The Air Force will graduate the U.S. Air Force Academy class of 2020 on April 18, more than a month ahead of schedule, and loosen restrictions on the senior class, which has been on virtual lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria addressed the cadets March 31 and later shared his comments via email. “When the class of 2020 entered USAFA we were a nation at war,” he wrote. “You have all signed up to serve in a time of war—to make a difference. We still battle terrorism and extremism around the world, but today we are at war with another enemy, a global pandemic, and that fight is unconventional. … We must make unconventional decisions and take what some would consider extreme measures. We must make bold choices, and we will.”
He then announced that after consulting with the Air Force Secretary and Chief of Staff, “I have made the decision to graduate the class of 2020 early.”
The class of 2020 will receive their diplomas in a ceremony designed by cadets on April 18. “It will not be the traditional graduation ceremony you have imagined for years,” Silveria said, “but it can be one of a kind and unique … like the class of 2020.”
The decision followed two deaths among the class in just three days. The Air Force is not disclosing the causes while both are under investigation, but suicide is suspected. Neither foul play nor COVID-19 are believed to be the cause in either case. Secretary Barbara Barrett, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond visited the Academy on March 30 to speak with students and staff.
Silveria asked cadets for “volunteers to help develop legit and usable suicide awareness training that you can use.”
Goldfein said April 1 the decision to accelerate graduation grew out of that visit. After listening to the concerns of cadets, air officer commanders, and faculty, leaders decided a change was needed quickly. “Out of that came the conclusion that the right thing to do is to get them through graduation, get them out as brand-new second lieutenants doing the nation’s business,” Goldfein said.
Looser Restrictions
Silveria followed later with a second email detailing changes to the severe restrictions imposed on “Firsties,” or the first-class cadets who are the only Academy students still on campus.
After the deaths, students, faculty, and staff shared extensive conversations, with many offering ideas for changes to improve life for the class. Silveria outlined what changes are now taking effect in a second email sent late March 31.
Changes include:
- Students may wear “civies” on Fridays but are urged to “be reasonable in what you wear”
- The golf course will be available for cadets only the first weekend in April
- The bowling alley also will be available to cadets only for some portion of the weekend
- Cadets may now go off base, but only to pick up drive-through and carry-out meals
- Cadets may visit the Academy stables
- New “gym-in-a-box” and TRX training gear has been ordered for cadets’ use
- Online policies for Microsoft Teams, collaboration software that is part of the Microsoft Office suite, are being adapted to let Cadets plan meetings; those capabilities had been limited to staff.
- Alcohol remains off-limits in dorms or buildings in the cadet area, but those of legal age may drink on the USAFA reservation where it is approved
- “Dogs are mission essential and allowed anytime!”
- No one is being punished for social distancing violations, he said, but cadets should, “Be smart!”
- Cadets are encouraged to organize with local school districts to mentor and tutor school kids via video-chat.
- Final grading is still being worked out. “The Dean is working furiously through all options,” Silveria said, before adding, “Spoiler alert—expect it to go in your favor by the end of the week.”
Silveria completed his list with advice for cadets—and Airmen everywhere: “Love each other, care for each other,” he wrote. “Together we are USAFA. Together we are strong!”