Editing United States Air Force Academy (section)

== Military training ==
{{See also-text|[[Sandhurst Competition]] (a military skills event)}}
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2025}}
[[File:N681BA RIAT Bthebest.JPG|thumb|DA40 of USAFA at [[Royal International Air Tattoo|RIAT]] 2010]]

Cadets' military training occurs throughout their time at the academy, but is especially intense during their four summers. The first military experience for new cadets (called "basic cadets") occurs during the six weeks of Basic Cadet Training (BCT), in the summer before their fourth class (freshman) year. During BCT, also known as "beast," cadets learn the fundamentals of military and Academy life under the leadership of a cadre of first and second class cadets.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SwPpREqLxaAC&q=air+force+academy+beast&pg=PA92 |title=Idiots Guide to Careers in the Military |access-date=2012-02-20|isbn=9780028643816 |year=2002 |last1=Harris |first1=Bill |publisher=Penguin }}</ref>  Basic cadets learn military customs and courtesies, proper wear of the uniform, drill and ceremony, and study military knowledge and undergo a rigorous physical training program. During the second half of BCT, basic cadets march to [[Jacks Valley (United States Air Force Academy)|Jacks Valley]], where they complete the program in a field encampment environment. Upon completion of BCT, basic cadets receive their fourth-class [[United States Air Force Academy Cadet Insignia|shoulder boards]], take the Honor Oath and are formally accepted as members of the Cadet Wing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.academyadmissions.com/the-experience/military/basic-training/|title=Basic Cadet Training – Air Force Academy|website=Air Force Academy|access-date=28 October 2016|archive-date=28 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028082323/http://www.academyadmissions.com/the-experience/military/basic-training|url-status=live}}</ref>

The fourth-class (freshman) year is traditionally the most difficult at the academy, militarily. In addition to their full academic course loads, heavy demands are placed on fourth-class cadets outside of class. Fourth-class cadets are expected to learn an extensive amount of military and Academy-related knowledge and have significant restrictions placed on their movement and actions—traversing the Cadet Area only by approved routes (including staying on the marble "strips" on the Terrazzo) and interacting with upper class cadets using a very specific decorum. The fourth-class year ends with "Recognition," a physically and mentally demanding several-day event which culminates in the award of the [[Prop and Wings]] insignia to the fourth-class cadets, signifying their ascension to the ranks of upper class cadets. After Recognition, the stringent rules of the fourth-class year are relaxed.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}

After the first year, cadets have more options for summer military training. Between their fourth and third class years, cadets undergo training in interpersonal and small team unit training during Adventure Based Learning (ABL) and may participate in flying [[glider (sailplane)|gliders]], cyber-warfare training, satellite and space operations, unmanned systems, or free-fall [[parachuting|parachute training]]. Until the Summer of 2020, cadets participated in Expeditionary and Survival Training. From the late 1960s until the mid-1990s, cadets also completed [[Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape|SERE]] training in the [[Jacks Valley (United States Air Force Academy)|Jacks Valley]] complex between their fourth- and third-class years.  This program was replaced with Combat Survival Training (CST) in 1995 and done away with entirely in 2005. In the summer of 2008, the CST program was reintroduced, but was cut again in 2011 and replaced with Expeditionary, Survival, and Evasion Training (ESET) for the summer of 2012 (the Class of 2015 was the first to participate in ESET). During their last two summers, cadets may serve as BCT cadre, travel to active duty Air Force bases and participate in a variety of other research, aviation and leadership programs. They may also be able to take courses offered by other military services, such as the U.S. Army's [[United States Army Airborne School|Airborne School]] at [[Fort Moore]], Georgia, or the [[United States Army Air Assault School|Air Assault School]], at [[Fort Campbell]], Kentucky. During the academic year, all cadets take formal classes in military theory, operations and leadership.