O-96 DISPLAYS INSTALLED AT MITCHELL HALL T
he Association of Graduates, in cooperation with the USAFA Commandant of Cadets, has helped preserve a piece of Academy heritage that was at risk of fading away. Two wall displays, installed this fall at the entrances to Mitchell Hall, recount the history behind Form O-96 that cadets have been filling out since the early days of the Academy. According to Bob McAllister, senior vice president for communications at the AOG, the O-96 was originally designed to allow cadets to evaluate the food quality, service and cleanliness of the Mitchell Hall dining experience. But as the form evolved, a standard answer code was informally established that allowed cadets to fill out the form quickly, giving the fourth class cadets who usually were tasked with completing the assessment more time to eat. “Fast, Neat, Average, Friendly, Good, Good, None, None” became the appropriate responses for the eightquestion survey. Later, “Fast, Neat, Average” became an Academy secret code prompt that was shared among fellow graduates. Graduates who heard the prompt would respond “Friendly, Good, Good,” establishing an immediate connection with their fellow grad. On one occasion during the Vietnam War, according to Air Force lore, a downed pilot was identified by approaching rescuers with the prompt and correct response.
“The O-96 is more than just a form,” McAllister says. “It’s become a tradition at the Air Force Academy, and it’s a piece of heritage that should be preserved.” AOG President and CEO William “T” Thompson ’73 worked together with Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams ’89, Commandant of the Cadets, to develop the wall displays explaining the history behind the Form O-96. The AOG paid for the displays and their installation. “It’s important that current cadets and graduates understand the significance of the O-96 and it’s place in Academy history,” McAllister notes. Director of Cadet Food Services Edward Fitzhenry reports that, since the displays were installed at Mitchell Hall, cadets have enjoyed reading about the history behind the O-96. “The cadets have been stopping at both displays daily since they have gone up,” he says. “They are really interested. We have had several cadets state to our staff their appreciation of the displays.” The O-96 displays, along with the Raptor hanging from the ceiling, add a touch of needed historic interest in the massive building, Fitzhenry comments. “It adds a lot to Mitchell Hall, which sometimes gets lost in its size without any character,” he notes.
Checkpoints · December 2016 · 87