As a graduate of the academy, I am a firm believer that the Academy it is arguably the single most impressive collegiate institution in America. Located on the southeast slope of the Rampart Range in Colorado Springs, the 18,000 acre complex provides every cadet/student the opportunity to learn teamwork, develop leaderships skills, and maximize their individual talents.

The Academy itself is divided into three major areas: the cadet area, the community area, and the supply/service area.

Cadet Area
The cadet area, and major interest subject to most visitors, is host to two dormitory facilities with over 2200 rooms. Cadets know these two facilities as Vandenburg Hall and Sijan Hall. The first is named after the Second Air Force Chief of Staff, while the second is named after the only cadet in the Academy’s history to receive the Medal of Honor. Ironically, I am related to Lance P. Sijan through marriage. I will continue….

The cadet’s dining facility called Mitchell Hall. This facility feeds/services the entire cadet population (over 4,000 students) simultaneously at a sit down dinner, three times daily. The hall is named after Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell, who advocated the use of air power in World War I by wagering his own career on its success. The food in this facility is surprisingly good. The drawback is that you are often very busy as a cadet to enjoy the meal because of the training of freshmen at the table

Arnold Hall, named after the first General of the Air Force, is the location of cadet’s local social center. It houses a 3,000 seat theater, a bar and lounge, pizzeria, pool hall with game room, and a grand ball room. Most official Air Force Academy functions are held in this facility. Functions such as musical concerts, Presidential briefings, the traditional Ring Dance (dance the commemorates Juniors receiving their Senior Class Rings), and homecoming functions are provided for the cadets’, faculty, and alumnus’ enjoyment. Typically, you do not find many upper-class cadets hanging around Arnold Hall. That is because upper-class cadets can often go off base via a cadet pass. Freshmen, however, frequent Arnold Hall every weekend.

The Cadet Chapel, with its 17 points is, in fact, considered the architectural high point for the academy. Dedicated in 1963, its progressive design was often criticized. It currently houses three chapels: a Protestant that seats 1200, a Catholic that seats 600 and a Jewish that accommodates 100 cadets, families, and friends. Services are held weekly.

The least of my favorite buildings in the cadet area is Fairchild Hall, the academic and administrative building. Named after the first commander of Air University Fairchild Hall houses a 600,000 volume library, a full research laboratory, and cadet classrooms. This building is unique in the fact that cadets, no matter where they are in the building find some way to take a power nap….

Also included in the cadet area is a Cadet Gymnasium that houses two swimming pools, several gyms, and enough racquetball and squash courts to accommodate any business corporation. Next to the Cadet Gymnasium is the Cadet Field House that contains the Academy’s indoor Track and Field, the Hockey Rink that can hold 2,600 spectators, and the 6,000 seat Cadet Basketball Arena.

The Community Area
The community area is separated from the cadet area. It has all of the services that a normal base would have for its occupants. For example, you will find a gas station, a hospital, the commissary (grocery store), gift shop, military clothing sales, post office, Burger King, a bank, and the bowling alley. Cadets usually do not frequent this area because it is mainly for the personnel stationed there--like military faculty members. If anything, cadets utilize the gas station, Burger King, and Hospital more than any other facility in this area.

The Supply Service Area
The supply service area is where you will find the police station, impound lot, the recycling and garbage center, and the main civil engineering departments for the base. It is located just off the South Gate.

I hope that you get to visit this marvelous facility on your next trip to Colorado. I also hope that you get a better “tour” than Bonies7 did.

As a graduate, I hold a place near and dear to my heart for this institution. It is the place that taught me the meaning of integrity, duty, and mutual respect for every human being. It also taught me that there is no greater place than the United States.

Most of all, however, it enabled me to give you my word that I will defend our country everyday of my life…. and if I can’t, I will die trying.




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