USAFA Class of 2022 Recognition

March 7, 2019 (Thursday) through March 9 (Saturday) marked the last major challenge of the Doolie year. Recognition is the formal three-day finale of the fourth-class year (the freshman year at traditional universities) when the cadets are “recognized” as upper-class cadets and are allowed to wear the Prop and Wings insignia on their flight caps. The Cadre (upperclassmen), reminded each of the Doolies why they chose the United States Air Force Academy. The Cadre questioned the Doolies resilience and pushed them beyond their breaking point.

This time-honored tradition, which may seem harsh to some, is one of the ingredients needed to make an officer in the Unites States military. The Cadre reminded the men and women of what will be required of them if they choose to stay. They engrave in them the mental discipline needed to eventually lead.

These men and women will eventually have the lives of our enlisted force in their hands. This obligation is not something to take on if you’re not prepared and able to handle the stress that may come with that responsibility. This is a vital and traditional step in the United States Air Force Academy experience. It is a ceremonial acknowledgment that the fourth-class has successfully met military training requirements and is prepared to continue the rigorous and rewarding Academy journey.

Other privileges earned are getting to wear civilian clothing while off-base and getting to walk across the Academy Terrazzo instead of running on the white marble strips.

After classes ended Thursday afternoon, the cadets had their rooms neat and tidy and ready for inspection. Graham’s Recognition coach was kind enough to text us photos of Cadet Maas’ dorm room. Then the hardship started in earnest.

Cadet Maas' dorm room, right before the start of Recognition. Note the rifles. 

Recognition consists of several activities including a leadership course, an assault course and “The Run to the Rock.” In addition to challenging the fourth-class cadets, Recognition provides the three upper classes with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Individual squadron ceremonies and a wing-wide celebratory evening meal mark at the end of Day Three marks the end of the Recognition period.

Thursday saw the cadet wing form up on the Academy Terrazzo to kick off Recognition with the Wing Round Robin, which is a series of rotations of high-intensity exercises. Cadets of all classes participated in the exercises. Some of the exercises seen were sprints, pushups, bear crawls, squats, crunches, and more.

The start of Recognition on the Academy Terrazzo

Fire power signified the start of the Recognition clock

Cadet Maas during sprints

Sprint "recovery" still meant running

An important part of the Academy is teamwork

That does not look like fun

Even resting periods were challenging

Water break for Squadron 37, the Skyraiders and Cadet Maas

More teamwork

Are you kidding me!?!?

No airmen are left behind

Yes, those are full of water

No, this is not the NFL. This is harder.

Challenges were meant to break them

We believe Cadet Maas can be seen near the top

Cadet Maas and his squadron mates about to take on The Hill

Cadet Maas can be seen, doing his Sisyphus imitation

The Skyraiders were challenged not only by the activities, but by their upperclassmen during the three days of Recognition.

The Skyraiders line up to head out

Cadet Maas (at the front) helping his squadron carry a steel beam up a steep hill

The Cadets, and steel beam, take a rest

The rest doesn't last long

It was time for more beatings

Cadet Maas and his flight at attention

Day Two of Recognition started bright and early, before sunrise. Day Two was centered around four courses that are designed to test the fourth-class cadets both mentally and physically. These tests included the Battlefield Airman Course, Academy Tour, and the Maltz Challenge. Each course had a different purpose and goal to completion.  

The Battlefield Airman Course is designed to push cadets to their limits through physical activity. It is a lot like the Assault Course from Basic Training, in the sense of constant activity/exercises and high intensity.  

There is no fooling around with the exercises

Cadet Maas calls upon his North Dakota farm roots

The weight of a farm tire is between 300 - 400 lbs.

Cadet Maas was called upon to flip tires over and over

Followed by carrying those containers of water

During the Academy Tour cadets are brought to several locations on the Academy Terrazzo. They stop at places like the 9/11 Memorial, the Core Values Ramp, the Air Gardens and The Hill. At each location, the they engage in some high-intensity exercise. However, beyond testing the cadets physically this course displays the heritage and history of the Academy to the fourth-class cadets.

Cadet Maas & Skyraiders listening to a former USAFA alum

Someone has been lifting

More core work drills

The Maltz Challenge event began in 2006, in honor of USAF MSGT Michael Maltz, who was killed in action during a rescue mission in Afghanistan. This event is a memorial workout event/salute to those who have been killed-in-action. A lot of the activities during this event are focused around teamwork and supporting one another.

The main buildings in the Cadet Area surround a large pavilion known as The Terrazzo, designed by landscape architect Dan Kiley. The name comes from the walkway’s terrazzo tiles that are set among a checkerboard of marble strips.

With the building of Sijan Hall on the south side of the Terrazzo in 1968, the Terrazzo area was enclosed, creating a large quadrangle. Only the top of the hill, now known as “Spirit Hill,” remains in the central grassy area of the Terrazzo. At the east end of the Terrazzo are the “Air Gardens,” 700-feet of lighted pools, lowered grass sections and maze-like walkways.

Several retired aircraft now call the Terrazzo home, including:

McDonnell-Douglas  F-15A Eagle (SW corner)

This 1976 model F-15 flew most of its career with the 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) at Langley AFB, VA. The 48 FIS flew the jet on intercept missions for the Southeast Air Defense Sector. The jet was painted in the colors of Tyndall AFB, FL, for its last few missions before it was retired on 30 November 1992. It was donated in 1993.

General-Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (NW corner)

Originally a non-flying test bed aircraft, this F-16 was donated by AFMC (formerly AFSC) at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, and is presently painted in the colors of the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing at Nellis AFB, NV.

Republic F-105D Thunderchief (NE corner)

Assembled at McClellan AFB, CA, from parts of at least 10 sister aircraft that saw combat duty in Southeast Asia, this aircraft has served as a permanent memorial at the Academy since 1968.

McDonnell-Douglas F-4D Phantom II (SE corner)

This is the only aircraft credited with six MiG kills since the Korean War. Captain Richard S. Ritchie, Class of 1964, made his first and fifth kills in this aircraft. It was presented to the Academy in 1986.

Skyraiders learning heritage

Then it was back to work

The logs kept getting bigger

The big event for Day Three was the “Run to the Rock”. First-class cadets (the Class of 2019, graduating this May) and fourth-class cadets (freshmen) formed up together and marched to Cathedral Rock on base. This tradition at USAFA brings together the two classes as one of the final events for Recognition.

Yellow caps for the outgoing Class of 2019. Red for the Class of 2022

As a fourth-class cadet, the “Run to the Rock” signifies the end of Recognition and being recognized in the Cadet Wing as an upper-class cadet. It is an awesome feeling of accomplishment as well as a sense of belonging and family.

Cathedral Rock was the destination

As a first-class cadet, the “Run to the Rock” is a trip down memory lane. Remembering what it felt like as a fourth classman to make this trip. It is also a time for reflection, looking back at their four years at USAFA.

Out through the Honor Gate

Happy Cadet Maas and fellow Skyraiders

It is 5-miles to Cathedral Rock

After an exhausting three days, Cadet Maas seems in good shape. Oh, to be young again.

The Skyraider steel beam also made the trek

Afterwards, they returned to the campus where the fourth-class cadets had a special surprise awaiting them. Their Recognition coaches had decorated their rooms. The squadron upperclassmen had written personal messages on the desks of the freshmen. And best of all, the parents of these freshmen had sent or delivered treats and civilian clothes to the coaches, which were all laid out for the fourth-class cadets.

Cadet Maas enters his dorm room

Haven't seen a smile that big in some time

Mom & Dad made sure treats and civilian clothes were at the ready

Notes from his squadron mates

All that awaited was the pinning ceremony. This is where the Prop and Wings insignia were presented and pinned onto the lapels of their dress uniforms.

Marching to receive their Props & Wings

Nicely done, Cadet Maas

Salute

The dress blue coat, now sporting Props & Wings

Cadet Maas received a gift of multi-colored Props & Wings from upperclassmen

Eating with his USAFA family in camo's

Eating with his USAFA family in dress blues

Note: All our photos from Recognition can be seen at this Flickr album (photos from various sources).