McKenna Kimball succeeded in every test. She got the necessary recommendations from government officials, passed the physical requirements and did well enough in high school to be one of just more than 1,100 students accepted to the Air Force Academy’s class of 2015.

“We didn’t know what we were in for,” Kimball’s mother, Marci Slagle, said of the application process. “It was more than we expected.”

But getting accepted was only the beginning. Because for all Kimball had accomplished, she couldn’t keep a straight face on her first day at the academy. And that got her noticed.

“You think we’re at summer camp?” junior Cadet Andrew Kacura-Miller barked at her, upbraiding her for having the waistband of her shorts rolled. “This isn’t a fashion show!”

It was a big change from the initial reception earlier Thursday at Doolittle Hall. Outside, laughter rippled through a tent as a short speech cracked jokes at the Army’s and Navy’s expense.

Less than 50 feet away, tears brimmed in Kathy Galvin’s eyes as she watched for her son, Thomas John Galvin, to board the bus that takes the prospective cadets, or doolies, from their families to the academy. Kathy’s husband, Tom Galvin, wrapped his arm around her as he looked on. They’d said good-bye to their son just minutes before. Their only form of communication with him until July 31 will be letters.

“Ever since (Thomas) was seven he had this dream of flying planes in the Air Force,” Tom Galvin said. “I keep pinching myself. I can’t believe we’re here.”

The Galvins are familiar with the first day of college — they’ve sent two daughters off to school — but this was different.

“It’s a true lifestyle break,” Tom Galvin said. “He can’t come home anytime he wants.”“I’m overwhelmed to think our son is on his way to his dream,” Kathy Galvin said.

Connor Howard shares that dream; the aspiring cadet talked about the academy since the third grade. After a summer leadership seminar, Howard had some idea of what was coming as soon as the doolie-filled bus left the families behind.

“You have to think this is all for a purpose,” Howard said.

The reprimanding, shouting and intimidating is all part of being a basic cadet, said junior Stephannie Hernandez-Ruberte.

“The main process is to remove them from civilian life and mold them into the military,” Hernandez-Ruberte said.

To accomplish that, the doolies are issued similar caps and utility belts. Young men have their heads shaved, and young women have their hair cut above their collars if they can’t make a perfect bun in less than two minutes.

Some buckle under pressure and stress. About 50 to 90 basic cadets typically drop out of the program before the school year begins — this year, Aug. 4. But Maj. Peter McGuine, a chaplain, said all basic cadets are capable of graduation.

“They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t,” he said.

After enduring barked orders for several hours, Howard had a moment at ease as his hair was shaved.

“I just keep thinking that it’s only six weeks,” he said. “Six weeks will pass.”

A basic cadet listens to a cadre member in the background Thursday during the Air Force Academy intake day. As soon as the bus pulled out of sight of parents, the grilling began for aspiring cadets. Photo by GENNA ORD/The Gazette

Basic cadets move to their next destination Thursday during their first day at the Air Force Academy. Photo by GENNA ORD/The Gazette

Basic cadet McKenna Kimball is yelled at by an upperlcass cadet to unroll her shorts Thursday during her first day at the Air Force Academy. Photo by GENNA ORD/The Gazette