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Can't imagine a busier time than Fall. We welcome cadets back and they assume higher cadet ranks and responsibilities. We add a new freshman class and we're trying to add junior college transfers into an accelerated 2-year program. Then there's the odious paperwork, entering countless data elements on each cadet, signing a gazillion forms and filing everything from Physical Fitness Scores to childhood allergies. We've completed fitness testing, the Air Force Officer Qualification Test, and all academic planning and a million other contract clauses, enlistment oaths, and tuition notes. When the weight of the paperwork equals or exceeds the weight of the new cadet, then we give 'em a uniform and say they're in!
The Cadet Corps is up and running. They have included a charitable service offshoot called the Arnold Air Society and they are demonstrating fine examples of citizenship. This service organization will have our annual remembrance of POW/MIAs in a joint retreat ceremony on 08 November at 1600 with POW Lt Col Barry Bridger (F-4 pilot, 6 year POW) making brief remarks followed by a 24-hour vigil with cadets standing watch by the flame at the KU Vietnam Memorial. Following the outdoor retreat, we'll go to the student union, main floor Alderson Auditorium where Col Bridger has a slide/tape program that has wow'ed Command & General Staff College students over the years.
Of course the tragic events of 11 September have given everyone a renewed sense of the cost of maintaining our freedoms. Our cadets were born into freedom that others fought for. Like most Americans, they took it for granted. Not any more. We have all received a ton of calls asking about the impact on ROTC, cadets called to active duty, recruiting sign-ups, etc. To be honest, not much has changed. We are not accelerating graduation; our AF stands ready and is prosecuting the air war gaining air superiority first and turning to the strike missions of close air support, interdiction, and whatever strategic points the Taliban holds dear. If there is a change, it's the smiles and respect our cadets now receive when they walk around the campus in uniform. A senior told me that it was the first time in 4 years that's happened.
I spent the summer lining up 3 fly-bys for Parent's Day (A-10s from Whiteman), Band Day (KC-135 from Topeka), and Homecoming (B-1B from Wichita). The A-10s flew before the UCLA game. The others had to be cancelled due primarily to concerns about large airplanes approaching crowds. Hopefully, we'll put more of our local airpower over the Lawrence skies in the years ahead. Kudos to the Navy/Marines for their initiative in bringing the world's biggest flag (football field size) to our stadium. KU might be known for some liberal professors, but our community is wholeheartedly and unabashedly behind America's sons and daughters in the Armed Forces.
All that good intra-service cooperation will be shelved when the Air Force thrashes the other programs in flag football and sets the stage for the basketball championship in mid-Winter. At least that's OUR plan. My Air Force Academy alma matter is trying to find a permanent home for the Commander's Cup - can you believe Capt Cooper turned down my bet of 100 push-ups and sit-ups. Hmmm…But we'll all sit down together for Thanksgiving with our families and share great family recipes and say a prayer for our brothers and sisters in arms -- and all their families. Not going to be a short one.
AIR POWER!!!
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