The Academy stresses character development, military training, and physical fitness as well as academics, emphasizing leadership in all areas.
Students come from all fifty states and several other countries.
Their common bond is the desire to be military officers. All cadets must live in on-campus dormitories and wear uniforms. The Academy is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Its engineering programs are approved by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and its computer courses are approved by the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board. The chemistry and biochemistry majors fulfill the requirements of the Commission on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.