(COLORADO) — Each summer, more than 1,000 young men and women arrive at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) to begin their journey to become cadets at the Academy. For most of them, family and friends are hundreds of miles away, and to help bridge the gap, USAFA is looking for sponsor families.
The Academy’s Cadet Sponsor Program matches cadets with a local family who would provide a home away from home, allowing the cadets time to relax and gather support beyond the formal Academy environment.
This year, almost 400 incoming cadets are in need of a sponsor family, and while many are associated with the military, the local community is welcome to apply and serve as mentors, friends, and extended family.
Individuals can check out how to apply, learn about qualifications, and get more details about the program by clicking here.
The program is offered for the duration of a cadet’s time at the Academy. For those who are unsure if they are ready for a long-term commitment can apply to sponsor a cadet for a day on July 26 during the Class of 2029’s Day Out, a single-day event allowing basic cadets to leave the Academy for the first time since beginning Basic Cadet training.
The Cadet Sponsor Offices match sponsors with cadets who share the same interests and ideologies. Requests “by name” can be submitted by cadets and sponsors. Once a cadet is assigned to a family, they will remain so until the cadet’s graduation year or until either party requests a reassignment.
