April 17, 2017

USAFA Founders Day
Last Friday the United States Air Force Academy and the Association of Graduates celebrated Founders Day and the Distinguished Graduate honorees for 2016. Gen. (Ret.) George Lee Butler, Class of 1961; Gen. (Ret.) Charles R. Holland, Class of 1968; Mr. R. David Yost, Class of 1969; and Col. (Ret.) Gary E. Payton, Class of 1971, received their awards at the annual Founders Day banquet at the Air Force Academy.

• View photos from the evening
• Watch videos

SAVE $$ on Your Reunion Registration!
Become an annual member today! Join your Association of Graduates and show your support for the Academy's mission for just $60 a year — that's only $5 a month! Membership to your alumni association will provide: support for our USAFA graduates, parents and Academy friends; services and assistance to current cadets; connection to the Long Blue Line; a solid network to support you through all stages of your career; a subscription to Checkpoints quarterly alumni magazine; discounted event registration for you and your guest(s); 15% off merchandise at shop.usafa.org; and MORE! Sign up for membership today!

USAFA Parents — WebGuy Coverage for April
When was the last time your cadet sent you a picture to add to their "life at the Academy" scrapbook? Do you know what they did today? Our WebGuy team sure does! I spoke with our WebGuy team and I wanted to share their plans with you. Here is a general list of Academy happenings they will be covering just this month.

WELCOME Class of 2021 — We look forward to meeting you!
Congratulations on accepting your appointment to the United States Air Force Academy! We're the Association of Graduates (AOG) and we are here to support you, your family, your Academy and the graduates who have gone before you. We will be with you throughout your Academy experience, your Air Force career and beyond. Join us today! For questions regarding membership, feel free to contact our Director of Membership, Megan Bollman. We look forward to serving you and yours for decades to come!

Class of 2017 Parents — Less Than 40 Days To Go!
Celebrate your cadet's graduation with an Association of Graduates membership. An annual membership to the Association of Graduates offers the same benefits as a life membership for only $60! Membership to the AOG provides: support for USAFA graduates, parents and Academy friends; services and assistance to current cadets; connection to the Long Blue Line; a solid network to support your son or daughter through all stages of their career; a subscription to Checkpoints quarterly alumni magazine; discounted event registration for your graduate and their guest(s); 15% off merchandise at shop.usafa.org. Purchase a membership for only $60 for your soon-to-be second lieutenant today!

Be sure to check out your Class of 2017 graduation page which includes helpful information, the latest announcements and a countdown to the big day!

Give Back When You Shop Thru The Heart at No Additional Cost to You!
When you shop for your business or personal needs, go to USAFAAOG.shop. Get started today, and each purchase benefits the AOG!




First Stop on the USAFA 2017 Golf Tour — Dayton, OH
Please join your Association of Graduates and Dayton's Southwest Ohio Chapter of the AOG at the exclusive NCR Country Club on June 5, 2017. Graduates, parents and friends are welcome to play. Register here!

AF Academy Society of Washington, D.C. Events
Please join fellow graduates and USAFA supporters for 2017 Founders Weekend Events hosted by the AF Academy Society of Washington, D.C. (AFASW) for the benefit of the USAFA Endowment. The 7th annual golf tournament will be on April 21, 2017, followed by the Founders Day Dinner on April 22, 2017. Learn more and register online.

Register NOW for the 2017 Career Coaching Workshop & the Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS)!
Sign up today for the annual Symposium April 25-27th in Arlington, VA.

Ring Dining-Out and Dance
The Class of 2018 cordially invites their Legacy Class of 1968 and their spouses to attend their Ring Dining-Out and Dance on May 19, 2017. Register today! For more information, contact us.

Service Academies Global Summit
Join graduates from all five service academies in Washington, D.C., June 14-16, 2017, for personal and professional development, networking and fellowship. Register today!

Upcoming Events — Save the Dates!
AFA Graduate Networking Social - May 10 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Dayton Golf - June 5, 2017
Service Academies Global Summit - June 14-16, 2017
Air Force Day at the Rockies - August 20, 2017
Michigan Golf - September 15, 2017
Michigan Tailgate - September 16, 2017
Reunions 1972,199,1997,2007 - September 20-23
Reunions 1962 and 1967 - October 4-7
Navy Tailgate - October 7, 2017
Reunions 1977,1982,1987 - October 11-14
Dine and Dunk Air Force vs. Wright State - November 2017



Don't Take Our Word For It - Listen to Career Advice From Your Fellow Graduates
On attending the AFA Graduate Networking Social: "I've reconnected with a lot of graduates. Some have already gotten jobs through SACC and are here again, some are actually working the event as recruiters, and I learned a lot more about what it is and what it can do for me. The big thing is just reconnecting with graduates and alumni who have been through this whole process before." Lt Col Harold Hicks, '93.

Register for the FREE AFA Graduate Networking Social on May 10th!

On attending the Service Academy Career Conference: "I ran into some other folks here that I went to the academy with. I could sense from my conversations with them that they were just as nervous as I was about six months ago. The biggest thing that I wanted to let them know is that these companies — they want you! So, even if you don't know what you can offer them or you don't know what you want to do in the civilian sector, these companies will find a role for you because of your leadership and your management experience that others my age have not had the privilege of experiencing yet." Rachel Mooney '08.

On attending the SACC in Washington, D.C. on May 11-12: "The upcoming DC SACC, May 11-12, is the biggest of the four quarterly SACC events... and recruiting companies know this. If you are a grad even passively on the job market... this is where you need to be. (And if you are a hiring manager of great talent... this is where you need to pull from.) Registration is currently open. Do not hesitate or second guess your decision to go." Elliot Wilson '04, Former SACC Candidate, Current SACC Recruiter.

Pre-registration for SACC closes on May 5th - Register Now!

Is Your Organization Hiring?
Join over 500 employers who currently post jobs and/or attend Service Academy Career Conference - the only job board and career fair exclusively for graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Our next event is May 11-12 in Washington, D.C. Across the board, service academy alumni are equipped with bachelors degrees from highly-ranked institutions and over 40% hold masters degrees; most have served at least five years in the armed forces with a concentration on leadership training. If you think your company should hire your fellow grads, but you aren't quite sure how to sell them on the idea, send them this information sheet for recruiters. Email careers@aogusafa.org for details or visit www.sacc-jobfair.com for more information!



SEAKR Engineering
SEAKR Engineering is the leading-edge provider of advanced electronics for space applications. We are always searching for the next innovation and the next generation of technology for the future of satellites communications and space exploration.

Simplicity Press
Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for your Class of 2017 grad or family members? Check out Simplicity Press for beautiful, unique Air Force and USAFA creations! With various gift options including a Class of 2017 Milestone Book with hand-drawn illustrations and meaningful messages, a USAFA-inspired perpetual calendar, and even a beautifully framed High Flight poem to display at home or at the office, Simplicity Press is sure to have just what you are looking for. Visit www.simplicity-press.com to learn more.

Bethesda Gardens — We're Opening a New Community, But We Aren't New to Yours
For almost 60 years, Bethesda Senior Living has faithfully served and cared for the seniors of Colorado Springs. We invite you to learn more about our newest community, Bethesda Gardens Monument, by attending the opening of our sales office from 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22nd, at 55 Beacon Lite Road, Monument CO, 80132. Gain a sneak peek of our community, tour our 1-bedroom and studio model apartments, see 3D renderings, and speak with our corporate leadership team about the exciting things we have planned for our community! Light refreshments will be served. Click here for more details on attending.

Special True Blue Pricing On New & Pre-Owned Vehicles!
Phil Long Ford of Chapel Hills offers special pricing to Association of Graduates members! Shop Colorado's best selection of new Fords and pre-owned vehicles — all drastically reduced! To take advantage of this limited time exclusive offer, call Norm Bothun, our military liaison and himself a 22-year active duty vet, at (719) 572-2214.

The Summit Interquest
Looking for a venue to celebrate your graduates accomplishments? The Summit at Interquest has private event rooms, amazing banquet menus, a full restaurant and bar, and the most fun activities in town all under one roof! Call 719-278-3861 today to reserve your date and time!

Support Those Who Support Us!
Will you be visiting the Academy soon and wondering where you will stay, what you will eat or what activities you might do while here? Is your son or daughter (or maybe you) getting married and needing a photographer or a caterer? When searching for these answers and others, please be sure to check out our True Blue Business Partners first. Support those who support us. Support our True Blue Businesses!

True Blue Business — Help Us Build a Stronger Community Together!
Do you or someone you know own a business whose products would be beneficial to our graduate community? Perhaps it's a restaurant, hotel, auto service or carpet cleaning service. Whether your business reaches the world or just our locals, if it's a service that can help our community, I would like to speak with you about becoming a True Blue Business! Please contact Jeff MacLean at jeff.maclean@aogusafa.org or 719-247-8767 today to discuss how we can partner together!



Facebook Live
If you liked us on Facebook, you could have seen a live performance from In The Stairwell at our Founders Day dinner as it happened live last Friday night. That was our first live broadcast on social media, but like us for more ahead!

New Website
Our website at USAFA.ORG has a new look and mobile-friendly design. On our new website you'll find years of digitized yearbooks, Checkpoints online archives, interactive Academy photos and video galleries, "This Date in History" USAFA heritage, and personalized menus for grads, parents and cadets. Take a look and let us know what you think.