The Air Force Academy wants enlisted Airmen to apply

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Ridenhower
  • 71st Security Forces manager
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  I recently had the honor to represent Team Vance's command chief at the Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development conference at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

The conference was designed to educate senior enlisted leaders, career advisors and educational specialists from around the world about the Air Force Academy's admissions process for prior enlisted Airmen. 

Like many of the 56 military and civilians in attendance, I had never really given thought to the Academy as a traditional educational and commissioning process for enlisted Airmen. Our perception was about to change. 

The academy's mission, is "to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character to lead the U.S. Air Force in service to our nation." The LEAD conference was designed to educate attendees on the opportunities the academy can offer enlisted Airmen and show how the academy executes this mission. 

During the conference the team of visitors caught a glimpse of academy life on the sprawling 160-acre campus. There were briefings on the admissions process and short sessions with Lt. Gen. Michael Gould, the academy superintendent; Chief Master Sgt. John Salzman, the academy command chief; and Brig. Gen. Dana Born, the dean of students. 

The Air Force Academy has an excellent reputation. In August this year, the U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges 2010 rankings named the academy the number one undergraduate college in their region, the best baccalaureate college in the West for the third year in a row, and number two in engineering. 

Forbes magazine named the Academy number seven of all colleges in the United States for 2009. 

During the conference, we spoke with cadets who were prior enlisted. The common answer to how they arrived at the academy was - "I had a great supervisor who helped me." 

The attendees number one question was - "Why is the academy focusing on recruiting from the enlisted corps? 

The academy is looking for the best and the brightest to lead the Air Force. The best and the brightest come from all ranks and backgrounds. Enlisted Airmen bring a measure of military stability, leadership and performance already inherent in their character. They tend to excel in military studies and are willing to help academy cadets right out of high school who are not as familiar with military protocols and routines. 

To be eligible, an Airman must be enlisted, unmarried with no dependents and be between 17 and 22 years of age prior to the first year of admission. A sound grade point average from high school or college and a good background in science and math is required. 

The academy offers a 10-month prep school for those who qualify. The prep school will sharpen your academic skills and upon completion, you'll be eligible, though not guaranteed, for the academy. 

To learn more about enlisted opportunities at the academy, contact the base education office, 213-7920. The application process for enlisted is available on the academy's Web site at http://www.academyadmissions.com or http://USAFAPECA.com. The academy admissions office can be reached at DSN 333-2228. 

If you want to become an officer, through any of the many commissioning programs, but your enlisted peers or supervisors discourage you because you're too valuable in your current position, take time to educate them as to why you want to serve in a higher capacity. 

"Service Before Self" means we encourage those who can lead at a higher level of responsibility. It is our mandate if we're keeping the best interest of the Air Force at heart.
Bottom line -- if you have the academic and leadership ability to pursue attendance at the Air Force Academy, then go for it. Give me a call at 213-7432. I'll help you.