Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs

The Air Force maintains a complete educational and training site just north of Colorado Springs. An impressive facility, it works to produce the leaders of tomorrow and provide them with an intensive background in social, scientific, and military skills. It is truly a place for higher (and disciplined) learning. After reading about some of the rigorous levels that the cadets must  pass, it gives one hope that our country is being defended by not only the best, but the most dedicated young people available.

The road into the Visitors Center leads through some quiet greenbelt areas.

The Barry Goldwater Air Force Academy Visitors Center not only details the training available to the cadets, it houses several items significant to the Air Force, such as this Falcon carved from a single block of wood using only hand tools, which Donna enjoyed.

I found the display showing a typical cadet dorm room to be particularly interesting. Housing at minimum two cadets, and off times three, the room must be kept in a specific and particular order without any visible personal effects. All linens, uniforms, and such are issued, and the only personal items allowed are toiletry items, and only the most basic are allowed. The way the bed is made, the order of clothing items stacked in drawers, and the way the desk chair is positioned are all monitored for correctness.

Perhaps the most imposing structure on the campus (and, for that matter, the Country) is the Cadet Chapel. With space for Protestant, Catholic, and other faiths, it affords all cadets a quiet place for reflection and prayer. Faith and moral values are reinforced at a number of places in a cadets education because without a moral compass the other strengths of compassion and discipline are unfulfilled.

The interior of the Protestant Chapel is imposing to say the least. Every element of the Chapel lifts the eye and the spirit heavenward, symbolizing not only the religious foundation of this country, but the soaring spirit of the Air Force.

The floating cross is a work of art in itself.

After a moment of reflection, and a nod toward the perpetually empty pew dedicated to prisoners of war and those listed as missing in action, we solemnly turned to leave.

A large pipe organ is positioned above the entrance to the Chapel, again leading the eye and the soul upward.

Catholic and other faiths are provided a spacious chapel for worship services on a different level. Floating pews and intricate stained glass contribute to the atmosphere of worship.

A new building is under construction just north of the Chapel and incorporates a glass structure reminiscent of the tail of an airplane.

Note the white grid pattern on the concrete in the picture. We learned that cadets in their first year at the Academy are required to move across this space at a run, staying on the white lines. Without speaking unless spoken too or acknowledging the presence of others, the exercise reinforces the discipline necessary for military leadership.

As the storm clouds began to build around Pikes Peak, we left this beautiful campus confident in the strength and abilities of our future Air Force leaders.

After a quick trip to the Apple Store to assess an iPhone problem, and a stop at Starbucks to wait out the storm, we found a Costco and stocked up on some "necessaries".

It's not every Costco that has a view of Pikes Peak in the background!