{"id":39068,"date":"2023-06-01T18:56:12","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T18:56:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/06\/01\/biden-tells-air-force-academy-grads-their-leadership-is-needed\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:18:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:18:32","slug":"biden-tells-air-force-academy-grads-their-leadership-is-needed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2023\/06\/01\/biden-tells-air-force-academy-grads-their-leadership-is-needed\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden thanks Air Force Academy grads for choosing \u2018service over self\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s note: This story has been updated with additional information and photos from the ceremony.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. \u2014 President Joe Biden<\/a> on Thursday thanked Air Force Academy graduates<\/a> for choosing \u201cservice over self\u201d but said they now have the \u201cgreat privilege\u201d of leading in a world that will only get more confusing in the years to come. His appearance was punctuated by a stumble onstage<\/a> after handing out diplomas to graduates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGraduates, you made a noble choice to lead a life of service,\u201d Biden told more than 900 cadets in remarks on the sun-splashed field at Falcon Stadium in Colorado. \u201cNow you also shoulder a great privilege and a mighty responsibility. Leadership, yeah leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"President
President Joe Biden arrives to the 2023 Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony at Falcon Stadium, Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Andrew Harnik\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the years ahead, your airmen and guardians are going to look to you for guidance and inspiration because the world is going to get more confusing,\u201d he added. \u201cThey\u2019ll put their trust in you. You, in turn, must strive to always be worthy of their confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Near the end of the ceremony, the 80-year-old president turned to walk across the stage and tripped. He was helped up by an Air Force officer as well as two members of his U.S. Secret Service detail. Onlookers, including some members of the official delegation on stage, looked over in concern before Biden returned to his seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he got back on his feet, Biden pointed to the place on stage where he lost his balance. \u201cHe\u2019s fine,\u201d tweeted Ben LaBolt, the White House communications director. \u201cThere was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cadets
Cadets walk into position during the 2023 U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium June 1. (Andrew Harnik\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During his speech, the president talked about how the U.S. had rallied Western nations to stand behind Ukraine against Russia and efforts to enhance deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also expressed confidence that Sweden will become a NATO member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweden and Finland, both historically unaligned militarily, sought NATO membership after being rattled by Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine. But Turkey, a NATO member, blocked both countries from joining the military alliance before agreeing to membership for Finland while continuing to object to Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Biden said Sweden\u2019s NATO membership \u201cwill happen. I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The academy graduates will become second lieutenants in either the Air Force or Space Force. Biden said they made up the most diverse graduating class in the academy\u2019s history and he called on them to \u201croot out the scourge of sexual assault and harassment in the military.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Air Force Academy cadets celebrate after receiving their diploma from President Joe BidenJune 1. (Andrew Harnik\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Biden also said they will need the qualities of resilience, creativity, endurance and commitment that they learned during four years of training at the academy \u2014 learning that was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic \u2014 to deal with a range of global challenges. He said the challenges ranged from Russia\u2019s aggression in Ukraine and America\u2019s rivalry with China \u201cto a whole hell of a lot in between.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also cited the threat of climate change and the growing use of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNever forget the sacred oath you swear, and the mission you serve is something far, far greater than any person or president,\u201d Biden said. \u201cIt\u2019s our Constitution, it\u2019s our country and it\u2019s our enduring American values.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After speaking, Biden participated in the presentation of diplomas, exchanging salutes and handshakes with each graduate as they were called to the stage and their loved ones cheered from the stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ceremony was capped by an aerial salute to the graduates by the world-renowned U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, flying over Falcon Stadium. Biden met with some of the pilots Wednesday after he arrived at Peterson Space Force Base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
President Joe Biden speaks with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown Jr. during the graduation ceremony. Biden has nominated Brown to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (Andrew Harnik\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

More than 900 academy graduates are becoming second lieutenants in either the Air Force or Space 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