I can't help but think back to a couple examples that solidified the relationship of cadets and the "active force" to me.
When my class graduated, one of my classmates during his interview with the commandant was asked: "So cadet, what do you plan to do when you report to your first assignment?" (he was going non-rated).
He answered: "Sir, I'm going to find an old Chief Master Sergeant and go to work for him and learn my job." This was received not very well by the BGen who said: "Son, you'll be an officer, you outrank the chief and he'll work for you."
My classmate smiled and said: "Yessir." And later told us that when he got to his first base, he did precisely what he said he would and learned his job MUCH faster and was on the "fast track" because his NCO's took him under THEIR wing because he respected THEM.
The other was my own. I learned as a young dependant that while officers have nice uniforms, medals, etc...etc...that the enlisted force does most of the work and without them...my father and grandfather insisted I know this. And USAFA had a great summer program: Operation NONCOM. You went to a base and worked as a junior airman for the entire program. I roomed with an E-3 and worked on the flightline doing aircraft maintenance. Dirty, hot, hard, smelly, you name it, that was the job. I might have bitc**d a lot about it like one of my classmates but...Dad and Granddad's voice rang in the head...so I shut my mouth and opened my ears and did what I could to help.
The last week...I was told to preflight a C-141 for an overseas trip. That's a LONG preflight...but I did as I was told, being followed by a fully qualified crewchief of course. The last item to check was the fuel tanks. To do that you have this long pole with a bottle on the end. You insert the pole into a slot on the bottom of the wing, push up and a rubber seal prevents the fuel from flowing anywhere except the bottle.
I didn't check the bottle for the rubber seal. Can you picture what happened?
After the fire truck completely foamed me down (funny thing, that truck just happened to be nearby) I was told "...Steve...you're okay for a zoomie..."
Years later...when I was a young captain and was working in the wing HQ...one day I wore my ring. And the Wing Chief saw it and said (and I treasure this comment)...
"OH CAPTAIN...you're a ZOOMIE? Man...but...you're NORMAL?!"
Don't think the academy ring or title gives you anything at all...be humble, with silent mouth and gaping ears...it'll serve you well.
Rank can be granted, respect must be earned.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83