Editing Officer cadet (section)

==== U.S. Air Force Academy ====
[[File:USAFA Cadet Rank.png|thumb|[[United States Air Force Academy Cadet Insignia|Rank insignias used by United States Air Force Academy cadets]]]]
The [[United States Air Force Academy Cadet Insignia|rank of United States Air Force Academy cadets]] is denoted by the insignia on their shoulderboards in all "blues" uniforms, including "blues", [[service dress]], overcoats, [[mess dress]] and parade dress. All cadet shoulder boards carry the heraldic [[nebuly]] device, (commonly referred to as "clouds" by cadets). Third class cadets have one thin bar (ground) underneath the clouds; second and first class cadets wear two thin bars, one each above (horizon) and below the clouds. Additional chevrons denote cadet non-commissioned officer ranks, while additional bars denote cadet officer ranks.  An exception to this is the unranked cadets, who are on probation of some kind (academic, athletic, military, honor, etc.). For unranked third class cadets, only ground and cloud are present; for unranked second class cadets only ground, cloud, and horizon are present; for unranked first class cadets only ground, cloud, horizon and one thin bar are present. Vertical diamonds on the boards of second class cadets indicate either squadron or group superintendent positions. Horizontal diamonds on the same indicate squadron first sergeant positions. Stars on first class cadet boards indicate either flight, squadron, or group command positions. If multiple stars are present, the cadet is either the vice wing commander (two stars), or the wing commander (three stars), the senior cadet in the Wing. The only second class cadet rank with a star present is the Wing Command Chief, the senior second class cadet.

On the current [[Operational Camouflage Pattern]], Air Force Academy cadets wear soft spice brown rank insignia on the center of the chest. Formerly, Air Force Academy cadets wore metal blue bars or chevrons on the lapels of the (now retired) [[Battle Dress Uniform]] and [[Airman Battle Uniform]] to denote their rank. While fourth class cadets wear no insignia on combat uniforms, they are awarded a [[Prop and Wings]] after recognition, to be worn on the flight cap and on the lapels of service dress. Third class cadets wear one or two chevrons on each lapel, signifying that they are cadet/[[staff sergeant]]s or cadet/[[technical sergeant]]s, respectively. Second class cadets wear three to five chevrons, indicating ranks from cadet/[[master sergeant]] to cadet/[[Chief Master Sergeant (United States)|chief master sergeant]]. First class cadets function as cadet officers and wear one to six bars on their lapels, corresponding to ranks from cadet/[[second lieutenant]] to cadet/[[colonel]].