AFA Class of 2019 reports for basic training
Members of the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2019 reported for basic cadet training Thursday, beginning their initial indoctrination into military service.
The class consists of 1,250 cadets-to-be, whittled down from 9,122 applicants.
“I’m stoked, I’m excited. Great opportunity for my daughter,” said Paul Desousa. His daughter, Melissa Desousa, attended a year of prep school ahead of cadet training. “This is an awesome place to be. We’ve hit the lottery.”
Basic Cadet Dean Ronsman showed off his “Top Gun” T-shirt before boarding the bus for training. He told KRDO NewsChannel 13 that his sponsor father dared him to wear it.
“I was looking for something fun to do on the first day,” Ronsman said. “He actually triple-dog-dared me to do this. I pretty much had to at that point.”
After saying goodbye to their parents and boarding the bus, the tough tradition begins. Cadres, a select group of upperclassmen at the Air Force Academy, are not shy about showing the basic cadets what they’re in for.
“A lot of these basics have never been told what to do in that way before,” said Cadet 2nd Class Jessica Phillips. “Most of these kids are straight out of high school and have never really experienced this kind of high stress before, so it’s just to prepare them for a future in the military in which they may have to make decisions under high pressure.”
Ronsman’s shirt didn’t go over so well. The cadres sent him back to the bus for wearing a shirt that represents the Navy.
“It’s a movie based on the Navy program,” said Phillips. “The cadre there sent him back because that’s the Navy, we’re the Air Force Academy.”
Though Ronsman’s appearance wasn’t well-received, he did return to basic training determined to tough it out.
“It’s just about maintaining your grades and making sure you keep the integrity of the program intact because that’s what the military is about,” Ronsman said. “We’re role models for the rest of the country.”
Basic cadet training runs through Aug. 1, and includes physical conditioning, marching drills, uniform and dorm inspections and weapons training. Additionally, the basic cadets will receive lessons about the Uniform Code of Military Justice, first aid, honor and ethics, and the Air Force’s core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do.
