United States Air Force Academy

Go to home page

Military

Cadets reviewing military maneuvers.
Preparing our graduate to lead on Day One

Military Education

Our cadets receive a unique and comprehensive education focused on the profession of arms. Here, military education plays a critical role in preparing cadets to become warfighting officers ready to lead lethal warfighting teams in the Air Force or Space Force. Cadets take courses in military strategy, doctrine, heritage and professionalism while also developing the skills required of an officer.

Indeed, our adversary-focused military training instills the warrior ethos among our future leaders. Over a rigorous 47-month curriculum, they hone fundamental military skills such as shoot, move, communicate, medicate and automate to enable Ready Airman Training and Agile Combat Employment.

Excellence In All We Do

Military Training


The first step

Basic Cadet Training
Basic Cadet Training is a six-week program designed for our new cadets, also referred to as basic cadets. It guides their transformation from civilians to military academy cadets, testing their grit and determination.

Explore BCT

Basic Cadet Training

Warfighter readiness

Culminating Exercise
This multi-day field training event evaluates all cadets’ adaptability, proficiency, military readiness and leadership skills. They gain hands-on experience with the tactical and strategic skills required for modern combat environments.

Explore The Exercise

Culminating Exercise

Leadership development

Cadet Leadership & Enrichment Seminar
Cadet commanders at the wing, group, and squadron levels, as well as athletics and airmanship programs, learn to improve operational efficiency. These cadets acquire knowledge, skills, and peer networks to improve their leadership skills.

Explore Cadet Leadership

Cadet Leadership & Enrichment Seminar

Military Training

Cadet Warfighter Instructor Course
This comprehensive 11-day program gives cadet instructors the tools to teach lower-class cadets basic warfighting skills at the individual and small-unit levels. Cadets are coached and mentored by Army Green Berets.

Explore Military Education

Cadet Warfighter Instructor Course

Military Development
Forging

Warfighters to Win


Here we integrate demanding military training, challenging academics, competitive athletics, and foundational character development to cultivate officers capable of leading in complex, contested, and high-stakes environments.

Our military training curriculum develops joint operations-focused graduates with air-, space-, and cyber-mindsets, connecting doctrine, capabilities, and effects.

Fourth-Class Year (freshman)

Follower/­­Teammate, Cadet Airman
Cadets attend Introduction to Living Honorably in the Profession of Arms during Basic Cadet Training. This helps them learn to appreciate what it means to live honorably at the Academy and the core values of the Air Force and Space Force.

Explore Follower/Teammate

Follower/Teammate, Cadet Airman

Third-Class Year (sophmore)

Front-Line Supervisor, Cadet NCO
Our third-class cadets take on additional responsibilities as they develop interpersonal leadership competencies and supervise fourth-class cadets in non-commissioned officer roles. They develop growth of subordinate cadets.

Explore Cadet NCO

Front-Line Supervisor, Cadet NCO

Second-Class Year (junior)

Team Leader, Cadet SNCO
At this level, our cadets act as technical experts in drill and ceremonies, personal appearance, and room inspections, while developing team leadership competencies. They develop ideas and train third- and fourth-class cadets.

Explore Cadet SNCO

Team Leader, Cadet SNCO

First-Class Year (senior)

Unit Leader, Cadet Officer
Our first-class cadets take on command roles as Cadet Wing leadership, holding key positions within Basic Cadet Training, Combat Survival Training, and other underclass summer training programs. They serve as cadet officers.

Explore Unit Leader

Unit Leader, Cadet Officer

Iquinesha Mitchell, Class of '26

Iquinesha Mitchell, Class of ’26
Behavioral Science
Human Factors Engineering

“During the VALEX, I saw firsthand how teamwork goes beyond your assigned unit. Having various groups come to my Forward Operating Base and rely on me for command and control, and their safety, showed me more than I could have anticipated. Real Agile Combat Employment.”