Enlisted Airmen can attend Air Force Academy through LEAD program Published Dec. 10, 2008 By 1st Lt. Eric Peele 46th Maintenance Group EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Leaders Encouraging Airman Development (LEAD) Program, initiated in 1995 by former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald Fogleman, delegates authority to unit and wing commanders to nominate highly talented Airmen to compete for admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., without a congressional appointment. Upon graduation, cadets receive a Bachelor of Science degree in one of 32 majors and a commission as a second lieutenant. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2009. Following are some facts about the LEAD program: - There are 85 slots for active-duty Airmen, and 85 for Reserve and Guard Airmen who qualify for direct entry into the Air Force Academy - Fifty slots are also reserved at the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School for Airmen who do not meet direct-entry criteria. These Airmen can enter the Academy upon successful completion of prep school curriculum - For Academy direct entry, applicants must be of high moral character, no older than 23 on July 1 of the year entering the Academy, a U.S. citizen or be able to obtain citizenship before entry in the Academy the following year, be unmarried and have no dependents. For Preparatory School entry, the same criteria apply except applicants must not have passed their 22nd birthday by July 1 of the entry year. For more information about the LEAD program, contact one of the admission liaison officers here, 1st Lt. Eric Peele at 882-3037 or 1st Lt. Rebecca Gallegos at 882- 4335. Information is also available at the education center or the U.S. Air Force Academy Directorate of Admissions at http://www.academyadmissions.com.