United States Air Force Academy |
Air Force Academy cadets celebrate after graduation in 2003
The United States Air Force Academy, the military
academy of the United States Air Force, is
located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was
founded on April 1, 1954. On July 11, 1955, the first class of 306 cadets was sworn
in at a temporary site at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver.
Lieutenant General Hubert R. Harmon, a key figure in the development of the Academy, was appointed the first superintendent. On
August 29, 1958, a wing of 1145 cadets
moved to the present site. Less than a year later the Academy received accreditation. On March 3, 1964, the authorized strength of the Cadet Wing was increased to
4417 and later reduced to its present number of 4000.
President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation October 7, 1975, permitting women to enter the
military academies. Women entered the Air Force Academy for the first time on June
28, 1976. The first class with women graduated in May 1980. 12% of the women who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2003 reported that they were victims of rape or attempted rape while at the Academy [1] . It is estimated that about 20% of all
women students were victims. Sexual predation was mainly directed toward freshmen and sophomores. Women who complained were
generally pushed or counciled out of the academy. This situation has been generally
known among the leadership of the United States Air Force but little has been done over the years to correct the situation or to
disciple officers in leadership positions at the Academy [2] .
The Air Force Academy competes in the NCAA's Division I-A. Its primary conference is the
Mountain West Conference; its gymnastics (men and women) and men's soccer teams compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and its hockey team competes in College Hockey
America. The sports teams are called the Falcons.
Air Force plays Colorado State in football
every year for the Ram-Falcon Trophy, a travelling award that alternates between the schools. It also has traditional service
academy rivalries with Navy and Army.
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