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74-483: "C4C" is an abbreviation that can stand for: Cadet Fourth Class , the rank of a cadet in his first (freshman) year at the United States Air Force Academy Campaigners for Christ , a parachurch organization Cancer 4 Cure , the third full-length studio album by El-P , released on Fat Possum Records May 22, 2012. Cash for Clunkers ,

148-621: A 2008 PC game made by 2K Games and an installment in the Civilization series. [REDACTED] Topics referred to by the same term This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title formed as a letter–number combination. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=C4C&oldid=613780237 " Category : Letter–number combination disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description

222-578: A ballroom, a number of lounges, and dining and recreation facilities for cadets and visitors. Harmon Hall is the primary administration building, which houses the offices of the Superintendent and the Superintendent's staff. The Cadet Area also contains extensive facilities for use by cadets participating in intercollegiate athletics, intramural athletics, physical education classes and other physical training. Set amid numerous outdoor athletic fields are

296-696: A black marble wall located just under the flagpole on the Terrazzo, is etched with the names of academy graduates who have been killed in combat. The Honor Wall , overlooking the Terrazzo , is inscribed with the Cadet Honor Code : "We will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." Just under the Cadet Chapel, the Class Wall bears the crests of each of the academy's graduating classes. The crest of

370-585: A boost with the National Security Act of 1947 , which provided for the establishment of a separate air force within the United States military . As an initial measure, Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Symington negotiated an agreement where up to a quarter of West Point and Annapolis graduates could volunteer to receive their commissions in the newly established Air Force. This was only intended to be

444-475: A cadet's professional training and development – the minimum standard of ethical conduct that cadets expect of themselves and their fellow cadets. The Honor Code was developed and adopted by the Class of 1959, the first class to graduate from the academy and has been handed down to every subsequent class. The Code itself is simple: We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. In 1984,

518-557: A civilian college. They are not referred to as freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors , however, but as fourth-, third-, second- and first class cadets , respectively. Fourth class cadets (freshmen) are often referred to as "doolies," a term derived from the Greek word δοῦλος ("doulos") meaning "slave" or "servant." Members of the three lower classes are also referred to as "4 degrees," "3 degrees" or "2 degrees" based on their class. First-class cadets (seniors) are referred to as "firsties." In

592-645: A colloquial name for the Car Allowance Rebate System program in the US Cause 4 Concern , a drum and bass recording and production group Challoner's for Charity , a student group from Dr Challoners Grammar School , Buckinghamshire who organise charity events in school to raise money for a variety of charities. Channel Four Television Corporation , operator of the UK public-service television channel: Channel 4 Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization ,

666-463: A controversial move following the 2003 sexual assault scandal , the words "Bring me men ..." were taken down and replaced with the academy's (later adopted as the Air Force's) core values: "Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do." With an enrollment of over 1300, Air Academy High School is the only high school in the United States built on a military academy. It ranks in

740-505: A detailed curriculum for the academy program. From 1954 to 1956, the newly created Colorado Land Acquisition Commission purchased parcels of land that would host the new academy. The first parcel purchased was the also the largest; it was the 4,630-acre (1,870 ha) Cathedral Rock Ranch, owned by Lawrence B. Lehman of the famous Lehman investment family . The purchase price was $ 300,000, or about $ 65 per 1-acre (4,000 m ). 140 different parcels were eventually purchased to make up what

814-410: A maintenance data systems specialist was 39150 and a weather technician was 25170. In October 1993, the Air Force implemented a new system of AFSCs, aligning occupations with the force wide restructuring that was implemented under Merrill McPeak . These reduced officer AFSCs from 216 to 123 and enlisted AFSCs from 203 to 176. The enlisted AFSC consists of five alphanumeric characters: For example, in

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888-447: A million visitors each year. Admission is competitive, with nominations divided equally among Congressional districts . Recent incoming classes have had about 1,200 cadets; since 2012, around 20% of each incoming class does not graduate. During their tenure at the academy, cadets receive tuition, room and board, and a monthly stipend all paid for by the Air Force. On the first day of a cadet's second class year, cadets commit to serving

962-403: A number of years as a commissioned officer in the Air Force or Space Force. Non-graduates after that point are expected to fulfill their obligations in enlisted service or pay back full tuition. The commitment is normally five years of active duty and three years in the reserves, although it has varied depending on the graduate's Air Force Specialty Code or Space Force Specialty Code . Prior to

1036-405: A profound effect on the development of the character of the academy. Due to the need for more pilots, academy enrollment grew significantly during this time. The size of the graduating classes went from 217 cadets in 1961 to 745 cadets in 1970. Academy facilities were likewise expanded, and training was modified to better meet the needs of the wartime Air Force. The Jacks Valley field training area

1110-525: A short term fix, however, and disagreements between the services quickly led to the establishment of the Service Academy Board by Secretary of Defense James Forrestal . In January 1950, the Service Academy Board, headed by Dwight D. Eisenhower , then president of Columbia University , concluded that the needs of the Air Force could not be met by the two existing U.S. service academies and that an air force academy should be established. Following

1184-505: Is at the cadet area. The academy was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) and lead architect Walter Netsch . SOM partner John O. Merrill moved from Chicago to a Colorado Springs field office to oversee the construction and to act as a spokesman for the project. The most controversial aspect of the SOM-designed Air Force Academy was its chapel . It was designed by SOM architect Walter Netsch, who at one point

1258-548: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages United States Air Force Academy The United States Air Force Academy ( USAFA ) is a United States service academy in El Paso County , Colorado , immediately north of Colorado Springs . It educates cadets for service in the officer corps of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force . It

1332-641: Is disenrollment, but mitigating factors may result in the violator being placed in a probationary status for some period of time. This "honor probation" is usually only reserved for cadets in their first two years at the academy. To reinforce the importance of honor, character and integrity to future officers, cadets are given an extensive character and leadership curriculum. The academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development provides classroom, seminar, workshop and experiential-based learning programs to all cadets, beginning when they enter Basic Cadet Training and continuing each year through their last semester at

1406-595: Is now a nearly-18,500-acre (7,500 ha) government property. The early Air Force Academy leadership had the model of West Point and Annapolis in designing an appropriate curriculum, faculty, and campus. The academy's permanent site had not yet been completed when the first class entered, so the 306 cadets from the Class of 1959 were sworn in at a temporary site at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver on 11 July 1955. While at Lowry, they were housed in renovated World War II barracks . There were no upper class cadets to train

1480-510: Is roughly similar to that of the president of a civilian university. As such, the superintendent oversees all aspects of the academy, including military training, academics, athletics, admissions and also functions as the installation commander of the Academy Reservation. The academy is a Direct Reporting Unit within the Air Force, so the superintendent reports directly to the Chief of Staff of

1554-455: Is the youngest of the five service academies, having graduated its first class 65 years ago in 1959, but is the third in seniority. Graduates of the academy's four-year program receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force. The academy is also one of the largest tourist attractions in Colorado, attracting approximately

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1628-478: Is traditionally the most difficult at the academy, militarily. In addition to their full academic course loads, heavy demands are placed on fourth-class cadets outside of class. Fourth-class cadets are expected to learn an extensive amount of military and Academy-related knowledge and have significant restrictions placed on their movement and actions—traversing the Cadet Area only by approved routes (including staying on

1702-518: The 10th Air Base Wing —that provide base services such as security, communications, and engineering. Because the academy is also a university, however, the organization of the faculty and the Cadet Wing have some aspects that are more similar to the faculty and student body at a civilian college. The student body of the academy is known as the Cadet Wing. The students, called "cadets", are divided into four classes, based on their year in school, much like

1776-551: The Academy Cemetery is limited to academy cadets and graduates, certain senior officers, certain academy staff members, and certain other family members. Air power notables Carl Spaatz , Curtis E. LeMay and Robin Olds , are interred here. The United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School (usually referred to as the "Prep School") is a program offered to selected individuals who were not able to obtain appointments directly to

1850-544: The COVID-19 pandemic , the academy graduated the Class of 2020 six weeks early. This was the first time that any USAFA class was ever commissioned early, and the first time for any military academy since the Vietnam War . This was also the first time that cadets were commissioned into the U.S. Space Force , with General Jay Raymond administering the oath of office to 86 graduates. The US Space Force established its first unit at

1924-577: The Cadet Gymnasium and the Cadet Fieldhouse. The Fieldhouse is the home to Clune Arena , the ice hockey rink and an indoor track, which doubles as an indoor practice facility for a number of sports. Falcon Stadium , located outside of the Cadet Area, is the football field and site of the graduation ceremonies. Many displays around the Cadet Area commemorate heroes and air power pioneers, and serve as an inspiration to cadets. The War Memorial ,

1998-700: The Federal Advisory Committee Act and the BoV Charter. The board inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the academy. The board " shall visit the Academy annually" and "typically held at least twice annually with one meeting being at the USAF Academy". The Board prepares semi-annual reports containing its views and recommendations submitted concurrently to

2072-862: The Secretary of Defense , the Senate Armed Services Committee , and the House Armed Services Committee . The 15 members of the BoV are appointed by the president of the United States, the vice president, the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives . Since 2006, the board has been required to include at least two academy graduates. In July 2009, Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Colorado Congressman Jared Polis to

2146-426: The "Bring Me Men Ramp") leads down from the main Terrazzo level toward the parade field. On in-processing day, new cadets arrive at the base of the ramp and start their transition into military and academy life by ascending the ramp to the Terrazzo . From 1964 to 2004, the portal at the base of the ramp was inscribed with the words "Bring me men ..." taken from the poem, "The Coming American," by Samuel Walter Foss . In

2220-486: The "guardians and stewards" of the code. Cadet honor representatives are chosen by senior leadership, and oversee the honor system by conducting education classes and investigating suspected honor violations. Cadets throughout the Wing are expected to sit on Honor Boards as juries that determine whether their fellow cadets violated the code. Cadets also recommend sanctions for violations. The presumed sanction for an honor violation

2294-533: The AFSC 1N371: For some specialties, an alpha prefix is used to denote a special ability, skill, qualification or system designator not restricted to a single AFSC (such as "X" for an aircrew position). Additionally, an alpha suffix (a "shredout") denotes positions associated with particular equipment or functions within a single specialty (an Afrikaans specialist in the Germanic linguist field would have an "E" shredout). Using

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2368-426: The AFSC more specific. During the course of their Air Force careers, Airmen sometimes switch jobs and receive multiple AFSCs to denote training in multiple specialties. A Primary AFSC (PAFSC) is the designation for the specialty in which the individual possesses the highest skill level and is, therefore, the AFSC that he or she is best qualified to perform. The Duty AFSC (DAFSC) reflects the actual manpower position

2442-827: The Air Force . Those reporting to the superintendent include the vice superintendent, dean of the faculty, commandant of cadets, each of whom typically holds the rank of major general or brigadier general , as well as the director of athletics, the commander of the 10th Air Base Wing and the commander of the Prep School , each of whom typically holds the rank of colonel . The 10th Air Base Wing provides all base support functions that exist at other air force bases, including civil engineering, communications, medical support, personnel, administration, security and base services. The Preparatory School provides an academic, athletic and military program for qualified young men and women who may need certain additional preparation prior to acceptance to

2516-571: The Airman is assigned to. The Control AFSC (CAFSC) is a management tool to make assignments, assist in determining training requirements, and consider individuals for promotion. Often an enlisted Airman's PAFSC will reflect a higher skill level than his or her CAFSC since the CAFSC skill level is tied to rank while the PAFSC skill level is tied to performance and education. Usually, the PAFSC, DAFSC, and CAFSC will be

2590-763: The BoV, the first openly gay person to serve on a service academy's advisory board. There was controversy in December 2020 when President Trump made two lame duck appointments to the BoV: Kellyanne Conway and Heidi Stirrup . Secretary of Defense Austin suspended Defense advisory boards for a review in February 2021. President Biden asked them to resign in September 2021. Stirrup sued the Defense Department in July 2021 over

2664-410: The Cadet Area at the academy was designated a National Historic Landmark . The main buildings in the Cadet Area are set around a large, square pavilion known as the "Terrazzo," and the most recognizable is the 17-spired Cadet Chapel . The subject of controversy when it was first built, it is now considered among the most prominent examples of modern American academic architecture. Other buildings on

2738-592: The Cadet Wing voted to add an "Honor Oath," which was to be taken by all cadets. The oath is administered to fourth class cadets (freshmen) when they are formally accepted into the Wing at the conclusion of Basic Cadet Training. The oath remains unchanged since its adoption in 1984 and consists of a statement of the code, followed by a resolution to live honorably (the phrase "So help me God" is now optional): We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and to live honorably, (so help me God). Cadets are considered

2812-607: The Summer of 2020, cadets participated in Expeditionary and Survival Training. From the late 1960s until the mid-1990s, cadets also completed SERE training in the Jacks Valley complex between their fourth- and third-class years. This program was replaced with Combat Survival Training (CST) in 1995 and done away with entirely in 2005. In the summer of 2008, the CST program was reintroduced, but

2886-625: The Terrazzo include Vandenberg Hall and Sijan Hall, the two dormitories; Mitchell Hall, the cadet dining facility; and Fairchild Hall, the main academic building, which houses academic classrooms, laboratories, research facilities, faculty offices and the Robert F. McDermott Library. The Aeronautics Research Center (also known as the "Aero Lab") contains numerous aeronautical research facilities, including transonic, subsonic, low speed, and cascade wind tunnels ; engine and rocket test cells; and simulators. The Consolidated Education and Training Facility (CETF)

2960-537: The U.S. Army's Airborne School at Fort Moore , Georgia, or the Air Assault School , at Fort Campbell , Kentucky. During the academic year, all cadets take formal classes in military theory, operations and leadership. Air Force Specialty Code After the Air Force separated from the Army in 1947, it retained the Army's system of MOS occupation codes, modifying them in 1954. These were 5-digit codes; for example

3034-597: The above example, the AFSC X1N371E would refer to a Germanic Cryptologic Linguist who is aircrew qualified and specializes in Afrikaans . Here is an extended listing of AFSC groups. Most categories have numerous actual AFSCs in them. The officer AFSC consists of four alphanumeric characters: For example, in the AFSC 11M4: For example, in the AFSC T63A3 As with enlisted AFSCs, prefixes and suffixes may be applied to make

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3108-674: The academy grounds include an F-4 , F-15 , F-16 and F-105 on the Terrazzo ; a B-52 by the North Gate; a T-38 and A-10 at the Academy Airfield ; an F-100 by the preparatory school; a SV-5J lifting body next to the aeronautics laboratory; and a Minuteman III missile in front of the Fieldhouse. The Minuteman III was removed 16 years ago in August 2008 due to rusting and other internal damage. The "Core Values Ramp" (formerly known as

3182-454: The academy was revived, and fifteen young female officers were brought in to help with the integration process. The female cadets were initially segregated from the rest of the Cadet Wing but were fully integrated into their assigned squadrons after their first semester. On 28 May 1980, 97 of the original female cadets completed the program and graduated from the academy—just over 10% of the graduating class. Women have made up just over 20% of

3256-664: The academy when Detachment 1 of Space Delta 13 was activated in November 2021. It is expected that approximately 10% of graduates at the academy will enter the Space Force. The campus of the academy covers 18,455 acres (29 sq mi; 75 km ) on the east side of the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains , just north of Colorado Springs . Its elevation is normally given as 7,258 feet (2,212 m) above sea level , which

3330-945: The academy's establishment, air power advocates had been pushing for a separate Air Force Academy for decades. As early as 1918, Lieutenant Colonel A.J. Hanlon wrote, "As the Military and Naval Academies are the backbone of the Army and Navy, so must the Aeronautical Academy be the backbone of the Air Service. No service can flourish without some such institution to inculcate into its embryonic officers love of country, proper conception of duty, and highest regard for honor." Other officials expressed similar sentiments. In 1919, Congressman Charles F. Curry introduced legislation providing for an Academy, but concerns about cost, curriculum and location led to its demise. In 1925, air power pioneer General Billy Mitchell testified on Capitol Hill that it

3404-425: The academy's first superintendent. The original 582 sites considered were winnowed to three: Alton, Illinois (by purchasing Principia College ); Lake Geneva , Wisconsin (near Big Foot Beach State Park ); and the ultimate site at Colorado Springs , Colorado. The Secretary of the Air Force, Harold E. Talbott , announced the winning site on 24 June 1954. Meanwhile, Air Training Command (ATC) began developing

3478-479: The academy, but is especially intense during their four summers. The first military experience for new cadets (called "basic cadets") occurs during the six weeks of Basic Cadet Training (BCT), in the summer before their fourth class (freshman) year. During BCT, also known as "beast," cadets learn the fundamentals of military and Academy life under the leadership of a cadre of first and second class cadets. Basic cadets learn military customs and courtesies, proper wear of

3552-456: The academy. All flying programs at the academy are run by the 306th Flying Training Group , which reports to the Air Education and Training Command , ensuring uniformity of flight training with the rest of the Air Force. Congressional oversight of the academy is exercised through a 15-member Board of Visitors (BoV), established under Title 10, United States Code, Section 9455, and governed by

3626-485: The academy. The center's programs, when coupled with the Honor Code and Honor System, establish a foundation for the "leaders of character" that the academy aspires to produce. The academy's organization is unusual in a number of respects. Because it is primarily a military unit, much of the academy's structure is set up like that of any other Air Force Base. This is particularly true of the non-cadet units—most assigned to

3700-517: The academy. The program involves intense academic preparation (particularly in English, math and science), along with athletic and military training, meant to prepare the students for appointment to the academy. A high percentage of USAFA Preparatory School students (known as "Preppies") earn appointments to the academy following their year at the Prep School. The Cadet Honor Code is the cornerstone of

3774-552: The case of a cadet squadron, the AOC is normally an active duty Air Force or Space Force major or lieutenant colonel . Occasionally, officers of equivalent rank from the Army, Navy, or Marines may be selected as an AOC for a squadron while on active duty at the academy. For a cadet group, the AOC is normally an active-duty colonel . These officers have command authority over the cadets, counsel cadets on leadership and military career issues, oversee military training and serve as role models for

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3848-511: The current first (senior) class is displayed in the center position. Another display often used as a symbol of the academy, the Eagle and Fledglings Statue was given as a gift to the academy in 1958 by the personnel of Air Training Command . It contains the inscription by Austin Dusty Miller, "Man's flight through life is sustained by the power of his knowledge." Static air- and spacecraft displays on

3922-451: The first academy graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor due to his heroism while evading capture and in captivity. Sijan Hall, one of the cadet dormitories, is named in his memory. The effects of the anti-war movement were felt at the academy as well. Because the academy grounds are generally open to the public, the academy often became a site for protests by anti-war demonstrators. One of

3996-434: The four classes. Selected first-, second- and third-class cadets hold leadership, operational and support jobs at the squadron, group and wing levels. Cadets live, march and eat meals with members of their squadrons. Military training and intramural athletics are conducted by squadron as well. Each cadet squadron and cadet group is supervised by a specially selected active duty officer called an Air Officer Commanding (AOC). In

4070-422: The fourth-class year are relaxed. After the first year, cadets have more options for summer military training. Between their fourth and third class years, cadets undergo training in interpersonal and small team unit training during Adventure Based Learning (ABL) and may participate in flying gliders , cyber-warfare training, satellite and space operations, unmanned systems, or free-fall parachute training . Until

4144-504: The future officers. In addition to an AOC, cadet squadrons and groups are also supervised by an active duty non-commissioned officer known as an Academy Military Trainer (AMT), who fulfills a similar job as the AOC. The superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy is the commander and senior officer. The position of superintendent is normally held by an active-duty lieutenant general . The superintendent's role

4218-469: The initial reception point for new cadets arriving for Basic Cadet Training. It is named after General Jimmy Doolittle . The Goldwater Visitor Center, named after longtime proponent of the academy United States Senator Barry Goldwater , is the focal point for family, friends and tourists visiting the academy grounds. The Academy Airfield is used for training cadets in airmanship courses, including parachute training, soaring and powered flight. Interment at

4292-501: The marble "strips" on the Terrazzo) and interacting with upper class cadets using a very specific decorum. The fourth-class year ends with "Recognition," a physically and mentally demanding several-day event which culminates in the award of the Prop and Wings insignia to the fourth-class cadets, signifying their ascension to the ranks of upper class cadets. After Recognition, the stringent rules of

4366-401: The military structure of the Cadet Wing, first class cadets hold the positions of cadet officers, second class cadets act as the cadet non-commissioned officers and third class cadets represent the cadet junior non-commissioned officers. The Cadet Wing is divided into four groups , of ten cadet squadrons each. Each cadet squadron consists of about 110 cadets, roughly evenly distributed among

4440-455: The most recent classes, with the class of 2016 having the highest proportion of any class, 25%. Many of the women from those early classes went on to achieve success within the Cadet Wing and after graduation (see list of Academy graduates below). Despite these successes, integration issues were long apparent. Female cadets have had consistently higher dropout rates than men and have left the Air Force in higher numbers than men. In response to

4514-533: The most significant events in the history of the academy was the admission of women. On 7 October 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation permitting women to enter the United States service academies. On 28 June 1976, 157 women entered the Air Force Academy with the Class of 1980. Because there were no female upper class cadets, the Air Training Officer model used in the early years of

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4588-403: The new cadets, so the Air Force appointed a cadre of " Air Training Officers " (ATOs) to conduct training. The ATOs were junior officers, many of whom were graduates of West Point, Annapolis, VMI , and The Citadel . They acted as surrogate upper class cadets until the upper classes could be populated over the next several years. The academy's dedication ceremony took place on that first day and

4662-487: The present. The first class adopted the Cadet Honor Code , and chose the falcon as the Academy's mascot . On 29 August 1958, the wing of 1,145 cadets moved to the present site near Colorado Springs, and less than a year later the academy received accreditation. The first USAFA class graduated and was commissioned on 3 June 1959. The Vietnam War was the first war in which academy graduates fought and died. As such, it had

4736-417: The recommendation of the board, Congress passed legislation in 1954 to begin the construction of the Air Force Academy, and President Eisenhower signed it into law on 1 April of that year. The legislation established an advisory commission to determine the site of the new school. Among the panel members were Charles Lindbergh , General Carl Spaatz , and Lieutenant General Hubert R. Harmon , who later became

4810-626: The same. However, situations such as retraining, special duties, or Air Force-level changes necessitate these distinctions. Additionally, Airmen that have retrained into multiple specialties will have several Secondary AFSCs (2AFSC, 3AFSC, etc.). Air Force officers are limited to 3 AFSCs in MilPDS while Enlisted may have 4 AFSCs on record. Special Experience Identifiers (SEIs) are established to identify special experience and training. The Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory (AFECD) and Air Force Officer Classification Directory (AFOCD) Section III contains

4884-543: The suspension of the board and in an attempt to remain on the board, however, the lawsuit was dismissed on May 9, 2022. Numerous regular USAF units are based at the academy. Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which, although based at the U.S. Air Force Academy, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location. Direct Reporting Unit Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) Cadets' military training occurs throughout their time at

4958-414: The top ten in the state in academic standards. Part of School District 20 (D20), its marching band regularly places in the top ten in state championships. D20 also maintains an elementary school on the academy grounds. Other locations on campus serve support roles for cadet training and other base functions. Doolittle Hall is the headquarters of the academy's Association of Graduates and also serves as

5032-495: The uniform, drill and ceremony, and study military knowledge and undergo a rigorous physical training program. During the second half of BCT, basic cadets march to Jacks Valley , where they complete the program in a field encampment environment. Upon completion of BCT, basic cadets receive their fourth-class shoulder boards , take the Honor Oath and are formally accepted as members of the Cadet Wing. The fourth-class (freshman) year

5106-559: Was added, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) program was expanded, and light aircraft training started in 1968. Many academy graduates of this era served with distinction in the Vietnam War . F-4 Phantom II pilot Steve Ritchie '64 and weapon systems officer Jeffrey Feinstein '68 each became aces by downing five enemy aircraft in combat . 141 graduates died in the conflict; 32 graduates became prisoners of war . Lance Sijan , '65, fell into both categories and became

5180-441: Was broadcast live on national television, with Walter Cronkite covering the event. Arnold W. Braswell was commander of the original four cadet squadrons at the academy 1955 to 1958. In developing a distinctive uniform for cadets, the Air Force turned to Hollywood . Film director Cecil B. DeMille designed the cadet parade uniform still in use. The Class of 1959 established many other important traditions that continue until

5254-401: Was built in 1997 as an annex to Fairchild Hall. It contains chemistry and biology classrooms and labs, medical and dental clinics, and civil engineering and astronautics laboratories. The Cadet Area also contains an observatory and a planetarium for academic use and navigation training. The cadet social center is Arnold Hall, located just outside the Cadet Area, which houses a 2700-seat theater,

5328-484: Was cut again in 2011 and replaced with Expeditionary, Survival, and Evasion Training (ESET) for the summer of 2012 (the Class of 2015 was the first to participate in ESET). During their last two summers, cadets may serve as BCT cadre, travel to active duty Air Force bases and participate in a variety of other research, aviation and leadership programs. They may also be able to take courses offered by other military services, such as

5402-509: Was necessary "to have an air academy to form a basis for the permanent backbone of your air service and to attend to the ... organizational part of it, very much the same way that West Point does for the Army, or that Annapolis does for the Navy." Mitchell's arguments did not gain traction with legislators, and it was not until the late 1940s that the concept of the United States Air Force Academy began to take shape. Support for an air academy got

5476-404: Was prepared to abandon the design; but the accordion-like structure is acknowledged as an iconic symbol of the academy campus. The buildings in the Cadet Area were designed in a distinct, modernist style, and make extensive use of aluminum on building exteriors, suggesting the outer skin of aircraft or spacecraft. On 1 April 2004, fifty years after Congress authorized the building of the academy,

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