A legacy of leadership

James G. Roche, secretary of the Air Force

Remarks to the United States Air Force Academy Gathering of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., April 29, 2003

Johnny (Brigadier General John Weida, Commandant of Cadets) thanks for the gracious introduction. It is a great honor for me to be here today in the presence of some of the finest leaders this institution has produced, and to look out upon many of the future leaders of our United States Air Force.

We have with us today 44 prominent graduates from this institution; one from each class since the day these doors first opened. They represent all that this institution holds to be true and important. They represent what the Air Force expects from each graduate--a well-trained, well-educated and honorable officer who lives the core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all he or she does. They represent the essence of the Air Force officer--admired, respected, and trusted--individuals in whom our citizens invested "special trust and confidence."

They have made significant sacrifices to be where they are today. From Colonel Bobko in the Class of '59 to Lieutenant Booth from the Class of '02, they represent what is right about the Air Force and the Air Force Academy. General Jumper and I are grateful to them for making the effort necessary to be here with us today.

They are role models not only for the Academy, but also for the nation. Their leadership has been proven in combat and in peacetime. They have demonstrated their mettle at every level, from their flights and squadrons to major commands and Headquarters Air Force. Some have been personal friends of mine for years. They have led in the military, in government, in athletics, in industry, and in space. I am humbled to be in their midst.

There is another great leader on this stage whose lifetime of service, sacrifice, and inspired leadership makes this Gathering of Graduates a special and momentous occasion. He is a graduate of a distinguished military institution, the Virginia Military Institute. He is a devoted husband and the loving father of three wonderful daughters, two of whom serve on active duty today. His youngest daughter will soon enter ROTC at the University of Virginia. Through his 37 years of service to our nation, he has risen to serve as Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and sits as a wartime member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I submit to you that in the tradition of great military statesmen in the history of our nation, John Jumper stands among the very best. He leads with passion and clarity of purpose, and understands that the way to achieve our vision of a 21st century air and space force is to educate, train and inspire our colleagues. He is tireless in his pursuit of excellence. And, most important, he stands at the pinnacle of his career because he has thoroughly internalized a value system and code of conduct that has enabled him to overcome the challenges he's faced throughout his cadet life and his military career. It is code from which we all should learn and emulate. John, we are honored and privileged to have you serving at this time in our history. Thank you for making this event a reality and for what you do for our airmen and for America. You are special to many of our colleagues, and you are very special to me.

These graduates and great leaders can serve as a model for the leadership challenges you who sit before us will face in the coming days.

For the Firsties: I challenge each and every one of you to rededicate yourselves to taking the role of senior class to heart in this busy time in your tenure here, teaching and molding those that follow to live up to the standards set by the graduates who are seated on this stage. I challenge you to prove to the nation what we know to be true about this institution--that this is an institution of higher learning where we produce the epitome of the Air Force officer. I challenge you to embrace the traditions, the requirements, and the life of the Air Force officer. You will soon join the larger Air Force as a commissioned officer. Because of your experience and training here, people will expect great things from you. You would not have come this far had you not been up to the challenges before you. Your task is to embrace and live the core values of our Air Force and lead those around you. We insist on it. These graduates expect it. And, your Air Force demands absolutely no less of you.

For the Two Degrees: You have significant challenges ahead. You will be the leaders of this institution in a time of change and under great scrutiny. Although we can implement changes and promulgate policy to provide you the tools to improve the social and professional climate of this institution, only you as cadets can make the Academy the sort of place you are proud to call your alma mater. Only at the major military academies do students not only study leadership, but they must practice it each and every day. Your challenge starting shortly will be to lead and mentor those behind you, and to continue to prepare yourselves for your future as leaders of the men and women who make up the finest Air Force in the world.

Each of you began your Air Force experience the day you arrived; it doesn't start the day you're commissioned. Take the lessons you learn and apply them in your daily lives here at the Academy and beyond, throughout your military career and to your life beyond the military. The men and women before you represent the thousand upon thousands of graduates who have earned the trust of our nation for nearly half a century. They are tremendous examples of what the Air Force expects from you, and future Academy graduates. We challenge each and every one of you to follow in their footsteps, and to live up to the standards they have set for graduates of the U. S. Air Force Academy.

It's been said "our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Every time you successfully face and deal with a significant challenge, you gain experience and confidence, and you'll eventually look back on your challenges with strong memories. Never forget the hurdles you overcame to get here. For those that lie ahead, meet them with vigor and a commitment to character and integrity. In so doing, you will be worthy to join this distinguished group of airmen that has gathered here today. I have every confidence that you can rise to the challenges that lie ahead. God Speed. Thank you all very much.

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