News>Secretary Donley congratulates new officers at Academy commencement
Photos
Newly commissioned second lieutenants celebrate at the end of the Air Force Academy's Class of 2011 graduation ceremony May 25, 2011. Flying overhead are F-16 Fighting Falcons with the Thunderbirds U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley was the guest speaker for the commencement. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)
Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley delivers the commencement address to the Air Force Academy's graduating Class of 2011 during commencement ceremonies May 25, 2011, at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. More than 1,000 cadets received their diplomas and commissions at the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)
The Air Force Academy Class of 2011 marches into Falcon Stadium during commencement ceremonies May 25, 2011 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley was the guest speaker. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)
by Don Branum
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
5/25/2011 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) -- The secretary of the Air Force spoke at the commencement address for the Air Force Academy's Class of 2011 at Falcon Stadium here May 25.
Michael Donley congratulated the 1,021 graduates and challenged them to be lifelong learners, team players and doers after they have received their diplomas and their commissions.
"I know you couldn't be prouder today," Secretary Donley said to the graduates' parents and family members. "We've raised men and women with the desire, drive and patriotism to succeed at one of the most prestigious universities in the world."
The secretary also thanked the Academy's faculty and staff for their efforts in developing the Air Force's next generation of leaders.
"Thank you for your dedication to the development of these young cadets who have been under your care," he said. "Your tireless efforts have produced leaders with the character, the physical stamina, the academic credentials and the military skills our Air Force demands."
Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould, the Academy superintendent, welcomed distinguished guests, parents and family members and joined both Secretary Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz in congratulating the Academy's 53rd graduating class.
"We have challenged these graduates militarily, physically and academically," General Gould said. "The Class of 2011 has demonstrated steadfast resiliency and ... the character traits needed to lead our nation in the decades to come."
The graduation ceremony is a launching pad both for the graduates and for the future of the Air Force itself, Secretary Donley said.
"Continue, and embrace your lifelong education," he said. "I think you will find that you would always like to have more training, more degrees, more languages under your belt. You can always keep learning."
The secretary encouraged the graduates to continue building relationships like the ones they have built during their four years at the Academy.
"National and international security are team sports, and our nations will depend on the coalitions that you can bring together," he said. "It will be absolutely critical as you work with your joint partners on the U.S. (Department of Defense) team, your fellows in other government security agencies and our coalition partners."
Secretary Donley also challenged the new lieutenants to look for ways to contribute to the units in which they serve.
"In the words of Tommy Lasorda, there are three types of batters, and by extension, three types of people: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happened," he said. "My advice to you is to be in the first group. We need Airmen who make it happen."
The new second lieutenants will step into leadership roles amid an Air Force in transition, Secretary Donley said. Increasing numbers of Airmen are entering space, cyberspace and acquisition career fields. More officers will also enter remotely piloted aircraft fields as the Air Force evolves, with 32 lieutenants from the class of 2011 entering the RPA pilot career path.
"RPAs have become important assets particularly in the current fight, and there is no doubt they will remain a permanent fixture in our Air Force," he said. "Our RPA force will produce more pilots than our fighter training units this year."
Unchanged, however, are the Air Force Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do, Secretary Donley said. These core values form the anchor for Airmen's military service. The oath of office also remains unchanged and binds Air Force Academy graduates with their fellow military officers.
"Your oath of office ... is your head-to-toe promise to your country, your fellow service members, your families and yourselves. Wherever you go in our Air Force ... this oath will bind you together. It will bind you with the generations of Americans before you who have worn the nation's cloth and have sacrificed ... their lives in defense of this country's freedom. And it will bind you and your story to the future security and success of our nation."
The Air Force will need everything its new officers can offer because the nation's security is tied directly to its Airmen, Secretary Donley said.
"No matter how advanced our systems and technology, we still depend on the education, the training, the commitment, and ultimately, the quality of our Airmen to support these systems and put them to work in our nation's defense," he said.
The secretary encouraged class of 2011 graduates to continue to look to the Air Force's senior NCO corps as well as its officer corps for mentorship, as they will quickly need to step into leadership roles themselves.
"We will graduate approximately 3,300 officers this year from the Academy, ROTC programs and officer training schools, but meanwhile, 29,000 new enlisted Airmen will join the Air Force," he said. "They will look to you for guidance and leadership. We are counting on you to use your education and training to the fullest."
Secretary Donley concluded by charging the new officers to "make this count."
"Know that we are proud of you, that General Schwartz and the rest of our leadership team are committed to your future success, and that there's no Air Force leader, past or present -- not even General (Robin) Olds himself, were he alive today -- who does not envy the future ahead of you."
Distinguished audience members in attendance included Janine Sijan Rozina, the sister of Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance Sijan; Jane LeMay Lodge, the daughter of fifth Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Curtis LeMay; Sue Ross, a member of the Academy's Board of Visitors; Cindy McCain, the wife of Arizona Sen. John McCain; Medal of Honor recipient Col. Bud Day, whose grandson, Joshua, was among the 1,021 graduates; and Christina Olds, one of the daughters of the late Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, who was the Class of 2011's cadet exemplar.
Comments
6/6/2011 9:24:53 PM ET Capt from overseas, I wonder what undermanned Officer career field you live in, seeing as how you must be immune to the force shaping that has gone on for the past few years. As I look around, great Lts through Major are being cut left and right...and a lot with all of the basics Xs completed that you mentioned. You can do all you can, but sometimes it's a numbers game. Period.
Left Behind, USA
6/2/2011 5:04:44 AM ET Congrats Grads Your challenge has only just begun. Maj East Coast has a good point but don't listen to the other two. You are going to run into challenges and things you don't like and get frustrated with but you have to do your part to make a difference where you can And keep up your end of the bargain with learning your job the best you can develop your people skills Masters Degree PME PT test and onoff base community involvement. Go after community involvement you are interested in so you don't get stuck with something you know you won't like. Strive for the best in all you do and that is all you can do to improve your chances in inevitable drawdowns and beef up your resume for outside jobs if you do get caught up. Best wishes for however long you get to serve
Capt, overseas
5/28/2011 7:59:55 AM ET Be very proud each and every day you serve in uniform. However, with our nation's finances in shambles, your best course of action is to start planning now for what will soon be the mother-of-all drawdowns and drastic reduction of military entitlements and retirement bennies.
Maj, East Coast
5/27/2011 8:06:28 PM ET Congratulations, graduates. Now don't make anything happen that doesn't look like your boss thought of it. And don't forget...that PT test comes first. Forget the mission. Also remember, your boss only cares about looking good for his or her boss. He or she doesn't care how things are actually going at all. I learned that very quickly as a butter-bar. In the mean time, try to get that master's degree so you'll have a better chance of getting a civilian job once you are RIFfed.
Otis R. Needleman, USA
5/26/2011 5:51:18 PM ET Congrats. Now get ready for your turn in the force-shaping, RIF bucket. Enjoy that short career while it lasts. Don't believe. Just ask the first person you see on your first day of active duty.
