The Board of Directors of the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates (AOG) met in July 2025 during the Long Blue Weekend at the Air Force Academy.
Retired USAF Colonel Dave Almand (husband of the USAFA AOG chairwoman, retired USAF Lt. Colonel Cathy Almand) angrily confronted at different times two AOG board members of General rank accusing them of being “racist Trumpists”, demanding they resign and refused to shake their hand. The AOG Chairwoman who witnessed one of the altercations said nothing and did nothing to intervene.
The Generals were Lt. General Rod Bishop, USAF ret, USAFA ’74 and Brig. General Christopher “Mookie” Walker, USAF ret, USAFA ’88. Both are members of the Unity Slate of five candidates who ran for election in February 2025. Unity Slate website
In his show, The SCIF, L. Todd Wood, USAFA ’86, talks with Col. Ron Scott, USAF ret, USAFA ’73, about this disappointing incident at the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates Board of Directors meeting. Then below are memorandum for the record from the Generals on what happened.
Watch:
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
24 JULY 2025
At approximately 1900 on the evening in Doolittle Hall, I was talking with Lt Gen Bishop and a few other gents during the social reception. I left the reception room to take a phone call approximately 1910. While on that call, in the main hall near the stairway, I hear someone yell, “MOOKIE!” It was Dave Almand, the spouse of the Board Chair. I asked my friend on the phone if I could call back in 5 minutes. At the same time, Dan Bohlin came up to me to ask for a quick conversation… I asked Dan to let me say hello to Dave Almand.
Dave did not want to shake my hand (similar Modus Operandi I heard he’d had with Rod Bishop), and he laid into me for “disrespecting his wife” for not immediately answering phone calls and emails, and also for being in league with “racist Trumpists.”
Mr. Almand then started yelling at the top of his voice for me to resign from the board… At that point, the “conversation” devolved into a swearing match. I am somewhat ashamed Dan Bohlin had to witness me saying some very ugly things to Dave.
Anyway, we need to address this. We cannot have AOG Board Director’s spouses coming up to other directors like ANTIFA. It could have gotten physical very easily. I decided to leave Doolittle Hall as soon as I finished my calm conversation with Dan Bohlin, and Alexander Fogassy was walking out at the same time. We left around 1930.
CHRISTOPHER S. WALKER, Brig Gen, USAF, Retired
AOG Board of Directors
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
24 Jul 25
On 24 Jul 2025 I was entering Wecker Hall at approximately 1255 for a previously scheduled meeting at 1300 with Katie Willemarck, given my responsibilities on the Finance Committee.
As I was talking with Ruth Reichert (sp?), who was filling as the receptionist, when a man (who was dressed very casually) who looked familiar, (but I did not fully recognize) came up to me, saying “well there’s General Bishop.”
I put out my hand to shake his, he kept his hand stiffly by his side.
He began by asking me if I remembered “all the problems I caused him when he was working in “the AMD.” (Air Mobility Division). I was not sure what he was talking about—as I have overseen a number of AMDs—most notably during 6 deployments in 1998-1999, when I was assigned as the Director of Mobility Forces for a number of contingencies in the European Theater, and again in 2006-2008 when I served as “Air Commander Europe” and 3 AF Commander.
I asked specifically what he was referring to and he said “all the issues with the “theater express.” I told him I was sorry, I don’t remember any issues with the “theater express” (note: the AMD is one division in the Air Operations Center (AOC)—an organization of over 1000 people with an 0-6 as the head of the AOC and a major or LtCol as the head of the AMD. I don’t remember any issues with the AOC whatsoever—in fact, one of the AMD chiefs is a good friend whom I remain in contact.
The man then added “and you have given my wife such a hard time—I was thinking she worked somewhere in the AOC as well, not realizing he was referring to our BOD Chair—but didn’t have time to ask as he immediately transitioned the conversation to
“I hate what you Unity Slate candidates have done to the graduate community—you guys are nothing but a bunch of Trump extremists. And you have made it so hard on Coach Calhoun and others. You twist things and make it look like you represent the graduate community –which you don’t.”
I said, “well we represent a majority of the graduate community who cared enough to vote. I wish I could buy you a beer and we could discuss.”
He concluded by saying—“I’ll pass–not until you resign—something you should do right now.”
A second event occurred just before tonight’s AOG social. I was talking with a fellow Charleston AFB former Wing CC, Jaron Roux, when a man, I now know to be Dave Almand came walking by with our Chair Person. Jaron said “oh here come Dave and Cathy now.”
I put out my hand and said, “well we can have a Charleston reunion. Once again, the man I now know to be Dave Almand kept his hand stiffly at his side (only the second time in my life that has ever happened—the other one was at 1 PM earlier in the day.)
He said “not until you resign—something you should do right now.”
Again he “went off” on the Unity Slate—this time ending his comments with “you are all just a bunch of racists.”
He also said I was making life tough for Cathy. I asked, “Cathy, have I made life tough for you—was today tough for you?” She didn’t answer. Instead Cathy and Dave walked away.
I turned to Jaron and asked if he” thought we (or me) was a racist?” He said “no you’re not a racist—”but I don’t think you represent the entire graduate community either.” I gave a similar answer as earlier—“well we represent a majority of grads who cared enough to vote.”
Jaron told me I couldn’t think like that and posed a hypothetical. “Do you think someone who doesn’t vote for say “President” doesn’t care about America?” I answered “to a certain extent, as voting is our most sacred right as a citizen—someone who chooses not to vote is not participating in one’s duty as a citizen.” Jaron said—“well see, we both can have our different opinions and discuss issues and still get along.” I responded favorably—“sure can.”
I confirm the above is accurate to the best of my recollection.
ROBERT D BISHOP JR, Lt Gen USAF (Ret)
AOG Board of Directors
SPOUSE OF USAFA AOG BOARD CHAIR ACCOSTS OTHER BOARD MEMBERS IN ANGRY FIT
By L. Todd Wood, Armed Forces Press, 21 August 2025
Multiple eye witness reports personally given to AFP allege that the spouse of USAFA AOG Board Chair Cathy Almand — Dave Almand — verbally assaulted two members of the USAFA AOG board, both retired USAF general officers, at a recent board meeting.
We spoke to BG General Walker and he described a verbal attack that was very physical in its nature, and aggressive. He told AFP he had to stop himself from responding in a similar manner other than a verbal response, and left the area.
AFP asked the AOG earlier in the week for comment via multiple email addresses, including the direct email of Cathy Almand, and Mark Hille, the President of the AOG, but as of publication have not received a response.
AFP has some questions regarding the incident…
- At publication, we understand Cathy Almand is still in her position as Chair of the AOG Board. How can she be effective going forward in that role?
- What has been the AOG’s response to the incident? We hear rumors that Almand received a ‘dressing down’ from Mark Hille, with the threat of banning him from future events. How can Almand be allowed to attend future AOG events?
- Where is the accountability?
The Air Force Academy has been found to have been pushing a Marxist DEI agenda by its leadership, and lying to graduates about that reality. We have documented this agenda multiple times at AFP.
President Trump has insisted on accountability from the military for its behavior over the last decade.
Accountability should also be demanded among the leadership of the AOG, as many see the organization as complicit in past problems at the Academy.
AFP invites the leadership of the USAFA AOG for a cordial, fair interview on this issue and others at the Academy and the AOG.
(AFP then published the above two Memorandum for the Record)
Comments by Colonel Ron Scott (USAF, Ret):
Corruption does not always manifest in a patently grotesque manner. Yet, its banality can signal a dangerous pattern of sentiment.
A looming situation with the US Air Force Academy Association of Graduates (AOG) Board of Directors (BOD) is a symptom of corruption. This situation involves a retired senior officer (a colonel) verbally assaulting two superior retired senior officers (a lieutenant general and a black brigadier general) in public venues.
The spouse of the assaulting officer, who currently serves as the BOD chairperson, witnessed one of the altercations and did nothing to intervene.
The two retired general officers authored memoranda for the record and were made available in a recent article: https://armedforces.press/spouse-of-usafa-aog-board-chair-accosts-other-board-members-in-angry-fit/.
Since the publication of the above article, I contemplated what a moral duty calls for, and it was this past Sunday’s sermon by Bishop Barron (see Don’t Play the Pride Game – Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermon) on the greatest of all capital vices (sins)–pride–that compels me to act.
For the record, below is a chain of emails I sent to encourage reconciliation. As of this writing, there has been no response from the Board chairperson, and only five private supportive responses–a minority among the current directors–an example of complicity regarding those who chose to remain silent.
Does this mean the honor code and core values–integrity first, service before self, excellence in all that we do–no longer matter to some graduates?
22 August 2025
To: USAFA AOG BOD, CEO, BOV Chairman and Vice Chairman
From: Col. Ron Scott, PhD, USAF ret
Subject: Self-inflicted Scandal and Recommended Solution
I speak as a graduate and former president of the Class of 1973.
A recent article published in the Armed Forces Press (https://armedforces.press/spouse-of-usafa-aog-board-chair-accosts-other-board-members-in-angry-fit/) shined a light on a self-inflicted scandal at the US Air Force Academy.
The scandal represents a visceral sense (outright hostility) of contempt toward fellow graduates (some retired general officers, no less) who hold a different view of the AOG and circumstances. Transparency can bring shame and guilt, but it can also inspire redemption and transcendence.
SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) analysis can be applied here and shows that an understanding of weaknesses can become strengths. Threats can also inspire opportunities.
What is the weakness in this scandal? An unhealthy lack of trust in and accountability to the graduate community.
Evidence?
• Some graduates became concerned that the AOG leadership supported a divisive political idea—diversity, equity, and inclusion—at the Academy. With the urging of about 150 graduates who signed a letter to the Board to present such concerns, the Board granted time on their agenda on May 12, 2023. Instead of professionally responding to the presenters (a retired lieutenant general and a retired colonel) regarding recommendations offered, they were labeled as untrustworthy and dishonest. Moreover, directors were told not to communicate with these graduates.
• To “upgrade” the board culture with graduates committed to representing the voice of The Long Blue Line, a Unity Slate of five graduates ran a campaign on transparency and unity. Sixteen candidates on the ballot also included the outgoing board chair and other incumbents running for reelection. The Unity slate was elected in its entirety. All incumbents running for reelection were defeated. In addition, the Unity Slate advanced amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. Seventy-six percent of those voting approved the amendments.
How to convert the weakness to a strength?
• The new board needs to demonstrate that it represents the graduate community, which demands transparency (priorities, goals, etc.) and accountability (keeping communication channels open for feedback, ideas, questions, concerns, etc.).
• Agendas, notices, and minutes need to be public, comprehensive, and timely.
What is the threat? Actions to maintain and secure power over the AOG.
Evidence?
• The elected Unity Slate issued three letters to the Board requesting that any appointment of new directors should take place after the new board members are installed. The main issue involved the election of a new chairperson. By appointing new voting directors, the incumbent directors were able to “stack the deck” to ensure that a Unity Slate member would not be elected as the chairperson.
• Despite these letters, two voting directors were appointed, and they voted for a non-Unity Slate director—essentially protecting the status quo despite the graduate community voting for a change.
• Unity Slate members have presented their concerns in various forms of communication—emails, discussions at board meetings, etc. The vitriol manifested in these discussions (e.g., verbal assaults by a board member’s spouse; attacking a visiting AOG member in BOD meetings) represents an ideology/attitude that threatens the vitality of a functioning board. The CRT/DEI ideology is divisive and coercive. That is evidenced by the fact that a director’s spouse (a retired colonel no less) demanded at functions surrounding a BOD meeting, that two retired general officers resign and accused them of being racists, after being duly elected by the graduate community.
How to convert the threat to an opportunity?
• In our education and training as commissioned officers in America’s armed forces, decorum is critical. There is never any excuse for an officer, active duty or retired, to publicly assault another individual, let alone a superior ranking officer. Question-do we as civilians still wear our rank? While both civilians and retired officers exercise common duties as citizens, there is a distinction. That distinction is the oath of office, which is a lifetime duty.
• This situation could have been mollified had apologies been expressed/exchanged immediately following the encounter. This did not happen, and no apology has been given. Thus, at the very least, that officer should publicly apologize to the individuals he assaulted. If he elects not to apologize, then he should be banned from the AOG.
• The Board chair witnessed at least one incident of verbal assaults from her spouse and did nothing. Silence in such a situation suggests concurrence. She should apologize and resign as a director. The toxic and dysfunctional environment currently surrounding the AOG Board will not improve until there is a change in top leadership.
• The above actions would signal to the graduate community that honor, transparency, and accountability matter.
In closing, graduates have a moral obligation to “bear true faith and allegiance” to the Constitution, and by implication, to the American Creed. This is what we swore to support and defend.
Very respectfully,
Ronald J. Scott, Jr., Ph.D.
Colonel, USAF, Retired
USAFA Class of 1973
Class President, 2013-2023
From: Ron Scott
Date: Sun, Aug 24, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Subject: Re: Self-inflicted Scandal and Recommended Solution
To: Cathy Almand, AOG Board Of Directors, Mark Hille, NIKOLAI, DOUGLAS J CTR USAF ANG 182 FS/149OG/BGI, Mike Rose
To Whom It May Concern:
Based on very useful feedback I received yesterday (especially from two upperclassmen), I want to publicly apologize for the approach I took. In hindsight, it would have been more appropriate to have sent the letter only to the Board Chairperson, encouraging a quick remedy.
One of the assaulted parties told me he was being encouraged to “just let it go.”
Yet, in one of my exchanges with an upperclassman, he said: “And if Dave Almands’s confrontation is the worst thing that Rod and Mookie have endured in their lifetimes, then they have enjoyed a blessed and issue free life.”
My response: “I tend to agree; however, two books by Hannah Arendt–The Origins of Totalitarianism and Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil–caution its readers to notice and then respond to the type of developments (typically sentiment) that can lead to totalitarianism.
Banality is an appropriate descriptor. The verbal assaults appear banal in a sense; however, letting them go tolerates potentially dangerous behavior.”
I share the above because the assaulted parties were called “racists.” This is not an isolated sentiment. Was it coincidental that, as I walked past a stack of books in my study this morning, the one on top of the stack was Race Matters by Cornel West? Earlier this morning I also watched this clip by Victor Davis Hansen: Joy Reid and the Rise of Open Racism From the Left.
Our Articles of Incorporation ban favoring or opposing political ideas. This is nearly an impossible standard. We all embrace political ideas–the Constitution is a political idea (and ideal), and we favor it.
The issue here is to not demean another for different perspectives. The opportunity is for the AOG (via leadership from the BOD) on behalf of the Long Blue Line to fulfill their important vision/mission while navigating the turbulent sea of a politically-infused/charged culture.
As a grad and Lifetime (and paid) AOG member, I look forward to hearing how this issue has been solved.
V/r,
Ron
Ronald J. Scott, Jr., Ph.D.
Colonel, USAF (Ret)
Class of 1973
Class President, 2013-2023
—
From: Ron Scott
Date: Sat, Aug 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Subject: Fwd: Self-inflicted Scandal and Recommended Solution
To: Cathy Almand
Madam Chair,
I am following up on two emails I sent to you and members of the board. Several board members have responded indicating support for a resolution. I have not heard from you.
Do you intend to respond? If not, I shall consider no response as a response and regretfully proceed with making the issue more public. If I do not hear from you by Monday, September 1, 2025, then I will conclude that you have no intention to respond to a paid life member of the AOG.
I look forward to hearing from you.
V/r,
Ron
Ronald J. Scott, Jr., Ph.D.
Colonel, USAF (Ret)
Class of 1973
Class President, 2013-2023
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