Recognition info From USAFA Folklore Wikki

[AuzmansMOM]

Recognition
Recognition is the formal end of the fourth class year when the fourth class cadets are "recognized" as upperclass cadets. Recognized fourth class cadets are allowed to wear the Prop and Wings insignia on their flight caps.

Contents
1 Timing
2 Recognition Training
3 Recognition History
4 Trivia
4.1 Recognition through the years
5 See also Timing

The timing of Recognition has changed throughout the Academy's history. Traditionally, Recognition took place at the end of Hell Week. Hell Week took place during Dead Week between final examinations and Graduation, typically in late May or early June. At some point, Recognition was moved to about M-40 in late May, right before Finals Week, so Fourth Class Cadets would be at rest during study time for finals and final exams. More recently, Recognition has taken place in late March, following the Forty Days.

Recognition Training

Recognition training traditionally has encompassed several days of physically, mentally and psychologically grueling training, much like Basic Cadet Training, but with more activities crammed into fewer days. Recognition training traditionally ends with the Run to the Rock, followed by the formal Recognition ceremonies. The formal ceremony marking Recognition is done by individual squadrons, and involves the presentation of a Prop and Wings insignia to each fourth class cadet.

Some of the events that normally take place during Recognition Training are:

Running the Obstacle Course
Running the Assault Course
Sweepstakes (in some years)
Uniform drills and SLAMIs
Theme rooms
The Run to the Rock
[edit]Recognition History

To the best of my memory, Recognition for the Classes of 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1964 took place the week prior to Finals, i.e., sometime in late May. I do not recall anything called "Hell Week." We had a "Hell Fourth Class Year" and the entire year was "hell." As fourth classmen, we did not go home during Christmas. Also, the only time we could leave the Academy was for a Dining Permit in the home of a USAFA assigned officer. I never got invited so I never got one. We also had several, so called, "Open Posts," which meant that you could leave the Academy grounds and return prior to Midnight of the same day. I only recall two "Open Posts" during my Fourth Class year. It was a lonely year, particularly after football season and until the Spring. (Hector Negroni, Class of 1961)

During the Class of 1994's Recognition, training was halted in the middle of Recognition weekend and ultimately postponed seven days due to an incident on the Flatiron.
During their Recognition, the Class of 2002 had a 24-hour period during which they had no sleep--a straight day of training. This accomplishment is symbolized by the the moon and sun appearing on their class crest. The training period is somewhat misunderstood, however, as their recognition was not just 24 hours, but rather than a 24-hour period of time during which the smacks had no sleep.
Recognition was canceled for the Classes of 2007 and 2008, following the sexual assault scandal. It has since been reinstated, and the Class of 2009 was recognized on 18 March 2006.
[edit]Trivia

For the Class of 1976, at least one cadet (who shall remain nameless, but was infamous for being a legendary screw-up) was dismissed from the Academy in a move to save his life, as he was being bid for by literally dozens of upperclassmen from several different squadrons.

(Taken from USAFA folklore wikki)

[AuzmansMOM]

The Prop and Wings insignia


The Prop and Wings insignia appears on many of the Academy's class crests and is part of the of the logo of the Academy's Association of Graduates. The Prop and Wings insignia is traditionally awarded to Academy cadets at the end of the fourth class year, signifying that they have been recognized as upper class cadets. Cadets wear the insignia on their flight caps.

The standard insignia is chrome. However, beginning in 19__, if the cadet was a direct descendant of a member of the Army Air Corps, the cadet was authorized to wear gold Prop and Wings. In ____ the criteria for the gold insignia was changed. In addition to cadets who have relatives in the Army Air Corps, gold Prop and Wings are also currently authorized for cadets who have a relative that was a Women's Airforce Service Pilot (WASP), a parent with at least 20 years of military service, a parent who participated in combat as a member of any U.S. military service, or a parent who died in the line of duty.

More recently, the wear of the Prop and Wings has been extended to ROTC cadets.

[AuzmansMOM]

Forty Days refers to the forty days prior to the start of Recognition training. Although fourth class training has always gotten more intense as Recognition approached, "Forty Days" as a concept has only been formalized relatively recently.

The number of days corresponds to the the number of cadet squadrons. On each squadron's day, all fourth class cadets greet upperclassmen on the Terrazzo using that particular squadron's greeting instead of their own. Additionally, the fourth class cadets were usually required to undergo increased training and hazing rituals during Forty Days. Forty Days usually sees a large number of spirit missions, usually done by each squadron on its particular day.

[AuzmansMOM]

Fourth class cadets from the
Class of 2009 returning with their "charge"


The Run to the Rock is an annual event held at the conclusion of Recognition training. The entire fourth class, accompanied by the entire first class, participate in a formation run from the Cadet Area to Cathedral Rock.

Before the run, the fourth class cadets of each squadron acquire a large rock (normally carryable by 6-8 persons) and decorate it with the class and squadron colors. Often, these rocks were kept in the squadrons and passed down and repainted from year to year. Just prior to the run, upperclassmen from the squadron would transport the squadron rock to the Cathedral Rock area. Upon reaching Cathedral Rock, the fourth class cadets would be expected to locate the squadron rock and carry it, as a team, back to the Cadet Area. This was a considerable challenge, as carrying a 100-pound rock for 3 miles, usually with 6-8 cadets holding edges of a blanket holding the rock, required significant coordination and teamwork on the part of the fourth class cadets.

During the past few years, the squadron rock has been replaced with a "charge", a plastic/composite railroad tie fitted with rope handles and likewise decorated by cadets. Although just as heavy, if not heavier, than a typical squadron rock, the handles make it much easier to carry.

[AuzmansMOM]

It is my understanding the the person who started the USAFA folklore wiki is no longer with us. HE has provided a wonderful source of information and stories and has it set up for Grads and Cadets to continue on with the content.

Until the link is back up and running, please click on the "terms and tradition forums" that have many of the wikki postings copy and pasted for information and discussion.

The creator of USAFA wikki will be greatly missed.



Lark

[AuzmansMOM]

For those who would like an idea of what Recognition is all about.

Feel free to share you photos from web Guy in any of the threads on the forums. There is a icon in every message box you can paste the url to images and it will show up in post. You can also add images to your albums in USer profile or to the Gallery.