U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. -- Every summer, more than 1,000 young men and women arrive at the U.S. Air Force Academy to start their 47-month journey to become Air Force or Space Force officers. For most of them, their homes and families are hundreds or thousands of miles away.
The Academy’s Cadet Sponsor Program steps in to bridge the gap by matching cadets with a local family to provide a home away from home, allowing cadets time to relax and gather support beyond the formal Academy environment.
The local community is welcome and encouraged to apply and serve as mentors, friends, and extended family to these future military leaders.
The Cadet Sponsor Office strives to match sponsors with cadets who share similar interests. “By name” requests can be submitted by cadets and sponsors. Cadets are assigned to a family for the duration of their time at the Academy or if either party requests a reassignment.
Families that are unsure if they are ready for a long-term sponsor commitment can instead apply to host a cadet for the Class of 2030’s Basic Cadet Day Out on July 25. This single day event allows cadets to leave the Academy for the first time in over a month since arriving on In-Processing Day and beginning Basic Cadet Training.
Basic Cadet Day Out gives those cadets a well-needed break before finishing their final week of Basic Cadet Training and beginning the academic school year. This is also an opportunity for host families to learn more about the cadet experience and to consider continuing as a sponsor and mentor throughout their cadets’ journey at the Academy.
To participate in this year’s Basic Cadet Day Out you must register by July 1. To register email the Cadet Sponsor Office at cadet.sponsor@afacademy.af.edu. If you are already an active sponsor you must confirm your status and intent to participate with the Cadet Sponsor Office by the deadline.
Families interested in becoming sponsors or hosting cadets on Basic Cadet Day Out will need to meet the minimum requirements below. Visit the Cadet Sponsor Program webpage for more information about the program and how to apply.
Sponsorship Requirements:
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- Complete the online sponsor application
- Submit a family introduction letter
- Non-military affiliated families will need to submit two letters of recommendation
- Reside within 50 miles of the Academy
- Be at least 28 years old
- Pass a background check