Commitment to Excellence
United States Air Force Academy

Congress authorized creation of the Air Force Academy in 1954. Harold E. Talbott, then Secretary of the Air Force, appointed a commission to assist him in selecting the permanent site. After traveling 21,000 miles and considering 580 proposed sites in 45 states, the commission recommended three locations. From those, Secretary Talbott selected the site near Colorado Springs, Colorado. On July 11, 1955, the same year construction began, the first class of 306 men were sworn in at a temporary site at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. Lt.Gen. Hubert R. Harmon, a key figure in the development of the Academy since 1949, was recalled from retirement to become the first superintendent.

Cadet Insignia of Rank

Cadet Fourth Class (Unranked)	Cadet Third Class (Unranked)	Cadet Third Class (Cadet SSgt)	Cadet Third Class Flight Sergeant (Cadet SSgt)	Cadet Second Class (Unranked)	Cadet Second Class (Cadet TSgt)
Cadet Second Class (Cadet MSgt)	Cadet Second Class Group NCO (Cadet MSgt)	Cadet Second Class Wing NCO (Cadet MSgt)	Cadet Second Class First Sergeant (Cadet SMSgt)	Cadet Second Class Group Superintendent (Cadet CMSgt)	Cadet Second Class Wing Superintendent (Cadet CMSgt)
Cadet First Class (Unranked)	Cadet First Class (Cadet 2Lt)	Cadet First Class (Cadet 1Lt)	Cadet First Class (Cadet Capt)	Cadet First Class Flight Commander (Cadet Capt)	Cadet First Class (Cadet Maj)
Cadet First Class Team Captain (Cadet Maj)	Cadet First Class (Cadet LtCol)	Cadet First Class Wing Honor Chairman (Cadet LtCol)	Cadet First Class Group Commander (Cadet Col)	Cadet First Class Vice Wing Commander (Cadet Col)	Cadet First Class Wing Commander (Cadet Col)