US Air Force Academy Day

US Air Force Academy Day is celebrated on April 1^st every year in order to commemorate the historic milestone and highlight the legacy of achievement of predecessors.

Some truths about US Air Force Academy

In order to train non-commissioned officers for US Air Force, it was the reason for United States Air Force Academy establishment. The organization was founded on April 1, 1954, officially opened on July 11, 1955, in temporary encampments at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colo., and relocated to a new location about 7 miles (11 km) north of Springs, Colo., Colorado in late 1958, by act of Congress. The academy comprises an 18,000-acre (7,300 ha) reserve in an area surrounded by mountains.

The 4-year program, which graduates with a bachelor's degree and the rank of second lieutenant in the Air Force, includes traditional higher education as well as flight skills. Studies include subjects such as government, geography, history, and philosophy, and science courses cover the fundamentals of mathematics, physics, and chemistry through the engineering fields, related to aeronautical engineering.

The aviation skills program includes military training, athletics, leadership, and flight training. Flight training qualifies graduates for air navigation, enabling them to become aircraft observers. During the second year, trainees receive pilot training; and, if physically fit, most graduates go to Air Force pilot schools.

Any U.S. citizen of good moral character who is 17 years of age but under the age of 22 by July 1 of the year of intended enrollment, single and have ability to meet the standards about prescribed physical and competition for an appointment to the Air Force Academy. Approximately 85% of the vacancies, allotted to the states on the basis of congressional representation, are filled by competitive exams between candidates nominated by U.S. senators and representatives. The remain part are competitive exams between candidates nominated by the president and vice president, between regular and reserve members of the Air Force and Army, and children of veterans’ deceased soldiers of the armed forces. Women were admitted to the academy starting in 1976.

History of US Air Force Academy Day

In the six decades since President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation establishing the Academy on April 1, 1954, a lot has happened. In July 1955, the academy was opened at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, a temporary place. Colorado Springs was selected and then it were built and expanded a lot. The facility's growth continues to this day, with the distinctive Leadership and Character Development Center towering from the Hall of Fame. The Academy's academic excellence program became the first and only one ever to be accredited before a class graduated. We were the first to award academic majors, a method already adopted by other service academies. Graduates have fought and died in Southeast Asia and other conflicts. Our sports teams have won championships while helping cadet athletes develop character.

As far as character is concerned, we have developed core values: integrity first, self-service, and excellence in all we do - so profound that they have been widely adopted in the service sector. The Academy led - and continues to lead - in terms of gender equality, diversity, religious inclusion and character education.

In spite of the beginning of academy officially in 1954 with the achievement of visionary and persistent military leaders, such as Generals Billy Mitchell, Hoyt Vandenberg, Hubert Harmon and Hap Arnold, or members of Congress and civic leaders in general, they faced tough challenges in making the idea of ​​an aviation academy a reality. In fact, the Academy's history is as long and interesting as its history.

Throughout the year, the Academy and Academy-related media, as well as the Air Force Times and local newspapers, have covered all that and more in "Days" features in the history of the Air Force Academy". Only through the social media, the viewer’s reach approximately 10,000 visitors/week at www.usafa.af.mil, and over 200,000 friends on the Academy's Facebook page. This coverage allows hundreds of thousands of people to pause and reflect on the people, events, decisions, and achievements that have made the Academy what it is today.

How to celebrate US Air Force Academy

I am especially grateful to the staff of the Academy Public Affairs Department, athletic department, KAFA-FM, the Graduate Association of the Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and others, for their support during our long history. Thanks also to all readers who provided feedback and dates for the list.

I hope this feature generates interest in the Academy's past that lasts. As our anniversary year ended, the project continued. My original goal of documenting our history remains, so please continue to submit historical information by calling 333-8827.

Throughout 2014, our "This Day in the History of the Air Force Academy" project has taken a respectful eye back in time, drawing attention to many of the most important events in the history of the Academy. As we look to the next 60 years, we now have a better idea of ​​how we got to where we are today.