MILITARY TRAINING
Students at the Preparatory School are considered active duty Airman during their 10-month program. They earn pay, receive full medical and dental benefits, and most importantly, represent the Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Academy while wearing the uniform.
In order to best represent those that serve, and have served, students are educated on:
- Air Force Core Values
- Organization and Heritage of the Air Force
- Military Customs and Courtesies
- Physical Training
- Military History
- Drill and Ceremonies
- Proper wear of uniforms and room inspections
All candidates are held to the same standards as representatives of the Air Force – our goal is to prepare you to become leaders at the Academy and as future leaders of our Air and Space Forces.
Similarly to active duty life and the Cadet Wing at the Academy, candidates are organized into squadrons – three in the case of the Preparatory School. Each squadron has a field grade officer who acts as the Air Officer Commanding (AOC), and two non-commissioned officers (NCOs), known as Academy Military Trainers (AMTs). AOCs and AMTs set high standards for the new candidates, and throughout the academic year they are expected to uphold and exceed those expectations. AOCs and AMTs are invaluable to the Preparatory School experience and provide examples of what it is to be a good enlisted Airman and officer.
The military education and training program to include Basic Military Training (BMT), 10-Month Development System, Character and Culture Training, and various other programs. This meaningful education and training will prepare all members with fundamentals of Air Life through a transformational process with the following deliberate and object based training; Behavioral Skills, Military Skills, Drill and Ceremony, Military Courtesies, and Life Skills Management. This training is designed to be a physical and mental review of everything the candidates will need in preparation of the United States Air Force Academy’s Basic Cadet Training (BCT).