Changes to Graduation Ceremony?

[afa_mom]

Not wanting to speculate in the public forum, so I will just ask the cadets if they've heard about any major changes to Graduation this year?

[ticopowell]

as of right now, nothing has been announced that i have heard of.

[afa_mom]

Let us know if you hear anything.

[AuzmansMOM]

Yes if any Cadets have any "Official" info, Please Post. Thanks

[gmigs]

Rumor true, at least for this year. Cadets exit via backstage so as not to detract from the following cadet receiving his/her diploma. So no more form tackling the guy at the bottom of the ramp. In the long run, it is a good move with noble intent. Unfortunately, it'll probably make the ceremony itself a little duller for the bottom three classes and the crowd. I'm sure the Thunderbirds will make up for it.

Migs

USAFA Class of 2009
USUHS Class of 2013 (Medical Student)

[AuzmansMOM]

Originally Posted by gmigs

Rumor true, at least for this year. Cadets exit via backstage so as not to detract from the following cadet receiving his/her diploma. So no more form tackling the guy at the bottom of the ramp. In the long run, it is a good move and has noble intent.

Migs

USAFA Class of 2009
USUHS Class of 2013 (Medical Student)

Wow huge change! So the Cadets wing seems to be mostly OK with this? Are they allowed to voice their opinion on the matter? Thanks for the info!

[hornetguy]

Nope, we can't voice our opinions. I like watching people run/tumble/flip down the ramp. It's fun!

[gmigs]

I think the cadets did voice their opinion which is why it was changed

[AuzmansMOM]

Originally Posted by gmigs

I think the cadets did voice their opinion which is why it was changed

Awe this is good info for Parents and others to be aware of Thanks so much!
:aok

[hornetguy]

Originally Posted by gmigs

I think the cadets did voice their opinion which is why it was changed

really? All the firsties I talk to haven't liked the change? interesting.

[gmigs]

Bottom line: All eyes should be on the person receiving the diploma. They worked hard to get there and it's the least their classmates can do. A couple cadets go over the top every year and it makes for a great story/memory, but is that the purpose of the event? Probably not. I, like most of my classmates, am indifferent, but definitely see the arguments for the change and can't refute them.

[afa_mom]

Originally Posted by gmigs

I think the cadets did voice their opinion which is why it was changed

Clarification please..............the cadets want this..........or the cadets don't want this so the PTB changed it anyway?

[gmigs]

You can't really lump all 4400 cadets as "cadets" eating, breathing, and thinking the same way... some want the change, some don't want the change, most are indifferent. I don't know if I have a better answer for you...

[afa_mom]

Originally Posted by gmigs

Bottom line: All eyes should be on the person receiving the diploma. They worked hard to get there and it's the least their classmates can do. A couple cadets go over the top every year and it makes for a great story/memory, but is that the purpose of the event? Probably not. I, like most of my classmates, am indifferent, but definitely see the arguments for the change and can't refute them.

Just a little rambling here.......I've typed this in both forums and cancelled it and retyped it and cancelled it, but here it goes.....As a parent, my eyes (with binoculars because if you're in the nose bleed section they all look like little ants) followed my Firstie from his seat, along the long line to the right of the stage, up each step of the steps, to the first handshake, to the salute of Sec. of D., to his turning and stopping at the top of the ramp, raising his diploma toward us, and then saluting his classmate, to his running down the ramp and then turning to salute the next Grad.....that moment was thrilling......seeing his face break out in a smile. That 10 seconds or so was priceless to him and to his family.

They call one name every 3 seconds.......take away the leaving the stage and facing the crowd and there's a very good possibility your family won't be able to pick you out. The announcer is calling a name that is different from the person that's receiving their diploma. There actually were 4 Firsties on stage at a time. Two coming from each side of the stage. It's all very confusing.

There was a lot of public criticism last year about the chest bump etc. I guess USAFA is trying to avoid unpleasant press.

I'm going around the world to say I think this change is sad. Yes, you're grown men and women and worthy to serve as AF officers. But you also are young men and women that have been through 4 tough, grueling years.......you're going to leave USAFA that day going in all different directions. What's wrong in having a minute of fun with your classmates to celebrate?

The Class of 06 thought they were going to pull off the ultimate spirit mission and decided they were going to all change to red cumberbuns in the tunnel before they marched on the field. So 900+ Firsties had their hidden red cumberbuns. Some how the Commandant found out about it and an announcement was made in the tunnel that if red cumberbuns appeared on the field diplomas would be pulled. The Firsties got the message.

My thought being, is it not as simple as an order being given with consequences for not following that order?

gmigs, are you a Firstie?

[gmigs]

Yes, graduating in 36 days and then off to med school ... I guess I never considered it from a parent's/family perspective. To us, it is a silly rule and a change from the past, but nothing worth fighting over. To our families, who revel in every detail, it is something worth fighting over. If enough parents are upset, maybe they'll change it back.

Migs

USAFA Class of 2009
USUHS Class of 2013 (Medical School)

[afa_mom]

Congratulations to you on your pending Graduation and Med school!

I'm very opposed to parents getting involved in most USAFA matters. And USAFA certainly runs very smoothly without parental involvement.

I don't have a dog in this race. So other than voicing my opinion here, I'll leave that to other parents.

BTW, has this been announced as a "done deal"?

[AuzmansMOM]

Originally Posted by afa_mom

Just a little rambling here.......I've typed this in both forums and cancelled it and retyped it and cancelled it, but here it goes.....As a parent, my eyes (with binoculars because if you're in the nose bleed section they all look like little ants) followed my Firstie from his seat, along the long line to the right of the stage, up each step of the steps, to the first handshake, to the salute of Sec. of D., to his turning and stopping at the top of the ramp, raising his diploma toward us, and then saluting his classmate, to his running down the ramp and then turning to salute the next Grad.....that moment was thrilling......seeing his face break out in a smile. That 10 seconds or so was priceless to him and to his family.

They call one name every 3 seconds.......take away the leaving the stage and facing the crowd and there's a very good possibility your family won't be able to pick you out. The announcer is calling a name that is different from the person that's receiving their diploma. There actually were 4 Firsties on stage at a time. Two coming from each side of the stage. It's all very confusing.

There was a lot of public criticism last year about the chest bump etc. I guess USAFA is trying to avoid unpleasant press.

I'm going around the world to say I think this change is sad. Yes, you're grown men and women and worthy to serve as AF officers. But you also are young men and women that have been through 4 tough, grueling years.......you're going to leave USAFA that day going in all different directions. What's wrong in having a minute of fun with your classmates to celebrate?

The Class of 06 thought they were going to pull off the ultimate spirit mission and decided they were going to all change to red cumberbuns in the tunnel before they marched on the field. So 900+ Firsties had their hidden red cumberbuns. Some how the Commandant found out about it and an announcement was made in the tunnel that if red cumberbuns appeared on the field diplomas would be pulled. The Firsties got the message.

My thought being, is it not as simple as an order being given with consequences for not following that order?

gmigs, are you a Firstie?

Very nice description of what Graduation is like through the eyes of a parent! :aok
I too hope that we will get to share the experience of watching our Cadet as you saw it!

So cheryl,
If you did had a dog in this fight, what would you do?

[afa_mom]

Originally Posted by AuzmansMOM

So cheryl,
If you did Have a dog in this fight what would you do?

I've said this before ~ I don't think you should ever interfere in USAFA affairs and your cadet's life without their permission.

I am 99% of the time opposed to parental interference in cadet matters. Only once before did I really feel the parents were justified in intervening and that was several years ago when the PTB wanted to do away with the individual Commissioning Ceremonies and have one mass Commissioning. This was a decision that effected not only the Firsties but their family members. The Firsties were actually mostly opposed to that decision and asked the parents to get involved. That decision was ultimately reversed by Gen. Regni.

This is another situation which I feel effects the parents. If I was the parent of a Firstie and this decision bothered me, I would ask my cadet if it was alright for me to get involved. If so, I'd be strongly voicing my opinion and displeasure in a respectful manner.

[AFmom08]

I agree wholeheartedly with Cheryl, but check with your cadet first. I never understood the bad press last year. The ceremony was beautiful and the celebrating did not detract, but instead added a human element to the event. President Bush
was awesome with the cadets. He shook hands with each and every cadet (1,012), walking back and forth across the stage and took the time to pose with each cadet. It was obvoius that he was enjoying himself and shared in the cadets' excitement.
We had 13 out of town guests at the ceremony, all were very impressed by the whole event. Not one of them felt that what the cadets did to celebrate was inappropriate.

We had a wonderful view of our son during the whole ceremony since he was in the last row (CS38) and we had plenty of time to watch him. Make sure whatever the PTB decide that you have binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens. We asked our friends to take pictures while he received his diploma and handshakes so that we could just watch--It worked out really well.

[afa_mom]

This is not a rumor. It is true. I will send out more information when I receive it.
b

//SIGNED//

BARBARA GUTIERREZ
Parents' Liaison
U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
(719) 333-3828 Toll free 877-268-3383