U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

The United States Air Force Academy offers a

four-year program of instruction and

experience designed to provide cadets the

knowledge and character essential for

leadership, and the motivation to serve as Air

Force career officers. Each cadet graduates

with a bachelor of science degree and a

commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.

Course of Study

Cadets are exposed to a balanced curriculum that provides a general and professional

foundation essential to a career Air Force officer. Special needs of future Air Force officers are

met by professionally oriented courses, including human physiology, computer science,

economics, military history, astronautics, law and political science.

The core curriculum includes courses in science, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

Cadets take additional elective courses to complete requirements for one of 25 major areas of

study. About 60 percent of the cadets complete majors in science and engineering; the other 40

percent graduate in the social sciences and humanities. Some of the most popular majors

include management, astronautical engineering, international affairs and political science, history,

behavioral science, civil engineering, aeronautical engineering, electrical engineering and

engineering mechanics.

Faculty Composition

The majority of the academy's nearly 600 faculty members are Air Force officers. They are

selected primarily from career-officer volunteers who have established outstanding records of

performance and dedication. Each has at least a master's degree and more than 35 percent

have doctorates.

In addition to imparting knowledge, each faculty member must assist with the development of

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character and qualities of leadership essential to future Air Force career officers and the

motivation of service to country. To provide greater contributions by a diverse faculty, the

academy has several distinguished civilian professors and associate professors who serve one

or more years. Officers from other services are members of the faculty as well, and a small

number of officers from allied countries teach in the foreign language, history and political

science departments. Distinguished civilian and military lecturers also share their expertise with

the cadets during the academic year.

Athletic Program

The academy's athletic program is designed to improve physical fitness, teach athletic skills and

develop leadership qualities. To achieve its goals, the academy offers some of the most

extensive physical education, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletic programs in the

nation. Cadets take at least three different physical education courses each year.

Military Education and Training

An aerospace-oriented military education, training and leadership program begins with basic

cadet training and continues throughout the four years. Seniors are responsible for the

leadership of the cadet wing, while juniors and sophomores perform lower-level leadership and

instructional tasks. Cadets are projected into as many active leadership roles as possible to

prepare them to be effective Air Force officers.

Fundamental concepts of military organization -- drill, ethics, honor, Air Force heritage and

physical training -- are emphasized the first summer during basic cadet training. Freshmen then

study the military role in U.S. society as well as the mission and organization of the Air Force.

Sophomores receive instruction in communicative skills, and juniors study the combat and

operational aspects of the Air Force. Military studies for the senior class focus on military

thought.

The academy offers courses in flying, navigation, soaring and parachuting, building from basic

skills to instructor duties. Cadets may fly light aircraft with the Cadet Flying Team. Those not

qualified for flight training must enroll in a basic aviation course. Astronomy and advanced

navigation courses also are available. Students bound for pilot training enroll in the flight

screening program at the academy and fly the DA-20 Katana aircraft.

Summer training for cadets is divided into three, three-week training periods. There are a variety

of programs available, and each cadet is required to complete two training periods each

summer with leave during the other period. All new cadets take six weeks of basic cadet training

in their first summer.

Combat survival training is a required three-week program during cadets' second summer. For

other second-summer training periods, cadets have options such as working with young airmen

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in an operational unit at an Air Force installation, airborne parachute training, soaring or basic

free-fall parachute training.

During their last two summers, all cadets are offered leadership training as supervisors or

instructors in summer programs, such as basic cadet training, survival training, freefall

parachuting and soaring.

Extracurricular activities also are an integral part of the education program. The cadet ski club,

drum and bugle corps, cadet chorale and forensics are a few of the programs available.

Nominations

Nominations to the academy may be obtained through a congressional sponsor or by meeting

eligibility criteria in other categories of competition established by law. For information on

admission procedures, write to HQ USAFA/RRS; 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200; USAF Academy,

CO 80840-5025.

History

In 1948 a board of leading civilian and military educators was appointed to plan the curriculum

for an academy that would meet the needs of the newly established Air Force. The board

determined that Air Force requirements could not be met by expanding the other service

academies and recommended an Air Force academy be established without delay.

In 1949, then Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Symington appointed a commission to assist

in selecting a site and on April 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized creation of

the United States Air Force Academy. After considering 580 sites in 45 states, the commission

narrowed the choice to three locations. The summer of 1954, Secretary of the Air Force Harold

Talbott selected a site near Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado contributed $1 million toward

purchase of the property.

In July 1955, the first academy class entered interim facilities at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver,

while construction began. It was sufficiently completed for occupancy by the cadet wing in late

August 1958. Initial construction cost was $142 million.

Women entered the academy on June 28, 1976, as members of the class of 1980.

Point of Contact

United States Air Force Academy, Public Affairs Office; 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 320; USAF

Academy, Colo. 80840-5016; DSN 333-2990 or (719) 333-2990.

June 2006

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