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Academy’s new commandant of cadets reports for duty

Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria (left), the superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, shakes hands with Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson after she assumes command of the Academy’s cadet wing, May 31, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo /Joshua Armstrong)

Story by Ray Bowden, June 3, 2019

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Cadets at the Air Force Academy have a new boss: Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson.

Edmondson reported for duty May 31 to take on her duties as commandant of cadets and for her official assumption of command ceremony, led by Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the Academy superintendent.

At the ceremony, Silveria said Edmondson’s experience makes her the right officer to lead the Academy’s 4,000 cadets and the 200 service members and civilians on the cadet wing’s staff.

“My challenge to you is to elevate the performance of the cadet wing to even greater heights,” Silveria said to Edmondson. “To ensure [cadets] are not only up to the task, but ready to outpace, out-think and outperform our adversaries in whatever mission they are called to take on.”

Edmondson said she “can’t wait to get started.”

“My goal is providing the synergy that General Silveria needs,” she told the crowd and the entire cadet wing standing in formation nearby.

Edmondson is the Academy’s 29th commandant of cadets.

Before arriving at the Academy, Edmondson directed Space Policy for the National Security Council at the White House. She’s earned masters’ in strategic studies, national security affairs, and organizational management; and a bachelor’s in aerospace engineering.

Edmondson kept her comments at the ceremony short as a nod to the cadet formation.

“Cadets, it’s not lost on me that I’m the last thing standing between you and your summer leave,” she said.

Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson accepts the U.S. Air Force Academy cadet wing’s guidon from Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the Academy’s superintendent, during an assumption of command ceremony, May 31, 2019. Edmondson is now the Academy’s 29th commandant of cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

 

Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson, the Air Force Academy's commandant of cadets, speaks to a crowd of friends, family, and service members

Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson, the Air Force Academy’s commandant of cadets, speaks to a crowd of friends, family, and service members after assuming command of the cadet wing, May 31, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

A crowd gathers on the Terrazzo at the U.S. Air Force Academy to watch Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson become the Academy's 29th commandant of cadets

A crowd gathers on the Terrazzo at the U.S. Air Force Academy to watch Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson become the Academy’s 29th commandant of cadets, May 31, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

The cadet wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy stands in formation during the assumption of command ceremony which saw Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson become their new command of cadets, May 31, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)