Cadets survive the 'Beast' Chest out and head held high, Air Force Academy freshman Dave Rechner beamed Tuesday as an upperclassman buttoned on a pair of shoulder boards, officially making Rechner a fourth-class cadet. In a morning full of pomp and tradition, Rechner and 1,293 other freshmen were accepted into the Cadet Wing - a ceremony that officially marked the end of 38 grueling days of basic training.
New challenges lie ahead.
But for just a few minutes Tuesday, they didn't seem to be thinking about all the upcoming work and stress. They were awash in the pride. Now it feels real. From nearly the first hour, they were drilled by upperclass cadets on how to eat at attention, march in step and speak with military discipline. Teamwork was stressed above all.