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Cadet Service Learning
 Community service and the concept of service learning are part of the Center for Character and Leadership Development's efforts to offer programs that emphasize one of the Air Force's core values, "Service Before Self." The Cadet Service Learning program, part of the CCLD's Excellence Division, attempts to take this core value from the theoretical concepts of the classroom to actual experiences with the goal of a lifelong internalized volunteer ethic and understanding of the value of serving others, particularly in the area of community service.
Most of the cadet-run service learning activities require initiative, organization and responsibility, furthering the CCLD's leadership development objective.
Historically, the Air Force Academy performs between 20,000 and 30,000 hours of service learning projects per academic year. These hours include basic community service project as well as annual Alternative Spring Break projects, for which the Academy partners with Habitat for Humanity* to build homes around the nation.
BENEFITS TO CADETS
-- The Air Force Academy is charged with commissioning leaders for the Air Force. Successful leaders must first know how to serve, willingly and with the whole heart. This program allows the Academy to grow stronger, service-driven leaders.
-- Cadets fill roles such as administrators, organizers and advocates, roles they will be asked to serve as commanders and responsible citizens.
-- Cadets practice and hone vital interpersonal skills and professional qualities such as empathy, initiative and good judgment.
-- Each service project broadens cadets' horizons, particularly in terms of diversity. The opportunity to work with people from different social and cultural backgrounds teaches our future leaders to recognize the challenges and harness the benefits of diversity in the work environment.
BENEFITS TO COMMUNITIES
-- Cadet servants do just that: provide much-needed services to the community and those in need.
-- By allowing cadets to participate in projects that benefit the community, local citizens strengthen their long-term relationships with the Air Force Academy.
-- Ideally, cadets' initiative will inspire others in the community to reach out and serve as well.
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Groups eligible to request cadet volunteers include non-profit groups, religious organizations, schools or government agencies. All non-profits recognized by the Colorado Springs Center for Nonprofit Excellence* are acceptable; others must be approved on a case-by-case basis.
To request volunteers, completely fill out all three tabs of the form at the bottom of this page. A member of the CCLD will contact the requester before advertising the request to cadets. Cadets wishing to volunteer will contact the requester for additional details and coordination. |
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Cadets volunteer each year to be part of Alternative Spring Break, joining thousands of college students from arond the nation working with Habitat for Humanity's Collegiate Challenge* program.
Alternative Spring Break coincides with regular Spring Break for Academy cadets. The Academy has participated in Spring Break for more than a decade, building homes at Habitat sites in Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. After Hurricane Katrina, 140 cadets traveled to the damaged areas of New Orleans to help clean up and rebuild. |
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The appearance of hyperlinks to non-government Web sites does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Air Force of this Web site or the information, products, or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and morale, welfare and recreation sites, the U.S. Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DOD Web site. |
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