COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Brig. Gen. Andrew Croft, Director of Plans, Programs, Requirements and Assessments, Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas visited Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, to speak at Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 16-12’s graduation July 29.
Croft began by thanking the class for the invitation to speak at graduation and stating how special the opportunity was.
“It’s a great day to be back here, 26 years and two months later, where I walked across this same stage,” Croft said. “I just want to say thank you to the folks who got me here and invited me. It’s an absolute honor to be with our graduates and families today.”
He spoke about how important pilots are to our Air Force and how they are in a very high demand career field.
“Today is a significant milestone in the life of the pilots of class 16-12,” Croft said. “The Air Force has just invested a significant number of resources in the last few years to teach you a skillset that will benefit you, this country and our global partners.”
Croft spoke of the high expectations set for the young graduating pilots.
“Some of you will be in combat operations in less than a year,” Croft said. “What is expected of you is that you become our frontline warfighters in aircraft such as the C-17, CV-22 and F-16 both here and for our partner nations. Some of you will be training the next generation of pilots. We expect you to become experts in your weapon system and develop the skills and professionalism as company grade officers.”
He charged them with leadership and detailed how they would be expected to do just that sooner than they may think.
“We need you to lead our Airmen, serve when and where you are needed and continue to improve and uphold our standards,” Croft said.
Croft offered his advice on how to progress through their careers and to put emphasis on the important things in their lives.
“Your family is important; take care of them,” Croft said. “Your closest friends will come from the time you are lieutenants and captains. Build those relationships. We fight as a team. Pay for experiences and not things. At the end of the day, memories matter more than material objects.”
He then spoke about his own career and experiences, noting the graduates should make sure they have something to look back on and be proud of.
“As you come to the end of your career, you’ll be proudest of the hardest things you’ve ever done, not the easiest things,” Croft said. “I can remember the hardest things I have ever done in training and in combat and only the skill and discipline I have developed over time have not only allowed [me] to survive, but to succeed.”
Croft ended with one final congratulations and a last bit of advice.
“Enjoy this day with your classmates and family,” Croft said. “Stay in touch with your classmates and instructors. Your paths will cross again, I guarantee it.”