The Cosmic Battle Between First Group and Fourth Group

In the USAFA universe, there is a constant battle raging. Two incredibly powerful forces are in cosmic competition for the hearts and minds of the Cadet Wing. Each one is made up of one quarter of the cadets at the Academy. They are First Group and Fourth Group.

First Group - motto: First Group First. Only two different words describe the group which always strives to be the best. Year after year, in overall standings, First Group takes pride at wiping up the competition and being named group of the year. They are known for their strict standards, stractness, excellence, uptightness, and in their eyes, complete dominance of the Wing. Work hard and don't play.

Fourth Group - motto: Go Fourth and Conquer. On the opposite end of the Terrazzo lies Fourth Group. Year after year, they continue to be ranked at the bottom of the barrel. They are known for their relaxed atmosphere, funness, laziness, and lack of urgency. Don't work and play hard.

The other guys - They are kind of like the little brothers of the Wing. They are always torn between their older siblings, and don't really know where they belong. They will always switch it up in the standings, and certain incidents will point them one way or another. If we recall what happened in the freshmen-junior beerfest double date incident, it gave that group an edge toward Fourth Group. At the same time, when the story first broke and it was being explained to my lunch table, one quarter of the people I was sitting with were on alcohol probation. Go Fourth and Conquer!

Everyone is essentially a product of their surroundings. First Groupers have to embrace the stractness to survive, and Fourth Groupers have to put up with a certain level of mediocrity to not go crazy. There are of course exceptions across the board, a perfect example is how Fourth Group is the only group in the Wing to be doing a Saturday AM Inspection this weekend. Which reminds me, if anyone happens to really know their way around a military drawer and is sticking around Friday night instead of going out, give me a call. Different leadership techniques and attitudes. Who makes better officers? That's for you to decide!