Wings and Props

John41057

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2012
Messages
239
Hi
I notice that some have a lot and others less in the pictures. Please explain how this process works to get wings and props?
Regards
John
 
It's "Prop and wings" not the other way around.

One set is issued upon completion of Recognition. The other sets are given to 4 degrees who did well in the eyes of the upperclass cadets who give them.
 
On the Prop and Wings subject...

What entitles a cadet to wear a Gold Prop and Wings?
 
Direct descendants of members of the Army Air Corps, Women Air Force Service pilots, have a parent with at least 20 years of service, have a parent that participated in combat as a member of any U.S. military service, or a parent that died in the line of duty are authorized to wear the gold prop and wings.

It also matters who pinned them on. If a respected upperclassman or the painted ones that are shown to be given liberally. All you need is to earn one to make it through recognition and not be a doolie anymore.
 
They changed the policy for Gold last year:

“Direct descendants of members of the Army Air Corps, Women Air Force Service Pilots, or have a parent graduate the USAFA are authorized to wear the gold prop and wings device”
 
gold prop and wings

Class of 2016 was told differently. We were told for Gold: You will be awarded the gold prop and wing if any member of you direct ancestry has served in the USAF or the Army Air Corps.
 
If I understand things correctly, their is a cost of $6 for each prop and wing pin. That cost is absorbed/paid for by the upperclassmen. Therefore the upperclassmen thought enough of the cadet to spend $6 on them.
 
If I understand things correctly, their is a cost of $6 for each prop and wing pin. That cost is absorbed/paid for by the upperclassmen. Therefore the upperclassmen thought enough of the cadet to spend $6 on them.

I hope it means more than that.
 
If I understand things correctly, their is a cost of $6 for each prop and wing pin. That cost is absorbed/paid for by the upperclassmen. Therefore the upperclassmen thought enough of the cadet to spend $6 on them.

The grins on their faces as they march back from the rock and have them prop and wings pinned on their lapels-priceless:smile:
 
That's what I meant.

Speaking on what I've heard from my friends who have already gone through recognition, it really does mean a lot. Having the prop and wings means that your done being a doolie and you're a real person again! When upperclassmen present them to you it's a sign of respect to you, as a cadet and as a person. To a newly recognized cadet, I'm sure that means the world.
 
Respect for the Freshmen

my Firstie was so proud of "his" freshmen this year, and was very disappointed about one thing. The store ran out of the Prop & Wings pins, or he would have pinned many more of "his" freshmen. The same was true for the kids in line behind him.

Recognition was an emotional experience for the Seniors. The conversations they had afterwards with each other have probably been repeated for 45 years or so, but it was unexpected, at least for my son. Reflective and positive.

The freshmen were recognized, but the seniors were recognizing many other things as this ride takes a turn away from the Academy and they leave it to 2014 and beyond. May God be with them all.
 
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