Commentaries

Academy rolls out red carpet for Parents’ Weekend

  • Published
  • By Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent
Welcome to Parents' Weekend! This is an exciting time, whether you're supporting your Doolies for your first Parents' Weekend, or sharing in the joy as you watch your firsties stretch their wings as leaders. This weekend, the men and women of the Air Force Academy team will welcome 8,000-to-10,000 visitors. The safety and security of the installation and the comfort of our visitors are top priorities. As such, we have been preparing for your arrival for months.

The 10th Air Base Wing team has worked around the clock to ensure a safe and smooth weekend. The faculty and staff from the Cadet Wing, the Dean of Faculty, the Athletic Department and the 306th Flying Training Wing are rolling out the red carpet to ensure you see the best of your cadets and their home in Colorado Springs.

Over the past 12 months, I have had the pleasure of watching your cadets develop into outstanding young men and women on their journey toward becoming leaders of character for our Air Force and our nation. The cadets have taken on more responsibility than their predecessors and are living up to the challenge. I am extremely proud of the way their efforts have translated into tangible changes across the Cadet Wing and the way we do business.

The cadets are embracing a culture of commitment, demonstrating dedication to service in the profession of arms, devotion to the Air Force and the core values of integrity, service and excellence foundational to everything we do. Finally, they are dedicated to this this institution -- the Air Force's Academy. We are proud of their commitment and excited to see it further cultivated in the Class of '18.

The shift of responsibility to the cadets was prominent this summer as we saw the Classes of '15 and '16 focus on their development as leaders, fully capitalizing on the unique leadership opportunities available through our summer programs. As cadre in summer programs, to include Basic Cadet Training, Airmanship, and Expeditionary, Survival, and Evasion Training, among so many others, they grew and matured, building on the foundation of leadership and character developed throughout their cadet experience. All cadets -- whether they were benefiting from experiences abroad, spending time with our Air Force professionals at operational installations around the world, or learning and practicing the skills associated with the world's most advanced air and space force -- return to the Academy better prepared to lead Airmen upon their graduation.

Of course, their success here begins at home. The continued impact on our cadets from the positive support of parents, family members, friends and mentors cannot be overstated. Each of you here this weekend play a critical role in the Air Force Academy's mission of producing graduates prepared to lead in our Air Force. You raised amazing young men and women who are dedicated to service for the nation. You can be proud of them, we certainly are.

Thanks for supporting your cadet, the Air Force Academy and our great nation. Enjoy this very special weekend.

Commentaries - Articles

Academy rolls out red carpet for Parents’ Weekend

  • Published
  • By Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent
Welcome to Parents' Weekend! This is an exciting time, whether you're supporting your Doolies for your first Parents' Weekend, or sharing in the joy as you watch your firsties stretch their wings as leaders. This weekend, the men and women of the Air Force Academy team will welcome 8,000-to-10,000 visitors. The safety and security of the installation and the comfort of our visitors are top priorities. As such, we have been preparing for your arrival for months.

The 10th Air Base Wing team has worked around the clock to ensure a safe and smooth weekend. The faculty and staff from the Cadet Wing, the Dean of Faculty, the Athletic Department and the 306th Flying Training Wing are rolling out the red carpet to ensure you see the best of your cadets and their home in Colorado Springs.

Over the past 12 months, I have had the pleasure of watching your cadets develop into outstanding young men and women on their journey toward becoming leaders of character for our Air Force and our nation. The cadets have taken on more responsibility than their predecessors and are living up to the challenge. I am extremely proud of the way their efforts have translated into tangible changes across the Cadet Wing and the way we do business.

The cadets are embracing a culture of commitment, demonstrating dedication to service in the profession of arms, devotion to the Air Force and the core values of integrity, service and excellence foundational to everything we do. Finally, they are dedicated to this this institution -- the Air Force's Academy. We are proud of their commitment and excited to see it further cultivated in the Class of '18.

The shift of responsibility to the cadets was prominent this summer as we saw the Classes of '15 and '16 focus on their development as leaders, fully capitalizing on the unique leadership opportunities available through our summer programs. As cadre in summer programs, to include Basic Cadet Training, Airmanship, and Expeditionary, Survival, and Evasion Training, among so many others, they grew and matured, building on the foundation of leadership and character developed throughout their cadet experience. All cadets -- whether they were benefiting from experiences abroad, spending time with our Air Force professionals at operational installations around the world, or learning and practicing the skills associated with the world's most advanced air and space force -- return to the Academy better prepared to lead Airmen upon their graduation.

Of course, their success here begins at home. The continued impact on our cadets from the positive support of parents, family members, friends and mentors cannot be overstated. Each of you here this weekend play a critical role in the Air Force Academy's mission of producing graduates prepared to lead in our Air Force. You raised amazing young men and women who are dedicated to service for the nation. You can be proud of them, we certainly are.

Thanks for supporting your cadet, the Air Force Academy and our great nation. Enjoy this very special weekend.