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The cadet rank at the United States Air Force Academy is determined by two factors: class year and job. First year, or fourth-class, cadets (C4C) have only one rank; but as they progress through the Academy, their roles, responsibilities, and ranks increase, culminating in their senior year, where roles as an Assistant Shop Lead garner the rank of cadet first lieutenant (C/1Lt), while roles such as the Cadet Wing Commander (AFCW/CC), Cadet Vice Wing Commander (AFCW/CV), or Cadet Wing Director of Operations (AFCW/DO) are accorded the highest rank of cadet colonel.
The Wing Tripod which leads the Cadet Wing in parades consists of the Wing Commander (front, middle) flanked by the Vice Wing Commander (left) and the Wing Director of Operations (right).
Cadet Rank Insignia
Cadet Fourth Class - C4C (Freshman)
Cadet Third Class - C3C (Sophomore)
Basic Cadet
Cadet 4th Class
Cadet 3rd Class
Cadet Staff Sergeant
No insignia
Cadet Second Class - C2C (Junior)
Cadet 2nd Class
Cadet Technical Sergeant
Cadet Master Sergeant
Cadet Senior Master Sergeant
Cadet Chief Master Sergeant
Unranked
Group/Squadron Staff
Squadron 1st Sgt
Wing Staff
Squadron Superintendent
Group Superintendent
Wing Command Chief
Cadet First Class - C1C (Senior)
Cadet 1st Class
Cadet 2nd Lieutenant
Cadet 1st Lieutenant
Cadet Captain
Cadet Major
Cadet Lieutenant Colonel
Cadet Colonel
Unranked
Squadron Staff
Squadron Staff
Flight Commander
Group Staff
Wing Staff
Squadron Commander
Wing Director of Operations/Character/Airmanship Officer
Cadet merit list insignia are worn by those cadets who excel militarily (Commandant's List), academically (Dean's List), or athletically (Athletic Director's List). Cadets who earn a place on all three lists are awarded the insignia for the Superintendent's List.
Cadet Merit List Insignia
Commandant's List
Dean's List
Athletic Director's List
Commandant's & Dean's Lists
Commandant's & Athletic Director's Lists
Dean's & Athletic Director's Lists
Superintendent's List
Aviation
Cadet aviation insignia are worn by cadets who achieve certain milestones in their flight training.
Cadet Aviation Insignia
Unmanned Aerial Systems
Soaring/Powered Flight - Solo
Command Soaring Instructor Pilot
Cadet Aviation Instructor
Other qualifications
While at the Air Force Academy, cadets may earn other insignia including: parachute wings, for completion of either freefall parachute training at the Academy or the U.S. Army's Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia; the Air Assault Badge for completion of the U.S. Army's Air Assault program at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; or the Bulldog badge for the completion of the U.S. Marine Corps' "Bulldog" program at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
