Cadet Development Activities
Cadet History Club
The Cadet History Club is chartered to broaden
cadet understanding of the value of history as
it relates to their professional development as
future officers. Toward this end, we sponsor
guest speakers, usually combat veterans or
high-ranking military or civilian guests. We
also sponsor a formal dinner each academic year,
with a guest speaker known for a strong
leadership style, either on or off the
battlefield. The goal of our speaker program is
to provide cadets with individual examples of
combat experience, as well as an appreciation
for the combat history of the U.S. Air Force.
All history majors are automatically members and
non-majors may sign up anytime by contacting the
History Department.
Area Studies Groups
Cadets participate in area-specific study groups
including Europe, Eastern Europe and Former
Soviet Union, Middle East, Africa, East Asia,
and Latin America. Activities include guest
speakers, field trips, and dinner outings. With
the coordination of the area studies groups and
the Department of International Programs, cadets
host foreign exchange cadets while they are
visiting USAFA. The groups are administered and
directed by military and civilian professors
with inter-departmental regional expertise. The
groups provide an outstanding opportunity for
cadets to expand their knowledge and
appreciation of region-specific issues and
challenges.
Reading Groups
Several venues within the World and Area Studies
Directorate offer cadets opportunities to read a
book with the goal of discussing the issues
raised at an instructor’s house. Reading group
size varies from a handful of cadets to several
dozen depending on the topic of the book and
cadet interest. This program provides cadets and
teachers an excellent opportunity to enhance
their understanding of a topic in a relaxed,
“great book” forum.
Publication/Presentation Opportunities
Quality cadet papers on a variety of subjects
are eligible for presentation at a national
conference or publication in any one of the many
historical journals. For the past several years
the Department of History has sponsored cadets
to present papers at the National Conference on
Undergraduate Research and the Undergraduate
Conference on the Social Sciences. A number of
cadet papers have also been published in
Airpower Journal and Air Power History.
Cadet Foreign Exchange Program
Each spring break and summer cadets travel to
foreign air force academies for one of the most
rewarding and exciting programs at USAFA. Cadets
become ambassadors of the U.S. and forge strong
relations and friendships in literally dozens of
countries. They also get an opportunity to
practice their language skills in the process of
sharing academy experiences. Each of the
countries USAFA has exchanges with send cadets
to USAFA and are escorted by the American cadets
who went on the previous exchange.
Graduate Scholarship Opportunities
A select number of cadets each year are offered
an opportunity to earn a scholarship and pursue
a graduate degree immediately following
graduation. Applicable scholarships include the
following:
EAST-WEST CENTER SCHOLARSHIP -
Duration: 17 months. Asian Studies at the
University of Hawaii.
GERHART FELLOWSHIP - Duration: 2
years. Study at Middlebury College and
University of Paris/Sorbonne. Must be proficient
in French.
WOLFE FELLOWSHIP - Duration: 1 year,
can be extended with AFIT approval. Awarded to
the outstanding student in the Humanities
Division.
FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP - Duration: 1
year. Study in a foreign country. Must be
proficient in host country language.
GRADUATE SCHOOL PROGRAM - Duration: 1
year. Selected by the department or Dean. A
12-month program in some field of history.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP -
Duration: 2 years. Study of public policy at the
John F. Kennedy School of Government.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOLARSHIP -
Duration: 2 years. Study in public policy and
public management.
RHODES SCHOLARSHIP - Duration: 2
years. Possible extension. Study at Oxford
University in England.
MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP - Duration: 2
years. Study in a field of value to the USAF or
United States at any university in the United
Kingdom.
TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP - For Juniors (2nd
Class). Study in public policy. Post-graduate
$30,000 for personal program.
***Competition for these scholarships is
intense and early preparation is a must. If you
have questions or are interested in the
opportunities see your instructor.
History Summer Research Programs
A. Objective. The Department of History
sends cadets to a variety of summer research
programs. These provide unique military and
academic experiences which will enhance your
professionalism as a military officer, improve
your chances for acquiring choice assignments
later in your career, and expand your academic
skills. The programs are specifically designed
to help you conduct field historical research in
various governmental and non-governmental
agencies, to expand your academic knowledge in
your field of interest, and to contribute to
research efforts at world-renowned
organizations.
B. Eligibility.
1. History major
2. 3.00 or better GPA
3. 2.80 or better MPA
C. Program Details.
1. All programs are offered to cadets between
their junior and senior years (firstie summer).
2. Programs range from 3 to 6 weeks depending on
agreement between Dean and Commandant, on
program host constraints, and funding.
3. Most programs are conducted during first
summer period (with the top cadets being allowed
to depart immediately after final exams).
D. Available Programs. While varying
from year to year, the following programs have
recently been available:
1. Headquarters, European Command (EUCOM):
Conduct research and prepare reports for
top-level EUCOM commanders at Stuttgart,
Germany.
2. Los Alamos Research Center: Conduct
research focusing on the history of technology
at Los Alamos, New Mexico.
3. United States Marine Corps Historical
Center (MCHC): Unique opportunity to work
with Marine Corps historians at the MCHC and
Marine Corps Museum and to explore other
military history related activities in the
Washington D.C. area.
4. Air Force Space Command and US Space
Command: Exciting opportunity to work with
staff historians on projects for the Commander,
US and/or Air Force Space Command at either
Falcon AFB or Peterson AFB, Colorado.
5. On-Site Inspection Agency (OSIA):
Outstanding opportunity to work with the agency
historian in analyzing and preparing reports
from team debriefs, and to be exposed to Russian
weapon inspectors. Opportunities include work at
Magna, Utah as well as other locations around
the world.
6. National Aeronautic Association (NAA):
One-of-a-kind opportunity to work with
association’s vast historical materials and
participate in other activities in the
Washington D.C. area.
7. Defense Systems Management College (DSMC):
Great opportunity to work with
historian/archivist at Fort Belvoir, VA. Often
results in publishable paper.
8. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC):
Outstanding opportunity to work with command
historian on special ops and unconventional
warfare topics at Hurlburt AFB, FL.
9. Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA):
Unique opportunity to work in one of the largest
historical archives of air power related topics
at Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
10. Informal Programs: DFH also
sponsors cadets on individualized programs with
permissive TDY arrangements. The same
eligibility requirements apply.
E. Additional Information. You may
also compete for prestigious summer academic
programs at Georgetown University, the
Smithsonian Institute, and the National
Endowment for the Humanities. Other programs may
be available as well, including Summer Language
Immersion programs in numerous foreign
countries. For more details, contact your
advisor in the Department of History.
Cadet Awards:
A. Andrews Award. If you are a history major, your performance in your history courses will become a factor in computation of the winner of the Andrews Award, given to the outstanding cadet in the history major in each graduating class. This award consists of an attractive eagle and fledglings statue with an inscribed name plate as well as a library of books appropriate to your historical interests. The name of the winner is also inscribed on a publicly displayed plaque in the Department of History.
B. Bong Award. If you are a military history major, your performance in your history courses will be a factor in computation of the winner of the Bong Award, given to the outstanding cadet in military history in each graduating class. Like the Andrews Award, the Bong Award consists of an eagle and fledglings statue with an inscribed name plate as well as a library of books on military history. The name of the winner is inscribed on a publicly displayed plaque in the Department of History.
C. Thiele Award. If you are a history major, your performance in your history courses will become a factor in computation of the winner of the Thiele Award, presented to the Department of History’s nominee for the Graduate Studies Program in each graduating class. This award consists of a handsome plaque and a library of books appropriate to your historical interests. The name of the winner is also inscribed on a publicly displayed plaque in the Department of History.
C. American History Award. If you are an American history major, your performance in your history courses will be a factor in computation of the winner of the American History Award, presented to the outstanding cadet in American history in each graduating class. This award consists of a handsome plaque and a library of books on American history. The name of the winner is also inscribed on a publicly displayed plaque in the Department of History.
D. The 7th Bomb Group Award (formerly The Norstad Award). If you are an general history major, your performance in your history courses will be a factor in computation of the winner of the 7th Bomb Group Award, presented to the outstanding cadet in general history in each graduating class. This award consists of a handsome plaque and a library of books appropriate to your historical interests. The name of the winner is also inscribed on a publicly displayed plaque in the Department of History.
E. The Rupp Award. If you are a history major in an area track (i.e., Europe, Russia, Latin America, Africa, Middle East, or Asia), your performance in your history and area courses will be a factor in computation of the 7th Bomb Group Award, presented to the outstanding cadet in Area Studies in each graduating class. This award consists of a handsome plaque and a library of books on the area of the world in which you have specialized. The name of the winner is also inscribed on a publicly displayed plaque in the Department of History.
F. Air Force Historical Foundation Award. All history papers written on air power topics are eligible to compete for the Air Force Historical Foundation Award. This award consists of a plaque and national recognition through t he resources of the Air Force Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. The Foundation presents the award annually to the best cadet paper on some aspect of the history of flight. The name of the winner is inscribed on a publicly displayed plaque in the Department of History. |
