Thirty-one cadets of Det 075 crossed the threshold from student to officer aboard the USS Midway’s flight deck on 19 May 2025. The ceremony opened with the entrance of the official party, the National Anthem, and an invocation by commissioning candidate 2d Lt Marion Chinchen.
Col Alexander Heyman, detachment commander, welcomed guests and introduced keynote speaker Barbara Barrett, the 25th Secretary of the Air Force the first SEC AF to stand up the U.S. Space Force. Barrett urged the new lieutenants to “lead in two domains at once-air and space, while never forgetting the people under your command.”
After the oath of office each graduate received gold bars from family members, exchanged their first salute -with the traditional silver-dollar handshake, and sang the Air Force and Space Force songs in unison to close the formalities. One cadet is going off into space to protect those domains. And at the end of it all we could see leaders, Developed for Air and Space Dominance.
Developing Leaders for Air and Space Dominance
“USS Midway’s island ‘41’ gleaming in the sun, sets a historic backdrop for Det 075’s commissioning day.” 
Color guard steps smartly onto the flight deck, service flags snapping 
Cadets march in perfect columns toward their seats, last time wearing cadet rank before gold bars 
Distinguished dais: Col Heyman, Chaplain Chinchen, and former SecAF Barbara Barrett await the oath 
Cadets stand awaiting their families to take their oath with them 
“Families and friends pack the Midway’s stern 
Wide-angle: rows of guests face the Pacific while cadets stand poised, in service dress. 
“Barbara Barrett presents the commissioning certificate 
Special guest and 2nd Lieutenant shake hands 
A cadet walks toward his future. 
2nd Lieutenant hugs his veteran family member, two generations of service meet in one proud moment. 
Guest of honor and detachment commander share a light aside while listening to the ceremony opening 
Cadets bow heads for the invocation. 
Fresh officers pack tight for a celebratory selfie, joy louder than any jet on the carrier deck 
Cadets stand together after presenting their cadre with a parting gift. 
Class of 2025 stands shoulder-to-shoulder for a final formation photo 
Blue, green, and gold banners whip in midday wind, mirroring the energy of a brand-new officer corps leaving the Midway.
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