About

Article I Mission

Persuaded that a broad and thorough study of history is vital to the education and development of U.S. Air Force Academy graduates and for the Profession of Arms,  the mission of The Department of History Alumni Association is to support and advance cadet history education in creative, varied, and multiple ways; to establish a fellowship of current and former Department of History faculty; to create a community of Academy graduates who share an interest in history, whether majors or not; to seek and promote faculty and cadet opportunites for excellence in professional academic practice, research, travel, and study; to advocate and support the study of history in the Academy’s curriculum; and, most importantly, to advance the overall mission and goals of the Department of History. 

Detailed Objectives

  1. To advocate, support, sustain, and contribute to the mission, initiatives, and goals of the Department of History at the United States Air Force Academy.
  2. To seek ways to increase Cadet history oriented educational travel opportunities.
  3. To ensure the continued viability of the Harmon Memorial Lecture.
  4. To advocate for an Endowed Chair in the Department of History.
  5. To advocate for a permanent Oral History Center with funding and staff commensurate with sustaining the overall mission and heritage of the United States Air Force Academy.
  6. To help identify funding in support of faculty and cadet research and writing opportunities. 
  7. To assist in organizing web events of interest to members. 
  8. To encourage a faculty organizational fellowship of current and former members of Air Force Academy’s Department of History featuring reunions, meetings, conferences, web events, and grants.
  9. To create a larger community of Air Force Academy graduates – History Majors or not – who share a common interest in history and its importance to citizenship, officership, and the Profession of Arms.
  10. To increase the understanding that history education is vital to future U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force officers…that it enhances critical thinking and judgment, undergirds officer development, informs superior leadership, and is essential to any thorough understanding of past or future conflict.
  11. To give additional visibility to the writings of current and former members of the Department of History, traditionally published or on the internet.
  12. To cooperate with the USAFA Association of Graduates, the Academy Foundation, the Academy Research and Development Institute, other U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force instituitions, or civilian organizations or museums engaged with the study of history.

Article II Sustainment

The Department of History Alumni Association relies on the volunteer work, contributions of its members, gifts and grants.  Funding opportunities beyond sustainment of operations will be referred to The Foundation and money placed in the Department of History Fund held by the Foundation and controlled by the Department Head.

Article III Membership

Eligible for membership in The Department of History Alumni Association are: 


a. Current and former faculty in the USAF Academy Department of History. This includes members from any of the U.S. armed forces assigned to the Department, the Royal Air Force, civilian faculty, and Distinguished Visiting Professors.

b. USAFA graduates who majored in history, regional studies, or qualified for the American Studies minor.

c. The President of The Department of History Alumni Association will approve all qualified applicants for membership.

d. The Officers of the Department of History Alumni Association, by majority vote and with the agreement of the Department Head, may accept members that do not meet the criteria described above.   

Article IV Officers

1. The officers of The Department of History Alumni Association shall be a President, a Vice President, a Resource Manager, a Communications Manager and a Membership Development Manager.  In accordance with these bylaws, these officers conduct the routine and day-to-day affairs of the association, and coordinate regularly with the Department Head.  The officers shall hold their positions for four years and be nominated and elected by the membership at large.

2. Temporary or unanticipated officer vacancies may be filled by the officers of the Department of History Alumni Association at any meeting.

3. The President shall be the chief executive officer of The Department of History Alumni Association, and shall have general supervision and management of the affairs of The Department of History Alumni Association, subject to review by the Officers of the Department of Alumni Association.   These duties include making committee chair nominations and appointments as established by the board and liaison with the AOG/Foundation and chairmen of working groups. The President also presides at all meetings and shall make reports to the Department Head, the Association Officers and members.  No current or former Permanent Professor can serve as President of the association 

6. The Vice-President shall perform all such duties as may be properly required by the President, and in the absence or inability of the President, shall exercise all the powers and responsibilities of the President.

7. The Communications Manager’s (Secretary) primary focus will be on developing and improving communications among Affinity Group members, potential members, the public, current department members and the Department Head.  This manager will fill the duties of secretary as required by keeping the minutes of the meetings of the Officers of the Department of History Alumni Association, any general meetings held to conduct association business, maintain any correspondence, records or reports as required and perform other such duties as are incident to the office, or are properly required by the President.

8. The Resource Manager (Treasurer) shall have custody of all resources required for the routine operation of The Department of History Alumni Association, and shall keep record of how those resources are used to support operations.  The Resource Manager will establish a bank account if needed and be responsible for disbursing funds, report status, coordinate audits, and present and an annual report prior to Affinity Group renewal each year.  The Resource Manager will coordinate the identification of funding sources for cadet and faculty support.  Any grants, donations, or other funds raised for the support of the Department will be referred to the Foundation’s account supporting the Department of History and be spent in accordance to Foundation rules and the Department Head’s discretion.  The Resource Manager shall perform all duties incident to the office or are properly required by the President.

9.  The Membership Development Manager (Networking Coordinator) will lead member development efforts such as reunions, regional meetings, on line presence, membership status, and requirements for maintaining the Affinity Group.  The Membership Development Manager will update our online presence monthly, maintain the membership directory, archive data on past and current department members and cadet majors and collect other information that is useful to the Affinity Group.  The Membership Development Manager shall perform all duties incident to the office or properly required by the President.

Article V Office

The Department of History Alumni Association will maintain a virtual presence.  Meetings will be held either virtually, in onetime fee, or fee free facilities. 

Article VI Amendments

These bylaws may be made, amended and repealed by an affirmative vote of the majority of the Members present at any regular or special meeting of The Department of History Alumni Association. Proposed bylaws changes must be circulated by the Board to all association members two weeks in advance of a vote.

Department of History Alumni Association