Commissioning and the Parade of Lasts

My social media feeds have been flooded this past week or so with posts from two USAFA classes – the graduating Class of 2024 and the soon-to-be Firstie Class of 2025. Rightly so, for as the Class of ’24 prepared for the culmination of their years in the Springs, it also represents a key transitional moment for the Class of ’25.

And it’s something families should be sure to mark.

It took until a month or so into my son’s final year at the United States Naval Academy to recognize the Parade of Lasts, the imaginary list of things he would do for the last time, and things as a parent, I would experience for the final time as well.

So as I watched the Class of ’24 “take the Hill” after the final noon meal formation and handfuls of Firsties celebrate their final class by jumping into the fountain, I was keenly aware the Parade of Lasts had begun for my daughter and her class. This would be the last time she would watch another class take the Hill. This would be the last time she would watch members of another class take the plunge into the fountain.

After classes ended, I knew this would be the last time she would have the leisurely lull between finals and commissioning. More recently, I received a picture of her with her class ring. There was no denying the Parade had begun.

She is also heading into her final summer of training as a cadet. And as I made plans for our summer adventure, I knew all too well this would quite likely be the last time I would be blessed with that kind of time with her. As I tried to work my magic with Google Flights and scoured AirBnB, I fondly recalled last year’s adventure in the desert Southwest and the 36-hour pass she used to spend time with me and her brother the previous year. This would be part of the Parade of Lasts.

Every parent’s Academy experience is different – some visit often, some not at all, some love the formal parades, some the athletic events. But for the parents of the Class of ’25, whatever their preference, it’s all coming to an end. This is exciting, of course. This is what these young men and women have been working for over the past few years.

As a parent, though, it’s easy to lose sight of the end game. For many, the first year or so are spent just trying to understand the pace and the rhythm. It’s only now, at the end of the third year that many parents find their groove. Though unexpected curveballs can happen, by and large parents go into Firstie year in the zone. It is easy to forget that how things are does not represent how they will be.

So as members of the Class of ’24 begin their journey as officers in the United States Air Force, it’s a good time to remind the parents of the Class of ’25 to focus. If there things you said you were going to do while your son or daughter were at the Academy (“I always wanted to see a formal parade,” “wouldn’t it be fun to take a Spring Break trip together?” etc.), the clock is running. There will be no do-overs.

It is often said time at a military academy is broken into thirds – the first summer, the first academic year, and the other three years. I can confirm that as 100% accurate. I learned early in my son’s Firstie year to be more aware and as present as I could be to take it all in. I intend to do the same with Cate’s final year.

It’s an exciting time. It’s also a little scary. During the Herndon Climb (the final event for first-year Midshipmen, think Recognition but a lot more public) for my son’s class, an alum and former officer said to me, “these kids are going to realize that while the Academy seems difficult, it’s actually Disneyland. It gets very real once they commission.” And so it will go for the USAFA Class of 2025. So, ’25 parents, soak it all in. Your Parade of Lasts is well underway.