USAFA Overview

United States Air Force Academy Overview

• Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado
• 18,000-acre campus
• 4,000 cadets studying and learning to become military leaders
• 4-year program

Campus Facilities

• Terrazzo: a massive outdoor pavilion connecting academic halls, cadet dorms, and athletic facilities
• Mitchell Hall: a 75,000-square-foot dining facility that can accommodate all 4,000 cadets at once
• Noon Meal Formation: a tradition where the entire cadet wing forms up to march into Mitchell Hall together
• Cadet dorms: Sijan Hall and Vandenberg Hall, housing all 4,000 cadets
• Cadet squadrons: 40 different squadrons, each with unique names and patches

Cadet Life

• Cadets live, eat, and take part in military training with their squadrons
• Noon Meal Formation: a tradition where the entire cadet wing forms up to march into Mitchell Hall together
• Cadet rooms: standard layout with a desk, bed, sink, and closet
• Military standards: strict rules for room organization and cleanliness

Iconic Buildings

• The Chapel: a iconic building with 17 spires, completed in 1962
• Polaris Hall: a 105-foot-tall glass and steel tower, angled to the North Star
• Arnold Hall: a social center for the cadet wing, with a theater, ballroom, food court, and cadet bar

Academic Facilities

• Fairchild Hall: the main academic building with labs, classrooms, lecture halls, and faculty office space
• Exemplar Hall: features small class lectinars and larger room lecture halls
• McDermott Library: a six-story-tall gathering place for cadets to study and collaborate
• Aeronautics laboratory: with nine different wind tunnels for testing

Athletic Facilities

• Outdoor tennis and basketball courts
• Outdoor ropes course for leadership and team-building activities
• Athletic fields: soccer stadium, baseball stadium, lacrosse field, outdoor track, and rugby pitch
• Cadet gymnasium: with a rock climbing wall, outdoor workout area, and latest gym equipment
• Human Performance Lab: helps cadet athletes maximize their athletic performance
• Cadet natatorium: a full-size indoor pool for water polo, swimming, and diving
• Cadet field house: with an arena, cadet ice rink, and indoor track and turf field

Additional Facts

• The Academy is a top university in the country, with every cadet graduating with a Bachelor's of Science Degree

• Zero tuition or cost of admission for cadets, with a monthly stipend

• Upon graduation, cadets are required to serve a minimum of 5 years active duty in the US Air Force or Space Force### Cadet Life at the Air Force Academy

• The Air Force Academy has a Cadet Airfield where cadets can learn to fly

• The airfield is located near the cadet area and features aircraft displays, including the A-10 Warthog and retro T-38 Thunderbird jet

Airmanship Programs

• The Powered Flight Program offers a 9-flight course in a single-engine propeller aircraft
• Cadets start with simulator training and can solo if they progress well
• Those with a private pilot's license can try out for the flying team and compete nationally

Soaring Program

• The Soaring Program is one of the most popular airmanship programs at the academy
• It takes place year-round at the 94th Flying Training Squadron, the largest glider operation in the world
• Cadets can sign up for a 12-ride glider program, which ends in a solo flight
• Experienced cadets can apply to become soaring instructor pilots and earn their wings

Wings of Blue Parachute Team

• The Wings of Blue is the official parachute team of the US Air Force
• They perform at air shows, sporting events, and competitions across the country
• They also run the Academy's basic free-fall parachute course, where cadets can complete five solo free-fall jumps
• The Academy is the only place in the world where cadets' first jump is completely solo

Falcon Stadium

• Falcon Stadium is home to Falcon Football and has one of the best atmospheres in college football
• It's also the site of graduation ceremonies, where cadets wear ceremonial parade dress and march in front of family and friends
• Graduation marks the end of a cadet's journey at the Air Force Academy

United States Air Force Academy Overview

• Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on an 18,000-acre campus
• Home to 4,000 cadets studying and learning to become military leaders through a 4-year program

Campus Facilities

• Terrazzo: a massive outdoor pavilion connecting academic halls, cadet dorms, and athletic facilities
• Mitchell Hall: a 75,000-square-foot dining facility that can accommodate all 4,000 cadets at once
• Noon Meal Formation: a tradition where the entire cadet wing forms up to march into Mitchell Hall together
• Cadet dorms: Sijan Hall and Vandenberg Hall, housing all 4,000 cadets
• Cadet squadrons: 40 different squadrons, each with unique names and patches

Cadet Life

• Cadets live, eat, and take part in military training with their squadrons
• Noon Meal Formation: a tradition where the entire cadet wing forms up to march into Mitchell Hall together
• Cadet rooms: standard layout with a desk, bed, sink, and closet
• Military standards: strict rules for room organization and cleanliness

Iconic Buildings

• The Chapel: a iconic building with 17 spires, completed in 1962
• Polaris Hall: a 105-foot-tall glass and steel tower, angled to the North Star
• Arnold Hall: a social center for the cadet wing, with a theater, ballroom, food court, and cadet bar

Academic Facilities

• Fairchild Hall: the main academic building with labs, classrooms, lecture halls, and faculty office space
• Exemplar Hall: features small class lectinars and larger room lecture halls
• McDermott Library: a six-story-tall gathering place for cadets to study and collaborate
• Aeronautics laboratory: with nine different wind tunnels for testing

Athletic Facilities

• Outdoor tennis and basketball courts
• Outdoor ropes course for leadership and team-building activities
• Athletic fields: soccer stadium, baseball stadium, lacrosse field, outdoor track, and rugby pitch
• Cadet gymnasium: with a rock climbing wall, outdoor workout area, and latest gym equipment
• Human Performance Lab: helps cadet athletes maximize their athletic performance
• Cadet natatorium: a full-size indoor pool for water polo, swimming, and diving
• Cadet field house: with an arena, cadet ice rink, and indoor track and turf field

Additional Facts

• The Academy is a top university in the country, with every cadet graduating with a Bachelor's of Science Degree
• Zero tuition or cost of admission for cadets, with a monthly stipend
• Upon graduation, cadets are required to serve a minimum of 5 years active duty in the US Air Force or Space Force

Cadet Life at the Air Force Academy

• The Academy has a Cadet Airfield where cadets can learn to fly
• The airfield is located near the cadet area and features aircraft displays, including the A-10 Warthog and retro T-38 Thunderbird jet

Airmanship Programs

• The Powered Flight Program offers a 9-flight course in a single-engine propeller aircraft
• Cadets start with simulator training and can solo if they progress well
• Those with a private pilot's license can try out for the flying team and compete nationally

Soaring Program

• The Soaring Program is one of the most popular airmanship programs at the academy
• It takes place year-round at the 94th Flying Training Squadron, the largest glider operation in the world
• Cadets can sign up for a 12-ride glider program, which ends in a solo flight
• Experienced cadets can apply to become soaring instructor pilots and earn their wings

Wings of Blue Parachute Team

• The Wings of Blue is the official parachute team of the US Air Force
• They perform at air shows, sporting events, and competitions across the country
• They also run the Academy's basic free-fall parachute course, where cadets can complete five solo free-fall jumps
• The Academy is the only place in the world where cadets' first jump is completely solo

Falcon Stadium

• Falcon Stadium is home to Falcon Football and has one of the best atmospheres in college football
• It's also the site of graduation ceremonies, where cadets wear ceremonial parade dress and march in front of family and friends
• Graduation marks the end of a cadet's journey at the Air Force Academy

Learn about the United States Air Force Academy, its location, campus facilities, and traditions. Discover the 4-year program that shapes military leaders.