Prep School welcomes new class of cadet hopefuls

  • Published
  • By David Edwards
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Inprocessing at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School began Wednesday, ushering in this year's class of soon-to-be Academy cadets.

For thousands of past applicants who didn't qualify for direct entry, the Prep School has served as a gateway for entrance into the Academy.

The Prep School's 10-month program furnishes intense instruction in math, English and basic sciences. Students also undergo military training and character development. Although the Prep School's purpose is to mold students into prospective cadets and future officers, the education there doesn't come with a guarantee of admission to the Academy.

Col. Bart Weiss, commander of the Prep School, said one of the distinguishing characteristics of this incoming class is the number of prior enlisted military personnel. The total of 49 represents a high number in comparison with recent classes, he said.
Students at the Prep School go through a slimmed-down version of the Academy's Basic Cadet Training.

"Our BMT is only 18 days and is more of a military training and cultural immersion program," Colonel Weiss said. "Plus (it) gets these kids accelerated into the military culture and team-building posture that focuses on respect for others, team and (baselining) them all into military life."

The Prep School does its best to maintain a distinct identity while staying integrated with the community life of the Academy. The course of study is much shorter and is geared toward bringing students up to speed on core subjects not adequately covered during their high school years.

Furthermore, the Prep School has its own facilities -- library, classrooms, dorms, sports complex -- and its intercollegiate athletes play teams at the junior college level as opposed to the NCAA. Even the schools' team mascots are different: Huskies for the Prep School, Falcons for the Academy.

But the short-term separation doesn't take the focus off the long-term goal, which is ultimately the reason for the Prep School's existence.

"We do mirror a bit of Academy procedure," Colonel Weiss said. "(First is) BMT, then transition week and hit them hard with a life skills, study, time management class to better prepare them for the academic rigors they will face here and at the Academy."