Arnold Air Society


The Arnold Air Society is a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. AAS is open to officer candidates in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and at the United States Air Force Academy, and is formally affiliated with the Air Force Association. 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.
Since its inception, Arnold Air Society grew quickly. It focused on high morals, physical fitness, and a positive attitude toward the Society and its goals. Since it is the mission of ROTC and the Air Force Academy to produce leaders, AAS enhances that mission by building these values into cadets early on, and ensuring that they maintain these standards.
Arnold Air 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.
Another important concept of Arnold Air Society was the National Conclave. The National Conclave is held annually to review the policies and procedures of the Society. The first NATCON was held at the University of Cincinnati in 1950. At this time, all Squadrons from around the nation can gather to vote on new leadership for the upcoming year as well.
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. Following the second National Conclave, AAS became officially affiliated with the Air Force Association, and at the fourth and fifth NATCONs, it was proposed that the organizational structure of the Society be changed.
After the first few years of existence, the Executive Board was formed, which would be responsible for national leadership and organization. The Executive Board consisted of the AAS National Commander and the several AAS Area Commanders and normally met twice a year, once at the AAS NATCON and once at the Air Force Association National Convention. The Executive Board makes decisions that are vital to the structure and success of Arnold Air Society as a whole. In its early stages, many of the primary awards and policies were founded which are still in practice today.

Membership

Entry Requirements

Each prospective member for Arnold Air Society must be a member of 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.
During the six to eleven-week training program, the candidate must attend at least 90% of all candidate activities. Also, the candidate class must complete at least one service project that benefits their detachment, university campus, or their community. In addition, candidates must gain the signatures of all of the active members of their squadron, unless otherwise stated by the squadron commander. The candidate class is highly encouraged to attend at least one of the squadron’s active members' meeting.
In addition to the physical and military standards that all candidates are expected to reach, there are also academic standards. The candidate must take a National Test at the conclusion of their candidate training program. The candidate must pass the test with a score of at least 80%.

Classes of Membership

Arnold Air Society has interrelated objectives which serve to enhance the AFROTC and USAFA commissioning programs and project the USAF image on campus and in the community:
  1. To create a more efficient relationship among Air Force officer candidates, in particular within the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
  2. To aid in the development of effective Air Force officers.
  3. To further the purpose, traditions, and concepts of the United States Air Force.
  4. To support aerospace power and its role in national security
  5. To Advance air and space-age citizenship
  6. To accomplish these through serving the community
Likewise, AAS has three goals:
  1. To provide additional leadership opportunities to cadets in order to prepare them for corps leadership positions or to supplement corps positions held.
  2. To recruit for the USAF.
  3. To represent the corps and the USAF to the campus and the community through service.

    Organization Structure

The nation has been broken into eleven numbered regions, which in turn are composed of squadrons.
National Headquarters is chosen yearly by the National Conclave, and may not be hosted by the squadron for more than two consecutive years. National HQ is led by the AAS National Commander, an AAS C/Brig-Gen. The recommended national staff is as follows, with the Vice Commander holding the position of AAS C/Col and all other staff AAS C/Lt Col.
The region staff typically consists of the same positions as national staff. The commander is an AAS C/Col, vice commander an AAS C/Lt Col, and other staff members are AAS C/Maj's. Region HQ is chosen annually at the Region Conclave and changes at NATCON.
Squadron positions are similar to their region counterparts and are elected by squadron members IAW squadron by-laws. The commander is an AAS C/Maj, Deputy Commander an AAS C/Capt, and other staff members AAS C/1st Lt's.
Note: Individual squadrons have different combinations of CTOs and DTs for their training program.

Note: A squadron should also have a CSCOP - Chapter/Squadron Chief of Protocol that monitors and enforces the rules and regulations within Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings. The CSCOP is a Joint Position and may be held by either an AAS Member or an SW Member. This position is outside of the normal Squadron Chain of Command. According to Joint Protocol Manual 1 -2009 the Chapter Squadron Chief of Protocol, if in AAS, holds the rank of AAS C/Capt.

General AAS Knowledge