COLORADO SPRINGS — When the cadets first entered the Air Force Academy in 2018, there were 1,434 of them, now 973 of them have made it to graduation.

It's a really hard four years, both physically and emotionally, as these young cadets get prepared to enter our military while balancing their academics.

Basic Cadet Training is a six-week program to guide Basic Cadets from being civilians to military academy cadets. They have their physical, emotional, and mental limits pushed.

During field day, their teamwork is put to the test through relays, distance races and tug of war.

During the second round of basic training, cadets go to Jack’s Valley.

Jack's Valley is a 3,000-acre rural training area on the Academy where they have their physical limits pushed and are introduced to small unit tactics and guns.

Here are some facts about the class of 2022:

It isn't just the physical work that's really hard for these cadets. They also must keep up with a tough academic schedule.

The average grade point average is 3.8.

Wednesday, May 25 - USAFA Graduation Ceremony Schedule:

Prohibited Items and Dress Code:

For the graduation ceremony, both men and women are expected to wear business casual or casual dress. Members of the military who are in the stands are expected to dress in their Service Dress with their flight cap.

Items allowed at Stillman Parade Field and Falcon Stadium

Learn more about what to expect at the US Air Force Academy 2022 graduation in our recent story. _____

Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.