“No corrections need to be made.”

This was the appraisal given by squadron element leaders March 18 to the class of 2009 after a whirlwind two-day training event.

First class cadets formally recognized the fourth classmen by awarding them their prop and wings insignia, which symbolizes the end of their first year and their transition to upperclassmen.

The class of 2009 is the first class to have recognition since the tradition was suspended three years ago.

It’s been a long year for the nearly 1,400 fourth classmen who entered basic training last summer. Rumors had been circulating for months about the return of recognition, and the freshmen looked forward to the challenge, even if they weren’t sure exactly what to expect.

“Recognition is going to be like eating a deck of cards,” said Cadet 4th Class Steven Tomaszewski, Cadet Squadron 13. “No one really wants to do it, and it's going to taste really bad, but after it’s over with there won’t be a card the Academy can throw at us that we haven’t already eaten!”

“I know I will be getting yelled at by the upperclassmen, and all I am going to do is try not to smile,” said Cadet 4th Class Jessica Soto, Cadet Squadron 21. ”It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that I have the worst military bearing ever and I love to smile, so I know that I will be getting dropped personally for not keeping my bearing.”

Recognition is a lot like basic training. Fourthclassmen, also known as doolies, put on their silver caps (their class color), and work through many of the same physical training courses they conquered during basic cadet training. But recognition is much more intense: it’s compressed into two days, with little downtime.

“It’s a lot more intimidating,” said Cadet 4th Class Robert Mobley. “There are a lot more upperclassmen than at basic training.”

Recognition began late Thursday night with squadron discretionary time, a combination of knowledge tests and physical training for the fourth class cadets.

The doolies spent a full day Friday cycling through an intense regiment of training courses designed to further test their physical stamina and Air Force knowledge.

They spent another three hours on the training courses Saturday morning and then returned to their squadrons. Before assembling for the noon meal, upperclassmen conducted the recognition Saturday morning inspection, leaving every four degree room in disarray. The doolies aren’t given time to put their rooms in order before moving on to the next event, the run from the cadet area to Cathedral Rock and the march back -- about five miles.

Late in the afternoon, the cadet wing assembled for a wing-wide retreat. After the cadet honor guard collected the flag, the fourth classmen returned to their squadrons for the final recognition ceremony.

Doolies were first recognized inside their squadrons by their peers, and then met in their squadron assembly rooms to have their prop and wings pinned on.

Having earned their prop and wings, fourth classmen can enjoy many of the privileges that have been withheld for the last year.

“I just want to feel like a human being again and wear civvies,” Cadet Soto said. “I am just looking forward to going out like a regular person and look normal. I don’t want to be stared at like some mannequin on display.”

“I’m looking forward to being a real person,” said Cadet 4th Class Ryan Harrison. “I’ll be like Pinnochio: I’m a real boy!”

“The worst thing was having everything taken away from you,” said Cadet 4th Class Joseph Brewer, Cadet Squadron 10. “Especially March Madness. I’m looking forward to sleep, and watching some basketball.”

The class of 2006, which planned this year’s recognition, was the last class to have the tradition their Doolie year. Planning started before the winter break, and involved more than 250 cadets.

“This year’s recognition was a success,” said Cadet 1st Class Edward Montgomery, recognition commander. “The Class of 2009 was more motivated and enthusiastic about their recognition than I could have imagined. Their performance was incredibly admirable considering the changes that occurred in their training in the middle of the year and the sudden demands placed upon their class. When the time came, they stepped up and impressed everyone.”

A few things were different from the first classmen’s doolie year.

“At the beginning of recognition, our main concern was the intensity of the training and whether or not we had appropriately gauged the level necessary to challenge the class of 2009 without hurting them,” Cadet Montgomery said. “This recognition gave the fourth class cadets more sleep overall, and we eliminated sweepstakes due to intensity concerns, as well as a large amount of squadron discretionary time. We will be asking for both these items in next year’s recognition under the assumption that the class of 2010 will face year-round physical training and preparation.”