Special Report-Two Black cadets and the struggle for diversity at an elite US military institution

Marcus Berrette, far right, and Tusajigwe Owens march with their squadron during the field portion of their basic training, which takes place at Jacks Valley, a 3,300 acre complex, where the cadets will sleep in portable shipping container-like modules and complete intense obstacle courses over 10 days at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S., July 11, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (Reuters) - Pale marble pavers crisscross the Terrazzo, the plaza at the heart of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado that cadets traverse daily, on the way to class, the library and meals. In their first year, cadets must run and keep to the narrow marble strips whenever they are on the 20-acre Terrazzo.

Tusajigwe Owens doesn't take short cuts. He is one of 112 Black cadets in the class of 1,071 freshmen that started at the academy in June 2022.