Trainees join Cadet Wing at Acceptance Parade Published Aug. 1, 2013 By 010813 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Members of the Air Force Academy's Class of 2017 will pin on their first cadet military rank and swear to uphold the Academy Honor Code at their Acceptance Parade, Aug. 6 at 10 a.m., on the Academy's Stillman Parade Field. The public is invited to attend the parade. Visitors are advised to enter the Academy through the North Gate, located at Exit 156-B off I-25. Visitors are also advised to arrive early, as pre-parade activites and demonstrations begin at 9 a.m., and traffic is expected to be heavy. This parade marks the Class of 2017's acceptance into the Cadet Wing, when they transition from "basic cadet trainees" with no rank, to pinning on their fourth-class cadet rank and becoming Cadets 4th Class or "doolies." The Honor Code is the minimum standard of behavior and performance expected of all Air Force Academy cadets, and reads: "We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." The newly minted freshman cadets begin their academic semester Aug. 8. Beyond continuing their military training, athletics and character development activities, each new cadet will take 15 semester hours, before ramping up to the average courseload of 18 semester hours in the spring. -30- Note: News media representatives interested in attending the parade must contact the Academy Public Affairs office at (719) 333-7593/7731 to make arrangements for access and escort.