It takes dedication, sacrifice and stamina. Organization, time-management, and self-discipline amid mental, ethical and physical demands.

The environment is one of structure, rules, and regulations. But the rewards are lifetime friends, honor, personal development, pride, and of course an exciting career.

Cadet Schedule

• Cadets have four 55-minute periods each morning and three each afternoon.
• Breakfast and lunch are mandatory formations and after classes you’ll participate in mandatory athletic activities.
• Unless you’re an intercollegiate athlete, you’ll play on an intramural team two afternoons a week, after classes.
• Many Saturday mornings are spent studying or attending parades and inspections, but Saturday afternoons and Sundays are typically free time.
• The fall and spring semesters last 17 weeks each and the summer term lasts 10 weeks.
• Instead of a three-month summer break, you’ll have three weeks.

Leaves and Passes

First Year

Your time away from the Academy will be limited during your first year.

• During the first five weeks, while you’re in Basic Cadet Training, you may not have visitors or receive phone calls.
• After Parent’s Weekend, the restrictions relax a little.
• You may receive phone calls and have visitors on Saturday afternoons and evenings, as well as on Sunday mornings and afternoons.
• You may also invite friends to attend balls, concerts and other live entertainment events at the Academy.
• The athletic schedule also provides lots of activities to enjoy with your friends.

After the first year

Privileges gradually increase. With more chances to leave the Academy campus and visit the local area and you’ll have more as Cadets proceed through the class ranks.

Transportation

Fourth- and Third-Class cadets may not own or maintain an automobile, but may rent one while on an authorized pass or privilege. Eligible Second- and First-Class cadets may own cars and keep them at the Academy.

Holidays

Cadets usually receive three weeks of summer leave (except during the summer you enter), approximately two weeks of winter holiday leave and one week during the spring. You may receive emergency leave if an emergency involves a member of your immediate family. Other requests for special leave are considered on an individual basis.

Counseling and Advising

Many sources provide counseling to help you adjust to your new lifestyle and develop as a professional officer, including:

• Air Officers Commanding (AOC)
• Military Training Leaders (MTL)
• Squadron faculty officers
• Counselors
• Cadet Personnel Office
• First-class cadets, serving as cadet officers
• A Jewish rabbi, Catholic priests and Protestant ministers
• Mental Health Clinic

WORSHIP

The Academy’s spiritual aspect, present in all facets of cadet life, provides an extra dimension to traditional learning.

The Cadet Chapel, the center of religious activities for the cadet wing, contains Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish worship areas, as well as an all-faith worship room. Chaplains provide all cadets daily opportunities for worship and regularly visit cadet-training areas.

Many cadets attend optional service, taking advantage of the chance to grow spiritually. They participate regularly, share worship leadership and planning, and serve in various ways. You may participate in a broad range of activities related to spiritual and moral growth including Sunday or Sabbath worship activities, daily morning and evening services, special denominational services and activities, cadet choirs, Bible classes, religious discussion groups, values-education classes, and weekend retreats. Air Force chaplains – ordained clergymen – conduct the religious services. You may attend church and teach Sunday school classes in local religious education programs when not on duty and participate in one or more cadet fellowship organizations.

CHOIRS

Catholic choirs include the Fourth Class Cadet Choir, the Upper Class Cadet Choir and the Contemporary Group. Protestant choirs include the Cadet Choir, the Cadet Gospel Choir, the Latter Day Saints choir and the Cadet Praise Team. Choirs perform choral musical at worship services and represent the AF Academy in local and national appearances.

CADET RELIGIOUS COUNCILS

Each major faith group has an advisory council composed of cadets from each of the four classes. These councils help plan and implement the chapel programs so that it can best meet the needs of cadets throughout the whole wing.

RETREATS

Retreat opportunities away form the Academy campus are a very important part of the chapel program and offered cadets time to reflect on the spiritual aspects of their lives.

MINISTRY OF PRESENCE AND COUNSELING

During Basic Cadet Training you will see chaplains throughout your squadron activities. Chaplains visit all training areas, conduct worship services and are readily accessible for counseling. You have the right to request to see any chaplain at any time.

Chaplains are present to ensure every cadet is afforded the opportunity to freely exercise his or her religious beliefs. Chaplain counselee’s enjoy total and absolute confidentiality – nothing discussed behind closed doors can be released without the consent of the counselee. This is a privilege that only applies to counseling with a chaplain.

Cadet Benefits

• Full tuition
• Room and board
• Medical care
• Monthly stipend
• Interest-free loans to cover emergency situations if necessary
• Access to a low-cost, government-sponsored life insurance program

Medical Care

Outpatient treatment, physical examinations and routine dental examinations are performed in the cadet clinic.

Cadets may not refuse necessary medical treatment because of religious or personal beliefs.

Cadet Uniforms

Cadets wear various uniforms depending upon the occasion and the weather. Men wear a blue shirt and trousers during the academic year. Women wear a blue blouse with a skirt or slacks. You’ll be able to wear a jacket in cool weather and a parka in cold weather. For dress occasions, you’ll wear a blue uniform with a skirt or slacks matching the jacket for women and trousers for men. Other uniforms are the mess dress for formal or social functions, parade dress for formal ceremonies, battle dress uniform for field training, flight suits for flying activities, and athletic uniforms.

First-, second-, and third-class cadets may wear civilian clothes when on leave and weekend privileges. Fourth-class cadets are not permitted to wear civilian clothing until approved by the Commandant.