United States Air Force Academy

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MOTIVATED TO LEAD

ACADEMY MISSION & VISION

The U.S. Air Force Academy doesn’t just graduate cadets. It produces the nation’s best leaders of character. From the application process, to the first day of Basic Cadet Training, to final exams, the Academy seeks out and trains cadets to adhere to qualities of moral excellence.

This character and leadership development is as much a part of the Academy experience as academics, athletics and military training. It is built into specific programs like the Center for Character & Leadership Development, and more importantly, into the foundation of the Academy—its mission, core values and honor code.

Image of graduating cadets.
Mission & Vision

To educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character motivated to lead the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force in service to our Nation.

The vision of the U.S. Air Force Academy is to serve as the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Forces’ premier institution for developing leaders of character.

Images of Cadets  marching down the Core Values Ramp.
Core Values

Integrity First. Service Before Self. Excellence in All We Do.

These values guide all members of the Air and Space Forces, not just Academy cadets. From day one these values are memorized and internalized to serve as the foundation and unifying element of a cadet’s commitment to themselves, their comrades and their country. Our core values are our North Star.

Image of the ceiling in Polaris Hall.
Honor Code

We Will Not Lie, Steal or Cheat, Nor Tolerate Among Us Anyone Who Does.

To set the tone for all cadets to come after them, the Class of 1959 wrote and adopted the Honor Code. Cadets own the code and are responsible for maintaining the code and the process by which those who break it are assessed.

Honor Code violations are investigated by a team from the Cadet Wing Honor Committee. There are currently 180 elected cadets on the committee – two first-class cadets and two second-class cadets from each of the 40 squadrons, as well as 10 first-class cadets and 10 second-class cadets that make up the executive committee.

Profession of Arms

After the Academy, cadets graduate to become leaders in many fields, from physics to politics to philosophy. Across the world, Academy cadets have each other’s backs in battle and life—putting the needs of those around them ahead of their own. Their experience, sacrifice and commitment to serving their country is what binds them together as members of the Profession of Arms.