Program offers enlisted members chance to LEAD

  • Published
  • By Ann Patton
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Enlisted Airmen with eyes on U.S. Air Force Academy appointments may have their chance to become an officer through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program.

The program, initiated in 1995 by 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.

No congressional appointment is needed. Commanders have the opportunity to identify outstanding and deserving Airmen with officer potential for the program. To be considered eligible, Airmen must not yet be 23 years old on July 1 of the year entering the Academy.

"The officers' corps needs sharp men and women," said Maj. Tina Erzen, a regional diversity director for Academy admissions. "This offers an opportunity for those who desire a commission."

According to the Academy admissions office, because of the many application requirements, it's critical applicants start the Academy admissions process as soon as they can. They also stressed that because of the current high operations tempo, members and their commanders may have less time and are frequently separated by deployment, shift work or other service-related duties.

Eighty-five slots are available for active-duty Airmen who qualify for direct entry into the Academy. An additional 85 slots are available for enlisted members from Air Force Reserve and Guard components. Fifty slots are also reserved at the 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 Prep School.

An Airman must be a U.S. citizen or be able to attain citizenship before entry into the Academy the following year, be unmarried, have no dependents and be of high moral character.

Applicants must complete Air Force Form 1786: Application for Appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy Under Quota Allotted to Enlisted Members of the Regular and Reserve Components of the Air Force. The form requires personal information, immediate commander's endorsement (no lower than squadron commander or equivalent) and Military Personnel Flight coordination. 

After 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.

Prior enlisted cadets have a tremendous understanding of the Air Force in general and the enlisted force in particular and are therefore invaluable assets as cadets and future officers, Major Erzen said. Prior enlisted members tend to be more mature and responsible and can help ease the transition to military life for other cadets.

For more information on the LEAD program, visit www.academyadmissions.com or call 719-333-8574 or 800-443-9266.

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