Commandant's Speech July 14, 2008

<p>Basics heard this yesterday as they arrived in Jack’s Valley:</p>

<p>Commandant’s Welcome Speech
Commandant Brigadier General Susan Desjardins</p>

<p>“Well good morning everyone and welcome to Jack’s Valley. The dirt and the path that you walked, as you marched out here today, is the same path that over 40,000 Air Force Academy Basic Cadets kicked up. The same dirt trod upon by countless leaders, heroes, and future Air Force Officers of character. You traveled this road today, no less anxious about the challenges ahead, no less enthusiastic to test yourself and overcome each and every challenge. And you will be challenged. You will be tested physically, and mentally, and your will, will be tested; on our Combat Arms training, at CATM, in Ops Warrior, in the Leadership Reaction Course, in our Obstacle Course, in Self Aid and Buddy Care Course, where you learn to treat our injured; and the Confidence Course, and in the Assault Course. There will be times when you will doubt. You will doubt your ability to do any more, to take one step more. That’s when you have to dig deep, and you have to hear the voice that motivates you. It could be the voice of your Cadre, it could be the voice of your classmate, it could be the voice of your wingman, it could be the voice that only you hear right here. You are as good as any of those 40,000 men and woman who went before you. If they did it, you can do it. Class of 2012, (Basics yell in unison, “Never Falter, Never Fail”), remember what you learn and know that you have our faith and confidence that you will succeed. Good Luck."</p>