US AIR FORCE GRADUATION
What graduation means for the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2020
On April 18th of this year, 86 people graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. Although this is the 62nd graduating class, they will always be remembered for an extra special reason.
On December 20th of last year; the United States Space Force was approved and created. The Space Force’s mission is to train and organize to protect the United States as well as its allies’ capabilities and assets in the Space domain. The 2020 Air Force Academy graduates will be the first students to graduate and immediately transition to the Space Force. This is a remarkable event that will change Air Force history forever. Although the graduates Air Force Academy’s journey had to end six weeks prior, they still had a wonderful, well-deserved graduation ceremony earlier this month. Due to the current situation they couldn’t host everyone in the Falcon Stadium like they usually do. Instead, they streamed the entire event and posted it on youtube for everyone to tune in. Here is the link if you would like to watch, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6oI5rveBU0 . The ceremony started off with some messages from current Air Force members, as well as veterans, it then proceeded to all of the graduates entering with the live band playing. The ceremony continued with speeches and ended with an oath, the U.S. Air Force song, cap throwing, and celebration. The livestream ended with some messages from special guests including lots of olympians and other athletes. It was truly an incredible ceremony that is worth watching.
All of the graduates will now move into the Space Force where they will study in different areas including space operations, development engineering, and acquisitions manager. Over the next couple of weeks the graduating class will leave the academy and begin their first Air Force assignments. The personal planning will begin May 1st and for the next 18 months the Space Force will begin to create a more developed organizational structure.
This graduating class have worked diligently and perseverely and is now taking a huge step to be a part of something extraordinary. The Chief of Space Operations, General John Raymond, proudly stated; “You are our future and I need you to be bold”. In which they’ve all been, and will continue to do so. Congratulations to the United States Air Force Academy Class of 2020 and thank you for your service!
Sources:
–https://krdo.com/news/2020/04/15/select-group-of-afa-graduates-assigned-to-work-with-us-space-force/
–https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6oI5rveBU0
