USAFA EVENT INFORMATION
In addition to strategic planning and USAFA Plans management, the Plans, Programs and Institutional Events Division plans, coordinates and executes special annual events such as Parents' Weekend and Graduation. The division also reviews and approves requests from outside organizations to hold events at the Academy, including sporting, private organization and large-scale visits.
USAFA SPECIAL EVENTS
Parents' Weekend is an annual event held during Labor Day weekend where cadet families and friends visit their cadets to become familiar with the objectives and facilities of USAFA. Guests may attend classes with their cadets, observe a Cadet Wing parade, watch a football game, and attend various other activities as desired. Typically, more than 8,000 people visit USAFA during this weekend. See Printable Parents' Weekend Schedule of Events
Graduation takes place at Falcon Stadium and culminates a week of special events designed to honor the graduating class. Graduation Week typically begins Thursday before graduation with the Outstanding Squadron Banquet and ends with the Thunderbird demonstration following the Graduation Ceremony on the following Wednesday. Highlights of Graduation Week include parades, ceremonies, banquets and dances. Past commencement speakers include the President of the US, the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Printable Graduation Schedule of Events
Other events coordinated by this office include:
USAFA EVENT APPROVAL PROGRAM:
The division also manages requests to hold events at USAFA. All off-base event requestors must have a USAFA sponsor who can assist them in coordinating their event. This project officer will coordinate the event with the base organizations involved, request any required support, and ensure the event is on the USAFA Master Calendar (managed by the Vice Commandant's office, HQ USAFA/CV). A useful list of USAFA facility and support contacts is available <here>. The event requestor must send a completed <Lotus> or <MS Word> event request form to HQ USAFA/A8A no later than 90 days prior to the event date. Complete all blocks on the form and include an agenda and information regarding event security and safety. Send completed event requests to usafa.events@usafa.edu.
Events requiring committee approval are primarily those sponsored by off-base organizations. Meetings or events that are a normal function of a USAFA organization's mission, such as official visits worked by Protocol or periodic social events such as a Dining-In, do not require committee approval. In addition, small meetings or conferences held at the Falcon Club or Falcon Stadium Press Box and attended by military or DOD ID card holders need only be coordinated with the appropriate facility manager. If you have any doubt whether your event requires committee review or have any questions about the approval process, please call 719.333-3451/8815 (DSN 333-3451/8815) or email usafa.events@usafa.edu.
Event requests are submitted to a committee consisting of members from every major USAFA organization and are reviewed and approved once a month. Therefore, submit your event requests no later than 90 days prior to the beginning of the event. After committee review, the requestor will be provided an event tracking number indicating whether or not the event was approved. Requestors are cautioned not to obligate funds until they receive event approval. Reasons to deny event support or approval include contractual or regulatory limitations, security conditions, or conflicts with other scheduled activities.
Granting event approval only reserves the event date and does not constitute approval or confirm scheduling of any requested support . The USAFA sponsor must request all USAFA support from the appropriate agencies using the required forms (e.g., DD Form 833 or USAFA Form 79 for audiovisual or public address support).. Transportation, civil engineering and communications support are generally not available for non-military events held at the Academy. Due to Academy funding and contractual restrictions, the requesting organization might be required to fund or reimburse some or all support costs associated with the requested event.
A useful list of USAFA facility and support contacts is available <here> .
