Welcome to this year’s first edition of #firstiefriday! This week we feature our Cadet Wing Commander, C1C Isaac Bates. Hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, Isaac is majoring in Data Science and is hoping to fly for the Air Force after graduation. Steeped in airman heritage, Isaac’s father was an Air Force Public Affairs officer. His great grandfather was a glider flyer in WWII and purple heart recipient, having flown into Normandy on D-day. His favorite memory during his time at the academy was pinning on his brother’s shoulder boards this past week at the Acceptance Day Parade. Leadership, he says, requires sacrifice, but it is a joyous pursuit. “Give freely, serve humbly, and always strive for excellence. We’re lucky to be from the greatest Nation on the planet, we owe it our best.” #usafa2024 #leadersofcharacter #UnitedWeEndure #warFighterScholars