FALCON FAMILY NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2007 

CLASS STATISTICS (as of 31 Aug 07)

 

Men

Women

  Cum

2008

 845

 188

1033

2009

 902

 182

1084

2010

 915

 215

1130

2011

968

 246

1214

       WING

3634

 833

4467

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FALCONS!

          Congratulations to our new head football coach, Troy Calhoun, on bringing the Falcons to victory for the first three football games.  The Falcons beat South Carolina State on our home turf 34-3.  The second game, against Utah, was played at Salt Lake City and our Falcons won 20-12.  Back at home and playing Texas Christian University, the Falcons, who hadn’t beaten them since 1987, came away with a 20-17 score in overtime.

GO FALCONS!

FALCON STADIUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, ACCESS TIMES

The Academy's North and South Entrances open at 8 a.m. on Saturdays to allow fans access to Falcon Stadium. Please note that new security barriers have been installed at both North and South gates which will have the effect of reducing speed and lane changes at the entry gates.  Please proceed through these gates with caution and avoid any lane changes as traffic will be flowing through in all entry lanes.

As a reminder Fanfest starts at 9.a.m. in front of the stadium, Parking Lot 3 and gates to Falcon Stadium open at 10 a.m. Fans are welcome to tailgate in the stadium parking lots prior to the game and for up to three hours after the game's conclusion.

Security restrictions for entry to the stadium are in place and remain unchanged from last season, to include policies regarding cameras and water bottles. Still cameras and handheld video cameras will be allowed. But flash photography and lenses larger than four inches in length are not permitted. Empty or factory-sealed soft plastic water (water only) bottles, 24 ounces or less will be permitted.

Items prohibited at Falcon Stadium for the 2007 football season include: alcoholic beverages, food, umbrellas, backpacks of any sort, artificial noisemakers, banners or large signs, laser pointers, weapons, firearms, fireworks, glass containers, cans, bags larger than 8x11 inches, and any items that cannot be readily inspected.

The only exceptions to the food and drink prohibition will be for people with certain medical conditions and infants (these must be requested in advance, by contacting Athletic Events Management). Pets other than working service dogs are not permitted. Infant carrier bags and diaper bags are allowed if an infant is present, but the bags will be searched.

All hand-carried items will be checked, to include purses, diaper bags, fanny packs, seat cushions, and blankets. Express lines will be available for those spectators entering the stadium with nothing to be searched.

All patrons entering the stadium are subject to search. Initial visual screening and a pat down will be performed upon entry. Elevated screening procedures may be used, including metal detectors, if the base's security posture is heightened.

THE TRUTH IS MARCHING ON…By Joanne Nettis, mother of C3C Michael V. Nettis

Parent’s Weekend began on Friday, Aug 31, and ended Monday, September 3, 2007, Labor Day.

Attending, we witnessed the truth in action as evidenced in our cadets of the USAFA  as, on Friday, morning over 4,000 cadets in their military attire marched across the parade field in 40-squadron formation past parents, families, friends and Academy Superintendent, Lt. Gen. John F. Regni . We looked on as they marched by, bearing honor, pride and awe in our hearts.

For some parents, it was their first time at Colorado Springs and the USAFA with our cadets -- Fourth class through Firsties -- the best of the best.  Now, committed to their Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do, they are and will be challenged mentally and physically to test their honor and commitment before reaching their goal as a U.S. Air Force Officer, classes 2008-2011.

After our C3C (Cadet Third Class; i.e., Sophomore) Michael’s physics class…where we learned so much of which we previously knew nothing….but now electromagnetically learned why not to stand outside in lightning, we toured the Cadet Fitness Center….also where Olympic athletes train…. and saw Jim Ciccone, (Lake Catholic HS, C4C),  practicing wrestling. Also, we toured where our son Michael (former NDCL HS) boxes.

Later Friday at Mimi’s Café, we shared fun, food and a chance to visit NEOAFAPA  parents and cadets together (i.e., NE OH cadet ____ meet NE OH cadet ____…….or something like that).  Many of our NE OH cadets assigned to various squadrons did not know each other previously. 

Saturday, Sept 1, the air was filled with falcons.  I mean literally as the winged mascot whizzed by AF Falcon fans’ noses throughout the stadium toward its trainer during halftime. I actually got to pet the bird during Sq 20’s tailgate! More sights and smells of football filled the air as we tailgated before and after, cheering C4C Matt Markling and team to a 34-3 victory over South Carolina State … as we passed, intercepted and drove the ball down the field.  And, WOW, those 5 parachutists overhead and the F-117 fighter jet fly-bys at halftime!

The sleek, silver, famous, airplane-on-end-styled Cadet Chapel was the first stop for many parents and cadets celebrating in prayer and song, Sunday morning. “America the Beautiful,” sung by our Cadet Choir, brought tears to eyes while thanking God for our blessings and seeking guidance for our futures.

Sunday, family day, was ablaze with glory from the sunny, bright blue, billowy-clouded sky.  Families shared adventures such as the international car show at the grand Broadmoor Hotel, saw the amazing rock formations in the Garden of the Gods, took a cog rail up Pikes Peak, toured Manitou Springs and various ski resorts, and even Wal-Mart to be together.

Most of us stayed until Labor Day, some longer to see more of the “purple mountains majesty, above the fruited plains.”  But, whenever our end to Parents’ Weekend began, I believe we all looked back, smiled and saw our promising cadets ... their beautiful faces, the purple mountains, the USAFA, its parade grounds and stadium…while glimpsing their futures, thinking to ourselves or at chapel services even singing out loud …”Glory, Glory, Halleluiah…”  (n.b. please advance to top of page for end of story …)

PARENTS’ CLUB PRESIDENTS’ CONFERENCE

Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the conference.  I hope you departed the meeting with a feeling of satisfaction that the issues discussed were or will be resolved.  Below are a few of the issues discussed.

          Medical Care Issues -- Some of you had members whose cadets had medical care issues.  The deadline is the end of September to turn in those issues to me so that I can forward them to the appropriate personnel.

          Current Cadet/Parents Lists --  I am still not able to access the data base to get current lists for you.  This is due to the migration from the dot-MIL to the dot-EDU domain.  Hopefully, I’ll be switched to EDU soon and will then be able to access the information.  I apologize for the delay.

          Mice in the Dorms – 10th Air Base Wing is still working on this but they have had “Mug a Bug” checking out the dorms.  Any sign of rodents should be turned in to the AOCs.

          Liaison Officer Representation – we will work on obtaining a liaison officer contact for the parents’ clubs.  Let me know if you would like to have a liaison officer as a point of contact.

          Participation at Information Fair – many of you expressed an interest in selling your wares at the Information Fair (Arnold Hall, first day of Parents’ Weekend).  I’m looking into it again to see if there’s a way this can be accomplished.

SPONSOR PROGRAM

The Sponsor Program phone number is listed incorrectly in the AOG Parent Handbook.  It is not 333-3477; the correct number is (719) 333-2727.

Ms. Arcy Jacildo, who runs the Sponsor Program, asks that you please leave a voicemail at that number.  She empties the voicemail box at least twice a day and returns these calls within 72 hours.  In addition to voicemail inquiries, she has two email boxes to respond to, so please be patient with her.

As always, they strongly encourage cadets to make the calls, not the parents.  If the cadets have issues with their assigned sponsors, please have them call or email Arcy and she will reply with a set of instructions for them.  The two email addresses are:  cadet.sponsor@usafa.edu and arcy.jacildo@usafa.edu .

MEET YOUR USAF ACADEMY DENTAL CLINIC

When he took command of the 10th Dental Squadron at the USAF Academy a little more than a year ago, Colonel David Stanczyk set a goal for the dental clinic to be to be the “best in the Air Force.”   The dental squadron team was up for that challenge and continues to make our outstanding dental clinic even better. 

The 10th Dental Squadron provides full-service dental care and includes nearly every dental specialty available.  Dental services provided include Preventive Dentistry (examinations, cleanings, sealants, etc.), Restorative Dentistry (fillings), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (wisdom tooth removal, major jaw and facial surgery, and trauma care),  Periodontics (treatment of gum disease),  Endodontics (root canals),  Prosthodontics (implants, crowns & bridges), and Orthodontics (correction of severe malocclusion).

Our clinic is one of only 11 in the entire Air Force to have a one-year dental residency program.  This residency program consists of an outstanding, hand-picked dental teaching staff training top-of-the-line recent dental school graduates who were competitively selected from among the best and brightest applicants.  Our teaching staff is among the best in the Air Force and includes board-certified specialists in Orthodontics, Comprehensive Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 

Our prosthodontist, Col Walter Daniels is the senior prosthodontist in the Air Force, providing more experience to patients and residents than any other prosthodontist in the AF.  One of our two oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Col Mark Slabbekoorn is a dual-degree oral surgeon, having both a medical (MD) as well as a dental (DDS) degree.  Our second oral surgeon, Maj Brent Kincaid, was recently chosen to present a lecture at the upcoming American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.  Lt Col Mike Wajdowicz, our residency director, is dual-board certified and is in charge of our American Dental Association accredited dental residency program.  Our specialty staff is enhanced by an experienced general dentistry staff of three colonels, one lieutenant colonel and two majors.

This all leads to an exceptional level of dental care provided by experienced and talented dentists that is rarely available anywhere else in the AF or the civilian community.  Our staff of 14 dentists have an incredible 245 years of combined clinical experience and provide world-class dental care to the USAFA cadet and active duty populations.  In addition, our 60-person clinic staff is backed by dedicated cadre of enlisted and civilian personnel.

Recently, the 10th Dental Squadron earned the highest rating of “Outstanding” by the Air Force Inspection Agency in their Health Services Inspection, and teamed with the 10th Medical Group to earn the coveted Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations "accreditation" status.  In addition, they are committed to keeping our clinic state-of-the-art and have invested nearly $2 million in equipment upgrades in the last 12 months to the already-modern dental clinic.  A part of this includes the recent conversion to all-digital radiology.  The clinic will soon be a model for the rest of the AF, the Department of Defense and the civilian community to emulate.

According to Col Stanczyk, his is a team of dedicated healthcare professionals excited about their part in providing for the optimum dental health of our future Air Force leaders.  Please don’t hesitate to contact them if you ever have any questions or concerns with your cadet’s dental care.  You can contact TSgt Sanya Pospischil or Maj Peggy Dickson (general dentist) at 719-333-5590; or email the dental clinic at USAFA.SGD@usafa.af.mil.

YAHOO GROUP FOR 2010 PARENTS

Fern Purio, 2010 cadet mom, has put together a Yahoo Group for the parents of 2010 cadets, where they share information and support their cadets.  She is the moderator for the group, and people can request to join if they provide their names and their cadets name and squadron. The request to join can be sent to either her personal email at fpurio@aol.com or they can go to the Group Homepage http://groups.yahoo.com/group/USAFAP2010/.  They have over 290 members at present with 2010 parents discovering them all the time!  (This is not part of the Famnet list serve, nor is it affiliated with USAFA in any way.)