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. 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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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

See also

  • Silver Wings, Arnold Air Society's sister organization

References

Further reading

  • Official site