USAFA - Spirit of 76 - Legacy Project - REPORT! Interviews with the Long Blue Line.

Greg Whaley - Spirit of 76 - AF brat, Dean’s List, B-52 & B-1 pilot, Wharton MBA, entrepreneur, Inc 500 list 3 years in a row

Greg Whaley grew up an AF brat and came to USAFA from Eielsen AFB, Fairbanks, AK. Greg got a summer stint in the NCO program at Wright Pat and 3rd Lt in Germany. Many semesters on the Dean’s List earned him UPT at Williams. His USAF career took him into SAC and bomber pilot at Loring (Maine), Fairchild ( Spokane), a Master’s in OPs Research at AFIT, HQ SAC (Offut), aircraft commander at McConnell (Kansas) & Lajes in the Azores (middle of the Atlantic Ocean), His next and final assignment was to the DC area where he retired, achieved his Wharton MBA and entered the world of government consulting. Stops at SAIC & General Dynamics planted the seed of his own business which became Academy Solutions Group. 20 years later, after landing on the Inc 500 list three times (2011, 12, 13) he successfully sold the company and retired again. He discusses his current position that many of us are also doing.

Scott Gough - Spirit of 76 - AF brat, Sup’s List w CDB, pilot (T-33, F-106, OV-10 to fighters) to UAL, Air Gardens rebirth

Here is the story of Scott Gough. AF brat who maintained a waiver throughout his cadet and flying days to successfully fly in the USAF & UAL. There are two stories he wanted me to edit out that I thought were ok to leave in so enjoy. Scott was on the Dean and Sup list often but also enjoyed a CDB with tours, another humbling cadet story. His initial flying was in T-33’s where he overcame an interesting challenge. He also flew F-106 ‘s out of Castle AFB and OV-10’s in Korea. He returned from Korea and eventually became a National Defense Fellow and Pacific Planner in the Pentagon, finishing up his USAF career as an advisor with the ANG. Upon retiring from active duty he embarked on a long and successful career with UAL. Most recently he was a key participant in the rebirth of the Air Gardens.

Larry Weaver - Spirit of 76 - prep school, pilot, historian

This episode you meet Larry Weaver. AF brat from Ft Walton Beach who turned down ROTC scholarship to got to the AFA prep school. Figured out how to beat the Dean and Commandant enough to land on the Sup’s list but also got a CDB Firstie year. Upon graduation became a B-52 pilot, USAFA prof of history, and Assoc Dean at Maxwell. His PHD in history from Indiana U led him away from the cockpit eventually as did several assignments and papers at the Pentagon. He also graduated with distinction from the Naval War College where he teaches today. Larry has a great sense of humor and is proud of his CS - 21 classmates who also excelled academically winning top academic squadron all three of his upper class years at the zoo. Quite a contrast to the Pinks!

Steve Heinz - Spirit of 76 - top cadet in civil engineering, CEO & Founder

This episode you meet Steve Heinz. Steve was a top cadet in our class in civil engineering. He actually turned down pilot training to become a civil engineer. He spent eight years on active duty started his company from his home and turned it into a major player in energy software headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania.

Dave May - Spirit of 76 - Lt Col, pilot, Philmont Ranger

Dave grew up in Kentucky and did his best to keep his head down while at the zoo, mostly successfully as you will hear. Was a pilot for 21 years on active duty with interesting stops in the Philippines and Panama. After active duty career became a Delta pilot till retirement.

Backstory and where the podcast is heading

The Anchor app I use to record and edit these chats is going away. So I am working with the AOG on new tools and how to keep the show going. Yep, old dog needs to learn new tricks. Anyone else expect a train wreck?
This episode I want to provide the series' backstory and update on what our new grad (Class of 24) is off to do.
I shared the backstory with a Rwandan Grad, Class of 14. We had to do all our comms via recording since pre-calls weren't available. We had his episode up for a year but he got some promotions and was asked to take it down since he overshared some stories. It is all good now..and why I let every grad edit their episode as much as necessary.

Randy McPeak - Spirit of 76 - USAF & Commercial Pilot, Academy L.O.

This episode you meet Randy McPeak. He shares his interesting story of how he grew up in S. Illinois, survived USAFA, became a USAF T-38 and B-52 pilot, and transitioned to US Air and commercial flying while in the USAFR. After "flunking" retirement from American Airlines he now repositions aircraft all over the world leading to very interesting photos in his FB feed.

”Wild Bill” Stealey - 1970 - Pilot, LAX defender, Wharton MBA, Mgt Consultant, President/CEO

This episode you meet "Wild Bill" Stealey, Class of 1970, AFA lacrosse defender, IP & C-5 pilot, Wharton MBA, Management Consultant, President & CEO of successful video game companies... and grandpa. You will figure out on your own why John Wilbur Stealey got the call sign "Wild Bill." Also he shares his USAFA days which shows how the zoo experience was in the early days as the New Dorm was being constructed. One of the key people "Wild Bill" mentions is the video game creator Sid Meyer of Civilization fame (at least famous to me, this old peddler of parts to the X-Box teams at Microsoft)

Kevin Chilton - Spirit of 76 - GEN, Astronaut HOF, Pilot, Guggenheim, Distinguished Grad

Kevin Chilton grew up in So Cal near LAX and loved watching the planes come and go in his neighborhood. Some interesting events and people got him to USAFA where he excelled in academics but also got to know the tour pad. Upon graduation Kevin headed off to Columbia for his Master's in Mech Eng followed by UPT, RF-4 flying in Kadena which evolved to F-15's which led to Test Pilot school at Edwards, Eglin and eventually Houston and the NASA astronaut program. Three Shuttle rides in the 90's were followed by a return to the USAF where he had numerous interesting assignments including Commander of the Space Command at Offut. Kevin has some great stories and wisdom to share. You will enjoy this one. Oh, and he never accomplished his original goal of becoming an airline pilot but it appears things worked out anyway.

Rich Luhrs - Spirit of 76 - EE/Math Double Major, Guggenheim Scholar

Rich Luhrs grew up in Kinderhook, NY and was told from day one he would not be flight rated upon graduation so he focused on academics and double majored in EE and Math. After AFA he attended Princeton on a Guggenheim Scholarship followed by engineering roles at Wright Pat and Edwards. Oh, and a very short time as a EE instructor at AFA from where he entered civilian life as a SR EE for several companies and agencies till his retirement. As a cadet Rich pulled off many spirit stunts and recalls them here. Enjoy!