| The United States Air Force Academy is located on | | | | soaring and parachuting training to more than 2,500 |
| more than 18,400 beautifully maintained acres, on the | | | | cadets. |
| East edge of the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado. Each | | | | The Cadet dining facility, Mitchell Hall, is on of the |
| year a new group of cadets are indoctrinated at the | | | | largest dining facilities in the world, covering more than |
| US Air Force Academy, at Colorado Springs, | | | | 1.7 acres. Three of the glass walls extend from the |
| Colorado. Much of the more than 18,000 acres | | | | floor to the ceiling in this dining facility. Each year, more |
| operates as other military bases, The Air Force | | | | than 3 million meals are prepared and served, and |
| Academy is both a university and military in station, in | | | | 100,000 box lunches are prepared in support of Cadet |
| particular, the 10th Air Base Wing. The area that | | | | Wing programs and activities. |
| houses the superintendent, commandant, dean of | | | | Cadets march into Mitchell Hall, nine abreast. One |
| faculty, and cadet wing resemble a civilian university. | | | | waiter is in attendance to serve 10 tables. When the |
| The Superintendent is the Academy's commanding | | | | cadets take their seats, the meal is served family-style, |
| officer, and is responsible for cadet military training, | | | | and is finish the meal in 20 minutes. The entire |
| academic, athletic, and character development | | | | operation is accomplished by more than 200 civil |
| programs. | | | | service employees. |
| The Commandant monitors the more than 4,400 | | | | Besides military leadership training and education, |
| cadets, in addition to the 300 members of support | | | | cadets are required to maintain a level of physical |
| staff. | | | | fitness. Daily fitness routines are incorporated into their |
| More than 500 courses relating to 32 academic | | | | busy schedules. Male cadets also have opportunities to |
| subject areas are controlled by the Dean of | | | | be involved with the many sports offered at the |
| Commandants. | | | | Academy. Sports for men include, baseball, basketball, |
| The 10th Air Base Wing (10th ABW)is comprised of | | | | boxing, fencing, golf, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, rifle, |
| more than 2,100 military, civilian, and contract personnel. | | | | soccer, field and track, water polo, wrestling, and |
| The 10th ABW activities include law enforcement, civil | | | | football. Sports activities for women include, basketball, |
| engineering, communications, logistics, military and civilian | | | | cross country, gymnastics, fencing, rifle, soccer, |
| personnel operations, and a clinic and hospital round out | | | | swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. |
| the services at the US Air Force Academy. | | | | Cadets have very little free time. Their day begins at |
| The Academy is considered as an 'open' base, and | | | | 5:30 AM, and go to bed at 10:30 PM. Every evening, |
| each year, thousands of people visit the Academy. | | | | personal hygiene and relaxation times are provided. |
| The Academy's Visitor Center has historical photos | | | | Studying, writing letters to families, and relaxing time is |
| and educational information on display. An informative | | | | provided prior to the final taps of the day. |
| and educational film can be enjoyed by visitors in the | | | | Adjustment problems can be expected. Professionally |
| comfortable theater. The Cadet Chapel is open to the | | | | trained officers and upper class cadets are available |
| public, and the massive sheets of glass that compose | | | | to help to the new cadet conform to Academy |
| the construction of the chapel has been described as | | | | expectations. But, the high educational, physical, and |
| an architect wonder. | | | | personal demands of cadet life is not for everyone. |
| Visitors are also welcome to visit the Honor Court, | | | | Having lived and worked on the US Air Force |
| Cadet Field House, Arnold Hall, Falcon Athletic Center, | | | | Academy for more than 16 years, I can tell you that |
| the Association of Graduates Building, and Falcon | | | | the Academy offers uncompromisable educational |
| Stadium. Along the way, visitors can stop at several | | | | and lifestyle opportunities for future military leaders. |
| scenic overlooks that provide an unobstructed view of | | | | Although many tears are shed as cadets say |
| the spacious plains to the East, and the massive | | | | 'good-bye' to their families, the benefits awaiting them |
| Rocky Mountains to the West. | | | | are rewarding. The cadet life requires many |
| The 306th Flying Training Group (FTG), located at the | | | | adjustments and commitments, and some people are |
| Academy, screens aviator candidates prior to | | | | unable to tolerate the demands. So, perhaps a visit to |
| entrance into the Undergraduate Flight Training | | | | the Academy could be in your best interest before |
| program. The 306 FTG provides powered flight | | | | signing on that dotted line. |