Arnold Air Society

Arnold Air Society
Arnold Air Society
Founded	May 1947;77 years ago; University of Cincinnati
Type	Recognition (honor)
Affiliation	Independent
Status	Active
Emphasis	AFROTC, USAFA
Scope	National
Motto	The warrior who cultivates his mind polishes his arms
Colors	Red, White, Blue, and Gold
Symbol	White Star and Cardinal Ball
Flower	"Crimson Glory" Rose
Chapters	168
Headquarters	Rotates by region; ; United States
Website	Arnold Air Society homepage

Last updated October 29, 2024

The Arnold Air Society (AAS) is a professional, honorary, service organization. AAS is open to officer candidates in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) and at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), and is formally affiliated with the Air Force Association (AFA). In addition to AFROTC or Academy commitments, AAS members must complete candidate training, attend meetings, and contribute to their respective Squadrons and ROTC detachments. Doing so enhances the officer candidate experience of cadets as well as builds stronger leadership, organizational, and professional skills.

History

Arnold Air Society was first proposed as an idea for an extracurricular organization by ROTC cadets at the University of Cincinnati in the summer of 1947.^[1]^[2] After having their idea approved by active members of the Air Force, the cadets wrote a constitution for their new, honorary society. They called it the “Arnold Society of Air Cadets” in honor of General Henry “Hap” Arnold, the only 5-Star General of the Air Force.^[3]^[4]^[5]

The first Honorary Sponsor of Arnold Air Society was Mrs. Eleanor Arnold. General James Doolittle was chosen to be the Honorary Commander following General Henry Arnold’s death in 1950. Following the first National Conclave, the society's official name became Arnold Air Society, a deviation from the original title.^[5]

Since its inception, Arnold Air Society grew quickly; by 1955 it had 185 squadrons across the United States.^[6]

The society was officially recognized by the Air Force in April 1948. It was then the goal of the society to recruit and build more Squadrons to make the society bigger. Within the next year, an additional twenty squadrons were formed across the country.^[5]

Symbols

The badge of the society is an Air Force star, white, with a cardinal red ball resting on opposed wings of the Air Force, set in gold. Under this are two gold bars with the inscription of the name of the society, the Arnold Air Society, superimposed. Active members wear an insignia on their uniforms consisting of a blue and gold fourragère . The ribbon is regulation size utilizing four colors. In the center are alternating stripes of red and blue" two active blue, one red bounded by white, with yellow-orange border stripes.^[5]

The AAS Flower is the "Crimson Glory" Rose. This flower was adopted in 1956 because Mrs. Arnold, having been presented with a silver bud vase by the Air Force Association at their 1955 National Convention, said she knew what she would put in it: the "Crimson Glory" rose because it always reminded her of the Air Force since it had Japanese Beetles during World War II.^[3]

The AAS motto is "The warrior who cultivates his mind polishes his arms" (Duc de Boufflers).

The AAS colors are red, white, blue, and gold. White represents the purity of our intent, red symbolizes the bloodshed by Americans fighting for freedom, blue is the color of the sky in which we fly, and gold represents the wings with which we fly and warrior courage.^[7]

Activities

The Arnold Memorial Scholarship is a cash award that is given annually, rotating between areas of the country, to the outstanding first-year member of eligible squadrons.^[5]

Governance

The first national officers, as well as their successors, were chosen from the University of Cincinnati Squadron until 1954.^[5] Within five years this system gave way to an elected national structure. A National Conclave (NATCON) is held annually to review the policies and procedures of the society. The first NATCON was held at the University of Cincinnati in 1950. Since that time, all Squadrons from around the nation are invited to the gathering where they vote on new leadership for the upcoming year.^[5]^[8] The 75th NATCON was celebrated April 15-19th, 2022 in Washington, D.C.

In 1956 AAS earned affiliation with the Air Force Association. At the fourth and fifth NATCONs, it was proposed that the organizational structure of the society be changed, a structure that includes an executive board, responsible for national leadership and organization between NATCON events. This remains the governance structure to the present day. The executive board consists of the AAS National Commander and the several AAS Area Commanders, meeting twice annually, once at the AAS NATCON and once at the Air Force Association National Convention. At these early meetings the primary awards and policies were established which are still in practice today.^[3]^[5]

Membership

Each prospective member must belong to a local AFROTC detachment and at least meet those academic and physical standards. If these criteria are met, then the individual can enter the Candidate Training Program.^[7] During the six to eleven-week AAS training program (at individual squadrons' discretion), the candidate must attend at least 90% of all candidate activities and complete at least one service project that benefits their detachment, university campus, or their community. ^[7] The candidate must take a National Test at the conclusion of their candidate training program and pass the test with a score of at least 80%.^[7]

The society maintains four classes of membership:^[7]

Active – A cadet member who has paid national dues and is in good standing with the squadron (including GPA and other requirements per AASMAN-1 para 2.2.4).
Inactive – A cadet who is inactive per squadron by-laws (probation, etc.) but continues to pay national dues and thus retains the right to regain active membership. Inactive cadets may not wear the AAS cord or device but may wear the AAS membership ribbon.
Associate – Members of a group that provide support to AAS in the accomplishment of its objectives, as designated by the squadron and approved by the executive board of directors. Members of Silver Wings gain associate membership into AAS upon payment of SW dues.
Honorary – This level of membership is awarded to an individual who is not eligible for active membership but has contributed greatly to the organization. Honorary membership is a lifetime award.

Chapters

The society has chartered 168 chapters or squadrons.^[9]^[10]

Notable members

Jeran Akers, Mayor of Plano, Texas
John M. Fabian, astronaut
M. J. Hegar, politician and author
Abraham Lavender, sociologist
Ellison Onizuka, astronaut and engineer

Related Research Articles

The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a British volunteer youth organisation; aligned to, and fostering the knowledge and learning of military values, primarily focusing on military aviation. Part of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), the ATC is sponsored by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the wider Ministry of Defence (MoD). The majority of Air Training Corps staff are volunteers, though some staff are paid for full-time work; including Commandant Air Cadets, who is a Royal Air Force officer as part of a Full Term Reserve Service commitment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Canadian Air Cadets</span> Canadian national youth program

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a Canadian national youth program for young individuals aged 12 to 18. Under the authority of the National Defence Act, the program is administered by the Canadian Forces (CF) and funded through the Department of National Defence (DND). Additional support is provided by the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada (ACLC). Together with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Army Cadets, it forms the "largest federally funded youth program in the country". Cadets are not members of the military and are not obliged to join the Canadian Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets</span> Military unit

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC) is the military component of the student body at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Cadets live together in residence halls, attend morning formation, wear a distinctive uniform, and receive an intensive military and leadership educational experience similar to those at the United States service academies. The Corps of Cadets has existed from the founding of the university as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1872 to the present-day institution of Virginia Tech, which is designated a senior military college by federal law. As of August 2024, about 1,300 cadets are currently enrolled in the program.

The Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFROTC) is one of the three primary commissioning sources for officers in the United States Air Force and United States Space Force, the other two being the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and Air Force Officer Training School (OTS). A subordinate command of the Air University within the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), AFROTC is aligned under the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. The Holm Center, formerly known as the Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools (AFOATS), retains direct responsibility for both AFROTC and OTS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pershing Rifles</span> Military-oriented honor society for college-level students

The National Society of Pershing Rifles is a US military-oriented honor society for college-level students founded in 1894 as a drill unit at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. It is the oldest continuously operating US college organization dedicated to military drill. Originally named Varsity Rifles, members renamed the organization in honor of their mentor and patron, Lieutenant John J. Pershing, upon his departure from the university in 1895.

Officer Training School (OTS) is a United States Air Force and United States Space Force commissioning program located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

The awards and decorations of Civil Air Patrol are "designed to recognize heroism, service, and program achievements" of members of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) of the United States of America. The CAP is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force. These awards are made to improve the esprit de corps of members. These awards are all worn in the form of medals or ribbons and all are considered civilian decorations. Civil Air Patrol regulations allow them to only be worn and displayed on appropriate CAP uniforms.

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), known as the Air Training Corps (AIRTC) until 2001, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Along with the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) and the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC), it is part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets.

Silver Wings is an American service organization self-governed by college students. With minor supervision, Silver Wings works jointly with the Arnold Air Society (AAS) nationwide to promote leadership skills, military awareness, and professional development.

The Primary Reserve of the Canadian Armed Forces is the first and largest of the four sub-components of the Canadian Armed Forces reserves, followed by the Supplementary Reserve, the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service and the Canadian Rangers.

The uniforms of the United States Air Force are the standardized military uniforms worn by members of the United States Air Force to distinguish themselves from the other services.

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes members from all backgrounds. The program is established as an organization by Title 10 of the United States Code and its purposes defined by Title 36.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scabbard and Blade</span> U.S. college military honor society

Scabbard and Blade (S&B) was a college military honor society founded at the University of Wisconsin in 1904. Although membership was open to Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and midshipmen of all military services, the society was modeled after the U.S. Army, calling its chapters companies

Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station is a United States Air Force base, located at Pittsburgh International Airport, Pennsylvania. It is located 12.1 miles (19.5 km) west-northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Within the framework of the training programme Air Training Corps cadets have the opportunity of taking part in many activities. On most Squadrons the only compulsory activities in the ATC year are attendance at various church parades, usually ATC Sunday and Remembrance Sunday. Many wings also insist that attending Wing Parade is compulsory.

Phi Zeta (ΦΖ) is the only honor society of veterinary medicine in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kappa Phi Kappa</span> American professional fraternity for education

Kappa Phi Kappa (ΚΦΚ) is an American professional fraternity for students in education. It was organized in 1922 at Dartmouth College. It currently has one active chapter at Ohio State University.

The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Pennsylvania State University, known as Detachment 720, provides undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force immediately upon graduation from Penn State. The Air Force ROTC program takes 3 to 4 years to complete. Students do not incur an obligation to the Air Force unless they have accepted a scholarship or have entered the Professional Officer Course.

References

↑ Air Reserve Forces Review. Department of the Air Force. 1952.
↑ Air Force Magazine. 1954.
1 2 3 "Our History" (PDF). Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings.
↑ Division, United States Dept of the Air Force Internal Information (1962). U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VII-17–19. ISBN 978-0963715906.
↑ Michigan State College, 1855-1955. The College. 1955.
1 2 3 4 5 "Candidate Training Manual" (PDF). Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings.
↑ "AAS History". AAS Walter R. Waddy Young Squadron.
↑ "Arnold Air Society as a Nation". Google My Maps. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
↑ Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 648-650.

External links

Official site

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Air Reserve Forces Review. Department of the Air Force. 1952.

[2] Air Force Magazine. 1954.

[AAS_History-3] 1 2 3 "Our History" (PDF). Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings.

[4] Division, United States Dept of the Air Force Internal Information (1962). U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet.

[Baird's-5] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VII-17–19. ISBN 978-0963715906.

[6] Michigan State College, 1855-1955. The College. 1955.

[AAS_Candidate_Training_Manual-7] 1 2 3 4 5 "Candidate Training Manual" (PDF). Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings.

[8] "AAS History". AAS Walter R. Waddy Young Squadron.

[9] "Arnold Air Society as a Nation". Google My Maps. Retrieved 2024-06-18.

[10] Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 648-650.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]