GRADUATION
Graduation Week is traditionally comprised of many activities and events across the U.S. Air Force Academy. Cadets and their guests take part in receptions, award ceremonies, baccalaureate services, concerts, parades, air demonstrations, and commissioning ceremonies. The week culminates at Falcon Stadium with the Graduation Ceremony. Speakers rotate between the President of the United States, Vice President, Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force. At the close of the ceremony, cadets are dismissed and ceremoniously toss their caps into the air. Cheers and celebration are quickly silenced by the roar of the legendary Thunderbirds flying overhead to honor the graduating class.
Due to the on-going threat of the coronavirus, the Class of 2020 graduation took place on the Terrazzo on April 18, 2020 and was closed to visitors. We have no updates at this time regarding the Class of 2021 graduation currently scheduled for May 26, 2021. Please refer back to this page for the latest updates!
Graduation Highlights
Graduation Videos
The Class of 2020 graduation live-stream is available to watch on-demand. To see the story of the Class of 2020, following their progression from In-Processing and Basic Cadet Training to Ring Dance, click here.
Commissioning Ceremonies
Private commissioning ceremonies for the Class of 2020 occurred on April 17. Family and friends were unable to attend in-person; however, many squadrons offered virtual attendance. To view pictures from each squadron, click here.
Professional Photography
Since the Class of 2020 graduation was closed to the public, we had a team of photographers spread across the Terrazzo to capture the memories. Click here to see all of the pictures that have been published to our Flickr account, where they are 100% free to view and download in high resolution.
Air Force Thunderbirds Flyover
The USAF Thunderbirds soared above the Terrazzo from south to north during the Class of 2020 traditional hat toss. There was no demonstration, as has taken place in year’s past at Falcon Stadium. To watch the flyover, click here.