United States Air Force Academy

The Mission of the Air Force Academy

"To inspire and develop outstanding young men and women to become Air Force officers with knowledge, character and discipline; motivated to lead the world's greatest aerospace force in service to the nation."

The Air Force Academy is a four year military college nestled against the eastern slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, eight miles north of Colorado Springs.  The campus is comprised of 18,000 acres situated 7,000 feet above sea level.  Our cadet population includes 4,000 men and women who represent all fifty states, the territories, and several foreign countries.  

We help you develop by focusing on four broad areas, or "pillars" of instruction:  professional military training, academics, athletics, and character development. 

The military program develops the techniques and attributes of successful leadership.  You gain military and leadership experience through duties in the cadet wing.  You first learn leadership as a concept and then, put it into practice initially at the "follower" level.  Later, you gradually develop your leadership skills and responsibilities, including those in earned positions within the cadet wing.  Additionally, all cadets are given an opportunity to participate in some form of airmanship each of the four years at the Academy.  Experiences range from orientation rides to soaring, and from parachuting to navigation.

Our academic program covers many undergraduate studies to prepare cadets for both diversified and specialized activities of Air Force officers.  You will take a balanced core curriculum consisting of courses in the basic and engineering sciences, the social sciences, the humanities, and Military Strategic Studies.  This core curriculum familiarizes you with areas of knowledge required for success in today's world.  Each cadet may select any of the 30+ academic majors offered by the Academy.

The Air Force Academy is a NCAA Division I school with 17 men and 10 women intercollegiate teams.  All cadets must participate in intramural or intercollegiate athletics during fall, winter, and spring seasons.  Our 13 intramural sports involve competition among all the cadet squadrons.

While good character is important in any profession, it is absolutely essential in a military officer.  Our program consists of the Academy Honor Code and our three core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.  The values are anchored in the bedrock of respect for human dignity and in appreciation for spiritual values.  

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