Basic Cadet Training Begins

The 1,376 members of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2013 arrived June 25 to begin basic cadet training.

Overall, the Academy received 9,897 applications for admission into the class, with 1,667 being offered appointments.

As of June 24, 1,376 had accepted appointments, including 1,097 men and 279 women. The class includes 312 minority members, or 23 percent of the class.

Among the cadets accepted into the Class of 2013:

• 41 are prior-enlisted members
• 31 attended the U.S. Air Force Academy's Preparatory School in 2008
• 15 percent were either high school class presidents or vice-presidents
• 65 percent were in an academic honor society
• 89 percent were athletic letter award winners
• 28 percent were in band or orchestra
• 27 percent were Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts
• 9 percent were Civil Air Patrol
• 13 percent were in Junior ROTC

The high school grade point average of the Class of 2013 is 3.86. College entrance score average for the SAT is 1,294.

Eleven international cadets from Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Colombia, Taiwan, Thailand, Lithuania, Ghana, Slovenia, Philippines, Poland and Serbia entered with the Class of 2013.

The appointees' introduction to cadet life started June 25 with a full day of inprocessing, which included medical processing, haircuts and clothing and equipment issue. They also received their squadron and dormitory room assignments. Inprocessing also marks the start of 38 days of Basic Cadet Training designed to prepare the basic cadet trainees for entry into the Cadet Wing.

During the first 18 days, most of the basic training takes place within the cadet area. On July 13, the trainees will march to Jacks Valley to set up a tent city and live there for 12 days of field training. The basic cadet trainees march back to the cadet area July 25 and finish Basic Cadet Training Aug. 1.

The Class of 2013 will swear the Honor Oath at their Aug. 5 acceptance parade, when they earn their status as fourth-class cadets. The fall academic semester begins Aug. 6.

FMI: www.usafa.af.mil