Steppin’ up: Freshmen get ‘Recognized’

  • Published
  • By Amber Baillie
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Fourth class cadets pushed through strenuous exercises March 12-14 to prove they've got what it takes to be leaders here during this year's Recognition training.

The Class of 2018 trained for two and a half days at the gym, practice fields, tennis courts and dormitories to challenge their knowledge, discipline and physical fitness for Recognition 2015, earning them entry into the cadet wing and upperclassmen roles.

Freshman cadets gave their all during the assault course, leadership reaction course, chutes and ladder course and other activities organized by the Cadet Wing. Exercises included pushups, crunches, lunges, sprints, low and high crawling, squats and knowledge-based drills.

"It's a difficult time but you realize the significant bonds you form as a four degree," said Cadet 1st Class Robert Larson, Cadet Squadron 21 commander. "You realize those friends won't let you down when times are really tough. You also gain a greater appreciation for your squadron and what every cadet at the Academy has gone through."

Squadrons rotated through exercises in a stressful but safe environment to allow freshmen to prove what they're capable of.

Larson said his Recognition experience three years ago reshaped him.

"It changed my attitude, maturity and professionalism for the better," he said. "All of those are needed of an officer in the Air Force."

The event is a culmination of hard work, individually and as a team, Larson said.

"After Recognition, cadets can say, 'I'm proud of myself and everyone around me,'" he said. "They can say, 'As a class, we made it through this difficult time and year surrounding academics, athletics and four-degree training."'

We finish together and strong, said Cadet 4th Class Anthony Willis after completing the Leadership Reaction Course.

"Recognition has been mentally and physically tough but it's my classmates who are getting me through it," he said.

Not all from the Class of 2018 participated in Recognition last weekend, Larson said.

"Freshmen must have the right aptitude to participate," he said. "Some are sitting out and will need to make it up later. It gives them a weekend to take into account why they're not participating with their classmates and to reflect on, 'Who do I want to be? Why did I come to the Academy? What kind of future cadet and officer do I want to be?'"

Recognition is a rite of passage, Willis said.

"We must earn our right to be upperclassmen here," he said. "Just like cadets before us, this event tests our mental fortitude, physical ability and warrior spirit."

Recognition also featured the traditional Run to the Rock March 14. The senior and freshman classes run to Cathedral Rock while second and third degree cadets prepare the squadrons for the Prop and Wings ceremony.

At this ceremony, cadets receive their Prop and Wings, which signifies their full recognition into the Cadet Wing.