United States Air Force Academy

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is a United States service academy in Air Force Academy, Colorado, immediately north of Colorado Springs. It educates cadets for service in the officer corps of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. It is the youngest of the five service academies, having graduated its first class in 1959, but is the third in seniority. Graduates of the academy's four-year program receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U . Air Force or U . Space Force. The academy is also one of the largest tourist attractions in Colorado, attracting approximately a million visitors each year. Admission is competitive, with nominations divided equally among Congressional districts. Recent incoming classes have had about 1,100 cadets; since 2012, around 20% of each incoming class does not graduate. During their tenure at the academy, cadets receive tuition, room and board, and a monthly stipend all paid for by the Air Force. On the first day of a cadet's second class (third) year, cadets commit to serving eight years (five active duty and three in reserves) as a commissioned officer in the Air Force or Space Force. Non-graduates after that point may, upon recommendation to and decision by the Secretary of the Air Force, pay the costs of their educations through enlisted service or recoupment payments. The commitment is normally five years of active duty and three years in the reserves, although it has varied depending on the graduate's Air Force Specialty Code or Space Force Specialty Code. For example, cadets selected to be pilots are required to serve ten years as active duty officers after completion of training.