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Leaders Encouraging Airmen Development is a program that lets unit and wing commanders nominate highly qualified Airmen to attend the Air Force Academy Prep School with the intention of an AF Academy appointment to follow. Squadron commanders and first sergeants should identify candidates.
Fifty slots are reserved at the Prep School for Airmen who meet the LEAD entry criteria. There are also 85 slots available for active duty Airmen for direct entry into the Academy. Here are the general eligibility criteria:
• Airmen must be U.S. citizens or be able to obtain citizenship before entry into the Academy the following year.
• Candidates must be unmarried and have no dependents.
• Airmen must not have passed their 22nd birthday by July 1 of the entry year into the Prep School or 23rd birthday by July 1 if receiving a direct appointment to the Academy.
• Airmen must also be of high moral character and have less than six years of service.
Potential applicants need to be referred to the Education Center (Bldg. 2120, Room 421) for counseling since the Education Center has to track LEAD applicants for U.S. Air Forces in Europe Headquarters. Gen. Tom Hobbins, USAFE commander, has taken an active interest in the LEAD program and wants to make sure USAFE receives its fair share of the 50 slots.
The initial application requires the Airmen’s personal information, immediate commander’s endorsement (no lower than squadron commander or equivalent), and Military Personnel Flight Assignments coordination. The completed form must reach the Air Force Academy Admissions Office no later than Jan. 31.
For more information, contact Hiram Wood or Dayle Ann DeLong at the education office at 480-2032/2308. (Courtesy of the 435th Mission Support Squadron)
