Cadet 4th Class Griffin Biscone (left) puts up a fight during the Big Bad Basic competition July 28 in Jacks Valley at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. Cadet Biscone is a prior-enlisted cadet who received an appointment to the Academy through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program, which allows 135 enlisted Airmen each year to attend the Academy. Enlisted Airmen interested in attending the Academy this entry year must submit completed forms no later than Jan. 31. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)
1/7/2008 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- Enlisted Airmen interested in attending the U.S. Air Force Academy this entry year must submit completed forms no later than Jan. 31.
There are 135 slots available for enlisted Airmen each year through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program.
"The LEAD program is an ongoing effort to give our best and brightest Airmen the opportunity to excel by offering them appointments to the Air Force Academy in," said Chief Master Sgt. Arvin Davis, the Academy command chief master sergeant.
The program, initiated in 1995 by now-retired Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, the former Air Force chief of staff, delegates authority to unit and wing commanders to nominate highly-qualified Airmen to attend the Academy. Commanders have the opportunity to identify outstanding and deserving Airmen with officer potential for this commissioning program.
There are 85 slots available for active duty Airmen who qualify for direct entry into the Academy. These individuals must be no older than 23 on July 1 of the entry year.
The additional 50 slots are reserved at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School for Airmen who do not meet direct entry criteria, with the intention of an Academy appointment to follow upon successful completion of the Preparatory School curriculum. These Airmen must not have passed their 22nd birthday by July 1 of the entry year (this cannot be waived as it is a stipulation of Title 10, United States Code).
An Airman must be U.S. citizen or be able to attain citizenship before entry in the Academy, be unmarried and have no dependents, and be of high moral character.
Airmen interested in applying for this program must complete an Air Force Form 1786, Application for Appointment to the United States Air Force Academy Under Quota Allotted to Enlisted Members of the Regular and Reserve Components of the Air Force. This form requires Airmen's personal information, immediate commanders' endorsement (no lower than squadron commander or equivalent) and Military Personnel Flight assignments section coordination.
Once the application is processed by the Academy Admissions Office, applicants will be notified concerning additional requirements such as the candidate fitness assessment, an extensive medical evaluation, completion of an interview with an admissions liaison officer, completion of the writing sample and attainment of qualifying scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or the American College Test.
For more information about the LEAD program, contact your local education center, the Academy Directorate of Admissions at 800-443-9266, or visit http://www.academyadmissions.com.
