Guide 9 - CAF Hall of Fame Guide

Category: Guides

Published date: Apr 12, 2024

Table of Contents A. Purpose 1 B. Selection 1 C. Selection Committee purpose 1 D. Nomination Process 1 E. Nominee Qualifications 2 F. Selection Process 2 G. Ceremony purpose 2

For over 60 years the CAF has grown through the efforts of tens of thousands of members. A few of those members have made monumental contributions towards the success and worldwide impact that the CAF enjoys to this day. The CAF Hall of Fame was established in 2010 to honor those members.

This guide should be used by all current CAF Members, Unit Staff Officers.

THE COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE HALL OF FAME

A. PURPOSE: For over 60 years the CAF has grown through the efforts of tens of thousands of members. A few of those members have made monumental contributions towards the success and worldwide impact that the CAF enjoys to this day. The CAF Hall of Fame was established in 2010 to honor those members.

B. SELECTION:

Each year living and posthumous members are inducted at the annual CAF Conference.

C. SELECTION COMMITTEE:

The nomination packets are evaluated by the CAF Hall of Fame Committee. This Committee is comprised of the sitting General Staff members. The President of the CAF administratively chairs the Committee, as a non-voting member.

D. NOMINATION PROCESS:

Nominations may be submitted by any active CAF Colonel in the form of a Nomination Packet. The nomination packet must include the following information: • The Nominee’s (or closest living relative) name, address and telephone number. • A confirmation that the Nominee meets the minimum qualifications for consideration. See E. Nominee Qualifications • Narrative evidence and testimony as to how this Nominee has impacted the CAF to the level worthy of inclusion in the CAF Hall of Fame. This should be an essay or list of the Nominee’s contributions and accomplishments which provide solid evidence that this Nominee is worthy of induction. • The packet must be submitted to the Vice President of Membership, for distribution to the CAF President and the Selection Committee. The deadline for each year is May 31st.

E. NOMINEE QUALIFICATIONS: (must meet all) -Active Colonel or Life Member, or Active at time of death. (Honorary Colonel Ineligible) -Continuous Colonel or Life Member for at least 15 years. -Must have dedicated themselves selflessly, resulting in significant contributions to the CAF's mission, growth and strength. -Must have served the CAF in a General Staff, unit officer, paid staff, unit member, or member-at-large capacity. -Must be sponsored by a member in good standing who presents a nomination packet with detailed justification of the nominee to the Committee no later than May 31st.

F. SELECTION PROCESS:

The Committee narrows the list to a group of no less than three and no more than five Nominees for each category. This list narrowing will occur through open discussion and straw polls. A Nominee must receive at least 2/3 of the votes cast and the highest vote receivers will be the Final Nominees. Voting continues until this level is reached. In the case of the living inductees, a first alternate will also be voted on, in case one of the two inductees cannot attend that year’s ceremony. In this case the alternate will be notified for their attendance. If the alternate cannot attend either, then the original inductee will be honored in absentia. If the alternate is inducted, the original inductee will be honored the following year.

The Committee makes the selection at the summer General Staff (GS) meeting. The results remain secret as the CAF President notifies the inductees. The results will be made public at the General Membership meeting at Wings Over Dallas, if not before. Announcement of the inductee selection is published in Dispatch, on the CAF Web site and in On The Fly.

G. CEREMONY:

Each year inductees are honored at a Saturday evening dinner ceremony during the CAF Conference. As this is the annual gathering of the CAF Units’ leadership, it entices attendance of the core of the CAF membership.

The dinner includes a three to five-minute film tribute to each inductee, followed by short remarks from the inductee, or their family member representative in the case of a deceased or incapacitated inductee. The entire ceremony will last approximately 45 minutes.

It is a strong desire that the living inductees be present, if possible. If ill health makes that impossible, a family representative may accept.

The dinner is a semi-formal occasion, with a fundraising component, i.e. silent auction or live auction, and entertainment; in addition to the centerpiece – The Induction Ceremony.

**END OF GUIDE**