U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets at the Air Force Academy were recognized by the superintendent April 27 for going above and beyond the call of duty.
They picked up cans.
The Academy beat-out the Coast Guard and the Navy to take first place in a presidential recycling competition, the Great American Can Roundup’s Commander in chief’s challenge, announced April 20.
"I'm very proud of our service-minded cadets who embody our Air Force core values,” said Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson. “Their energetic efforts led to us earning this noteworthy recognition."
In all, 4,050 Academy cadets recycled 20,300 cans to take the winning trophy and a $3,000 check, presented to the cadets in an April 20 ceremony at the Pentagon by the deputy assistant secretary of defense, Maureen Sullivan, and the president of the Can Manufacturers Institute, Robert Budway.
Cadet Squadron 15 earned the top honors in the competition and a $500 check, given to Cadet 1st Class Bailee Harnett, Cadet 2nd Class Madison Martin and Maj. Martin Poon, air officer commanding for CS 15, at the ceremony.
Coast Guard and Navy midshipmen recycled about 2,300 and 18,000 and aluminum cans, respectively.
"Environmentally-focused management of our land and resources is always a top priority and we are delighted that our cadets share this same level of commitment to environmentally-conscious leadership," Johnson said.