meals at holidays. Helping out families and widows of local grads. Volunteer as a group to feed the homeless. Once again, I'm open to ideas.

The next breakout was hosted by Devin Davis and focused on technology. We got some ideas for designing and maintaining our websites. The big item was Zoomielink. This is a private social networking site just for us as graduates of USAFA. Some people don't like the open model of Facebook, LinkedIn, and others. This one is just for us to network with each other. It will be useful for everything from business collaboration to career transitions and casual conversation. Zoomielink will be going live on September 10th. You will receive emails talking about it between now and then. When you can sign up, please do. This will only be effective if we can get the graduate community to participate. I'm on there... Join me. There are lots of cool features and they are working to improve it daily.

We then had a forum with senior leaders. Present were the new Commandant, BGen Michele Edmonson, Dean (select) Col Linell Letendre, and CMSgt Robert D. Johnson, Command Chief of the Commandant of Cadets. There are a number of initiatives in the works here. One that stood out to me from the Commandant was rebuilding the four class system. Did you read that right? How many times have we talked about the "fourth-class system?" That is a thing but what's evolved over time is a 2-tiered class system where you have fourth-classmen and upper-classmen. It was always meant to be a 4-tiered system with the fourth-classmen as the airmen, third-classmen as NCOs, second-classmen as SNCOs, and first-classmen as officers. When viewed in the proper perspective, you can see how this is meant to be a leadership laboratory for service in the USAF. It isn't all about training four-degrees to get to Recognition. It's a four year program of progressive leadership development. I think that's a perspective worth resurrecting.

Col Letendre shared that the faculty and core curriculum are back to full stature after the ravages of sequestration, the ongoing war efforts, and changing military priorities. They had their accreditation inspection and passed with flying colors. USAFA is the #1 undergraduate research institution in the country with $45-50 million in grants last year. Their challenge is preparing cadets for the battlefield of the future. They don't just focus on the basics of core curriculum and chosen majors, they are producing leaders for an evolving and  dangerous world.

BGen Edmonson gave us an update on the Space Force initiative. She served in the Trump administration coordinating administration efforts with the Dept of Defense. She was in the thick of it. The idea is to recognize that space is likely the next battlefield. We have to empower commanders with authority to protect our space assets. As it is now, any space action has to first be cleared with the President... that wouldn't work for pilots in hostile territory and it doesn't make sense in this theater, either.

One big change is moving AFSC selection to the second-class year. This gives time for preparation before graduation... education requirements, security clearances, et al. It will also likely necessitate a shuffling of some Summer programs as Ops Air Force (for example) will take on a new focus with cadets preparing for their selected career fields.

The AOG and USAFA want to engage with the graduate community. During the march-back from Jack's Valley this Summer, graduates were invited to join the march with the Basic Cadets... and over 200 did! The AOG and USAFA are looking to make this an annual event... generally near the end of July. They will send notice to sign up. This is another way to come participate with our Academy. They are also going to work on doing a better job of getting notice to us before teams, clubs, and other cadet groups come to our area so we can host them.

There was a robust discussion about the scheduling of reunions. Sometimes the newer classes find that they can't get the dates they want for their reunions because the older classes were given priority. There is a certain logic to this but it can be off-putting. We have to recognize that USAFA used to be the only game in town for major events in Colorado Springs... no more. We have to schedule our reunions at times that work for the mission of USAFA and deconflict with meeting venues (apparently, the Marriott is very popular with reunions... but we can't all go there at the same time). Also, most classes seem to want to schedule around football games. If we are open to changing the paradigm and considering alternate dates and venues, more possibilities open up. As we graduate more classes, we get more competition for "traditional" reunions... think outside the box for greater flexibility... and isn't that the key to air power?

Something I got from a friend this morning over breakfast... the Eyes on the Horizon program. It's a USAF group that tours the country inviting local kids to see the local USAF base and even ride in aircraft. I'm going to do more research on this and see if there are opportunities in our area. Another program he told me about helps JROTC and CAP cadets get their private pilot's licenses. It's all at USAF expense! This is intended to help fill the future pipeline for rated career fields that are hurting for personnel now and projected to remain tight for the foreseeable future. More on this as well as I look into it.

Lastly, it was nice to see the Cadet Chapel before it goes down for renovation. Construction starts September 1 and will continue for the next four years.