class of 2026 who wants to join USAFA and be a pilot

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kingchoi1234

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May 7, 2024
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Hi, I'm currently a sophomore in a Texas high school. Since 8th grade, I've wanted to join a military school. I initially wanted to go to the Naval Academy instead of the Air Force Academy, so I attended the Naval Academy last summer for swimming training, and I'm going to a STEM camp this summer, which I applied for when I was interested in the Naval Academy. While I still like the Naval Academy, I feel like the USAFA is a better fit for me. My current stats are a 3.89 UW GPA and a 1200 SAT score (my summer goal is to improve it to 1450). I've been a varsity swimmer since 9th grade and will continue until my senior year. I'm also in a UIL math team (secretary), chess club, and have completed over 150 volunteer hours, as well as being a lifeguard. I'm thinking of starting a new club next year, but I don't think I have enough extracurricular activities.

I have a green card but not citizenship; I'm a Korean citizen. Based on my research, I need a nomination from my country, but there's not much information available about the nomination. Can anyone tell me how the outside-of-country nomination works? I've read everything on the USAFA website.

In conclusion, could you tell me more specifically about the nomination process outside the US? Also, what should I work on more? What can I do this summer to make myself stand out?
Thank you
 
kingchoi1234 said:
Hi, I'm currently a sophomore in a Texas high school. Since 8th grade, I've wanted to join a military school. I initially wanted to go to the Naval Academy instead of the Air Force Academy, so I attended the Naval Academy last summer for swimming training, and I'm going to a STEM camp this summer, which I applied for when I was interested in the Naval Academy. While I still like the Naval Academy, I feel like the USAFA is a better fit for me. My current stats are a 3.89 UW GPA and a 1200 SAT score (my summer goal is to improve it to 1450). I've been a varsity swimmer since 9th grade and will continue until my senior year. I'm also in a UIL math team (secretary), chess club, and have completed over 150 volunteer hours, as well as being a lifeguard. I'm thinking of starting a new club next year, but I don't think I have enough extracurricular activities.

I have a green card but not citizenship; I'm a Korean citizen. Based on my research, I need a nomination from my country, but there's not much information available about the nomination. Can anyone tell me how the outside-of-country nomination works? I've read everything on the USAFA website.

In conclusion, could you tell me more specifically about the nomination process outside the US? Also, what should I work on more? What can I do this summer to make myself stand out?
Thank you
Click to expand...
There are international cadets and midshipmen at U.S. Service Academies. You do not follow the application and nomination process for U.S. citizens.

Typically, there is an agreement between the defense ministry in your country of citizenship and the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State. You would work with the appropriate ministry in Korea to apply and meet their criteria, if there is a program that supports Korean cadets at USAFA.

If approved by Korea, you then work with the U.S. Embassy Defense Attaché to complete the academy application and provide required information, security checks, medical review, etc. If you are accepted to USAFA, you complete the 4 years and graduate with your degree. You then complete any obligation required by Korea for their military or government service.

Strong academic performance in STEM, physical fitness, medically cleared, demonstrated leadership are all important to a strong application, plus whatever Korea wants.

At USAFA, the international cadet admissions information is at this link:

www.academyadmissions.com

International Students | U.S. Air Force Academy

Learn about the U.S. Air Force Academy eligibility requirements and application process for international students interested in becoming a cadet.
www.academyadmissions.com www.academyadmissions.com
 
Capt MJ said:
there is an agreement between the defense ministry in your country of citizenship and the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State
Click to expand...
this part is really hard to research. I went through embassy, kore government, military administration in Korea and the United States Defense Attaché Office etc... all websites doesn't indicate the information of USAFA nomination for International students. Should I call them? or do you have any idea for this kind of situation.
thank you again.
 
kingchoi1234 said:
this part is really hard to research. I went through embassy, kore government, military administration in Korea and the United States Defense Attaché Office etc... all websites doesn't indicate the information of USAFA nomination for International students. Should I call them? or do you have any idea for this kind of situation.
thank you again.
Click to expand...
If you are here in the U.S., I recommend organizing your questions and calling the main number for the South Korean Embassy in Washington, DC. Ask to speak to someone on the Defense Attaché’s staff who might work with Korean citizens who want to attend a U.S. Service Academy. You want to talk to a staff employee in that office. I believe the Defense Attaché is a general.

But first - I would call the main USAFA Admissions number and ask for the Admissions person who works with international cadets, and ask the all-important question: “Does South Korea presently have an agreement that nominates their citizens for attendance?” If the answer is “No,” then I think you have no option to attend.
 
okay got it thank you so much
Capt MJ said:
If you are here in the U.S., I recommend organizing your questions and calling the main number for the South Korean Embassy in Washington, DC. Ask to speak to someone on the Defense Attaché’s staff who might work with Korean citizens who want to attend a U.S. Service Academy. You want to talk to a staff employee in that office. I believe the Defense Attaché is a general.

But first - I would call the main USAFA Admissions number and ask for the Admissions person who works with international cadets, and ask the all-important question: “Does South Korea presently have an agreement that nominates their citizens for attendance?” If the answer is “No,” then I think you have no option to attend.
Click to expand...
ok thank you
 
I did find this article for you - note there have been over 25 South Korean cadets who have attended USAFA!

www.usafa.edu

‘We go together’: AF Academy to send cadets to South Korea for semester

The Republic of Korea air force academy will begin hosting cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy for a semester of study in South Korea.
www.usafa.edu www.usafa.edu

Perhaps another way to explore this is to contact Admissions at the Air Force Academy in South Korea.

I know a former Peruvian naval officer who attended USNA. She had to apply to and be accepted at the Peruvian Naval Academy and attend there for one year. She then competed for Peru’s annual spot at USNA. She was selected by her country, worked with the U.S. Embassy in Lima to apply. She was accepted by USNA, graduated, and returned to the Peruvian Navy for duty. In the summers she returned to Peru for training at her naval academy. That is just one wsy of doing this.
 
Capt MJ said:
I did find this article for you - note there have been over 25 South Korean cadets who have attended USAFA!

www.usafa.edu

‘We go together’: AF Academy to send cadets to South Korea for semester

The Republic of Korea air force academy will begin hosting cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy for a semester of study in South Korea.
www.usafa.edu www.usafa.edu

Perhaps another way to explore this is to contact Admissions at the Air Force Academy in South Korea.

I know a former Peruvian naval officer who attended USNA. She had to apply to and be accepted at the Peruvian Naval Academy and attend there for one year. She then competed for Peru’s annual spot at USNA. She was selected by her country, worked with the U.S. Embassy in Lima to apply. She was accepted by USNA, graduated, and returned to the Peruvian Navy for duty. In the summers she returned to Peru for training at her naval academy. That is just one wsy of doing this.
Click to expand...
wow this is what I wanted thank you so so much!!! I really appreciate it
 
We currently have an international from south Korea. I think we actually have three right now but I do know one personally. So it definitely happens.
 
FlyFalcon said:
We currently have an international from south Korea. I think we actually have three right now but I do know one personally. So it definitely happens.
Click to expand...
can you ask him how the process work PLEASE? I know it has to be done with Korean government but I don't know how to contact them to get a nomination. Thank you
 
raimius said:
Are you trying to become a US citizen and USAF officer, or a Korean military officer who graduated the US Air Force Academy?
Click to expand...
I am getting my US citizen ship at age of 23 or more so the safest way is going USAFA as international student even though im currently in US.
 
FYI...
Approximately 15 International cadets are accepted into USAFA each academic year.
There are currently 3 cadets (in 3 different class years) at USAFA from South Korea.
All are Korean citizens and they all attended the Korean Air Force Academy before being accepted to USAFA.
There is only one Korean cadet accepted to USAFA in any given year (to attend for 4 years) but there are also Korean cadets who attend each Fall for the Semester exchange program (coming from the Korean Air Force Academy)
We are currently sponsoring the 2027 Korean cadet (the 1st 4-year female Korean cadet to attend USAFA).

This link has already been posted.
It is your best source for information about the International requirements and the admissions process.
www.academyadmissions.com

International Students | U.S. Air Force Academy

Learn about the U.S. Air Force Academy eligibility requirements and application process for international students interested in becoming a cadet.
www.academyadmissions.com www.academyadmissions.com

If you don't plan to get your U.S. citizenship until you're 23 years old, you will no longer meet the age requirement to apply to USAFA as a U.S. citizen.
Your only option is to apply as an International student.
 
USAFAGradMom said:
FYI...
Approximately 15 International cadets are accepted into USAFA each academic year.
There are currently 3 cadets (in 3 different class years) at USAFA from South Korea.
All are Korean citizens and they all attended the Korean Air Force Academy before being accepted to USAFA.
There is only one Korean cadet accepted to USAFA in any given year (to attend for 4 years) but there are also Korean cadets who attend each Fall for the Semester exchange program (coming from the Korean Air Force Academy)
We are currently sponsoring the 2027 Korean cadet (the 1st 4-year female Korean cadet to attend USAFA).

This link has already been posted.
It is your best source for information about the International requirements and the admissions process.
www.academyadmissions.com

International Students | U.S. Air Force Academy

Learn about the U.S. Air Force Academy eligibility requirements and application process for international students interested in becoming a cadet.
www.academyadmissions.com www.academyadmissions.com

If you don't plan to get your U.S. citizenship until you're 23 years old, you will no longer meet the age requirement to apply to USAFA as a U.S. citizen.
Your only option is to apply as an International student.
Click to expand...
yes, I seen this website. I am willing to go USAFA as International student, but I don't want to go Korean Air Force and transfer to USAFA. Can you ask the Korean cadets who got accepted to USAFA for 4 years about how the process works as an internal student? Thank you so much!
 
@kingchoi1234

Many people have stepped forward to help and offer what they know.

You have discovered that yes, there are ROK cadets at USAFA, one per year, chosen from their Air Force academy. They graduate from USAFA, commission in their Air Force and return to serve there. That is apparently the path, and your way to learn about it is to research it the primary source, the air force academy in Korea.

You are a sophomore in high school, so let us help you see this from a broader perspective. The reason the U.S. service academies admit international cadets and midshipmen is to support and improve diplomatic and defense relations between the U.S. and its allies and partners around the world. The international cadet gains a deep understanding of U.S. culture, customs, language, people, and of course the armed forces, and takes that knowledge with him or her back home. It is a two-way investment in enriching relationships on an informal level, which is extremely valuable to keeping lines of communication open in politically challenging times. This is not just a fun program for the individual cadets - it is a Department of Defense/Department of State foreign military relations program that has existed for decades. There are U.S. Service Academy graduates scattered throughout the upper echelons of foreign military, defense ministries and national governments around the world.

Korea knows the importance of this program, and their defense ministry controls who and how cadets are allowed to attend U.S. service academies. There will be an angreement between Korea and the U.S. as to how many cadets are allowed to come, which someone has already posted about. Apparently they follow the practice of other countries. The cadet first applies and is accepted to the home country academy. They then compete for the opportunity to be sent to a U.S. service academy. This allows Korea to choose the cadet they feel will best represent their country and be successful at the U.S. service academy. Being blunt, why would they make an exception for you, an unknown quantity, and deny their own air force academy cadets in your same class year no opportunity to attend?

I think your first step is to respectfully ask the people who have posted they know a Korean cadet at USAFA, via DM, if you could be put in direct touch with them. You will then be able to understand directly what the process is and how it works from cadets in the program.

Non-U.S. citizens may not apply to U.S. service academies, and there a an upper age limit after which you may not enter. That path may be closed to you.

If your goal is to serve in the U.S. Air Force, the international cadet route is not likely to get you there. You would serve in the ROK Air Force.

There is a program, Air Force OTS, for college graduates. U.S. citizenship is still required, but the age limit is a bit looser.

Officer Training School (OTS) - U.S. Air Force

The Air Force Officer Training School is a nine-week program that will challenge you mentally and physically. Start your journey today.
www.airforce.com www.airforce.com

I have now exhausted everything I can think of to tell you. You are smart to start working on this as a sophomore. Don’t be reluctant to seek information directly from primary sources. If you want to serve and fly, there is probably a way. But it may not be via a U.S. service academy.
 
Capt MJ said:
@kingchoi1234

Many people have stepped forward to help and offer what they know.

You have discovered that yes, there are ROK cadets at USAFA, one per year, chosen from their Air Force academy. They graduate from USAFA, commission in their Air Force and return to serve there. That is apparently the path, and your way to learn about it is to research it the primary source, the air force academy in Korea.

You are a sophomore in high school, so let us help you see this from a broader perspective. The reason the U.S. service academies admit international cadets and midshipmen is to support and improve diplomatic and defense relations between the U.S. and its allies and partners around the world. The international cadet gains a deep understanding of U.S. culture, customs, language, people, and of course the armed forces, and takes that knowledge with him or her back home. It is a two-way investment in enriching relationships on an informal level, which is extremely valuable to keeping lines of communication open in politically challenging times. This is not just a fun program for the individual cadets - it is a Department of Defense/Department of State foreign military relations program that has existed for decades. There are U.S. Service Academy graduates scattered throughout the upper echelons of foreign military, defense ministries and national governments around the world.

Korea knows the importance of this program, and their defense ministry controls who and how cadets are allowed to attend U.S. service academies. There will be an angreement between Korea and the U.S. as to how many cadets are allowed to come, which someone has already posted about. Apparently they follow the practice of other countries. The cadet first applies and is accepted to the home country academy. They then compete for the opportunity to be sent to a U.S. service academy. This allows Korea to choose the cadet they feel will best represent their country and be successful at the U.S. service academy. Being blunt, why would they make an exception for you, an unknown quantity, and deny their own air force academy cadets in your same class year no opportunity to attend?

I think your first step is to respectfully ask the people who have posted they know a Korean cadet at USAFA, via DM, if you could be put in direct touch with them. You will then be able to understand directly what the process is and how it works from cadets in the program.

Non-U.S. citizens may not apply to U.S. service academies, and there a an upper age limit after which you may not enter. That path may be closed to you.

If your goal is to serve in the U.S. Air Force, the international cadet route is not likely to get you there. You would serve in the ROK Air Force.

There is a program, Air Force OTS, for college graduates. U.S. citizenship is still required, but the age limit is a bit looser.

Officer Training School (OTS) - U.S. Air Force

The Air Force Officer Training School is a nine-week program that will challenge you mentally and physically. Start your journey today.
www.airforce.com www.airforce.com

I have now exhausted everything I can think of to tell you. You are smart to start working on this as a sophomore. Don’t be reluctant to seek information directly from primary sources. If you want to serve and fly, there is probably a way. But it may not be via a U.S. service academy.
Click to expand...
I am truly and deeply thankful for everything. Again thank you so much
 
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