USAFA BOV Vice Chairman: "The enduring truth is that unity, not diversity, is our strength."

USAFA Board of Visitors Vice Chairman Col. Doug “Stoli” Nikolai, USAF ret, USAFA ’89 gave these closing remarks at today’s Board of Visitors meeting:

“I just want to say thanks to General Bauernfeind, General Evans, General Marks. Appreciate the hospitality. Tours yesterday were very revealing. They’re very encouraging.

And, I like the direction, we’re moving in the tactical environment.

As Vice Chairman of the Board of Visitors, I’m 100% behind the Chairman and his opening remarks. I want to affirm that I can only support his efforts, but I want to be the engine that powers his vision vector and oversight. It’s also my desire that every member of the board fully support and are committed to supporting his mission. I think we’re all there.

That said, support and oversight go hand in hand. The board is devoted to detailed, rigorous oversight coupled with insightful, constructive advice.

We expect not only transparency, but also timely and forthright responses to our questions and requests for information. This is not to hinder leadership. It is to uphold accountability, ensure alignment with our national defense priorities, and reinforce the trust to the public and to USAFA alumni.

This is why I firmly believe that “Trust But Verify” is not just a cliché, but it’s a guiding principle. I’m deeply honored to have received the presidential appointment of the Board of Visitors, and I fully embrace the vision laid out by President Trump and Secretary Hegseth—a vision to restore America’s fighting force to greatness and combat effectiveness through merit and adequate resources.

That being, I want to prioritize the eradication of DEI, not just on the surface, but underneath. I also want to prioritize merit-based admissions.

I want to recommend that we combine with Annapolis and West Point to establish a blue ribbon commission entitled “Duty, Honor, Country Commission” to deep dive into those areas in support of this effort.

We are not here to preserve broken and failed ideology. We are here to repair, reform, and reinvigorate this Academy with the timeliness, principles that have always made America exceptional and that defined our Republic, what some patriots have called the American Trinity:

In God We Trust.
Our moral compass and recognition of a higher calling: liberty—the hard won freedom that we fight to preserve.
And E Pluribus Unum, out of many, one.

The enduring truth is that unity, not diversity, is our strength. These ideals are not abstract. They’re actionable. They must be lived, taught and defended. Especially here at USAFA where we forge the next generation of warrior leaders

In closing, this Board of Visitors is not here to mimic past behavior and simply observe. We are here to lead, to hold accountable and to safeguard the future of this Academy and by extension, our air and space forces.

We will be the board that stands firm with eyes wide open, strong backs and resolve unshaken in service to a nation that still believes in its founding truths. Thank you, and may God bless the United States Air Force Academy and the country it so nobly defends. Thank you.”