Frequently Asked Questions
2023 All Academy Ball
What is the Indiana All Academy Ball?
The Indiana All Academy Ball (AAB) is an annual, formal military gala planned to honor and celebrate the
nearly 300 Indiana young men and women who currently attend one of the United States service
academies:
What is the purpose of the All Academy Ball?
The local non-profit parents’ clubs of Air Force, Navy and Army West Point academies rotate hosting
every three years. This year is the 28th Indiana AAB and is hosted by the Air Force Academy
Parent’s Club of Indiana. All the Academies’ Parent Clubs work together to hold a memorable gala.
This celebration has several purposes:
1. To honor the young men and women who have focused their vision on service to our country.
2. To afford these leaders in training an opportunity to gain more experience in a formal military
ceremony.
3. To offer the academies an opportunity to recruit new students and future leaders.
4. Not every family is able to attend military galas at their respective cadet or mid’s academy. The AAB
affords these families a local gala opportunity.
For whom is the All Academy Ball given?
The ball is given for all current Indiana Cadets and Midshipmen of the five Military Service Academies, alumni,
parents and guests. Cadets/Midshipmen can attend:
*Parent club membership is not required to attend.
What we do at the All Academy Ball?
The All Academy Ball is conducted as a formal military ceremony.
The night includes:
There is usually a video presentation highlighting Cadets/Midshipman/Academy life.
Where is the 2023 Indiana All Academy Ball?
The 2023 All Academy Ball will be held at The Indiana Roof Ballroom Downtown.
The Indiana Roof Ballroom located at
140 W Washington Street
Indianapolis IN. 46204
When is the 2023 All Academy Ball?
The ball is held annually during the Christmas/New Year season while the Cadets/Midshipmen are
home for the holidays. This event is a wonderful time for family memory-making. This year, the Indiana All
Academy Ball will be held Thursday, December 21, 2023. The 2023 AAB will be hosted by The Air Force Academy Parents Club of Indiana.
What do we wear to the AAB?
Cadets/Midshipmen wear their service dress or their formal mess dress if they have it
(upperclassmen). Young ladies have the option of changing into civilian formal wear after the March
On.
Dress is formal for guests: black tie optional, otherwise suits and ties for gentlemen; long (or
short) formal wear for ladies.
*Your cadet/midshipman will need to bring their service/mess dress when
they come home for the holidays and may need a reminder.
Who may we Invite? And how much does it cost?
You may bring the whole family, including grandparents or siblings. There are usually some younger
siblings in attendance but rarely small children. Each person will need to register their dinner
reservation, including your cadet/midshipmen. The cost of your cadet/midshipmen dinner reservation will be
reimbursed given they attend in their service dress and participate in the March On.
2023 reservation cost is $75 per person.
How do I make a reservation to attend?
Each current cadet’s/midshipmen’s family will receive a formal invitation in the mail. You can register
and pay via mail or online. Links to online reservations will be available in the fall when formal
invitations go out.
Do the cadets and midshipmen have to have a date?
It is a fun opportunity to dress up and bring a date to show off a special glimpse into their military world,
but not all cadets/midshipmen will have a date. Some simply enjoy time with their family or friends.
What if my cadet/midshipmen doesn’t really want to go?
Some cadets/midshipmen are hesitant to go if they have never been to an All Academy Ball before. Some are
not sure they want to bring their uniforms home for the holidays. However, most will admit they had a
good time with friends and family, felt proud to represent their academy, were pleased with the cash
door prizes they won, and made their moms happy to have a family portrait taken.
How long does it last?
The AAB begins with Registration and Cocktails around 5:30 pm, the formal program usually wraps up around 9pm and the evening events should last no later than 11:30 pm. A DJ or band will get the dancing and door prizes
started after dessert is served. Cadets/Midshipmen should plan to stay to listen for their names called for the cash
door prizes all evening long and enjoy the dancing.
Do I need to get a hotel room?
No but some out-of-town families prefer to get a hotel room so they won’t need to cut their evening celebration short, and to have a place to change into their formal wear.
Are discounted hotel rooms available?
Yes, you can now make reservations at the Embassy Suits by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown. Please see https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/indwwes-91h-c728ec97-d67f-4d82-968e-dfa9aff4de40/
Group rate rooms are priced at $125
The Indiana All Academy Ball (AAB) is an annual, formal military gala planned to honor and celebrate the
nearly 300 Indiana young men and women who currently attend one of the United States service
academies:
- US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO
- US Military Academy at West Point, NY (Army)
- US Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD,
- US Coast Guard Academy at New London, CT
- US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY
What is the purpose of the All Academy Ball?
The local non-profit parents’ clubs of Air Force, Navy and Army West Point academies rotate hosting
every three years. This year is the 28th Indiana AAB and is hosted by the Air Force Academy
Parent’s Club of Indiana. All the Academies’ Parent Clubs work together to hold a memorable gala.
This celebration has several purposes:
1. To honor the young men and women who have focused their vision on service to our country.
2. To afford these leaders in training an opportunity to gain more experience in a formal military
ceremony.
3. To offer the academies an opportunity to recruit new students and future leaders.
4. Not every family is able to attend military galas at their respective cadet or mid’s academy. The AAB
affords these families a local gala opportunity.
For whom is the All Academy Ball given?
The ball is given for all current Indiana Cadets and Midshipmen of the five Military Service Academies, alumni,
parents and guests. Cadets/Midshipmen can attend:
- By themselves
- With a date
- With their entire family.
*Parent club membership is not required to attend.
What we do at the All Academy Ball?
The All Academy Ball is conducted as a formal military ceremony.
The night includes:
- A social hour
- Guest Master of Ceremonies
- March On toasts
- Invocation
- Formal dinner
- Inspiring Keynote speaker
- Dancing
- Door prizes for the Cadets/Midshipman
- Photographer for family portraits and candid photos
There is usually a video presentation highlighting Cadets/Midshipman/Academy life.
Where is the 2023 Indiana All Academy Ball?
The 2023 All Academy Ball will be held at The Indiana Roof Ballroom Downtown.
The Indiana Roof Ballroom located at
140 W Washington Street
Indianapolis IN. 46204
When is the 2023 All Academy Ball?
The ball is held annually during the Christmas/New Year season while the Cadets/Midshipmen are
home for the holidays. This event is a wonderful time for family memory-making. This year, the Indiana All
Academy Ball will be held Thursday, December 21, 2023. The 2023 AAB will be hosted by The Air Force Academy Parents Club of Indiana.
What do we wear to the AAB?
Cadets/Midshipmen wear their service dress or their formal mess dress if they have it
(upperclassmen). Young ladies have the option of changing into civilian formal wear after the March
On.
Dress is formal for guests: black tie optional, otherwise suits and ties for gentlemen; long (or
short) formal wear for ladies.
*Your cadet/midshipman will need to bring their service/mess dress when
they come home for the holidays and may need a reminder.
Who may we Invite? And how much does it cost?
You may bring the whole family, including grandparents or siblings. There are usually some younger
siblings in attendance but rarely small children. Each person will need to register their dinner
reservation, including your cadet/midshipmen. The cost of your cadet/midshipmen dinner reservation will be
reimbursed given they attend in their service dress and participate in the March On.
2023 reservation cost is $75 per person.
How do I make a reservation to attend?
Each current cadet’s/midshipmen’s family will receive a formal invitation in the mail. You can register
and pay via mail or online. Links to online reservations will be available in the fall when formal
invitations go out.
Do the cadets and midshipmen have to have a date?
It is a fun opportunity to dress up and bring a date to show off a special glimpse into their military world,
but not all cadets/midshipmen will have a date. Some simply enjoy time with their family or friends.
What if my cadet/midshipmen doesn’t really want to go?
Some cadets/midshipmen are hesitant to go if they have never been to an All Academy Ball before. Some are
not sure they want to bring their uniforms home for the holidays. However, most will admit they had a
good time with friends and family, felt proud to represent their academy, were pleased with the cash
door prizes they won, and made their moms happy to have a family portrait taken.
How long does it last?
The AAB begins with Registration and Cocktails around 5:30 pm, the formal program usually wraps up around 9pm and the evening events should last no later than 11:30 pm. A DJ or band will get the dancing and door prizes
started after dessert is served. Cadets/Midshipmen should plan to stay to listen for their names called for the cash
door prizes all evening long and enjoy the dancing.
Do I need to get a hotel room?
No but some out-of-town families prefer to get a hotel room so they won’t need to cut their evening celebration short, and to have a place to change into their formal wear.
Are discounted hotel rooms available?
Yes, you can now make reservations at the Embassy Suits by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown. Please see https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/indwwes-91h-c728ec97-d67f-4d82-968e-dfa9aff4de40/
Group rate rooms are priced at $125