April 2009
CLASS STATISTICS (as of 31 March 2009)
| Class | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 891 | 173 | 1064 |
| 2010 | 847 | 190 | 1037 |
| 2011 | 890 | 220 | 1110 |
| 2012 | 982 | 272 | 1254 |
| WING | 3610 | 855 | 4465 |
VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO SPEAK AT USAFA’S GRADUATION
Vice President Joe Biden will serve as commencement speaker for the graduating Class of 2009. The graduation ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 27 May, at 10:00 a.m. The entire graduation week schedule can be viewed by going to the Academy home page (www.usafa.af.mil) and clicking on Graduation (right hand side).
GRADUATION TICKETS
Graduation tickets will be distributed around mid-May. Each squadron will have a cadet project officer in charge. Initially, the cadets will each be issued 20 tickets. Then, they will all be asked how many more they need and receive whatever number they request. We have never known of a cadet who did not get the number of tickets requested. If cadets end up with more tickets than they need we ask that they return them to their ticket representative so the tickets can be distributed to other cadets who need them. At this time it is unknown how many, if any tickets will be available to the general public.
GRADUATION RECEPTION
Graduation Reception tickets go on sale starting 11 May. From Monday –Friday, 11- 15 May tickets may be purchased in Mitchell Hall on the Staff Tower from 0730-1430 and from 1700-1900 on the main floor. On Saturday- Sunday, 16-17 May the tickets will be sold during the buffet meal times, on the main floor. From Monday – Friday, 18-22 May tickets may be purchased on the Staff Tower from 0730 to 1430 and from 1700-1900 on the main floor. Tickets will be sold to First Class cadets only on a first come – first serve basis. There are 3,000 tickets available for the reception. Forms of payment are cash and check only. Mitchell Hall cannot accept credit cards/debit cards. For questions, call Special Functions at ext. 3- 4991.
GRADUATION RECEPTION MENU
TUESDAY, 26 May 09
RECEPTION 1730 TO 2000
ASSORTED HORS D’OEUVRES TO INCLUDE:
CARVED PRIME RIB & ROASTED TURKEY BREAST SERVED ON APPETIZER ROLLS
SHRIMP WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE
MEATBALLS IN CRANBERRY GRAPE SAUCE
MINI ASSORTED QUESADILLAS
MINI ASSORTED QUICHES
CHICKEN BREAST SLIDER W/ ROLL
CHICKEN DIPPERS W/ SAUCE
CHEESE, CRACKER & GRAPE TRAYS
FRUIT TRAYS
VEGETABLE TRAYS
TORTILLA CHIPS W/ PICANTE SAUCE
ASSORTED PETIT FOURS
FRUIT PUNCH
COFFEE BAR
COST $12.00 PER NON-CADET GUEST
(Information as of 31 March 2009)
When They Entered in 30 June 2005:
1,746 were offered appointments
1,390 were processed into the Academy
82.0% or 1146 males
18.0% or 244 females
19.0% or 261 minorities
55.0% or 768 pilot qualified
7 International students
High School:
Average GPA: 3.86
Average SAT scores: 635 Verbal, 657 Math
Average ACT scores: 28.6 English, 29.5 Reading, 29.6 Math, 29.0 Science
As They Graduate on 27 May 2009 (as of 31 March 2009):
Graduating: 1064 will walk across the stage
Men: 891 (83.7%) Women: 173 (16.3%)
Minorities: 207 (19.5%) 34 Black, 62 Hispanic, 91 Asian-Pacific Islander, 20 Native American
International Students: 6 (one each from Oman, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Honduras, Columbia):
Total international grads for all years: 266
Average Cumulative GPA: TBD
Attrition Rate: 337 or 23.5%
Cadets of Graduates
Sets of Twins: 1
Fourth-Child Graduates: 0
Third-Child Graduates: 9
Second-Child Graduates (other than twins): 52
Second Generation Graduates: 36
Posthumous Graduates: None
Graduates Going To Pilot Training: 524
Graduates Going To Combat Systems Operator (Nav) Training: 30
Graduates Going To Air Battle Manager Training: 4
Total Rated Officers in Class: 558
Service commitment: Graduates from the Class of 2009 who enter pilot training incur an active duty service commitment of ten years after earning their wings. For navigators, the service commitment is six years after successful completion of training. All remaining graduates incur a five-year active duty service commitment.
| Total Graduates for all years: | Male | Female | Total |
| (Including Class of 2009) | 37,053 (+891) = 37,944 | 3764 (+173) = 3937 | 40,817 (+1064) = 41,881 |
USAFA Graduates Who Have Attained the Rank of General:
Number: 495 (207 Active duty, 280 retired, 8 deceased)
BOOT INFORMATION FOR CLASS OF 2013 (from the “Boot Guy”)
Congratulations on your acceptance to attend the United States Air Force Academy.
Below is all the info you need to ensure you obtain the correct boots for basic training. Please note: Class Year 2013 cadets are required to have 2 pair of boots.
First off, your best source for finding the boots will be a Military Clothing Sales Store at a local military installation. They will be the most likely to have acceptable boots (see below for guidelines) and they’ll be able to ensure you get a correct fit. You will need to have somebody escort you on base (someone with a military ID) and make sure to take the Letter of Acceptance with you, as this should authorize the purchase (you can verify this by contacting the Clothing Sales Store directly).
If that is not a viable option, the second best place to purchase would be a military surplus store. They will more than likely have acceptable boots (see below for guidelines), and you will be able to try them on here and ensure a correct fit as well.
A third option is to wait for in processing (or appointee orientation if attending) here at the Academy. We will assist in sizing and you are guaranteed to have the correct boots. We will have about 500-700 recruits show up needing boots on in processing day, so you will definitely not be alone if you decide to wait. These boots are much more comfortable and much easier to break in than the boots referenced in the orientation package you received (20 hours a week break in time is extreme for these boots). Bottom line is waiting until in-processing to get the boots will not put you at a disadvantage.
Now, on to what type of boots you need to purchase. While we have certain manufacturers and models we issue – Belleville #650 (www.bellevilleshoe.com), Altama, and Wellco. Remember, you are not restricted to these specific brands. Your best bet would be to look for boots that fit the following guidelines and NOT a specific model or manufacturer.
Boots must:
- be sage green in color
- have Gore-Tex (soft waterproof nylon type material) in soles
- have rubber sole (sometimes referred to as Vibram ® outsole)
- not have steel/safety toes
- not have zippers of any kind
- be 8”-10” high
I also recommend buying/borrowing a pair of boot socks while sizing boots (also available at Military Clothing Sales and most surplus stores); these socks are a bit longer and thicker than ordinary athletic socks and you will be wearing these exclusively with the boots upon entrance to the Academy.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact me at timothy.johnson@usafa.edu or at (719) 333-3447. Good luck and congratulations again on your appointment!
DISCOVERING THE IMPACT OF WISDOM TEETH (part 1 of 2)
Third molars, or “wisdom teeth” as they are often called, are frequently the subject of great debate, particularly among young adults and their families. There is probably more misinformation floating around than actual scientific fact, and this often leads to unnecessary concerns. This two-part article is designed to answer some of the commonly asked questions and hopefully correct some untrue assumptions.
Third molars are the very back teeth in each jaw and in most people, a total of four develop. In terms of function, the wisdom teeth are essentially nonfunctional teeth, as the overwhelming majority of the chewing forces are generated by the two teeth in front of the wisdom teeth. However, wisdom teeth are the source of numerous dental problems and very few people actually have room in the mouth for them to function appropriately. Wisdom teeth (impacted or “healthy”) can lead to a variety of ailments, including cavities, gum disease, pathology (cysts or tumors), and severe life-threatening infections. Numerous studies have shown a strong link between periodontal (“gum”) disease and the presence of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth. This means that teeth that are buried below the gum surface (impacted) and not causing pain, are often slowly creating gum disease which can later affect more important teeth such as the second and first molars (the two molars in front of the wisdom teeth).
The decision on removal of wisdom teeth is on an individual basis. At USAFA, all cadets must receive an evaluation by one of our two oral and maxillofacial surgeons to determine the probability of future problems and the need for removal. At this appointment, the cadet will watch a video discussing the surgery and have a chance to ask the surgeon questions. A determination will be made if the teeth need to be removed, or if they are healthy and functional. The surgeons are tasked with determining not only if the teeth are healthy now, but also if there is a chance for future problems. Teeth that remain impacted have a very high chance of causing future problems, and this could lead to unnecessary missed time at work, interruption of training opportunities, or loss of a pilot training slot, as has happened in the past. The surgeons will make a decision based on what is best for the overall health of the patient in a long-term view.
For questions regarding this article, please contact SSgt Cindy Baker or Maj Peggy Dickson (General Dentist) at 719-333-5590; or email the dental clinic at USAFA.SGD@usafa.af.mil.
NEXT MONTH: Part 2: Extracting the Myths of Wisdom Teeth
News Release
U.S. Air Force Academy
Athletic Communications Office2169 Field House Dr.
USAF Academy, CO 80840
(719) 333-2313
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Air Force athletics announces no change in season ticket prices
Fans have added incentives for purchasing tickets
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force Academy Director of Athletics Dr. Hans Mueh announced today that there is no change in the 2009 football ticket prices. In addition to no increase in prices, the department has established a payment plan for season ticket renewals. Fans will have the opportunity to renew their tickets with three monthly installments rather than a one-time fee.
On-line season ticket renewals will make fans eligible for several incentives like season tickets to another Air Force sport, a $100 gift shop shopping spree, tickets to a pre-game Pride Club tailgate and team merchandise. The first 100 fans to renew will also receive an Air Force football media guide.
Fans in the 50-Yard Line Club will receive enhancements to the current program. The retail value stored tickets will be stored for the entire season, not just $5.00 per game. That means fans will have $30 of stored value on their tickets to be used at anytime during the season at Falcon Stadium.
“We’re excited to tell our fans we’re listening and we understand the economic impact the economy has had on everyone,” Mueh said. “We hope that no increases and our payment plan will help folks in our community with the purchase of their tickets. We also hope that changing the setup with stored value tickets will help our fans more effectively take advantage of this great program.”
Season tickets start as low as $50 and range in price up to $275. There are also family value packs in areas for as low as $325. For more information, contact the athletic ticket office at 800-666-USAF or go on-line to goairforcefalcons.com.