Next Round of Guardians of the Galaxy

Space was the main topic of discussion across the United States Air Force Academy this past Friday (1/21/2022).

Members of the Class of '22 who are going to commission into the United States Space Force received what U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt Gen Richard Clark called a down payment on their upcoming graduation on May 25. The ceremony was broadcast via Zoom, so that parents would be able to watch.

Jared Issacman, who was among the first private citizens to orbit the earth last fall, presented each soon-to-be guardian with a set of 2nd Lieutenant bars that traveled to space with him and his crew aboard Inspiration4. Cadets also received a copy of the Space Force Doctrine from Brig Gen Shawn Bratton, of Space Training and Readiness Command.

Cadet Maas was in attendance as he will commission into the Space Force as an Acquisitions Officer. He will take up those duties after he completes a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from a yet-to-be determined graduate school program. 

YouTube clip shows Cadet Maas entering the stage.

The full presentation (32 mins 47 secs) can be seen on YouTube as well. Cadet Maas enters the stage at the 26:05 mark.

Here are some photos captured from the Zoom call, as Cadet Maas received his bars and doctrine.

Cadet Maas receives his space-traveled 2nd Lt. bars

Cadet Maas & Jared Issacman

Gotta fist bump the general, of course