July 1, 2021

Distinguished Graduate Award Banquet
Please join us August 6th as we celebrate and recognize our nine Distinguished Graduate Award honorees from 2019 and 2020. The evening's 2019 honorees include Col. (Ret.) Les Denend, Class of 1963; Mr. Fletcher "Flash" Wiley, Class of 1965; Gen. (Ret.) Norton "Norty" Schwartz, Class of 1973; Gen. (Ret.) Ed Rice Jr., Class of 1978; and Mr. John "Jack" Kucera, Class of 1978. Our 2020 honorees include Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jay Kelley, Class of 1964; Mr. Hugh Williamson, Class of 1964; Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Ron Sega, Class of 1974; and Col. (Ret.) Gail Benjamin Colvin, Class of 1980. Register now!




Nominations Sought for the 2021 Distinguished Graduate Award
The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes exceptional graduates who have set themselves apart by making extraordinarily significant contributions to our nation and/or their communities. Nomination packages are due to the AOG no later than Oct. 1, 2021. Visit our website for all required elements and to submit a nomination.

Bonus Videos
The latest issue of Checkpoints Online features FIVE bonus videos on our website — taking these stories beyond the printed page!

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum — Parents and Families from the Class OF 2025
The Association of Graduates welcomed more than 150 parents and cadets at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum last week as they arrived for Inprocessing Day. In addition to the tour, visitors had the opportunity to meet with some of the Olympians as well.

Welcome USAFA Class of 2025, Parents and Families
Don't miss all the action provided by our awesome WebGuy team! WebGuy is a 4-year program designed to provide a window into cadet life. For the family of a new cadet who is entering basic training, WebGuy becomes your new best friend and a great connection to your son or daughter as they take the first steps of their journey at the United States Air Force Academy. WebGuy photographers will keep you connected to the Academy life through blogs and pictures starting on Inprocessing Day all the way up until graduation week! Sign up today so you are ready to catch all the action!

9/11 Memories
The Association of Graduates is gathering stories from USAFA graduates related to your personal 9/11 experiences while in uniform or otherwise. If you have a brief memory you can share, please email jeff.holmquist@aogusafa.org. As the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks approaches, your story may be used on AOG social media channels, or perhaps in Checkpoints magazine.




Virtual March Back
Let's come together as a USAFA family and support the Class of 2025! Though the in-person Graduate March Back has been cancelled for 2021, it's going virtual and expanding participation to the entire USAFA family! Between July 12-24, you are invited to join the USAFA community and walk, run or march 6.2 miles in support of the Class of 2025 cadets returning from Basic Cadet Training in Jacks Valley. Learn more and log your march online!

2021 Officer Women Leadership Symposium
Registration is now open for the August and November 2021 Officer Women Leadership Symposium (Mini-OWLS) series! This series was designed based on feedback, and the overarching theme is "Reimagining Meaningful Leadership." Military women leaders will be brought together for half-day, virtual sessions that feature experts, innovators and thought leaders with opportunities for facilitated roundtables.

AF Reunion Reception — Annapolis
The Air Force Academy Rugby Foundation is proud to host the Annual AF Rugby Reunion Reception to be held on Friday, September 10, 2021, in Annapolis, MD, during Air Force - Navy weekend. Join AF Rugby alumni, players and parents to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, the recent passing of Air Force Academy Rugby Coach Alan Osur and the 30th anniversary of the Air Force Academy women's team's first national championship. Click here for event details and registration information.

Philmont Ranger Reunion
Calling all past USAFA Philmont Rangers, save the date for an upcoming reunion set for July 20-24, 2022. More information to follow.




#USAFA2025
Inprocessing Day for the Class of 2025 was last week. View photos from the day and share your own on social media using the hashtag #USAFA2025.

National Aviation Hall of Fame
If you follow us on social media, you may have seen that Dr. Paul Kaminski '64 was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Dr. Kaminski is on the board of directors for the Air Force Academy Foundation and a former Distinguished Graduate Award honoree. While the hall of fame enshrinement event was postponed, the induction of the Class of 2020 was not. You can read more about Dr. Kaminski, who has been dubbed the father of all stealth programs, and the other aviation enshrinees online.

ZoomieLink — Get Engaged Today!
ZoomieLink is the USAFA graduate platform that allows you 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.

Heritage Minute Replays
Our Heritage Minute with Steve Simon '77 episodes are always a big hit! As we prepare for a new season ahead, binge the previous four seasons of Academy history on our website. Also follow us on social media, as we'll be replaying various episodes in the weeks ahead corresponding with historic dates in USAFA history.




Our Mission is to Support You Throughout your Career Journey
Creating career and education connections is important, especially now. If you are planning on an upcoming career change, thinking about testing the waters, or if your organization is hiring, consider carving out some time for the virtual SACC. The next SACC will be on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, with webinars and panels earlier in the week on 16-18th. Learn more and register online!

Brush Up on Your Virtual Interview Skills
Specially created for USAFA graduates, this webinar will provide insightful tips on how to ace a virtual interview: Virtual Interview Tips - Presented by Orion Talent.

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.




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!

National Museum of WWII Aviation Special Event
On Saturday, July 17, at 9 a.m., the museum will feature a special presentation on the P-47 Thunderbolt and its role in the Battle for France. The P-47 will fly after the presentation — weather and runway availability permitting. There is no additional charge for this event — just purchase a museum ticket online. Doors open at 8 a.m. Admission is free to WWII veterans and museum members. Click here for more information.

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

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-USAFA Grad, Class of 1970
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Contact Roger Hill at 303-956-5955 or Roger.Hill1970@gmail.com.

Rick Broome
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.