(USAFA Press Release) As a primary commissioning source for two military branches, the U.S. Air Force Academy is updating its installation to physically reflect support and representation for both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force.
The Air Force and Space Force Core Values are prominently reflected at the Academy’s North and South gates and updates to the Core Values Ramp are likewise designed specifically to highlight the institution’s role as the Department of the Air Force’s service academy.
Renovations to the ramp are currently underway and the installation of the core values is expected to be complete by June 22, just prior to In-processing Day for the incoming Class of 2030.
To ensure the core values of both services remain a prominent fixture, the enduring Air Force Core Values—Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do—are being relocated to the inside left wall of the ramp.
Furthermore, to reflect the Academy’s dual-service mission, the Space Force Core Values—Character Above All, Connection Toward Unity, Commitment to Mastery, Courage To Be Bold—are being added to the inside right wall.
“Adding the Space Force Core Values alongside the enduring Air Force Core Values ensures our institution physically represents both branches our graduates will serve,” Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind said. “It celebrates our rich heritage while upholding the values that guide our future Airmen and Guardians.”
By moving the Air Force and Space Force core values to the inside walls of the Core Values Ramp, it creates an opportunity to place new messaging on the ramp’s header.
While the relocation of the core values is underway, the final decision regarding the specific messaging and signage to be placed on the ramp is undergoing thorough discussion and will be determined at a later date.
The core values remain the absolute foundation; placing them on the interior walls keeps them in close physical proximity to cadets, serving as a constant reminder of how they must lead their daily lives.
Maybe going back to this on the ramp’s header??
The Coming American by Samuel Foss
Bring me men to match my mountains,
Bring me men to match my plains,
Men with empires in their purpose,
And new eras in their brains.
Bring me men to match my prairies,
Men to match my inland seas,
Men whose thoughts shall pave a highway
Up to ampler destinies,
Pioneers to cleanse thought’s marshlands,
And to cleanse old error’s fen;
Bring me men to match my mountains –
Bring me men!
Bring me men to match my forests,
Strong to fight the storm and beast,
Branching toward the skyey future,
Rooted on the futile past.
Bring me men to match my valleys,
Tolerant of rain and snow,
Men within whose fruitful purpose
Time’s consummate blooms shall grow,
Men to tame the tigerish instincts
Of the lair and cave and den,
Cleanse the dragon slime of nature –
Bring me men!
Bring me men to match my rivers,
Continent cleansers, flowing free,
Drawn by eternal madness,
To be mingled with the sea –
Men of oceanic impulse,
Men whose moral currents sweep
Toward the wide, unfolding ocean
Of an undiscovered deep –
Men who feel the strong pulsation
Of the central sea, and then
Time their currents by its earth throbs –
Bring me Men.
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As a grad I have been on the AOG to fight to return BRING ME MEN. Back to the BOR ( base if the ramp)! The moving of the core values to the inside of the ramp gives me hope ‘72
It’s way past time to restore “Bring Me Men” to the base of the ramp. While under pressure to remove it in 1993, Brad Hosmer, the academy’s first graduate to serve as superintendent, rejected that idea and refused to replace it. His decision was reversed ten years later by the Air Force secretary and chief of staff as a key component of their Agenda for Change.
As General Hosmer summarized in his decision, “To this end, we subscribe to the uncompromising pursuit of dignity, respect, honor, and equal opportunity for all as hallmarks of the Air Force Academy environment. We seek young people of uncommon character, regardless of gender — citizens of the caliber of Sam Walter Foss’ vision, 99 years ago. We do not need to sell ourselves or this privileged mission short by tampering with a time-honored appeal to excellence.”
Let’s bring back “Bring Me Men” for good.
Reinstating, “Bring me Men” is wrong. As much as I personally would like to see it, by definition it is exclusionary. It was appropriate and precise, when all cadets were men. Sorry but, it’s Inappropriate today.
Bring me The Strong. OK
Bring me the Committed. OK
Bring me the Righteous. OK
Bring me the Incorruptable. OK
Bring me the Steadfast. OK
Or a combination of similar thoughts. OK
USAFA Graduate, Class of 75
Robert, have you advocated for the removal of the Eagle and Fledglings? It states, “Man’s flight through life is sustained by the power of his knowledge.” Even if you concede that “man” refers to the broader term “mankind,” the pronoun “his” is specific to the male gender. Shouldn’t the sexism police be demanding that the Eagle and Fledglings be removed or changed to “Mankind’s flight through life is sustained by the power of their knowledge?” Just askin’!
It is the Bring Me Men ramp. Always will be.
Perfect!
Wildman
The author of the poem, The Coming American, from which “Bring Me Men . . .” was drawn, Samuel Walter Foss (1858-1911), was an acknowledged humanist, as were many Americans of his day. He considered himself a friend of man, that is, of all human beings; mankind; male and female. He wrote verse about normal people, the common man and woman – good, bad, foolish – going about their daily lives. His most famous poem, The House By The Side of The Road, concludes with “Let me live in my house by the side of the road, and be a friend to man.”
As a humanist and poet of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, his use of the words “man” and “men” was understood, in today’s curious parlance, to be inclusive of both men and women. It was so understood at USAFA in 1964 and 1976 and 1980 and 1993. Fast upon the inevitable and unfortunate sexual misconduct scandal of 2003 did weak men in the Department of the Air Force conclude that “Bring Me Men . . .” was responsible for the misbehavior of the cadets. Removing Sam Foss’s poetic words from the Battle Ramp stripped away thirty-nine years of tradition to what end? To improve the moral conduct of cadets and to prevent future sexual misconduct and scandal?
“Bring Me Men . . .” always has been an expression of inspired vision. Sadly, the words and vision were cravenly dismissed as if they were embarrassingly old rugs to no longer be seen by polite company. Sam Foss’s words and USAFA heritage were replaced with a banal litany worthy of a committee of human resource bureaucrats and strategic planning consultants.
As Superintendent Hosmer described, Foss wrote The Coming American to challenge all Americans to accept the test of greatness that lay before them. If the leadership cadres of USAFA, the Air Force, and The Department of War are serious about graduating warriors, let alone career officers, and not uniformed bureaucrats, they ought appeal to the ideals and ambitions of the incoming cadets and the entire Cadet Wing with a sharp exhortation worthy of the challenge of their four year endeavor. I suggest “Bring Me Men . . .” be chiseled into the stone panels above the base of the Battle Ramp.
Finally my continued battle has been recignized. You sir are my hero!! Press on with the fight and you will have my unconditional support!!💪🏻
Wildman