Shuffling squadrons
From USAFA Folklore
Cadets often are required to change squadrons at some point in their cadet careers, sometimes called "shuffling". The year cadets shuffle has changed throughout the history of the academy. Some shuffles are class-wide, and others have been limited, when used to populate new cadet squadrons, or when squadrons have been deactivated. Under certain circumstances, individuals may also be moved to new squadrons.
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[edit] Rationale
[edit] Class-wide shuffles
There are different rationales for shuffling at different times. Shuffling after the fourth class year moves cadets away from the upper class cadets who trained them, thereby alleviating some of the hard feelings that might have arisen during the fourth class year, but still allows good cohesion, since cadets will spend their three upperclass years with the same group. Shuffling after the third or second class year may make it less awkward for those who are put in leadership positions, since they are less likely to be in charge of a group of people who have become their friends over the last several years. Not shuffling at all may maximize cohesion, as cadets will stay with the same group of cadets through their entire time at the Academy.
[edit] Individual shuffles
Cadets may also be shuffled individually, for a number of reasons. One reason may be used to enforce a crude and extreme form of discipline. During the Class of 1979 hundreds night celebration a particularly effective spirit sheet was created to mock the Commandant of Cadets, Brig. Gen. Thomas C. Richards. Both the artist and the editorialist responsible for the creation of the "You can make it harder, but you can't make it longer" spirit sheet were shuffled as part of their punishment when they turned themselves into the PTB. Individual shuffling may also be used if a cadet goes on medical leave, Stopout or a religious mission and is forced to graduate with a subsequent class. In more recent years, if a cadet has a relative who was a grad, that cadet may be allowed to shuffle into that relative's former squadron.
[edit] CS-19's squadron shuffle
For the 1975-1976 year, CS-19 was broken up and shuffled across the wing as a disciplinary measure. (The offense remains obscure, but "bad attitude" seems to capture the essence.) At the same time, the squadron nickname was changed from Playboys to Starship 19, a name that had no actual meaning or association to prop itself on.
[edit] Class Shuffles
| Class | Shuffled | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After BCT | After 4th Class Yr | After 3rd Class Yr | After 2nd Class Yr | |
| 1959 | Shuffled | ? | ? | Shuffled (expanded 8 to 12 sqs) |
| 1960 | Shuffled | ? | Shuffled (expanded 8 to 12 sqs) | Shuffled (expanded 12 to 16 sqs) |
| 1961 | Shuffled | Shuffled (expanded 8 to 12 sqs) | Shuffled (expanded 12 to 16 sqs) | Shuffled (expanded 16 to 20 sqs) |
| 1962 | ||||
| 1963 | ||||
| 1964 | ||||
| 1965 | Did not shuffle | |||
| 1966 | ||||
| 1967 | ||||
| 1968 | ||||
| 1969 | Shuffled (expanded 24 to 32 sqs) | |||
| 1970 | Shuffled (expanded 24 to 32 sqs) | Shuffled (expanded 32 to 40 sqs) | ||
| 1971 | Shuffled (expanded 24 to 32 sqs) | Shuffled (expanded 32 to 40 sqs) | ||
| 1972 | Shuffled | Shuffled (expanded 32 to 40 sqs) | Shuffled | |
| 1973 | Did not shuffle | |||
| 1974 | ||||
| 1975 | Shuffled | Minor shuffle fall semester (due to attrition) | ||
| 1976 | ||||
| 1977 | ||||
| 1978 | ||||
| 1979 | ||||
| 1980 | Shuffled twice* | |||
| 1981 | Shuffled** | |||
| 1982 | Shuffled | |||
| 1983 | ||||
| 1984 | Shuffled | |||
| 1985 | Shuffled | |||
| 1986 | Did not shuffle | |||
| 1987 | Shuffled | |||
| 1988 | Shuffled | |||
| 1989 | Shuffled | |||
| 1990 | Shuffled | |||
| 1991 | Shuffled | |||
| 1992 | Shuffled | |||
| 1993 | Shuffled | |||
| 1994 | Shuffled | |||
| 1995 | Shuffled | |||
| 1996 | Did not shuffle | |||
| 1997 | Shuffled | |||
| 1998 | Shuffled | |||
| 1999 | Shuffled | |||
| 2000 | Shuffled | Shuffled (deactivated CS 37-40) | ||
| 2001 | Shuffled (deactivated CS 37-40) | |||
| 2002 | Shuffled (deactivated CS 37-40) | Shuffled*** | ||
| 2003 | Did not shuffle | |||
| 2004 | Shuffled | |||
| 2005 | Shuffled | |||
| 2006 | Shuffled | Shuffled | ||
| 2007 | Shuffled | Shuffled (expanded 36 to 40 sqs) | ||
| 2008 | Shuffled | Shuffled (expanded 36 to 40 sqs) | ||
| 2009 | Partial shuffle (administrative errors) | Shuffled (expanded 36 to 40 sqs) | ||
| 2010 | Shuffled | |||
| 2011 | Shuffled | |||
[edit] Notes
- * - For the Class of 1980, half of the women cadets shuffled from First and Second Groups to Third and Fourth Groups) in the middle of the fourth class year. The class as a whole shuffled after fourth class year.
- ** Note from an '81er: The PTB threatened to shuffle us AGAIN after 3-degree year, but we revolted, starting several pep rallies in Mitch's ("Hell, No! We Won't Go!"). After a week or so of protests, including class T-shirts that showed a mouse flipping off an attacking falcon (The last great act of defiance!) and were quickly banned from Academy grounds by said PTB, King Richards relented and we were allowed to stay in our squads.
- *** - Cadets from the Class of 2002 who were shuffled due to the deactivation of squadrons 36-40 were given the option to shuffle again after their third class year.
- During the early years of USAFA, yearly shuffles were carried out as the Wing grew from the original 3 Cadet Squadrons to 40 Squadrons. (details?)
