United States Air Force Academy

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Governance

Image of the Terrazzo at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Air Force-Level Authority

The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Air Force establish policy for the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs is responsible for the implementation of policies established by the Secretaries of Defense and the Air Force and for strategic oversight of the Academy. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force serves as the immediate superior to the Academy Superintendent, and the U.S. Air Force Academy is a Direct Reporting Unit to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Board of Visitors

The U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors (BoV) is an oversight board established to inquire into the morale, discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and other matters relating to the Academy. The Board of Visitors is constituted annually and consists of: (1) six persons designated by the President; (2) the Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives, or his or her designee; (3) Four members designated by the Speaker of the House; (4) the Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, or his or her designee; and (5) three other members of the Senate designated by the Vice President or the President pro tempore of the Senate. The U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors meets no less than four times per year, with at least two of these meetings occurring at the Academy.

Superintendent

The Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy is the Commander of HQ U.S. Air Force Academy. The Superintendent is detailed to the position by the President.

Academy Board

The Academy Board is an advisory board that is chaired by the Superintendent. In addition to the Superintendent, board members include the Vice Superintendent, Commandant of Cadets, the Vice Commandant, the Dean of the Faculty, the Director of Athletics, the Director of Athletic Programs/Physical Education, the Chairs of the four academic divisions (Basic Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, and Social Sciences), and one member at-large. The Director of Admissions serves as the non-voting secretary of the board.

All voting members of the board must hold the rank of O-6 or higher or the civilian equivalent. Under Federal law, the board must be consulted by the Superintendent when considering cadets for return or reappointment to the Academy following disenrollment, and recommending candidates to the Secretary of the Air Force to bring the cadet wing to full strength. Normally, the Superintendent obtains the advice of the Academy Board before acting on matters such as: selection and admissions policies, methods for evaluating cadet conduct and aptitude for commissioned service, intercollegiate athletics policies, the Academy calendar and cadet scheduling policy, policies and procedures for the selection, assignment, and appointment of officials who instruct cadets (e.g. faculty, Air Officers Commanding, and coaches), merit rolls and achievement awards, and privilege systems.

The Superintendent obtains the consent of the Academy Board before approving any changes in course offerings, required courses, academic majors, or graduation requirements, and before granting any cadet the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Standing Committees of the Academy Board

The following committees serve as standing committees of the Academy Board:

The Curriculum Committee reviews and recommends curricular changes to the Academy Board. USAFAI 36-3507, Curriculum Handbook and Curriculum Change Control, specifies committee membership, duties and procedures.

The Scheduling Committee coordinates all annual and academic semester schedules presented to the Academy Board for approval, including semester calendars and the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Wing Schedule of Calls.

The Air Force Academy Athletic Association Advisory Council (AFAAAAC) ensures the proper management of Athletic Association activities and resources.

The Academic Review Committees (ARCs) represent each of the four cadet classes. Each ARC evaluates cadets deficient in academic performance and forwards recommendations regarding retention or disenrollment to the Superintendent or their designated representative. USAFAI 36-3523, Review and Disposition of Deficient Cadets, specifies committee membership, duties, and procedures.

The Physical Education Review Committee (PERC) evaluates cadets who are deficient in athletic performance and forwards recommendations regarding retention or disenrollment to the Superintendent or their designated representative. USAFAI 36-3523, Review and Disposition of Deficient Cadets, specifies committee membership, duties, and procedures.

There is one Eligibility Committee for each cadet intercollegiate athletic team. These committees determine cadets’ eligibility to travel and compete under both USAFA and NCAA standards. USAFAI 36-3523, Review and Disposition of Deficient Cadets, specifies committee membership, duties, and procedures.

The Military Review Committee (MRC) evaluates cadets whose military performance is deficient, particularly with respect to conduct and/or aptitude, and forwards recommendations to the Superintendent or their designated representative concerning cadets’ fitness for commissioning. USAFAI 36-3523, Review and Disposition of Deficient Cadets, specifies committee membership, duties, and procedures.

The Summer Training Review Committee (STRC) evaluates cadets who are deficient in summer training programs. USAFAI 36-3523, Review and Disposition of Deficient Cadets, specifies committee membership, duties, and procedures.

U.S. Air Force Academy Corporate Structure

The Academy corporate structure is modeled after the Headquarters Air Force decision-making structure and is designed to identify, review and coordinate resource programming and other issues having broad institutional impact so that senior Academy leaders can make informed resource and policy decisions in a timely and efficient manner. The Academy’s corporate structure consists of the U.S. Air Force Academy Board and the U.S. Air Force Academy Group.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Board is the primary governing board at the Academy. The board’s responsibilities include determining requirements, approving program starts and stops, advocating for and allocating resources, providing guidance, and determining policies. The U.S. Air Force Academy Board is chaired by the Superintendent. Other board members are the Vice Superintendent, the Commandant, the Dean of the Faculty, the Director of Athletics, the Commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, the Commander of the 10th Air Base Wing, and the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Group conducts research and makes recommendations to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board regarding the prioritization of resource requests. The U.S. Air Force Academy Group is chaired by the Vice Superintendent. Other board members are the Vice Commandant, the Vice Dean of the Faculty, the Vice Director of Athletics, the Vice Commander of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, the Vice Commander of the 10th Air Base Wing, the Command Chief Master Sergeant of U.S. Air Force Academy, the Director of Staff, the Director of Operations and Analysis, and the Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development.