BY BRIG. GEN. (RET.) ROGER CARLETON ‘67
CHAIRMAN’S JOURNAL 6 · usafa.org
R
ecently, after dropping off two basic cadet appointees—Class of 2019—at Doolittle Hall following the Bed and Breakfast program, I reminisced about what my classmates and I experienced in June 1963. We began our journey at the base of the ramp leading to the Terrazzo. Air Force NCOs from the USAFA Band met and escorted us to our many appointments for the next three days. Finally, after marching to the evening meal at Mitchell Hall, the NCOs transferred us to our cadre who took great pride in “introducing” themselves to us. Thus began Basic Cadet Training (BCT). I’m certain many of you can recall those first hectic days at USAFA. More importantly, if you have had the opportunity to observe how Inprocessing is now accomplished, I would wager you would be pleased at the changes made to accommodate the appointees, their parents, siblings, and friends. Thinking about how things have evolved or changed over time caused me to look at traditions at the Air Force Academy. Webster defines traditions as “cultural continuity in social attitudes and institutions.” Starting with graduation and working backward to our entry into USAFA, many things have remained the same. We all remember June, or Graduation Week, the words “Gentlemen (and now ladies too) you are dismissed,” throwing our hats in the air as the Thunderbirds flew overhead and then exchanging cadet shoulder boards for the coveted 2nd lieutenant boards. Graduation culminated four long years and opened a new chapter in our lives and careers. However, there were other important events (traditions) along the journey. As a first-degree, 100th Night meant your goal—graduation—was just around the corner. Now 100th Night has even greater importance as the seniors receive their first Air Force assignments. In the spring of the secondclass year, the Ring Dance/Dining Out acknowledged that your class was soon to lead the Cadet Wing. The weight of the Academy ring also conveyed the heritage of all graduates who preceded you as well as their accomplishments in military and civilian careers. Since 1959, 48,000-plus men and women in 57 classes have graduated from our institution. For the early classes, the third-class year had no established traditions. The fouth-class year was marked by recognition and the receipt of Prop and Wings, the Acceptance Day parade where the basics were integrated into their cadet squadrons and finally, Inrocessing itself. I’ll expound upon Inprocessing later.
Over the years, the Association of Graduates implemented a Legacy Class program where a 40-year Class such as 1964 would be the “legacy” class for 2004. In fact, the Class of 1964 became the first Legacy class. You’ll note that the Legacy program began before the Class of 1959 reached their 50th year following graduation. In 2011, then-Superintendent, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Gould ’76, approved a transition from a 40 to a 50-year Legacy Class program. The stated purpose was to strengthen ties between the graduates of yesterday and cadets of today. The events attended by the 50-year Class will enable them to interact with “their” new class at least one time during each of the four years at USAFA. In effecting the transition from a 40 to a 50-year program, the Class of 1966 became the first 50-year Legacy Class. Here are the events where the two classes now interact: • Fouth-class year: greeters at Inprocessing, attend the swearing in ceremony on day two; provide remarks at the August Acceptance Day parade and hand out Contrails to the outstanding basics in each summer squadron. • Third-class year: attend the Exemplar Dinner. • Second-class year: attend the Commitment Dinner and the Ring Dining Out. • First-degree year: attend the 100th Night Dinner, provide 2nd lieutenant bars inscribed on the back with both classes the evening before graduation and attend graduation as distinguished guests. Since the Class of 2000, each class has chosen someone who “exemplifies” the type of person the class wishes to emulate. This specific class chose General James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle as its Exemplar. The Commitment Dinner for the second-class takes place at the start of the fall semester. Once the cadets return to the Academy for their second-class year, they incur the financial or active duty “commitment” for their education if they depart the Academy prior to graduation. As mentioned at the outset, Inprocessing at Doolittle Hall has been one of the changes defining the Academy journey. It has been held here 23 of the last 24 years—only the Waldo Canyon fire in 2011 caused the event to relocate to the Field House as a safety measure since the Academy evacuated all facilities thought to be at risk. Refinements such as staggering the arrival time of basic cadet appointees based on their summer cadet squadron assignments have resulted in a more efficient process. Appointees and parents/siblings/friends can accompany the appointee to an area underneath a canopy where representatives of the Air Force Academy and the Association of Graduates welcome them. After a short pep talk, it is time for the appointees to bid farewell to parents. They enter the main entrance to