America's defense policies during the early Cold War years necessitated a major expansion of the Air Force. The Service grew from 305,827 in 1947 to nearly 1,000,000 personnel by 1954. Accordingly, the Service needed approximately 1,200 new junior officers a year to fill its ranks. To meet the challenges of the complex nuclear age, the Air Force would require not only more, but better-educated officers.

As early as World War I, some Air Service officers felt that the Air Service should have an academy to train future officers. In 1918, Lieutenant Colonel A.J. Hanlon claimed, "As the Military and Naval Academies are the backbone of the Army and Navy, so must the Aeronautical Academy be the backbone of the Air Service. No Service can flourish without some such institution to inculcate into its embryonic officers love of country, proper conception of duty, and highest regard for honor." By 1925, the Army Air Service did have several training schools for its officers and enlisted personnel, but these were not comparable to the four-year college programs of West Point and the Naval Academy. In the years following World War II, several congressmen and senators introduced bills to establish an air academy in their state. None of these bills was acted upon, however.

Visitors to the Academy may enter through either the North Gate, which can be accessed from Exit 156B on Interstate 25, 14 miles north of downtown Colorado Springs, or from the South Gate, which can be accessed from Exit 150 on Interstate 25. For more information, call the Visitor's Center at 719-333-2025 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Note: Backpacks or large bags are not allowed in the Visitor Center, the paved nature trail, or the Cadet Chapel.

Special Event Visitor Access Procedures

Organizations sponsoring events in excess of 100 people during visitor hours will need to notify Security Forces of their event to ensure the gates are prepared for the increase of traffic/searches. The following information will be required:

• Name of event
• Date/Time
• Sponsor/Contact number
• Approximate number of visitors

The center was built with donated and borrowed funds totaling $4.5 million. The private organizations which donated the building to the Air Force named it in honor of retired Arizona Senator Barry M. Goldwater, an avid supporter of the academy. The facility opened its doors in June 1986.

The 31,600-square-foot building contains exhibits, a snack bar and a gift shop. As a courtesy to visitors wheelchairs are provided for use within the Visitor Center, however, they cannot be taken out of the facility.

A one-third-mile paved nature trail east of the facility allows visitors to walk to the Cadet Chapel. *Note the paved nature trail is a very strenuous walk with a variety of hills. The walk back from the Chapel to the Visitor Center is mostly an up-hill walk. People with limited mobility should have a wheel chair to get to and from the Chapel. *WHEEL CHAIRS ARE NOT PROVIDED TO THE PUBILIC FOR OUTSIDE USE. ALL PERSONNEL NEEDING ASSISTANCE IN WALKING MUST HAVE THEIR OWN WHEELCHAIR. You may also park in the Arnold Hall parking lot to access the Cadet Chapel; however this still requires you to walk approximately 1/3 of a mile and is mostly uphill when returning to your vehicle.

Cadet Chapel: Check out the Chapel webpage for Chapel services and tour information. Note: The chapel is occasionally closed for private services, weddings and funerals throughout the year. During these private services the chapel will not be open to the public.

Buses/RV: Due to the large volume of bus traffic to the Visitor Center, busses may off-load passengers on the top level, Right Side of the entrance.  Buses will then be parked on the bottom parking lot level.  Buses may later return to the top level, Left Side of the entrance to pick up passengers.  This policy is to ensure safety of pedestrians in the parking areas.
The Visitor Center does not accept reservations for guided tours. Only self-guided tours are available.
Any large group that plans to eat at the Visitor Center should make a courtesy call ahead to ensure the food court is open at 719-472-9664. General Visitor Center Food Court hours are Monday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is also a food court in Arnold Hall, 719-472-0664.

Falcon Store gift shop: Members of your group with active or retired military ID cards will receive a discount in the Visitor Center gift shop at 719-472-0102, or Toll Free at 800-955-4438 or visit www.goairforcefalcons.com.

1. What is the cadet equivalent to a student in a civilian university?
2. I have a tattoo, a brand or a piercing. Can I be admitted?
3. What is a cadet's day like?
4. What is a cadet's room like?
5. How is a cadet assigned to a room and a roommate?
6. What items are cadets allowed to have in their rooms?
7. What are the cadet dining facilities like?
8. Do basic cadets get plenty to eat?
9. Are special dietary meals provided?
10. What is the rate of pay for cadets?
11. Are cadets required to pay income taxes?
12. What types of uniforms do cadets wear?
13. "I have read articles in the paper about the recent sexual assault incidents. Is my daughter safe at USAFA?"
14. My religious beliefs require that I wear a head covering. Is that allowed at USAFA and in the Air Force?
15. I have a child and have heard that I must relinquish custody before attending USAFA. Why?
16. What is the Officer Development System?
17. Does the Officer Development System interfere with academic studies?
18. What comprises the Academy's leadership program?
19. What is the total USAFA scholarship worth?
20. What is the most challenging aspect of the total cadet experience?
21. What programs do cadets participate in over the summer period?
22. Where do I go if I'm overwhelmed, stressed-out or having difficulty adjusting to USAFA?