WebGuy Notes

Jun15th

Inprocessing begins at Doolittle Hall, the Headquarters of the Association of Graduates (AOG).

Appointees wait in line on the sidewalk to the south of the building.  Very early in the morning, the line is normally short.  However, by mid-morning, the wait out on the sidewalk can be quite a while.  That's why I send folks out to hand out water and sunblock lotion while people are out there waiting.

This year, the AOG has invited graduated from the Class of 1971 to come out as volunteers to help the appointees and families out in the line.  This is something new we added to the Legacy Class Program.  What is the Legacy Class Program, you ask?

Well, back in 2000, the Class of 1964 and the AOG spearheaded a program where the 40-year class becomes the "Legacy Class".  The idea was to tie the Legacy Class to the Current Class and allow the Legacy Class to meet up with the Current Class at the milestones of the Cadet Career - Acceptance Parade; Commitment Dinner; Ring Dance; etc.

So, you may see some 1971 graduates in the Inprocessing Line with you.
 


Once the appointees reach the front of the line, groups of 50 - 75 step under a canopy in front of the building to receive their first "welcome", from Col (Ret) Jim Shaw, AOG President and CEO.  This stop only takes a few minutes.  After that, appointees and parents go inside Doolittle Hall.


In the large Assembly Room on the first floor, the Academy has set up numerous information tables for the appointees and parents to answer any last minute questions.  Also, the AOG usuallu provides some cookies, coffee, etc., for people to nibble on.

Once all of the questions are answered and the appointee is ready, the appointee says goodbye and heads upstairs to begin "Inprocessing".

At the top of the stairs, the appointees get their packets and get started.   The time the appointee spends upstairs varies greatly depending on the time of day, crowd flow, etc.  The appointees step over to another station to get the combination to their Post Office Box.  After that, they move over to wait for a briefing.

After they finish the briefing, they head across the 2nd floor and come down the stairwell at the other side of the room.  You can probably see in the photo below that they are just bee bopping along, moving from the north end of the building to the south end of the building, along the west side of the 2nd level.  (Clear as mud?) 

Once they get to the south end of the 2nd floor, they come down the south stairwell.  Sometimes families will wait around inside for the basics to come down the south stairwell.  The lighting on that stairwell is not great, so pictures don't turn out very well there. 

After they come down the stairs, they head into the AOG library to get "Scanned in" to the system.  This allows the Academy to know where the Basics are in the Inprocessing Line.

Next, the Basics exit the rear of Doolittle Hall, walk down the stairs adjacent to the patio, and meet up on the Heritage Trail.  Once on the trail, they first stop at a replica of the War Memorial, funded by the Class of 1970.  This Memorial contains the names of all USAF Academy graduates who have given their lives in battle.

After the War Memorial, the Basics walk to the Challenge Bridge that was funded by the first Academy Class, the Class of 1959.  A member of the 1959 Class will meet and talk with the Basics, and have one of the Basics read the Challenge:

To Each Entering Cadet

The path to which you aspire has been consecrated by the blood of heroes and paved with the selfless service of countless men and women like you.

If you would be worthy of this heritage:

• Make integrity the bedrock of your life.

• Let your actions be guided by an unshakable sense of duty, self-discipline and personal responsibility.

• Become a lifelong student of history, war, humanity and leadership.

• Be prepared to sacrifice everything to defend the principles upon which our nation was founded.

• Cross this bridge with the determination to live a life that will make all who went before proud of you.

After this, the Basics cross over the bridge, continue on the trail, and get on the buses waiting at the top of the trail. 

Once on the bus, the Basics wave goodbye one last time.

And thus, it begins......