Excels at U.S. Air Force Academy While Serving the Lord
Cadet First Class Jason Walker serves as the 2007
Cadet Vice Wing Commander, the second-highest-ranking
cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. "I am
honored and excited to hold this position in my final
semester at the academy. Beyond academics and
athletics, leadership is what sets the Air Force
Academy apart from other universities."Among a studentbody of nearly 4400 cadets, Latter-day Saints number just more than 100, but their representation and reputation at the US Air Force Academy far exceeds their proportion in the Cadet Wing. "In leadership positions LDS cadets embrace the opportunity to set an example through righteous living and allow others to come to know who we are as a people," Walker remarked.
Leadership opportunities at the Academy abound with more than 4400 full-time cadets who live, learn, and work at the school nestled in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies. Since the establishment of the Academy in 1954, Latter-day Saints have been a part of the Cadet Wing and gone on to great accomplishments in the Air Force and elsewhere. Elder Robert C. Oaks of the Presidency of the Seventy graduated with the first class in 1959 and went on to retire as a four-star general. In recent years LDS cadets have held a number of command positions, including two Wing Commanders in fall 2001 and spring 2006.
Walker entered in the academy in June of 2001 with the class of 2005. From the beginning he has served in leadership positions and achieved notable honors at USAFA. During his four-degree year (freshman) he was named Wing Doolie (top military cadet in the freshman class) and nominated for 4th Class Cadet of the Year (one of four cadets to be nominated).
In spring 2003, he participated as one of three Third Class Cadets (sophomores) who sat as delegates at the 45th Annual Academy Assembly with students from more than 100 schools and universities from around the world, along with US government officials and advisors. The Academy Assembly generates a policy paper widely distributed to members of the US Congress as well as the academic community.
During his third-class year he served as the chief clerk of his squadron, responsible for scheduling, maintaining and the squadron charge of quarters duties for himself and 30 classmates. During the spring of 2003 he worked as a training clerk involved with the training of the 30 new fourth-class cadets in his squadron. That same summer saw him working as a squadron superintendent, the highest-ranking second-class cadet in a squadron of nearly 200 basic cadets and upperclassmen, training the incoming Class of 2007, his future classmates.
"All of those leadership positions have prepared me for the job of Vice Wing Commander; however, above all, my mission has made the most difference on my leadership style and has blessed me more than any command position could ever provide," he says.
In the summer of 2003 Cadet Walker resigned from the school he had dreamed of attending since he was ten years old in order to serve a full-time mission. The Lord called him to labor in the Texas Houston South Mission, where he would come to love and serve the Spanish people.
"Serving a mission has been the defining factor in my performance here at the Academy these last four semesters. While on the Lord's errand I learned how to study with discipline and gained some maturity that has been crucial to my success here. My GPA went up almost a full point when I returned and I know that I would not have been ready to be the Vice Wing Commander had I not left for those two years and served."
Upon returning to the Air Force Academy as a second-class cadet (junior) Walker took the energy of his mission and directed into leadership by serving as Wing Training NCO, the second-class cadet responsible for training for the entire Academy. While serving, he helped write the new USAFA cadet training program implemented last spring.
During the summer of 2006 he was the cadet-in-charge of a group of 19 cadets who deployed to Kuwait and worked with active-duty units supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The fall 2006 semester saw Walker serve as the squadron training officer, responsible for organizing training for the 32 fourth-class cadets in his squadron. He maintains a regular presence on the Dean's and Commandant's Lists for academic, physical, and military excellence.
Accompanying these duties Jason attends the off-base singles ward each week and is president of his institute class at the academy. "I cannot begin to describe the additional energy, focus, and success I have when I am fulfilling my callings while seeking success in my academic and professional duties. An 18-hour day is standard here but the work seems to go a little better when I make time for scripture study and home teaching," Walker states.
One of the most significant aspects of his service is that he is one of only two LDS cadets of African-American descent. "I believe that my ethnicity is noteworthy since there are so few Black members of the Church. Once we were riding our bikes in Houston and a man from a slowing car shouted, 'Are you the only Black Mormon?' I shouted back, 'No, my dad's one too!' I don't doubt that there are cadets at the Air Force Academy with that same perception."
"Military service possesses inherent physical and spiritual challenges, but a knowledge and firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ has provided me with confidence since I knew my Heavenly Father would always look over me as I kept His commandments. During my time in the Air Force I have met many people with a variety of philosophies on life and religion. Having the scriptures, and especially the Book of Mormon, has helped me to better understand those new ideas while reinforcing my testimony of true principles. From my first day in basic training, to my service as a full-time missionary, and now in my current leadership roles the gospel of Jesus Christ has been a guiding light in my all of personal interactions, professional duties, and spiritual challenges."
Following graduation in May, Walker will report to pilot training.