Toni Webb, age 15, of Nashville, Tenn., for her question:
CAN WOMEN GET INTO THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY?
Originally the United States Air Force Academy would only accept young men for training. But in 1976, the academy admitted women students for the first time.
Now the academy prepares both young men and women for careers as officers in the United States Air Force. The academy stands on an 18,000 acre site in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs, Colo.
Students at the academy are called Air Force cadets. They take four years of academic work and receive bachelor of science degrees when they graduate. They also take professional military training to earn regular commissions in the United States Air Force.
When a student enters the academy, he or she agrees to serve for four years as a cadet and five years as an Air Force officer.
Candidates for the academy are nominated in various ways. Members of the United States House of Representatives nominate 2,175, while U.S. Senators nominate 500. The President of the United States nominates 100 and the Vice President may select five. Some nominees came from the regular and reserve United States armed forces while others may be sons and daughters of deceased or disabled veterans or prisoners of war.
To be nominated a candidate must be a citizen of the United States, at least 17 and not yet 22 years old, unmarried, in good physical condition and of good moral character.
After being nominated, each candidate for the academy must pass the qualifying medical examination, the physical aptitude examination and college entrance examinations in order to qualify for appointment.
Cadets live by an honor code that stresses complete integrity in word and deed. The code says: "We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." The cadets themselves enforce the code and violation of the code is cause for dismissal.
The curriculum at the academy includes the academic program, military training and physical education. The academic program features courses in the basic and applied sciences, social sciences and humanities. The cadet must take certain courses that provide a general background in all subject areas.
The cadet also majors in one subject or area of concentration. Those who have completed previous college work and those with special ability may take advanced courses in their major fields.
The academy prepares cadets for roles of leadership through military training. This training provides the basic military knowledge required of an Air Force officer. Flying instruction is also included.
Each summer during their sophomore, junior and senior years, cadets participate in training programs at the academy and other military installations.
Cadets develop a high degree of physical fitness. Each cadet must take part in either intramural or varsity athletic contests.