Why Join UPALAC?

Why Join Your Local USAFA Parents Club?

Excerpt from our Past Co-Presidents' Letter:
Dan & Geri Novak, 2010 parents

Because this experience is like no other, you need a group of people who will reassure you that ... you and your cadet will be fine. We were ... invited to a club event ... (where) our questions were answered and our fears were eased by the parents who had "been there and done that!" To know that what you are feeling and experiencing is universal to cadet parents is reassuring. We were not alone. We were with families like ours.

The club is a warm and gracious group of people who share a common interest: a cadet at the Academy. We hope if you haven't done so already, that you will join the Parents' Club. You will be a part of a great group of people.

Read the complete letter

The Academy recognizes that the long-term success of a cadet is partly dependent on strong support from home. The education and training of a military officer is unlike any civilian university experience. With a USAFA Parents Club, parents learn what to expect, hear the various perspectives from other parents who have been there, done that, and they feel better prepared to understand and help their cadet with the unique challenges and struggles s/he endures.

We ... help with the sensitive concerns that most parents would not want to discuss online.

Besides, while we strive to inform you as much as possible, we don't (and can't) post everything on our website. We have a plethora of answers to your many questions, some that you don't know to ask yet, and some that it's not yet the time to discuss. When you join UPALAC, you'll be welcomed by your local Academy community, and not a faceless online group that throws out answers that may or may not work for your cadet in his/her particular squadron. We can also help with the sensitive concerns that most parents would not want to discuss online. We are local parents, caring members and your neighbors who want to see not only our own cadets succeed, but yours as well.

Class of 2012 on Acceptance Day.
photo courtesy of AOG WebGuy
(The upper on the right has shoulder boards, while the doolies have none yet.)

From fellow parents ...

It gave me an outlet and a job to do that allowed me to stay connected with my son and the Academy without having to intrude on his Cadet experience. It gave us something in common and also was a wonderful source of independent info. We met many nice people who were going through the same things we were. Being the club president led to my current position as an ALO and chance to continue to serve my country in a meaningful way.
Feb 2009, Bill Preston, ALO & 2008 dad

Hearing the stories of other parents & their cadets has given me more insight into my son's Academy experience. As a parent of a C4C, it heartens me to hear from the parents of uppers that the upperclassmen are very concerned about properly training & leading the doolies. The club's parents have helped to allay my concerns about the challenges my son faces.
Feb 2009, Sonia Ottusch, 2012 mom