Vice President JD Vance recently addressed the graduating class of the U.S. Air Force Academy, emphasizing the critical need for adaptability in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Speaking to more than 900 new officers commissioned into the Air Force and Space Force during the May 28 Commencement ceremony, Vance highlighted the profound impact of artificial intelligence on future warfare while asserting the enduring necessity of human leadership for making crucial decisions.
Drawing on a long-standing military maxim, Vance reminded the graduates that “No plan survives first contact with the enemy.” He elaborated that while meticulous planning remains indispensable, flexibility has consistently been a defining characteristic of effective airpower and spacepower. Vance stressed that the “unpredictability of warfare is becoming impossible to ignore,” urging the new officers to apply the same adaptability and innovation honed at the academy to an “entirely new era of warfare.” This new era, he explained, is characterized by autonomous systems, advanced artificial intelligence, and sophisticated cyber operations—technologies, he noted, that are evolving at a pace far exceeding the historical adaptation rates of military institutions.
The rapid maturation of AI has made it a prevalent topic for commencement speakers nationwide this spring. While some civilian graduates have reportedly expressed unease or even generated negative reactions regarding technology’s impact on their futures, the challenges posed by AI hold particular relevance for emerging military leaders. Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauerfeind, the academy’s superintendent, acknowledged the institution’s swift adoption of AI technologies. Vance encouraged the graduates to “use technology to make you better,” humorously noting his expectation of a more positive reception from the uniformed cadets regarding the topic compared to some civilian audiences.
“The thing I worry about most with AI is how it will change warfare,” Vance stated. Referencing a recent encyclical on artificial intelligence by Pope Francis, Vance articulated his belief that while AI will “inevitably” transform warfare, human beings must retain ultimate control. “If the warfare of the future is to live up to the moral values of our ancestors, decisions over life and death must be made by humans and not machines,” Vance declared, a statement that garnered significant applause from the assembled cadets.
He continued, “So as AI transforms the battlefield—in some ways positively, in some ways not—I ask that you be jealous and selfish about your role as the decision-maker in warfare. Use technology to make you better, but never submit to it. You are the masters of warfare, and both your minds—but also your hearts—are the opposite of artificial.”
Vance underscored the critical role of the Air Force and Space Force in national security, telling graduates they must be prepared for future challenges. He stated, “When the President needs options, it’s our Air Force and our Space Force who provide them, redefining what is possible, mission after mission, through sheer human daring.” He added that “It is American airpower that allows us to penetrate denied airspace and strike critical targets across enormous distances with speed, efficiency, and precision. And when the President says he will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon, it is the men and women you will join in just 60 days who give force to that promise and to that guarantee.”
In his address, Vance cited specific investments from the Trump administration’s projected $1.5 trillion defense budget request for 2027, which he said included funds for the F-47 fighter, the Golden Dome missile defense project, and barracks improvements. While these specific program names and budget figures are attributed to Vance’s remarks, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, also speaking at the ceremony, highlighted several concrete, ongoing modernization efforts. Meink specifically mentioned the B-21 Raider bomber, the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), the T-7A Red Hawk jet trainer, and proliferated satellite constellations.
“Your career will be marked by rapid change,” Secretary Meink informed the graduates. “We are modernizing nearly every mission area in our department. … It will be up to you, young men and women with fresh ideas and unmatched technical education, you will be expected to navigate through this changing world.”
Superintendent Bauerfeind lauded the Class of 2026 for its capacity to adapt through significant changes at the academy, both before and during his tenure. “You are leaving the academy in a better place than when you entered it, as you will do with every assignment you take in your future,” Bauerfeind asserted. He characterized the graduates as “warrior-scholars” who “integrated rigorous academics, immersive training, and cutting-edge research to prepare you for combat leadership.” He emphasized that their education was “deliberately designed to ensure you are the warfighters who can outthink, outmaneuver, and outfight our adversaries.”
Bauerfeind shared impressive statistics about the graduating class, noting that the Class of 2026 secured 35 percent more pilot training slots than the previous year. They also led the Cadet Wing to its highest cumulative GPA in 20 years and achieved the best physical training (PT) test scores in a decade. The academy’s appeal continues to grow, with applications for the incoming Class of 2030 showing an 11 percent increase over the prior year, allowing for heightened selectivity and even more intense competition for admission.
Class of 2026 Stats
The U.S. Air Force Academy class of 2026, which graduated on May 28, comprised 931 cadets, including 13 international cadets. Their cumulative GPA was 3.21, and 42 of them had prior enlisted service.
The 918 American cadets commissioned into various military services, excluding the Coast Guard:
- 805 into the Air Force
- 94 into the Space Force
- 4 into the Army
- 4 into the Navy
- 2 into the Marine Corps
Among those entering the Air Force, career paths included:
- 455 designated as manned pilots
- 13 designated as drone pilots
- 9 designated as combat systems officers
- 4 designated as air battle managers
Why This Matters
The graduation of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 2026 and the speeches delivered by Vice President Vance, Secretary Meink, and Superintendent Bauerfeind carry significant implications for national security, military strategy, and the future of warfare. This event serves as a bellwether for the strategic thinking at the highest levels of U.S. defense and offers insights into the challenges and priorities facing the nation’s air and space forces.
Firstly, **Geopolitical Readiness and Deterrence:** Vice President Vance’s remarks directly link the capabilities of the Air Force and Space Force to specific geopolitical challenges and U.S. foreign policy objectives. His emphasis on projecting force and providing options to the President underscores the military’s role in maintaining global stability and deterring adversaries. The mention of regions like Iran highlights ongoing security concerns and the expectation that these new officers will be at the forefront of responding to such threats, ensuring the U.S. can uphold its commitments and protect its interests globally.
Secondly, **The AI Revolution in Warfare:** The prominent discussion of artificial intelligence reflects a profound shift in military doctrine and technological investment. Vance’s nuanced stance—embracing AI’s utility while stressing human oversight—is a critical ethical and operational challenge for militaries worldwide. The call for human decision-makers in “life and death” scenarios amidst the rise of autonomous systems will shape future debates on the ethics of war, international law, and the very nature of combat. This signals that the U.S. military is grappling with how to integrate advanced technologies without compromising core values or ceding control to machines.
Thirdly, **Modernization and Future Capabilities:** Secretary Meink’s enumeration of specific modernization programs (B-21 Raider, Sentinel ICBM, CCA, etc.) indicates a robust commitment to upgrading the U.S.’s military technological edge. These investments are crucial for maintaining superiority in air and space domains, especially as peer competitors like China and Russia rapidly advance their own capabilities. The new officers will be directly responsible for operating, innovating, and adapting these cutting-edge systems, meaning their education and adaptability are paramount to the success of these multi-billion dollar initiatives.
Fourthly, **Leadership in an Era of Rapid Change:** All speakers consistently highlighted adaptability and innovation as essential qualities for the graduating class. This reflects a recognition that traditional military structures must evolve to keep pace with technological advancements and dynamic global threats. The academy’s focus on developing “warrior-scholars” who can “outthink, outmaneuver, and outfight” adversaries underscores the need for intellectually agile leaders who can navigate complex challenges that may not yet exist. The success metrics of the Class of 2026—higher GPAs, better PT scores, increased pilot slots—suggest the academy is successfully cultivating these traits, which are vital for the overall effectiveness and resilience of the U.S. armed forces.
In essence, this graduation ceremony was not merely a formal commissioning but a significant policy statement about the future direction of U.S. defense. It underscores the nation’s strategy to combine human ingenuity and ethical leadership with advanced technological capabilities to meet the complex security demands of the 21st century.