1.
What is the cadet equivalent to a student in a civilian university?
2. I have a tattoo, a brand or a piercing. Can
I be admitted?
3. What is a cadet’s day like?
4. What is a cadet’s room like?
5. How is a cadet assigned to a room and a roommate?
6. What items are cadets allowed to have in
their rooms?
7. What are the cadet dining facilities like?
8. Do basic cadets get plenty to eat?
9. Are special dietary meals provided?
10. What is the rate of pay for cadets?
11. Are cadets required to pay income taxes?
12. What types of uniforms do cadets wear?
13. What is the fourth-class system?
14. Does the fourth-class system interfere
with academic studies?
1. What is the
cadet equivalent to a student in a civilian university?
The Academy uses the class system rather than the equivalent designation
characteristic of civilian universities. The comparison is: Fourth-Class
= Freshman; Third-Class = Sophomore; Second-Class = Junior; First-Class
= Senior.
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2. I have a tattoo,
a brand or a piercing. Can I be admitted?
While having a tattoo or brand does not automatically disqualify
you from consideration, it does open the door for rejection based
on a more subjective evaluation. Nonremovable piercings are not
allowed and must be removed prior to admission. Air Force policy
stipulates that tattoos or brands must not be excessive. Nor may
they contain inflammatory, obscene, racist, sexist or similar content.
Tattoos or brands that fall into any of these categories will cause
you to be disqualified for admission. The Department of Defense
Medical Examination Review Board will notify the Admissions Office
of any tattoos, brands or nonremovable piercings noted during your
medical exam. We will then require that you provide us a color snapshot
of each. Assuming your tattoo or brand falls within acceptable limits,
you will be allowed to continue in the application process. You
should keep the following in mind. Those who review the picture
of your tattoo, brand or piercing are of an older generation and
may not view body art in the same manner as you. So, if you don't
already have a tattoo or brand, think long and hard about whether
the risk of possibly losing out on an Academy appointment is worth
it.
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3. What is a cadet’s
day like?
During the academic year, from early August through May, you’ll
have a busy schedule of classes, study periods, military training
and athletic participation. Breakfast formation is at 7:00. You’ll
rise in time to put your room in order, dress in the cadet uniform
of the day and meet the formation. After breakfast you’ll
attend morning classes, which begin at 7:30 a.m. You’ll attend
classes or study until 11:20 a.m., when you’ll go to your
squadron area for the noon meal formation. You’ll march to
lunch with the cadet wing and have 25 minutes to eat. After lunch
there are three classes or study periods in the afternoon, one which
includes military training (M-5), followed by athletics, squadron
training or extra academic instruction. Evening mealtime is from
5:00 to 6:50 p.m. and academic call to quarters is 7:00 p.m. Some
military activities will be required in the evening, but most of
the time will be devoted to studying in your room or in the library.
Your day ends with taps at 10:30 p.m. The daily schedule will vary
during the summer, according to the military training activity in
which you’re involved, but you’ll be busy from early
morning throughout the day.
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4. What is a cadet’s
room like?
Rooms in the two dormitories, Vandenberg Hall and Sijan Hall, are
similar. Each room, which is approximately 13 feet wide and 18 feet
long, is designed for two cadets. The room contains two large closets,
a counter with a built-in sink, a large mirror and a medicine cabinet.
Every cadet room also has a twin size modular bed, dresser and desk
for each cadet. There is a proper location for everything you're
allowed to have in your room and you'll be expected to keep your
room in perfect order.
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5. How is a cadet
assigned to a room and a roommate?
Each cadet is assigned to one of 36 squadrons. Male and female cadets
have separate rooms and female cadets have separate bathroom facilities
within assigned squadron areas. You'll be assigned a roommate during
Basic Cadet Training (BCT). Twice during the academic year you'll
change roommates according to squadron policies. You'll always room
with a member of the same sex and usually the same class. You may
keep or change a roommate at these times, depending on your squadron's
policy. If a cadet has significant problems, they may request and
most likely be granted a change of roommate, if necessary. Siblings
are assigned to different squadrons.
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6. What items are
cadets allowed to have in their rooms?
You’ll not be permitted to bring your personal possessions
with you when you enter the Academy (except for a few items listed
in the cadet appointee instruction booklet). All basic necessities,
such as uniforms, bedding and linens, will be furnished when you
enter. During the academic year you’ll be permitted to have
additional items when authorized by the Cadet Wing Commander. You’ll
be issued a personal computer while at the Academy. You’ll
be permitted to have a radio or stereo equipment in your room beginning
the spring semester of your Fourth-Class year; you must wait until
your First-Class year to have a television in your room. You may,
at certain times, watch TV in the squadron recreation room. You
must wait until your Second-Class year to have most electrical appliances,
but a Third-Class cadet may have a coffee pot.
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7. What are the
cadet dining facilities like?
Also called Mitchell Hall, the Cadet Dining Facility is the largest
of its kind in the United States Air Force. During the academic
year, the entire cadet wing assembles to eat a family-style lunch
meal in Mitchell Hall, with buffet-style service provided for breakfast
and dinner meals. The facility provides complete food service support
for cadets ranging from wing tailgate parties at Falcon Stadium
and organizational picnics to box lunches for official travel.
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8. Do basic cadets
get plenty to eat?
Yes, you’ll have the opportunity to eat three nutritious meals
a day – and with all the physical activities required, you’re
encouraged to eat well and consume plenty of water.
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9. Are special
dietary meals provided?
Preparation and service of the 12,000 meals served daily in the
Cadet Dining Facility prohibits offering special dietary menus based
on religious faiths or individual convictions. However, during the
lunch meal, cadets are offered the opportunity to sit at "lite
tables" where low-fat, low-calorie meals are served. Vegetarian
tables at lunch are available upon request and the evening buffet
also provides vegetarian fare.
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10. What is the
rate of pay for cadets?
Cadets at the service academies are currently entitled to basic
pay in the amount of $700.00 per month. Cadets are also entitled
to a basic allowance for subsistence of $5.75 per day, which is
used for food served at the Cadet Dining Hall. Medical and dental
care are provided at no expense to cadets. Your pay is considered
sufficient for you to be self-supporting, provided you are economical.
The pay is not sufficient to cover any debts contracted prior to
entrance, to send money home or to spend on luxury entertainment
or expensive personal items.
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11. Are cadets
required to pay income taxes?
Yes, they are. Federal income withholding tax, state tax if applicable
and FICA (social security) are deducted from cadet pay. Each cadet
must file appropriate federal and state tax returns.
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12. What types
of uniforms do cadets wear?
During the academic year male cadets wear a uniform of blue trousers
and either long-sleeved or short-sleeved blue shirt. Other uniforms
are: dress uniforms with blue jacket and trousers; mess dress for
social functions. Female cadets wear either skirts or slacks with
the dress uniform. Male and female cadets wear the battle dress
uniform (BDUs) for military training.
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13. What is the
fourth-class system?
This system is part of a four-class system to train all cadets to
be officers. Each class receives training commensurate with their
level of cadet experience. This system continues the cadet conversion
from civilian to military life. The system prescribes the manner
in which Fourth-Class cadets behave toward other cadets and officers.
It defines those things you can and cannot do within the cadet area
(dormitories, classrooms, dining hall and other facilities). It
makes you responsible for learning Fourth-Class Knowledge, including
information about the Academy and the Air Force, which is contained
in a booklet called "Contrails." It defines responsibilities
toward keeping your personal appearance, uniforms, room and equipment
neat at all times. It requires you to display prompt obedience,
proper conduct, unfailing courtesy and unqualified honor. This training
is for a definite purpose: to teach you to accomplish delegated
tasks in a professional manner, thus paving the way for progression
to becoming an Air Force officer. Cadets develop leadership and
command skills by carrying out this program. During the spring semester
of the fourth-class year, there is some relaxation of the restrictions
in order to prepare you for greater privileges and different responsibilities
in the third-class year.
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14. Does the fourth-class
system interfere with academic studies?
No, the system aids and complements the academic environment. The
Academy mission is a concentrated, focused process aimed at developing
leaders of character through military, academic and athletic endeavors.
Your progress in all areas will be carefully monitored during all
four years.
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