United States Air Force Academy

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), is an institution for the undergraduate education of officers in the United States Air Force. The campus is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Upon completion of the four-year program, graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are normally commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force. (A small number of graduates "cross-commission" into other services each year, and a few foreign cadets and graduates who are not medically qualified will receive a degree but will not be commissioned.)

Women at the Academy

On October 7, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation permitting women to enter the United States military academies. On June 26, 1976, 157 women entered the Air Force Academy with the Class of 1980. The women were initially segregated from the rest of the Cadet Wing, but were fully integrated into their assigned squadrons after the first winter break. On May 28, 1980, 97 of the original female cadets completed the program and graduated from the Academy. Michele D. Johnson '81, was the first woman to serve as the Academy's Cadet Wing Commander—the senior ranking cadet—and was the Academy's first female Rhodes Scholar. Terrie Ann MacLaughlin '86, was the first female cadet to graduate top in her class. Women currently comprise about 18% of the Cadet Wing.

Related Topics:
October 7 - 1975 - Gerald R. Ford - Women - June 26 - 1976 - 1980 - May 28 - Rhodes Scholar

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In 2003, the Academy came under intense national scrutiny when a number of female cadets and recent graduates reported that they had been victims of sexual assault while at the Academy. Some of these women reported that the Academy leadership either ignored their reports or, in some cases, threatened punishment for other offenses such as underage drinking. This exposure led to major changes in the training structure at the Academy as well as the way in which the Academy deals with sexual assault reporting. One of the more controversial steps, especially among cadets and graduates, was the removal of the "Bring Me Men..." sign on the Academy grounds. For more detail see Air Force Academy sexual assault scandal.

Related Topics:
2003 - Air Force Academy sexual assault scandal

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According to the report of the Fowler Commission, due to poor leadership, sexual assault is "a part of life at the Academy." It was also reported that one in five male cadets felt women should not be at the Academy. Following the Air Force Academy sexual assault scandal and due to concern with sexual assault in the U.S. military the Department of Defense was required to establish a task force to investigate sexual harassment and assault at the United States military academies in the law funding the military for fiscal 2004. The report, issued August 25, 2005 showed that during 2004 50% of the women at the Academy reported instances of sexual harassment while 92 incidents of sexual assault were reported http://www.dtic.mil/dtfs/doc_recd/High_GPO_RRC_tx.pdf.

Related Topics:
Fowler Commission - Sexual assault - Sexual assault in the U.S. military - Sexual harassment

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