Value of AOG For Families?

Newinwin

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Dec 1, 2018
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I get the value of an alumni group for cadets who, after graduation, will want to stay in touch with their alma mater and other grads. BUT, with a 2023 cadet preparing to start, we have been contacted repeatedly to attach ourselves as parents to the USAFA "Association of Graduates." With a cost of almost $1000 for the parents' portion, we are having a tough time justifying that expense. Just seeing a few videos of our cadet and saving $10 on a sweatshirt won't do it for me. Any pro or con coaching on the matter?
 
Frankly, the USAFA AOG does not seem to offer a good return for most people, including grads. I've never heard much positive about the networking side, didn't feel they did a great job at supporting the cadet wing, and was turned off by their mandatory to attend sales pitch (and when they deducted pay from some of my classmates for memberships they never signed up for, until my classmates threatened to sue).
 
One necessary correction: I said "seeing a few videos" when we all should be aware there are many thousands of images that get posted. The responses I'm getting from other parents of earlier class members are that it is surely worth the investment first year for parents and long-term for cadets. Years 2-4 for parents appear a toss-up. One person with knowledge about the program said that 80% of first year parents take advantage of AOG'S offerings.
 
Frankly, the USAFA AOG does not seem to offer a good return for most people, including grads. I've never heard much positive about the networking side, didn't feel they did a great job at supporting the cadet wing, and was turned off by their mandatory to attend sales pitch (and when they deducted pay from some of my classmates for memberships they never signed up for, until my classmates threatened to sue).

I'd be very interested to hear more from graduates that have used AOG services and their opinions of them. I can rationalize spending $1500+ if the post-service networking leads to a job opportunity for DS. That seems reasonable for a possible 6-figure salary. But that's a lot of money for a quarterly magazine that he'll never read. I'd say that I'm skeptical but would like to be convinced to spend my money for his lifetime AOG membership.
 
Frankly, the USAFA AOG does not seem to offer a good return for most people, including grads. I've never heard much positive about the networking side, didn't feel they did a great job at supporting the cadet wing, and was turned off by their mandatory to attend sales pitch (and when they deducted pay from some of my classmates for memberships they never signed up for, until my classmates threatened to sue).

I'd be very interested to hear more from graduates that have used AOG services and their opinions of them. I can rationalize spending $1500+ if the post-service networking leads to a job opportunity for DS. That seems reasonable for a possible 6-figure salary. But that's a lot of money for a quarterly magazine that he'll never read. I'd say that I'm skeptical but would like to be convinced to spend my money for his lifetime AOG membership.
I liked the one edition back in 2014 or 2015 or so that had the A-10 on it:)
 
Frankly, the USAFA AOG does not seem to offer a good return for most people, including grads. I've never heard much positive about the networking side, didn't feel they did a great job at supporting the cadet wing, and was turned off by their mandatory to attend sales pitch (and when they deducted pay from some of my classmates for memberships they never signed up for, until my classmates threatened to sue).

I'd be very interested to hear more from graduates that have used AOG services and their opinions of them. I can rationalize spending $1500+ if the post-service networking leads to a job opportunity for DS. That seems reasonable for a possible 6-figure salary. But that's a lot of money for a quarterly magazine that he'll never read. I'd say that I'm skeptical but would like to be convinced to spend my money for his lifetime AOG membership.
I don't know the details about USAFA's AOG and the specifics of what they do but at USNA, the Alumni Assoc puts a LOT of money into USNA that the Govenment does not provide. A perfect example is the new Cyber Engineering building Hopper Hall which is being built to house the Cyber major as well as provide a SCIF for other activities. While the government is funding the building itself, there was insufficient funding to actually furnish and outfit it. The Alumni Assoc stepped up and is paying that bill. My class is fortunate to have the Director of Admissions and head of the Ethics and Leadership Center so we have spearheaded fundraising to assist those areas. The government funds the Admissions Dept itself but for example, the Summer Seminar fees plus transportation can cost over a thousand dollars which puts it out of reach for some lower income folks but the Alumno Assoc helps pay for that. Ethics and Leadership brings in speakers which can cost money above what the budget pays for. There are many facilities such as the Brigade Athletic Center and Baseball facilities that the Alumni Assoc have supported/funded. I believe the the USAFA counterparts have done similar things.
 
The USAFA AOG provides a lot of support to the sports teams, including building a new gym for the football team. Good for them, but not really that beneficial to the majority of cadets.
 
The USAFA AOG provides a lot of support to the sports teams, including building a new gym for the football team. Good for them, but not really that beneficial to the majority of cadets.
Again, can't comment on how the USAFA AOG does things but it is pretty curious because both USNA and USMA have SEPARATE Athletic Associations from the Alumni Associations that do things like pay for gyms, etc. Actually, at USNA, the entire Division I sports program is funded by the Athletic Assoc, not the US Government and the Athletic Association gets most of its money from Football and Basketball.
 
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