From cadet to colonel: wingmen for life
Texas A&M University cadets Douglas Thies, far right, and David Vaclavik, far left stand for a picture in their uniforms with their future wives after a Texas A&M football game in Austin, Texas, circa 1992. As best friends, the two would become commissioned Air Force officers and eventually command groups at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., at the same time. (Courtesy photo)