2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

when is a cadet considered academically deficient?
A cadet is considered deficient in academics if one or more F or I grades are received on a grade report or if the cumulative,
core, or most recent semester GPA falls below 2.0. A first-class cadet is also deficient if the major GPA falls below 2.0. At midsemester,
most deficient cadets will be placed on academic probation and will be reviewed by an academic review committee. In
addition, cadets on probation will be assigned certain weekend study periods. At the end of the semester, if seriously deficient,
the cadet’s record will be reviewed. The board may recommend either dismissal of the cadet or continuation on academic
probation with appropriate remedial actions. The board can direct attendance at the academic summer school held at the
Academy.
are cadets graded on their military performance?
Yes. All Academy personnel who instruct, supervise, or coach cadets may submit a military-performance appraisal on each
cadet. These inputs are used to create the Military Performance Average (MPA) similar to the academic GPA. Militarily deficient
cadets may be placed on Conduct and/or Aptitude probation for serious rules violations or a history of violations. Placement
on Conduct and/or Aptitude probation will result in an MPA below 2.0. Cadets who fall below a 2.0 MPA may meet a Military
Review Committee (MRC) similar to an ARC, which reviews academic deficiencies. The MRC may place a cadet on aptitude
probation, initiate corrective action, or make recommendations to the Commandant or the Academy Board.
do cadets receive special recognition for outstanding performance?
Cadets who achieve at least a 3.0 GPA, MPA or PEA are allowed to wear merit badges on their uniform. Cadets who are
recognized by the Dean of the Faculty for outstanding Academic Performance wear a small silver star on their uniform. Cadets
who are recognized for achievement in military performance by the Commandant of Cadets wear a silver wreath. Cadets who
are recognized for excellence in physical education by the Director of Athletics wear a silver lightning bolt. Those cadets on all
three lists are recognized by the Superintendent and wear the star enclosed in the wreath between two small lightning bolts.
when do cadets study?
Study periods are scheduled during the day when cadets do not have classes. After dinner each evening, from Sunday through
Thursday, cadets are expected to study in their rooms or in the library. Second-class squadron academic noncommissioned
officers arrange cadet tutors for cadets experiencing academic problems.
what type of faculty does the academy have?
The Academy has a military and civilian faculty. The military faculty is composed primarily of Air Force officers with a few
officers from the other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and from the military forces of allied nations who serve in a
liaison capacity. The civilian faculty is composed of both government employees and visiting faculty. The civilian government
employees are on renewable term appointments and hold all academic ranks as well as several administrative positions. The
civilian visiting faculty members come to the Academy from academic institutions, government agencies, and industry and are
assigned to academic departments for one or two years. The faculty is organized by academic divisions and departments, similar
to other institutions of higher education. The Dean of the Faculty and all Professor USAFA positions have been established by
law.
what type of instruction does the faculty provide?
The average class is small, fifteen to twenty students, allowing the instructor to establish a rapport with each cadet and to
recognize a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The faculty uses the seminar approach to instruction, when possible, keeping
lectures to a minimum. Cadets are expected to prepare for their lessons and participate in classroom activities.
180 United States Air Force Academy Catalog