Members of the Air Force Academy's Class of 1975 congratulate cadets in the Class of 2015 on their formal acceptance into the Cadet Wing during the Acceptance Day Parade Aug. 3, 2011. The Class of 1975 is the legacy class for the new freshmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Davis)
Members of the Air Force Academy's Class of 2015 take the Honor Oath during the Academy's Acceptance Day Parade Aug. 3, 2011. Cadets may not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among their ranks anyone who does. In addition, they swear to do their duty and to live honorably. (U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Davis)
Cadets in the Class of 2015 exchange their baseball caps for Airman Battle Uniform caps to signify their transition into the Cadet Wing during the Acceptance Day Parade Aug. 3, 2011. The baseball caps are gold, signifying the freshmen's class color. (U.S. Air Force photo/Megan Davis)
8/4/2011 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The Air Force Academy's Cadet Wing formally absorbed the Class of 2015 into its fold during the annual Acceptance Day Parade here Aug. 3.
During the ceremony, basic cadets received copies of "Contrails" from their legacy class, the Class of 1975. They swore the Academy's Honor Oath before exchanging their gold baseball caps for Airman Battle Uniform caps and joining cadets from the classes of 2012, 2013 and 2014.
During Acceptance, the new freshmen march toward the Cadet Wing in an inverse wedge formation to signify their entrance into the Cadet Wing. At graduation, the outgoing seniors march into Falcon Stadium in a wedge formation, signifying their departure.
8/8/2011 3:55:18 PM ET I'm a 2010 grad and the Acceptance Parade was in blues when I went through. Just speculating here but I remember that during my cadet career, depending on how muddy the parade field was that the decision would be made to go ABUs or BDUs versus blues to save uniforms from getting trashed, especially those white parade pants. Congrats to 2015! The upcoming four years may be tough but they will fly by.
Lt Gamiles, Mountain Home AFB ID
8/6/2011 6:14:39 PM ET I thought the Acceptance Day Parade was in blues followed immediately by receiving C4C shoulder boards. Oh well, ABUs it is now. At least they are still having the parade.
Keri Z, WPAFB OH
8/5/2011 5:17:28 PM ET ABUs for the acceptance day parade? That is new.
Analyst, Barksdale
8/5/2011 4:20:48 PM ET Olds11 thanks for the heads-up. I've updated the story on our website to reflect the correction and I apologize for the error.
Don Branum, U.S. Air Force Academy
8/5/2011 10:35:45 AM ET Back when I was a cadet and the Academy was tough, we had to wear our class-colored baseball caps all the way through Recognition. I guess the only tradition at USAFA is change... Congrats class of 2015 and welcome to the Cadet Wing. '98 DOMINATES
Keith Englin, Scott AFB
8/4/2011 1:58:12 PM ET They don't march into the stadium in a wedge at graduation. That is at a parade the day before graduation at stillman field.
