US military academies each welcome Class of 2030, begin basic training

A male academy student hugs a woman goodbye.

A U.S. Coast Guard Academy swab from the Class of 2030 hugs a loved one during Day One at USCGA in New London, Conn., on June 29, 2026. (Janessa-Reyanna Warschkow/U.S. Coast Guard)

The nation’s service academies welcomed their newest classes during the past week, marking the start of a four-year journey toward becoming military officers.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy

The Coast Guard Academy’s Class of 2030 started its 200-week cadet training program and Swab Summer on Monday in New London, Conn.

The incoming class is made up of approximately 285 students, with representation from 46 states and territories and eight international students from Ghana, the Philippines, Ecuador, Mexico and the Bahamas, according to a service news release.

The new cadets, also called Swabs, said goodbye to their families before entering the academy’s seven-week basic training period known as Swab Summer to prepare them for military and academy life.

On the first day, the cadets received their uniforms, practiced drills and completed administrative processes.

Academy students sit on a gymnasium floor.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 2030 swabs wait for their Cadet Cadre to pick them up at USCGA in New London, Conn., on June 29, 2026. Day One marks the start of Swab Summer, an intensive seven-week program that prepares students for military and Academy life. (Roxanna Jacobo Cruz/U.S. Coast Guard)

A female academy student smiles and hugs a family member who is kissing them on the cheek.

A U.S. Coast Guard Academy swab from the Class of 2030 hugs a loved one during Day One USCGA in New London, Conn., on June 29, 2026. (Roxanna Jacobo Cruz/U.S. Coast Guard)

Academy students raise their right arm during a ceremony.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy swabs swear in as part of Day One at USCGA in New London, Conn., on June 29, 2026. This ceremony marks their official entrance into the seven-week training program which will prepare them for becoming cadets. (Janessa-Reyanna Warschkow/U.S. Coast Guard)

A woman holds up her phone horizontally while taking a video of Academy students.

A family member of a U.S. Coast Guard Academy swab takes a video of swabs during Day One at USCGA in New London, Conn., on June 29, 2026. (Roxanna Jacobo Cruz/U.S. Coast Guard)

Academy students in uniform standing in formation and attention.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy swabs swear in as part of Day One at USCGA in New London, Conn., on June 29, 2026. (Roxanna Jacobo Cruz/U.S. Coast Guard)

A group of academy students walking together.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 2030 swabs transit to their next check-in station at USCGA in New London, Conn., on June 29, 2026. (Roxanna Jacobo Cruz/U.S. Coast Guard)

A group of academy students stand in formation.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy swab from the Class of 2030 stand in formation after saying good bye to their family during Day One at USCGA in New London, Conn., on June 29, 2026. (Janessa-Reyanna Warschkow/U.S. Coast Guard)

U.S. Military Academy

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., welcomed more than 1,230 U.S. citizens and about 20 international cadets on Monday for the Class of 2030’s Reception Day.

West Point’s newest cadets came from each state, Washington and various U.S. territories, as well as 16 countries.

The new cadets will take part in a six-week basic training involving rigorous physical training, small unit tactical training, individual military skills and warrior tasks while learning how to respond quickly under stress.

The cadets’ Acceptance Day Parade, which marks the completion of their training, will be held on Aug. 15.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., welcomed more than 1,230 U.S. citizens and about 20 international cadets on Monday, June 29, 2026, for the Class of 2030’s Reception Day. (U.S. Military Academy via Facebook)

New cadets arrived to Reception Day on Monday, June 29, 2026 to begin their four year journey at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York. (Jorge Garcia/U.S Military Academy Public Affairs)

Four academy students waiting in line with their hands behind their backs.

Basic cadets of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York wait in line during Reception Day on Monday, June 29, 2026. (John Pellino/U.S. Military Academy)

A cadet gets a haircut during Reception Day at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York on Monday, June 29, 2026, (U.S. Military Academy via Facebook)

Cadets stand in line with a Coast Guard officer pointing his finger at the ground.

Cadets stand in a line during Reception Day at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York on Monday, June 29, 2026. (U.S. Military Academy via Facebook)

Cadets carry their bags and walk on a bridge.

Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2030, Reception Day on Monday, June 29, 2026. (John Pellino/U.S. Military Academy)

A cadet salutes during Reception Day at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York on Monday, June 29, 2026, (U.S. Military Academy via Facebook)

A group of cadets walk in a line with their bags.

Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2030, Reception Day on Monday, June 29, 2026. (U.S. Military Academy via Facebook)

U.S. Naval Academy

More than 1,200 midshipmen were inducted into the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 2030 on June 25 in Annapolis, Md.

The freshman class, also called plebes, features members from 49 states, Washington, four U.S. territories and 14 international students.

The students began their Physical Education Program in preparation for the Physical Readiness Test at the end of Plebe Summer, according to a Naval Academy Facebook post.

The U.S. Naval Academy welcomes the midshipman candidates, or plebes, of the class of 2030 during Induction Day at Annapolis, Md., on June 25, 2026 (Jacob West/U.S. Navy)

A person sitting in a barber shop smiles and looks at a Marine Corps officer.

U.S. Naval Academy 66th Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte helps in the barber shop cutting midshipman candidates, or plebes, of the class of 2030, hair during Induction Day at Annapolis, Md., on June 25, 2026 (Sarah M. Thielen/U.S. Navy)

Midshipman candidates stand in a line and salute.

The U.S. Naval Academy welcomes the midshipman candidates, or plebes, of the class of 2030 during Induction Day at Annapolis, Md., on June 25, 2026 (Sarah M. Thielen/U.S. Navy)

Midshipman candidates stand together and read from a small book.

The U.S. Naval Academy welcomes the midshipman candidates, or plebes, of the class of 2030 during Induction Day at Annapolis, Md., on June 25, 2026 (Alice Gubler/U.S. Navy)

Midshipman candidates raise their right hands together.

U.S. Naval Academy midshipman candidates, or plebes, of the class of 2030 and parents during Induction Day at Annapolis, Md., on June 25, 2026 (Jacob West/U.S. Navy)

U.S. Naval Academy midshipman candidates, or plebes, of the class of 2030 and parents during Induction Day at Annapolis, Md., on June 25, 2026. (Dani Bocanegra/U.S. Navy)

Two midshipman candidates take a photo together by a tree.

U.S. Naval Academy midshipman candidates, or plebes, of the class of 2030 and parents during Induction Day at Annapolis, Md., on June 25, 2026 (Stacy Godfrey/U.S. Navy)

U.S. Air Force Academy

The U.S. Air Force Academy welcomed more than 1,130 cadets on June 24 in Colorado. The Class of 2030 includes cadets from all over the U.S., and 17 international students.

They will begin basic cadet training, a six-week program that builds military skills, physical fitness, resilience and teamwork, according to a service news release.

The cadets’ Acceptance Day Parade will be held on Aug. 5.

Cadets walking in uniforms and holding duffle bags.

Incoming members of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2030 take part in In-processing Day, the beginning of Basic Cadet Training, at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 24, 2026. (Trevor Cokley/U.S. Air Force)

Cadets raise their right arm during a ceremony.

Basic cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2030 and cadet cadre take part in the annual Swearing-In Ceremony at Stillman Field at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 25, 2026. (Jonathan Suni/U.S. Air Force)

Family members on bleachers with signs and binoculars.

Family members at the annual Swearing-In Ceremony at Stillman Field at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 25, 2026. (Jonathan Suni/U.S. Air Force)

Basic cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2030 receive instruction from cadet cadre during Basic Cadet Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 26, 2026. (Trevor Cokley/U.S. Air Force)

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US military academies each welcome Class of 2030, begin basic training

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