#ICYMI Acceptance Day is a day of celebration for basic cadets as they complete Basic Cadet Training, become 4th-class cadets and officially join the Cadet Wing. For family and friends, it's a day filled with pride and joy - whether you can attend in person or watch from afar. Here's a look at all those emotions from last week's A-Day parade. #youracademy #usafa2026 | United States Air Force Academy

"Basic Cadet Training is just the first installment of what has been designed to condition you to the rigors and extraordinary hard work that is required for those charged with defending the nation," - Ret. Col. Gary Payton, Class of '71 From 1985-1986 Col. Payton was a payload specialist on Space Shuttle Discovery STS-51C and is currently a Schriever Chair in astronautics at USAFA. | United States Air Force Academy