Leaders to encourage enlisted to compete for Air Force Academy slots

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program provides the opportunity for unit and wing commanders to nominate their best enlisted Airmen to compete for admission into the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

Former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald Fogleman initiated LEAD in 1995 to allow 85 slots for enlisted active duty Airmen. The Air Force Reserve also received 85 slots and Air National Guard was awarded 50 for those interested in the 10-month Air Force Academy Preparatory School. 

Joellen Miller, Sheppard's education office, said it is ideal for commanders to nominate applicants, but it's more common for Airmen to come themselves and begin the application process with Air Force Form 1786. The application must reach the Academy by Jan. 31 of the entry year. 

The commander must also write an endorsement letter stating why they think the Airman would be a good candidate for the Academy under this program. The majority of cadets enter the Academy through a congressional nomination. 

"They want enlisted members," she said. "Those slots are out there because enlisted Airmen go to the Academy with experience and are passionate about what they are doing." 

She also said the Academy is eager for enlisted Airmen because of their discipline and familiarity with the Air Force and its mission. 

Mrs. Miller said the Academy is a very prestigious school that is very difficult to get accepted into for the average person. She said there have been years in which the slots didn't get filled because there weren't enough applicants. 

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible to compete for admission into the Academy. 

-Be at least 17 but not older than 23 on July 1 of the year entering the Academy
-Be at least 17 but not older than 22 on the July 1 of the year entering the prep school
-Be an unmarried citizen with no dependants
-Be of high moral character
-Meet high leadership, academic, physical and medical standards 

For further information contact the education office at 676-4838 or visit www.academicadmissions.com