September 10, 2020

The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes exceptional graduates who have set themselves apart by making extraordinarily significant contributions to our nation and/or their communities. Awards are presented annually. Nomination packages are due to the AOG no later than Oct. 1 each year. Learn more.




Checkpoints Online
In September's issue of Checkpoints Online, learn more about military training instructors who have joined the USAFA team to help standardize training techniques and improve drill and ceremony, proper uniform presentation and more. They were an essential part of this year's Basic Cadet Training for the incoming Class of 2024. Also joining the USAFA team is a new Space Force liaison. Read more about that, grads building bridges and restoring historic African American cemeteries, and bonus features only online!

AOG Donation Assists Local Nonprofit
Earlier this summer, AOG facilities personnel delivered 300 chairs to the Springs Rescue Mission. In a related note, a USAFA graduate is about to take over as the new chief executive officer of the nonprofit. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Briggs II '86 is expected to assume his new role in October. Learn more.

Serve on Your AOG Board
Your Association of Graduates will be filling five open positions on its Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving on the AOG Board, please go to www.usafa.org/election/candidate for a full list of commitments and to submit your nomination packet by Oct. 1, 2020. Director terms will begin in May 2021.

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2020 Young Alumni Excellence Award
Each spring, the Association of Graduates has the pleasure of honoring graduates who attended the United States Air Force Academy within the last 15 years with our Young Alumni Excellence Award. The award is presented on the basis of the recipient's outstanding professional achievement and contributions to community, whether in military or civilian life. Visit usafa.org/YoungAlumniAwards to submit a nomination.

Are You Interested in Joining an Affinity Group?
Our alumni relations team invites you to fill out the affinity group interest form. You may not know, but there are currently 10 active affinity groups associated with the AOG and more on the way. We encourage you to fill out the form and let us know if you would like to connect with one of these amazing groups.

Parents and Families — Thank You!
Though this year we did not have an opportunity to thank you in person for your membership and for supporting our programs, we still wanted to pass along our sincere appreciation for your support of the Association of Graduates's mission! Over the last few years, our membership manager has set up a table at Arnold Hall offering free AOG swag. This year, we put together a Parent Appreciation Gift Pack. We will be drawing random member names and sending those winners a thank you gift. Thank you to ALL of our AOG members for strengthening the Association of Graduates and allowing us the opportunity to serve you and yours for decades to come!

As a reminder: with the summer completed and our WebGuy coverage going back to its academic year routine, we want to remind you of the bigger picture of why being a part of the Association of Graduates is more than WebGuy. Our WebGuy team works all year round to cover the many aspects of cadet life, right through graduation. Please continue to support their efforts! WebGuy access is only one of the many benefits of your AOG membership. While you enjoy the blog and photos, store discounts and other benefits, you are also making an investment in your child's future as an Air Force Academy graduate. It's an investment that they will come to appreciate down the road. Please read our blog to learn more about the mission of the AOG and the benefits of being a part of our family! For questions regarding membership, please contact Megan Bollman, membership manager.




AOG Service Spotlight
Gen. (Ret.) Edward Rice Jr. '78 is one of our most recent distinguished graduate honorees and this month's service spotlight feature. After an accomplished military career, the retired four-star general continued his service in his community. He's been heavily involved in nonprofit work with several organizations — most notably with the United Way of San Antonio. He also serves as chairman for the USAFA Board of Visitors.




Save the Date: Next of Kin Memorial Ceremony
The Next of Kin Memorial Ceremony, usually held during Homecoming weekend, will be virtual this year. This ceremony will honor all Air Force Academy graduates and cadets who have passed away within the last year. Mark your calendar for Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at a time to be determined. Contact Marcella Mills with any questions.

Welcome Call with Col. Jones
Join the Association of Graduates and the Air Force Academy Foundation as we host a welcome call with the new USAFA Vice Superintendent Col. Otis Jones '95 on Oct. 13, 2020.




Free Career Placement Services Platform
The COVID crisis has wreaked havoc on our economy and also impacted many of our graduates. Namely, many of our airline pilot grads are being furloughed at this time. If you are able to assist with helping these members transition into full-time Reserves or able to assist them with other non-airline flying careers, please reach out. We can be reached at careers@aogusafa.org and make sure to visit our Free Career Placement Services Platform.




Check Out ZoomieLink
Try out ZoomieLink to connect with fellow graduates and cadets alike!

September Snow
We went from record-breaking heat over Labor Day weekend to snow earlier this week. If you follow us on social media, we shared photos of the September snowfall.




Falcon Frenzy Item of the Month
This month's hot item is our Picnic Caddy! Wind down the last days of summer with our multi-purpose Picnic Caddy. This item will be at its lowest cost for the remainder of September: $25.00. Get yours now — while supplies last.

End of Summer T-Shirt Blowout
The AOG is offering our supporters a limited time deal to save big on all t-shirts! Use code TS20 at checkout online to save 15% off your order. Show your Academy pride with exclusive styles you can't find anywhere else. AOG members, use your ID at checkout to save an additional 15%. Deal valid through Sunday, Sept. 13. Get yours now!




Reading This Ad? So Are Your Customers!
Call Jeff MacLean today at 719-247-8767 or email him at jeff.maclean@aogusafa.org to find out how you can reach Academy graduates, friends and family through our True Blue Business Program, starting at just $100 a month!

Colorado Springs Airport
There are two major airports in Colorado. We're the small one. Being small means we can deliver a unique experience that big airports typically can't, such as easy parking, small lines, small waits, and small walks to gates. We're here to support the community, connect people, reduce stress, and make the time people spend in the airport more enjoyable. We want to be people's first choice for flying in and out of Colorado. We're here to make everything easy and friendly and to give people a reason to say "I love my small airport."

Military OneSource: Support for Airmen and Their Families
Military OneSource is free, 24/7 support for all things MilLife. This Department of Defense program can connect you and your dependents to info, answers and support like tax services, financial counseling, spouse job opportunities, relocation resources, confidential support and more. See all the ways we can help at MilitaryOneSource.mil. Our mission is you.

We Salute Your Service
Piedmont Airlines values your military service and pilot training. Enjoy the benefits you've earned by letting them help you make the transition to a rewarding civilian career. They'll help you complete the training that puts you in an airline flight deck and custom design your program — with no obligation — to put you on the fastest career path to American Airlines. Click here for more information or check in with a recruiter: Laura.A.Bailey@aa.com

The Bremont USAFA Graduate Watch
The Bremont USAFA Graduate Watch is exclusively for USAFA graduates. Each design features the Academy Crest, Prop and Wings, and "The Long Blue Line." To learn more about this watch, go to: https://www.bremont.com/military-orders/usafa-graduate

Looking to Move to, From, or Within Colorado? Contact Roger Hill, the Realtor You Can Trust!
-USAFA Grad, Class of 1970
-More than 26 years of experience as a Licensed Realtor — Your Castle Real Estate
-Ethical, professional and always looking out for your best interest
-Specializing in the Front Range: Denver, Castle Rock, Monument, Colorado Springs
Contact Roger Hill at 303-956-5955 or Roger.Hill1970@gmail.com.

AFA Creations
Rick Broome is one of the most notable aviation and space artists in the world today. His work captures the spirit and wonder of flight from commercial to military aircraft, and from the dawn of aviation to the most advanced aircraft today.