Academy Welcomes New Guards - Colorado Springs Military .

2COMMENTARYAcademy SpiritDecember 2, 2005Airmen still making the choice to serveBy Lt. Col. Steve Matson96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commanderSOUTHWEST ASIA — From the onset of theEisenhower presidency in 1953 — through 1992 —the United States military intervened in world eventssome 51 times.From 1992 through 2000, they had an additional51 interventions.Notably, throughout the 1990s, U.S. forces wereinvolved in peacekeeping, peace enforcement, humanitarian relief and extended low-intensity operations —in addition to war-fighting duties.As many Airmen know from personal sacrifice —since 2001 — the mighty B-52 Stratofortress and itsaviators and maintainers have been deployed fightingand supporting the global war on terrorism.The expansion in responsibilities around theworld has resulted in an approximate 400 percentincrease in U.S. security commitments — while ourarmed services have concurrently downsized byapproximately 40 percent.Quite simply, we really are doing more with less.With this change in responsibilities and increasedoperations, it would be easy to explain how numbersof new Airmen are declining. But this is just theopposite.People are still choosing to serve — and choosingto serve in record numbers.Our military is made up of people from manydifferent parts of the globe with widely varying backgrounds. However, we all have one thing in common:We all made the choice to serve our great nation.There are as many reasons to serve as the variedbackgrounds of those who chose to serve. But the onecommonality is that we all made the choice.We made the choice to join the profession ofarms.The reason is not important. What’s important isthat you made the choice and you are serving withpride and honor.Our nation has called on the military for involvement in more than 100 operations in the last 50 years.And it is Airmen like you that make that missionsucceed.Our Airmen place themselves in harm’s way everyday, faithfully defending our nation and our way oflife.Regardless of your reasoning — whether it is acalling for patriotic duty, a family tradition, desire tolearn a trade, or simply that it is the right thing to do— you are the ones that answered the call of ournation.Thank you for your choice to serve.Fallen comrade takes last plane ride homeBy Tech. Sgt. John B. Gazaway176th Civil Engineer SquadronSOUTHWEST ASIA — It wasstill dark on the runway when we gathered. Most of us were standing on anasphalt runway. I was just one more ina milling mass of uniforms.It probably would not be appropriate to say how many are stationedhere, but we comprise a small city —about the size of Bethel, Alaska.One thing the military does well isorganize milling masses.Before long, the first sergeants andofficers were calling out. We slowlyshook ourselves into organized groups— with long ranks of Soldiers facinglong ranks of Airmen across a shortstretch of pavement leading to theopen bay of the C-130 Hercules.I won’t say this was a solemngroup, but there was none of the usualgriping heard from a large group ofSoldiers being herded into a ceremonial formation.We waited at parade rest for aconsiderable period of time. Thenechoing down the ranks, the wordsrepeated by each level of leadership,came the command “Attention.”Shortly after came the command,“present arms,” as the official partycame past.From my place — many ranksback in my squadron formation — Icould only see the heads of the officialescort between the bent and unwavering arms of the men and womenbefore me.If I were a good Soldier, I wouldhave, as is proper, only looked at theneck of the woman before me. Well,the truth is, I am a willing, but somewhat unremarkable Airman, and so Islyly peaked.This was an event I wished towitness and I meant no disrespect indoing so.Twelve men, all Army, accompanied the coffin. I couldn’t see throughthe ranks of heads and arms. I couldonly watch the helmet covered headsof the pallbearers bearing their burden.And I could see they were youngand terribly serious.Words were said, the coffin wascarefully loaded aboard the airplaneand the ramp closed.We were dismissed.To this day I do not know who itwas that died. I suspect he or she wasin the Army. They tend to do most ofthe dying in this region. Now, clearly,this young person was known to thecommand and to family and friends.But for those of us drawn up in theearly morning dark, this was our ownunknown Soldier.As American citizens we expect tohave access to all the facts all the time.But as American military members,the rules, and our own expectations,are somewhat different. There are situations where a multitude of detailedfacts only obscure the central issue.I’m comfortable with not knowingthe details because the truth is clear. Ayoung American died serving his orher country in a foreign land far fromhome.Another truth was that I was proudto be there in the desert darkness withmy fellow Soldiers and Airmen, payingour last respects to a fallen comradein-arms.Sometime later my squad mate andI were driving across the base and wesaw the C-130 slowly, like a pregnantguppy, climb into the early morningsky.Behind it the bright yellow ball ofthe desert sun was just crawling abovethe horizon.I could only hope this Soldier hada smooth flight home.#23 – Own/Maintain a VehicleEligibility Criteria Cumulative GPA, MPA, and PEA of at least 2.3. Waivers are granted at AOC discretion. Approval Submit and AFCW IMT 42, Request to own and Maintain a Vehicle for approval prior to making any commitments. Registration Prior to USAFA entry, cadets will obtain a visitors pass. Register the vehicle with Cadet Vehicle Registration and affix all stickers within 5 duty days of returning to theAcademyThe Cadet Sight Picture (Cadet Wing Manual 36-3501) provides an insight into the day-to-dayrequirements for cadets.Directorate of Public Affairs mission:To responsibly inform and educate theAcademy community and the public about theAir Force AcademyLt. Gen. John Regni — Academy SuperintendentLt. Col. Laurent J. Fox — Director of Public Affairs2nd Lt. John Ross — Chief of Internal InformationStaff Sgt. Monte Volk — NCOIC of Internal InformationButch Wehry — Editorwhalen.wehry@usafa.af.milWayne Amann — Staff Writerwayne.amann@usafa.af.milEddie Kovsky — Staff Writeredward.kovsky@usafa.af.milDenise Navoy — Graphic DesignerThe Academy Spirit is published byColorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, aprivate firm in no way connected with the U.S.Air Force, under exclusive written contract withthe U.S. Air Force Academy. This civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Academy Spirit are notnecessarily the official views of, or endorsed by,the U.S. government, the Department of Defenseor the Department of the Air Force.The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, doesnot constitute endorsement by the Department ofDefense, the Department of the Air Force, orColorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, ofthe products or services advertised. Everythingadvertised in this publication shall be madeavailable for purchase, use or patronage withoutregard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of thepurchaser, user or patron. The printer reservesthe right to reject any advertisements.Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the U.S. Air Force Academy Directorateof Public Affairs. The editor reserves the rightto edit articles to conform to Air Force policyand Associated Press style. All photos are U.S.Air Force photos unless otherwise indicated.SubmissionsSend submissions to: HQ USAFA/PAI, 2304Cadet Drive, Suite 318, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO80840-5016 or deliver to Suite 318 in Harmon Hall.Deadline for free classified ads on a spaceavailable basis is 12 noon every Tuesday for thatweek’s publication date. Paid classified advertisingis accepted by the publisher at 329-5236. The numberto call for display advertising is 634-5905.Deadline for all stories is noon Friday, oneweek prior to the desired publication date. Referquestions to the Academy Spirit staff at 333-7557.The staff also accepts story submissions by fax(333-4094) or by e-mail (pa.newspaper@usafa.af.mil).

3NEWSAcademy SpiritDecember 2, 2005Force shaping to reduce number of active duty officersBy Capt. Michael Ortiz10th Mission Support Squadron MilitaryPersonnel FlightThe Air Force has reduced its sizeto meet its end-strength goal of 359,700over the past two years. Now the focushas shifted to reshaping.To address the excess of line officers,the Air Force is implementing an initiative to reduce the total number of lineofficers and allow for the increase ofthe enlisted force.Active-duty line officers (all butmedical, chaplain and legal) commissioned in 2002 and 2003 will meet theforce shaping board scheduled for April3, 2006. Lieutenants in the 2004 yeargroup are scheduled to meet the boardsometime next fiscal year.Currently, the Air Force is lookingto reduce the 2002 year group by 11percent and the 2003 year group by 24percent. Officers who will not be considered by the board:- Are in career f ields which arealready balanced- Have a date of separation on orbefore Sept. 29, 2006- Have less than two, or more than15 years total active military service- Are in prisoner, patient, AWOL orappellate leave statusFor officers eligible for separation,there are several options including Blueto-Green (transfer to the Army), PALACECHASE (transfer to Guard or Reserve),limited active duty service commitmentwaivers, inter-service transfers, resumption of enlisted grade (for prior service)and application to civil service.Additionally, active-duty service commitments, repayment of educational costsand some bonuses will be waived.The family support center also offersthe transition assistance program, whichFSB Vulnerabilities 2002 Year GroupAir Force SpecialtyRemaining *Original # toFSB Eligiblesbe SeparatedVol Seps,Crossflows,helps separating personnel to make asuccessful transition into the civiliansector. For more information contact thefamily support center at 333-3444.Force reshaping will work exactlylike a promotion board, but instead ofpromotion recommendation forms, retention recommendation forms will be used.Senior raters will rate and stratify theirlieutenants according to Air ForceSpecialty Code and year group. Someimportant dates for this force shapingboard are:- Dec. 1- RRF accounting date. Thelieutenant’s senior rater remains theirsenior rater throughout the process. Thesenior rater will be the first O-6 or GS15 in the officer’s chain of command.They will sign the RRF.- Feb. 15, 2006- All RRFs are dueto HQs AFPC/DPPRR for review. RRFswill also be given to the members.- March 1, 2006- This is the cutoffdate for accepting voluntary forceshaping program separation applications. After this date, FSB eligible officers are no longer eligible for voluntaryseparation.- April 3, 2006- The force shapingboard convenes.- June 1, 2006- Selectees for nonretention are notified.- Sept. 29, 2006- This is the not laterthan separation date for the FSB nonretention selectees.To learn more about force shaping,visit www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/retsep/shape.htm or call the Air Force PersonnelContact Center at (800) 616-3775,Commercial (210) 565-5000, DSN 6655000. To speak to the Academy militarypersonnel flight, contact Capt. MichaelOrtiz at 333-2218, 2nd Lt. Lisa McLean,at 333-3172, Tech Sgt. James Jamison at333-2141 or Tech Sgt. Kerrie Pillow at333-9396.FSB Vulnerabilities 2003 Year GroupRemaining #RemainingAir Force Specialtyto Separate VulnerabilityRemaining *Original # toFSB Eligiblesbe SeparatedVol Seps,Remaining #Crossflows,Remainingto Separate Vulnerabilityetc. to Dateetc. to DateAirfield Ops (13M)Intel (14N)Weather (15W)Acft Maintenance (21A)Missile Mx (21M)Logistics Readiness (21R)Security Forces (31P)Comm/Info (33S)Services (34M)Public Affairs (35P)Manpower & Pers (37F)Scientist (61S)Acq Manager (63A)Contracting (64P)Finance (65F)Special Investigator 50%Airfield Ops (13M)Intel (14N)Weather (15W)Acft Maintenance (21A)Missile Mx (21M)Logistics Readiness (21R)Security Forces (31P)Civil Engineer (32E)Comm/Info (33S)Services (34M)Public Affairs (35P)Manpower & Pers (37F)Scientist (61S)Acq Manager (63A)Contracting (64P)Finance (65F)Special Investigator 1%30%17%55%5%50%3%0%65%32%26%25%10%9%0%25%20%Data Courtesy of Air Force Personnel Center current as of Nov. 22Column 1 - The remaining FSB eligibles. This is the number of people today that would meet the board if no one else separated or cross flowed between now and the board date. As people separate, this number will godown. So, for 2003 Airfield Ops, there are currently 31 officers that are eligible for this board (this number takes out officers with over 15 years, patients, prisoners, etc)Column 2 - These are the target numbers from the original charts that went out. These numbers are for information only because the new targets are represented in column 4.Column 3 - This is the number of officers we have lost from the career field to date whether due to separations, re-coring officers in training, etc. This number will go up as officers separate or get approved for crossflow.For 2003 Airfield Ops, we have a loss of 17 for various reasons.Column 4 - This is the actual target to date. This is the number officers should watch because this will tell them how many officers still need to separate. This number will go down as people volunteer to separate or getpicked up for crossflow. For 2003 Airfield Ops, we have 14 out of 31 eligible left to separate.Column 5 - This is the officer’s remaining vulnerability. The way to get this number is by dividing column 4 by column 1. This number will also change as the two columns go down when people separate or crossflow. For2003 Airfield Ops, 14/31 45percent vulnerability.Military Special at Rick’s Nursery.SPECIALSChristmas Trees(Show your ID Card)RICK’S NURSERY600 North 18th StreetColorado Springs, CO 80904719-329-520931 E. Platte Ave., Ste. 300Colorado Springs, CO 80903tex.stuart@csmng.comcsmng.comAn OldFashionedRockyMountainChristmas Cut Christmas Trees (20% off)ALSO AVAILABLE Wide Variety of Live andFresh Cut Christmas Trees Flocking Boughs, Garland, WreathsFRESHLY made to order,decorated and undercorated) Delivery, set-up, pick-upHow to find Rick’s.UINTAHPhone: 719-636-3085Fax: 719-636-3581Email: ricksnursery@aol.comRICK’S NURSERYARMSTRONG STREET19th18th17th

4Academy SpiritDecember 2, 2005Partially paralyzed spouse gets Top 3 scholarshipBy Butch WehryAcademy Spirit staffWhen plans of pursuing a career in auto collisionrepair vanished after a spinal cord injury caused partialparalysis in his legs, one November winner of anAcademy Top 3, 100 scholarship knew he had to finda different career path.“And the best place to do that is college,” said Mr.Jorge Cantu, spouse of 10th Security Forces Squadron’sSenior Airman Cassandra Cantu. “Today, I could notsee myself pursuing any other path besides highereducation. If anyone has the chance to go back toschool, I would fully recommend it.”From Mundelein, Ill., this military spouse has a 3.5grade point average at the University of Colorado atColorado Springs, where the biology major is doing independent research in organic chemistry with hopes ofentering a doctoral degree program.FalconSAT-2Academy Spirit staffFalconSAT-2, the cadet-built satellite which wasscheduled to launch Nov. 25, was delayed again thisweekend. It is now slated for a Jan. 14 launch.The commercial rocket had a few errors with theliquid oxygen tanks, which cancelled the Nov. 25launch.Then a flight computer went off and restarted,“The award will be used toward the purchase ofbooks for my next semester,” he said. “The high costof books, and the low refund when they are returnedare one of the largest obstacles for students with asmall cash flow.”Still in a wheelchair, he works at a nationwidehome supply store, participates in a Latino studentgroup and participates in a research project for disabledstudents to ensure a science lab and equipment areaccessible to them.“The subject (biology) had always been a bigmystery and a challenge to me,” said Mr. Cantu.“Biology is the melting pot of the sciences. It blendschemistry, physics, and even geology. My first ‘real’biology course was in anatomy and physiology andsince then, I have been hooked on physiology and themedical sciences.”Being affected by a spinal cord injury had a lot todo with his deep personal interest in understandinglaunchwhy the body does what it does, and why it does notalways heal itself.“The hardest part about pursuing an education asa full-time student and maintaining a job is not havingenough time to spend at home, with my wife,” he said.“Thankfully, working this year, I have been able toadjust my schedule to include more study and familytime.”Other scholarship recipients were Tech. Sgt.Jeremiah Dinan, Cadet Squadron 9’s Academy militarytrainer who is majoring in professional aeronauticswith a 3.75 grade point average at Embry Riddle; StaffSgt. David Rice, Academy Finance Office, majoringin finance with a 3.82 GPA at Regis University; StaffSgt. Candace Anthony, 10th Mission Support Squadron,human resource management with a 4.0 GPA at PikesPeak Community College and Regis University and StaffSgt. Robert Sawtell, 34th Training Wing, major inpsychology with a 2.5 GPA at Regis University.delayedwhich was enough to justify a delay while the systemwas inspected. There was not enough liquid oxygen lefton site to replace the liquid oxygen in the tanks (whichevaporates in 12-18 hours) after the rocket had beencleared again.The Academy had no part in the delay. FalconSAT2 was shipped on schedule to the launch site in theMarshall Islands, Nov. 8. The satellite was originallyscheduled to go into orbit aboard the space shuttleagainColumbia in early 2003.Cadets are busy constructing the flight model fora fourth satellite, FalconSAT-3. That satellite has alaunch date in September 2006. Cadets are also beginning conceptual design for a fifth satellite during thisacademic year.Two previous small satellites – FalconGold andFalconSAT-1 – were launched in 1997 and 2000,respectively, on research missions.

5Academy SpiritDecember 2, 2005Leaders break ground for new complexBy Stefan Bocchino21st Space Wing Public AffairsPETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, COLO. —Aground-breaking ceremony for the new base exchangeand commissary shopping complex was held by the 21stSpace Wing, Nov. 21. The facility will be located on theeast side of Peterson AFB near the east gate entrance.“Strength and preparedness to save the nation is ourvision at the 21st Space Wing,” said 21st SW CommanderColo. Santee. “Today we are talking about providingunsurpassed installation support and protection to ourselvesand our Airmen. This new shopping complex that willstand on the ground we are occupying here today willreplace infrastructure that was built in the 1970’s.”Mr. Bobby Mings, commissary store director, saidthe complex will cover five acres and be 233,000 squarefeet in size. The commissary will be 103,000 square feetand the base exchange will be 130,000 square feet.“We’re growing fast in this community and we have60,000 retirees who deserve to be served because oftheir great service to our nation,” said Air Force SpaceCommand Commander Gen. Lance Lord. “We want tomake sure we have thefacilities to servethem.”The cost of theproject will be morethan 33 million, saidMr. Mings. Thecontract for itsconstructionwasCourtesy graphicawarded to C.F. Jordan Artist rendering of the new base exchange and commissary shopping complex toConstruction Company be built at Peterson Air Force Base.of Dallas, Texas. The project is slated to be completed in ture that serves the people of this base for shopping.”Currently, people enter through the West or North gatesspring 2007.whenthey go shopping at the Commissary or BX, said“The sales floor will increase by 40 percent,” said Mr.Mings. “There will be 22 registers, and four of them will Colonel Santee. Once the shopping complex is completed,be self-service. The new place will be state of the art.” the hours for the East Gate will be extended. This shouldMr. Mings said the commissary will have an inter- alleviate some of the congestion problems at the othernational delicatessen and a bakery. The base exchange gates. There will also be more than 1,000 new parkingwill have a service mall, a pharmacy and a food court. spaces at the shopping complex.“This is what we mean by unsurpassed installation“Think of the community and how it has changed inthe last 30 years,” Colonel Santee said. “The major occu- support and protection,” said Colonel Santee. “This newpiers of the military region here in Colorado Springs complex typifies the reason why we will achieve our visionwere not even in existence when we built the infrastruc- of strength and preparedness to save the nation.”#21 – Cold Weather Gear/Accessories Outer Garments:Pullover blue sweater and the blue cardigan sweater may be worn as an outer garment. When worn under anouter garment, i.e. parka or A-Jacket, neither sweater wil be visible. Soft shoulder board rank will be worn. There are no classrestrictions for wearing either sweater. Gloves: Will be black; worn with outer garments only; authorized with BDU jacket. Never tuck hands in arm sleeves of any uniform! Watch caps: Must be worn fitted to head with no excess material bunched on top, may cover ears; not eyebrows, no hairprotruding the front of cap. No trademark symbols, to include Air Force logos, will be visible. Scarves: Must be gray.(Reference, Pgs. 5-31, Table 5.13)mi ad Halli m f p(w an tary issi ricith d f pe on em am rso forilit ili nar es neyI ! l.D.)The Cadet Sight Picture (Cadet Wing Manual 36-3501) provides an insight into the day-to-day requirements for cadets.Thisholiday season,see theZooin a wholenewlight.Our meerkats aren’t the only oneslining up to see Electric Safari.It’s standing room only at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 15th annual holidaylights extravaganza. With over 500,000 lights, luminous animated displays,Santa, reindeer, ice sculpting demos and plenty of winter-loving animals,it’s hard to say which will light up more: the Zoo or your children’s eyes. Nightly fromDec. 9 – Jan. 1(except Christmas Eve) Open 5:30-9:00 p.m.(Last ticket soldat 8:00 p.m.) 6 adults, 3.50 kids under 12719-633-9925Free for kids 2 and underwww.cmzoo.orgZOO MEMBERS RECEIVE ONE FREE VISIT WHEN PRESENTING A MEMBERSHIP CARD.27461 11/05PRESENTED BY:

6Academy SpiritDecember 2, 2005Attention Active Duty Military!Earn Your M.A. inEducationONLINE!NO TUITION COST TO YOU!UP TO 28 CREDITS PER YEARSpecial rates formilitary spousesDANTES AffiliatedTouro University International has theOnline Education program for you High quality, flexible and user friendly M.A. degrees in Educationwith various concentrations Maximum transferability ofpreviously earned educationcreditsTOURO UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONALThe University of Choice for the U.S. Military All courses ONLINE!www.tourou.edu5665 Plaza Dr., Third FloorCypress, CA 90630(800) 509-7864 714-226-9840 714-226-9844 FaxCollege of Education e-mail: infocoe@tourou.eduFor inquiries log on to: http://inquiry.tourou.eduNow accepting applications for Winter 2006.

7Academy SpiritDecember 2, 2005Revamped portal better information gatewayBy Senior Airman J.G. BuzanowskiAir Force Print NewsWASHINGTON — Users who sign on to the AirForce Portal will find an improved system that not onlylooks better, but is more user-friendly and effective.The redesign is the first in two years.The portal is meant to be the one place Airmen goto accomplish anything they do online. That is whetherit’s part of their job, like ordering replacement parts,or form processing, like when they go on leave.“We want the Air Force Portal to be the first stopfor doing work on the Internet in the Air Force. Andwe also want it to be easy to use,” said Maj. DavidGindhart, one of the program overseers.The major said, “We gathered a lot of feedback anddid some user testing. As a result, we made the Air ForcePortal better, allowing people to find more of what theyneed faster.”In addition, the portal got a new color scheme andthe upgraded search engine is more effective. The goalwas to make the portal similar to commercial Internetsearch sites, but still maintain the Air Force feel, MajorGindhart said.“Some things that were redundant or confusing werestreamlined, like separate tabs for ‘My Base’ and ‘MyOrganization,’” the major said. “Now when peoplelog onto the portal, they’ll find drop-down menus thathave what they’re looking for.”Users can customize the portal so they can havethe information and links they use on a regular basisalways in the same location, called workspace.One of the portal’s most popular features is the AirForce instant messenger system. It allows for realtime chat between people who are collaborating on aproject or just keeping in touch. The program is especially useful for deployed troops, Major Gindhart said.Courtesy graphicThe Air Force Portal is a one stop shop for applications like myPay, IT E-Learning, Fitness Management,OL

Dec 02, 2005 · resources remains at the highest level,” the sergeant said. By Eddie Kovsky . Josh Martin, an AKAL contracted security guard, assists Amn. Carlos Martinez, 10th Security Forces Squadron, in checking IDs at the Academy’s South Gate. AKAL is contracted to provide basic security