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Class of 2028 appointees arrive for in-processing

By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – More than 1,100 Class of 2028 appointees took their first step in their journey to become U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force officers with their arrival for In-processing Day June 26.

In-processing Day, also known as I-Day at the U.S. Air Force Academy, began at 7 a.m. when the first wave of appointees were dropped off at the Holaday Athletic Center. Buses took them to the Cadet Area, where upperclassmen gave them instructions at the footprints at the base of the Core Values Ramp.

A day earlier, appointees and their family members enjoyed an ice cream social at Doolittle Hall. Two appointees, Audrey Hart of Windber, Pennsylvania, and Titus Kawazoe of Fairfield, California, both said they chose the Academy because they wanted a significant challenge for their college education.

Hart recently graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School and is excited to in-process with her fellow preppies.

“I talked to other preppies, and we feel we are ready to go,” she said. “We need to show up, get it done and help each other out. It will be a big challenge, but I have been preparing for this for the last 10 months.”

Kawazoe chose the Academy because he felt it would provide the opportunities he wanted in his career.

“The Academy perfectly fits what I hope to do in the future,” he said. “I’m as ready as I can be. This is where God has placed me, and I have confidence in that. I just need to be ready to adapt to the changes that come our way.”

On In-Processing Day at the U.S. Air Force Academy parents and family members are able to say goodbye to their appointees at the Academic Overlook.
On In-processing Day at the U.S. Air Force Academy parents and family members are able to say goodbye to their appointees at the Academic Overlook, June 26, 2024. Family members and friends cannot exit their vehicle at the drop-off location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
Families take photos with their Class of 2028 appointee at the Academic overlook. The next time these family will reconnect will be on August 7, 2024 after the Acceptance Day Parade.
Families take photos with their Class of 2028 appointee at the Academic overlook. The next time these family will reconnect will be on August 7, 2024 after the Acceptance Day Parade at the U.S. Air Force Academy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
Class of 2028 appointees are dropped off at the Holaday Athletic Center on In-processing Day.
Class of 2028 appointees are dropped off at the Holaday Athletic Center on In-processing Day. They are greeted and cheered by Academy athletic coaches as they walk up the stairs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
At the top of the steps an appointee fist bumps a faculty member.
At the top of the steps an appointee fist bumps a faculty member. In-processing Day is the first step in their journey toward becoming a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
At the Cadet Gymnasium an appointee reads Contrails. The cover of the book is blue since that is the class color and it includes information such as chain of command, military ranks, customs and courtesies and Academy history.
At the Cadet Gymnasium an appointee reads Contrails. The cover of the book is blue since that is the class color and it includes information such as chain of command, military ranks, customs and courtesies and Academy history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
Appointees are provided a small book called Contrails which they study as part of Basic Cadet Training. They will refer to the book throughout their Academy journey and many graduates still own their book after numerous years of service.
Appointees are provided a small book called Contrails which they study as part of Basic Cadet Training. They will refer to the book throughout their Academy journey and many graduates still own their book after numerous years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
The Class of 2028 takes the Oath of Office. At this point they are no longer appointees but rather basic cadets.
The Class of 2028 takes the Oath of Office. At this point they are no longer appointees but rather basic cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
Taking the Oath of Office is a lifelong commitment upon all who seek to join the U.S. Profession of Arms.
Taking the Oath of Office is a lifelong commitment upon all who seek to join the U.S. Profession of Arms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
Basic cadets head toward the buses which will transport them to the cadet area to continue their transformation from civilian to basic cadets.
Basic cadets head toward the buses which will transport them to the cadet area to continue their transformation from civilian to basic cadets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
Basic cadets line up for the bus, as cadet cadre form them up into three columns and begin, for some this is their first introduction to military training.
Basic cadets line up for the bus, as cadet cadre form them up into three columns. For some, this is their first introduction to military training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
The cadet cadre provide instruction on the seven basic responses, which include: Yes, sir/ma’am; Sir/ma’am, I do not understand; Sir/ma’am, may I ask a question; No excuse, sir/ma’am.
The cadet cadre provide instruction on the seven basic responses, which include: Yes, sir/ma’am; Sir/ma’am, I do not understand; Sir/ma’am, may I ask a question; No excuse, sir/ma’am. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
A member of the cadet cadre waits to greet basic cadets from the Class of 2028 by the footprints at the base of the Core Values Ramp.
A member of the cadet cadre waits to greet basic cadets from the Class of 2028 by the footprints at the base of the Core Values Ramp. Three years ago, he would have stepped off the same bus. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Basic cadets go through a gauntlet of cadre on their way to the footprints.
Basic cadets go through a gauntlet of cadre on their way to the footprints. The basics are told to hurry up. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin R. Pacheco)
The Class of 2028 learn to stand at attention during In-processing Day.
The Class of 2028 learn to stand at attention during In-processing Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Class of 2028 Basic Cadets learn to listen and take orders from the cadet cadre as they stand at attention on the footprints.
Class of 2028 Basic Cadets learn to listen and take orders from the cadet cadre as they stand at attention on the footprints. There are 42 blue-painted footprints. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christina Merrill)
A basic cadet arrives to the Academy with their boots so that they can wear them in.
A basic cadet arrives at the Academy with their boots so that they can break them in before arriving. They are supposed to stand with their heels together and feet at a 22-degree angle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Basic cadets walk up the Core Values Ramp for the first time on In-processing Day.
Basic cadets walk up the Core Values Ramp for the first time on In-processing Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Basic cadets walk up the Core Values Ramp towards the cadet area on In-processing Day.
Basic cadets walk up the Core Values Ramp towards the cadet area on In-processing Day. U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
All basic male basic cadets get their hair shaved on In-processing Day.
All basic male basic cadets get their hair shaved on In-processing Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)
All female basic cadets receive instruction on Air Force hairstyles.
All female basic cadets receive instruction on Air Force hairstyles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christina Merrill)
Basic cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy walk in front of Fairchild Hall in the cadet area.
Basic cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy walk in front of Fairchild Hall in the cadet area. They are on their way to receive their uniforms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
Basic cadets on In-processing Day walk in a straight line along the Terrazzo.
Basic cadets on In-processing Day walk in a straight line along the Terrazzo. For many, this was their first time wearing an Air Force uniform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith)

See more In-processing Day photos on Flickr and check out behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube.