From Cadet-for-a-Day to Class of 2025 graduate

Then-Cadet 1st Class Mark Carnes, Class of 2025, is pictured in front of the F-15 Eagle on the U.S. Air Force Academy Terrazzo, May 12, 2025. Carnes will begin EURO-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

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

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – At the age of 15, U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Mark Carnes visited the U.S. Air Force Academy and made a life-changing decision: to become a cadet and fulfill a childhood dream to fly fighter aircraft. Carnes’ ambition was his guiding light during chemotherapy, along with support from family and friends.

“From that day on, I knew I would dedicate the rest of my life to pursuing my goal of becoming a fighter pilot because of how much it meant to me,” he said. “I overcame chemotherapy, and this was my light at the end of the tunnel.

Then-Cadet 1st Class Mark Carnes, Class of 2025, with Cadet for a Day Peyton Clark and her brother, Elijah Clark, at the Davis Airfield. Feb. 28, 2025. Carnes first came to the U.S. Air Force Academy when he participated in the Cadet for a Day program upon completion of Burkitt’s lymphoma treatment at the age of 14. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

From Virginia Tech to the U.S. Air Force Academy

Carnes had to be cancer-free for five years before he could receive an Academy appointment, so he attended Virginia Tech as a freshman and transferred to the Academy in the fall of 2021.

“It was very difficult, but I met wonderful people and had the opportunity to mature before coming to the Academy,” said Carnes. “I always knew the Academy was the goal, but that was an important step along my way.

Mark Carnes, 15, eats breakfast with cadets and staff at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Nov. 10, 2016. Carnes became an Academy cadet for a day through the Cadet for a Day Program run by the Academy and the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2000. The program allows children with serious medical conditions to achieve their dreams of becoming an Academy cadet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Darcie Ibidapo)

The Cadet for a Day Program

Since childhood, Carnes dreamed of flying fighters and was inspired by his mother’s encouragement. In 2016, Carnes was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma and missed six months of middle school while undergoing chemotherapy. Buoyed by the support of his mother, family and friends, Carnes emerged from treatment cancer-free. After completing chemo, the Greater Virginia Make-A-Wish Foundation sponsored his Cadet for a Day visit at the Academy.

The Cadet for a Day program is cadet-run and honors children who are struggling to overcome serious physical and health challenges. During his cadet career, Carnes worked with the Colorado Make-A-Wish program as the cadet-in-charge. In this role, he was responsible for creating a unique experience for children as honorary members of a cadet squadron.

“Cadet for a Day is my most valued experience at the Academy because it offers the opportunity to brighten a child’s and their family’s day during one of the darkest times of their lives,” said Carnes. “It made a massive impact on the trajectory of my life when I was a cadet for a day in 2016, inspiring me to come here, and has been instrumental in shaping my character during my years here.

Then-Cadet 1st Class Mark Carnes, Class of 2025, helping Cadet for a Day Inna Kazurova at the Davis Airfield hangar, Nov. 15, 2024. Carnes first came to the U.S. Air Force Academy when he participated in the Cadet for a Day program upon completion of Burkitt’s lymphoma treatment at the age of 14. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)

Finding success and developing leadership skills as a cadet

Since his first semester as a cadet, Carnes’ determination and passion have helped him navigate through adversity and achieve success in multiple areas. In academics, Carnes earned a Stamps Scholars Program scholarship and ranked 12th in his class, among the top economic majors. In airmanship, he was a record-setting glider program instructor pilot who completed two of the highest-scoring sorties in Academy history. His leadership experience included leading 1,000 cadets as a group commander.

Dr. Buddhika Jayamaha, Department of Military and Strategic Studies professor, said Carnes’ cadet accomplishments indicate the type of leader he will be as an officer and a pilot.

“Mark is already the leader his Airmen deserve,” said Jayamaha. “As a cadet, he performed his share of tasks and more. He stands out in his commitment to the mission and puts in 100% to each task. His dedication to his people is unwavering.

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Mark Carnes, Class of 2025, is pictured at Sijan Hall, May 12, 2025. Now that he is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Carnes will begin EURO-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Turning adversity into opportunity and career momentum

Carnes considers the adversity he faced during cancer treatment, coupled with the resiliency he developed at the Academy, as momentum for the next chapter of his life.

“My time at the Academy gave me the grit to hang in there when times are tough,” Carnes said. “You can take the Academy for what it is worth, or you can go the extra step to take advantage of the opportunities it gives you to turn yourself into the leader you want to be.

On May 29, Carnes graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He is slated to begin EURO-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.