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The U.S. Air Force Academy is looking for highly motivated Airmen to apply for the class of 2019 as part of the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development program.
The LEAD program, initiated by former Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman in 1995, gives unit and wing commanders the opportunity to nominate top performing Airmen with high moral character, a strong academic background and top fitness scores to attend the academy and be commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation.
Each year approximately 50 Airmen are selected to attend the Air Force Academy or the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Over the past two years, nine Airmen from bases in U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa have received appointments. Two of those Airmen are now freshmen at USAFA. Cadets Evan Seeley and Robert Breen agree that time management had been the most challenging part of their first year at the academy.
“There are a lot of things going on at once every day, and learning to schedule out not only my days, but my week as well, has been a crucial part of finding success throughout my freshman year,” said Seeley, former 606th Air Control Squadron communications systems technician.
However, the camaraderie and opportunities overshadow the challenging cadet lifestyle. Breen, a former 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief, said he is looking forward to learning to fly a sailplane as part of his soaring course this summer. Seeley and Breen will both take part in the expeditionary, survival and evasion training to find out what it takes to operate in austere environments. Cadets may also find themselves earning their Air Force parachute wings, visiting foreign academies for a cultural immersion program or flying a T-53 Kadet-Two as part of their introduction to powered flight.
When asked about his transition from airman to cadet, Seeley said the military experience, teamwork and peer-leadership skills he developed as an Airman served him well.
“I was able to help my classmates overcome the challenges of adjusting to military life,” he said. “On that same note, when it came time for school, they were able to offer me assistance on the subjects I was rusty in.”
The USAFA application process opened March 1. Airmen who are selected will enter USAFA or the prep school in June 2015. To apply, Airmen must complete an online pre-candidate questionnaire at www.academyadmission.com, have a letter of endorsement and Air Force Form 1786 signed by their squadron commander and military personnel flight, and submit official high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. All information should be sent to the USAFA Office of Admissions by Dec. 31.
Before Airmen apply, there are a few considerations and requirements for the application. Seeley said motivation is a key requirement for success at the academy.
“My advice to any Airman applying to come here is to consider whether they truly want to push themselves,” Seeley said. “The academy will challenge you on a daily basis, and if you don’t have strong reasons for being here and a strong internal drive, it’s going to be hard to keep pushing over the long haul.”
To successfully navigate the application process, start the application process early, seek out leadership opportunities in a unit or community and get involved in base-level activities.
To be eligible for an appointment to the academy or prep school, you must:
• Be a U.S. citizen, or be able to obtain citizenship before entry.
• Not have reached your 23rd birthday by July 1 of year of entry (USAFA)
• Not have reached your 22nd birthday by July 1 of year of entry (USAFA Prepatory School)
• Be unmarried
• Bear no legal obligation to support a child or other individual
• Not be pregnant
• Be of good moral character
For more information specific to the application for current Airmen, visit www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/advice-to-applicants/enlisted-airmen/.
Airmen can also visit the base education office to find out more and get in contact with an admissions liaison officer in the local area.
