Out of Jacks

The Class of 2022 marched back from Jacks Valley and assembled on the Terrazzo for a special Airman’s Coin ceremony. Parents, USAFA graduates and friends were on hand to help celebrate. Two members of the Legacy Class — Class of 1972 — also were on hand for the event. The coin ceremony was a second for the Academy.  She challenged the Class of 2022 to adhere to the Academy’s core values — integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do — as each basic cadet begins their Academy journey and Air Force career. During the day’s ceremony, eight basic cadets — one each from the eight training squadrons — were recognized as outstanding basics. The honorees were recommended by their squadron Air Officer Commanding, cadet squadron commander and flight commander. The outstanding basics for the Class of 2018 were: Aggressors squadron – Basic Cadet Mason McDougal Barbarians – Basic Cadet Aliyah Brown Cobra – Basic Cadet Robert Gross Demons – Basic Cadet Mikayla Gallagher Executioners – Basic Cadet Lawerence Barrett Flying Tigers – Basic Cadet Zachary Phillips Guts – Basic Cadet James Chase Hellcats – Basic Cadet Kevin Brisker III The basic cadets officially become fourth-class cadets at the conclusion of the Acceptance Parade at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Stillman Parade Field.