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Video by Kevin Conroy, Kevin Tappan, Jon Zanone

USAFA Accepts the Class of 2017 (story)

U.S. Air Force Academy

Aug. 6, 2013 | 1:41

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 9 a.m., on the Academy's Stillman Parade Field.

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 course load of 18 semester hours in the spring.

Lead: The United States Air Force Academy Is Known Around The World As A Premiere Military And Academic Institution. Recently The Air Force's Academy Recognized The Latest Addition To The Long Blue Line - The Class Of 2017. Jon Zanone Has More.
It's Debatable Whether Dallas Joiner Helped His Younger Brother Everett Make It Through Basic Cadet Training.
C4C Everett Joiner, Usafa Class Of 2017 (Left) And C2C Dallas Joiner (Right): "Actually On The Assault Course He Called Our Mom, And I Was Doing Grenades While My Mom Was On Speaker Phone, So..."
Joiner, And The Rest Of His Classmates Are Members Of The Newly Recognized Class Of 2017.
C4C Kathryn New, Usafa Class Of 2017: "It's Where The Cadet Wing Finally Accepts The Basic Cadets As Doolies, So We're No Longer Basic Cadets. We're Actually Cadets.
These Cadets Have Spent Their Summer Learning How To March And How To Eat. And During A Twelve Day Stay In Jacks Valley North Of The Academy, They Even Learned How To Do Grenades.
For These Young Men And Women, Recognition Is Just The Start. They Face An Intense Academic Year, Taking Upwards Of Eighteen Credit Hours In Their First Year. Add Intense Military Training, And You Get A Very Challenging Beginning To A Four Year Experience.
C4C Willie Curry, Usafa Class Of 2014 "Because I Know The Next Four Years Are Going To Be Challenging. If They're Not, I'm Doing Something Wrong, You Know. So I'm Going To Step Up And Try To Be Put In Positions Where I Am Challenged, I Am Pressured"
For Now, The Class Of 2017 Is Taking A Break To Enjoy Their Accomplishments. Then, It's Back To The Grind.
New: Memorize And Learn Everyone Who's In My Squadron. We Have To Greet Everyone In The Morning With Their Job And Their Rank. That's Probably One Of The More Important Ones Right Now Because You Have To Know Everybody"
For The Joiner Brothers, The Elder Brother Has Some Words Of Advice
C2C Dallas Joiner, Usafa Class Of 2015: " Keep Your Nose Clean. Do Everything Right, Don't Do Anything Wrong."
Jon Zanone, The United States Air Force Academy

Release Number: 010813

8/1/2013 - U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado