Seven decades of graduates in our Association of Graduates (AOG) comprise a fantastic group of patriotic, dedicated and talented Americans, the crème de la crème of our country.

With my walk up “The Ramp,” I had the opportunity to do something special with my young life, winning a true trifecta: for myself, my family and our country. From then to now, I’m proud to be a graduate, a USAF pilot and a career USAF officer. Nothing matches it. All graduates – in whatever we do, each in our own way – sense and believe this as well.

I’ll be living near USAFA, eventually full time. Through our Board of Directors (BOD) I intend to engage with fellow classmates, graduates and USAFA leadership to ensure our Long Blue Line is heard, openly and respectfully, across the continuum of ideas and opinions on matters of import to us – the graduates.

Forging Air & Space Warriors for America – who’ll win the fight – makes USAFA and its product – its graduates – unique. Creating those winning warrior-leaders is the institution’s raison d’etre. Our AOG and BOD should play a constructive role in supporting the forge, ensuring our great nation always wins.