Well, the battle for the Commander in Chief’s trophy is over. That’s the United States military academies’ most coveted award, at least for football players and fans. The military services’ “friendly” rivalry between each other is embodied by that trophy. Watching those teams compete is a highlight of the season. What’s even better is seeing beyond the sport at what those youngsters will soon become.
Whenever you see any of our military academy’s athletes perform, you should note that very very few of them will become professional multi-million-dollar players upon graduation. The military academies, by all standards, are as good, or better, than an Ivy League school in the country. The academic standards all of the cadets and midshipmen have to live up to are as high, if not higher, than most schools in the nation. In addition to having to live up to extreme academic requirements, they’re constantly training in athletics, character development, and military leadership. Their typical day is packed, and I do mean packed, with mandatory learning all day long and many weekends and holidays.
While the purpose of other colleges is to enable their students to make a lot of money, or at least a lot more money than they would without a college degree, the purpose of the academies is to ensure that graduates are prepared to go into, and lead others into, battle to protect the country. Other schools may train future CEOs. The academies train Warriors.
Whenever I see those future leaders on the field, whichever field they may play on, I don't see future professional athletes. Oh, they may dream of being the next professional GOAT, but they know the reality of their future is not in product endorsements. What I see on that field is men and women who will soon (to them it's not soon enough) willingly jump into the cockpit of an airplane, onto a battleship, into a tank, or some other type of warfighting vehicle, being shot at by others who will do anything to destroy our way of life. I see leaders who will do what's right because it’s the right thing to do. I see Warriors whose ultimate purpose in their lives will be to serve, not to be served. There are no other academic institutions in the country so focused on teaching their students the highest ideals of moral courage, than our academies.
The difference is that other schools teach their graduates to make a living, and that’s okay. American military academies teach their graduates to save lives even at the risk of their own.
I can't tell you how proud I am of each of our cadets and midshipmen. While serving at the United States Air Force Academy, I couldn’t wait to be among those I saw every day. We often refer to them as the best and brightest. Their GPAs validate that. More importantly, they are what will one day be considered the greatest generation.
At the end of every game between academies, when all has been said and done, our cadets, middies, and coaches gather together in front of the rest of the Corps, the Brigade, the Wing, remove their helmets, hold hands and sing their respective service song. It's a toast to those who have gone before and who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom we enjoy. It's also a commitment to doing the same after the uniforms have been put away and the final buzzer has sounded.
I’m proud of all of our cadets and midshipmen, not just for winning and not just for doing what they do. I’m proud of them all for who they are. They’re Warriors! American Warriors! Isn't this a GREAT day to be an American Warrior?!
Until next time, Be GREAT! You ARE!
¡HEIRPOWER!
bob vásquez!
