January 15, 2021

Messages from the AOG Board and USAFA Superintendent



2021 AOG Election Information
In less than a month, the AOG 2021 Election will be open. Educate yourself on the board candidates as well as the proposed bylaws changes. Go to usafa.org/election.

Heritage Minute - 50th Anniversary of KAFA-FM
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, marks the 50th anniversary of the KAFA Radio Station! Following the National Anthem, "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" was the first song played on the airwaves of the cadet-run radio station on Jan. 17, 1971. In this week's Heritage Minute video, Steve Simon '77 brings you inside the history of the radio station's founding, which still broadcasts to this day on 97.7FM locally and streams online. KAFA-FM is brought to you by the Association of Graduates.

2021-22 Graduate Dependent Scholarships
Applications are now being accepted for the 2021-22 school year. College and high school applicants will be scored separately, so please make sure that you fill out the correct form. All files must be submitted electronically to gds@aogusafa.org by March 5, 2021. For more information, visit our website.

New Year — New Traditions
Make joining your Association of Graduates a New Year's resolution you don't ditch! Join today and show your support of the AOG mission. Membership to your Association of Graduates allows your alumni association to provide: support for our USAFA graduates, parents and Academy friends; services and assistance to current cadets; connection to the Long Blue Line; a solid professional network to support you through all stages of your career; and more. In return, you will receive membership benefits such as: a subscription to Checkpoints quarterly alumni magazine; 15% off merchandise at shop.usafa.org; and more. Life and Annual Memberships are available. Please see our website for pricing.




Join Us for More Exciting ZoomieBrief Content!
If you missed this week's Senior Leader Call with Lt. Gen. Richard Clark '86, we caught up with the USAFA Superintendent to see what's ahead in 2021 for the Cadet Wing!

Jan. 21 at 4:00 p.m. MT — ZoomieClass: The History Department presents "History 345: The American Way of War."

As always, look for Blue-Label Webinars, provided by our partners at the Alumni Learning Consortium, on a variety of topics to expand your life-long learning.




AOG Service Spotlight
For more than three years, Col. (Ret.) Art Compton '72 has been a dedicated volunteer who cares for birds and mammals injured throughout the state of Montana and transported to the Montana WILD facility to recover. His passions for wildlife rehabilitation and education make perfect sense for someone who has been working with birds of prey for most of his life.

Know someone in the USAFA family doing great things for their community? Let us know and we may feature them in the AOG Service Spotlight in the new year.




Ocular Melanoma
A fellow graduate was diagnosed with a rare cancer last year — Ocular Melanoma. He is searching for other graduates who may have been diagnosed with the disease for camaraderie and crosstalk. Please email him directly at steve_finch@att.net.

"Getting Off to a Good Financial Start" Webinar Series — Presented by USAA
Start the New Year on the right foot — financially! This 10-part webinar series covers all the essential factors on how to get off to a good financial start. Every Tuesday a new webinar will be released starting Tuesday, Jan. 12! In less than five minutes, expand your knowledge on investing, saving and retirement. Watch the first webinar today and learn about general saving and investing. WATCH NOW!

ZoomieLink — Get Engaged Today!
ZoomieLink is the USAFA graduate platform to quickly engage with one another. See who's online, explore the community of affinity and chapter groups, and discover much more! Check it out! It will be the best five minutes you spend today.

Veteran Return Trips to Thailand
If you served in Thailand and are interested in learning more about a return trip to Thailand for veterans through the Greatest Generations Foundation, please contact JC John Miller '69.




USAFA Alumni: Are You Looking for a New Career for the New Year?
Join us virtually for the Service Academy Career Conference (SACC) Feb. 22-26, 2021. It is a job fair exclusively for service academy alumni. Companies from all over the U.S. will be in attendance. Employers are looking for you and your skill set. To learn more about SACC and the upcoming virtual conference, visit sacc-jobfair.com.

Northrop Grumman — Transform the Future of Possible
Challenge yourself and begin shaping the future of defense when you start a career with Northrop Grumman. From Day One, you will be working with our team of experts to solve our most critical problems in the most inventive ways. With our flexible schedule and comprehensive benefits, we have been recognized as a top organization to work for post military service. Explore opportunities and connect with us today.

USC Viterbi School of Engineering — Top Ranked Online Graduate Engineering Program for Veterans (U.S. News & World Report, 2020)
The University of Southern California, Viterbi School of Engineering's online DEN@Viterbi delivery method enables active duty military personnel and veterans to complete a Master's degree or Graduate Certificate completely online from any location in the world. USC Viterbi is ranked the #1 Online Graduate Computer Science Program for Veterans and a Top Ranked Online Graduate Engineering Program for Veterans (across 40+ programs offered) by the U.S. News & World Report (2020). An unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon awards are available for eligible U.S. veteran candidates which can provide funding for the majority of their graduate program. Learn more now!




Future Cadets
Do you know a future cadet? Someone curious about what the Academy is like? The AOG Gift Shop offers books and DVDs that provide a sneak peek into the life of a cadet. Check out our selection here — while supplies last.

For the Kids
Did you know we offer a wide variety of apparel and gifts for infants, toddlers and youth? From t-shirts to teddy bears, we have everything you need for your little Falcon! Check out our youth apparel and toys now — while supplies last.




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
Colorado Springs Airport is Colorado's small airport. This might seem like an unusual thing to say, but not when you consider that a small airport has small lines, small waits, and small walks to departure gates. Being small means we're friendly and focused on being big on your convenience, comfort and safety. If you want to fly again but feel unsure, start your next trip with COS and discover that in Colorado Springs small also means big options for direct flights and one-stop connections.

JM Bullion
JM Bullion is an online retailer of precious metals products. We deal exclusively in physical bullion, selling gold and silver that is delivered directly to your door. Since 2011, we have done over $4 billion in sales and shipped more than 2 million orders. JM Bullion is proud of the men and women serving the United States of America in the Armed Forces. For those who served in the past and those who serve today, we're happy to offer a military discount which matches our "As Low As" pricing. You can learn more here or call us at 1-800-276-6508.

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 immediate family members to information, answers and support, like tax services, relationship support, spouse career and education opportunities, relocation resources and more. See all the ways we can help at MilitaryOneSource.mil. Our mission is you.

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.