Upperclass cadet

From USAFA Folklore

Upperclass cadets are generally considered to be everyone other than basic cadets and unrecognized fourth class cadets. The transition from fourth class to upper class normally occurs at Recognition.

Because the change from fourth class to upper class is so dramatic, especially with regard to privileges and freedoms, it is often percieved as a much bigger jump than those between any two of the upper three classes. Some claim that this makes the Academy more of a two-class (fourth/upper class) system, and at various times in the Academy's history, there have been attempts to make the Academy more of a "four class" system by either reducing the gap between the fourth and third class or by enhancing the differences in responsibilities and privileges between the upper three classes.