LEAD program gives airmen an opportunity to excel

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Colin Cates
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M --  Are you an enlisted airman between the ages of 17 and 22? Are you is interested in being a future leader? How does earning a bachelor's degree at one of the most competitive, prestigious schools in the nation sound? At no cost to you. You are not dreaming, and it is not too good to be true.

The Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development program was developed by Air Force leaders to encourage aspiring enlisted airmen to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Upon completion of the program, LEAD airmen commission as second lieutenants with a Bachelor of Science degree and enter active duty to train as pilots, engineers, program managers, intelligence officers, doctors, etc., and become the future leaders of the U.S. Air Force.

"USAFA is looking for 'leading edge' airmen. Specifically, USAFA wants top performers with the highest moral character who meet their academic standard, and who are physically fit," said Maj. Rich Couture, 49th Wing Command Post chief and Holloman USAFA liaison. "Attending USAFA is one of the most unique opportunities for an enlisted member who wants to become an officer."

The Air Force Academy reserves 85 slots a year for active duty enlisted airmen and another 85 slots for airmen from the Reserves or National Guard. For direct entry into the Academy, enlisted personnel compete against other high school seniors from around the country. Less than 10 percent of applicants for this year were offered appointments.

The average GPA was 3.86 on a 4.0 scale. The institution accepts 240 cadet candidates annually from across the country and prepares them to be a competitive candidate for USAFA.

While attending their four years at USAFA, cadets are challenged to become experienced followers and are given the foundation for leadership as an officer. Cadets enroll at USAFA full time, and there are no out-of-pocket expenses for tuition, books, room or board. The academic tuition by itself is valued at $45,000 per year. Academically, cadets select from more than 30 different majors including English, history, aeronautical or astronautical engineering, physics, biology, political science, civil engineering, computer science and chemistry.

All cadets take part in either intercollegiate athletics or intramural athletic programs. Military training includes programs in parachuting, flying in gliders and powered aircraft, survival training, three weeks at an operational Air Force base, and leadership opportunities to serve as cadre in basic training or summer camps. There are also opportunities to do a semester abroad at a foreign military academy.

"USAFA requires more time and commitment compared to OTS and ROTC," said Couture. "USAFA gives an enlisted member the ability to not only fly planes, but also jump out of them too, along with top-notch academics and leadership opportunities which make attending USAFA a once in a lifetime opportunity."