Character and
leadership development

A partnership between the Academy’s Pathways to Excellence Team, the CCLD and the Dean of Faculty is yielding superb internship opportunities for cadets with with the Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs Office, the Department of State and other government institutions in the nation’s capital. The CCLD supports the summer internships from its unrestricted fund for a limited number of cadets. A long-term endowed fund would provide consistent funding for this program that provides superb leadership experiences for cadets seeking expertise in international relations and strategic policy development.

The annual National Character and Leadership Symposium brings together distinguished scholars and military leaders to the Acadmey to motivate and equip cadets for honorable living and effective leadership. The two-day symposium provides an opportunity for all Academy personnel, visiting university students and faculty, and community members to experience dynamic speakers and take part in group discussions to enhance their own understanding of the importance of sound moral character and good leadership.

Cadets hone their skills as leaders and followers outdoors in situations requiring grit, critical thinking and interpersonal relations through the Adventure Based Learning program. Private funding supports these leadership experiences by providing camping, hiking and climbing equipment over and above the minimum required equipment supplied by appropriated funds.

Endowed scholar positions increase the CCLD’s mission effectiveness and lend credibility to its role as a thought leader. In addition to current resident scholars in the study of the military profession, the CCLD also sees a need to expand expertise in other critical mission areas. A character chair would provide expertise in philosophy, military ethics, and/or character development theory to assist the superintendent, the dean of the faculty and USAFA senior leadership in those areas as both an advisor and researcher. A leadership chair would provide expertise in leadership development theory to inform curriculum and program development. Finally, a human development chair would serve as CCLD’s expert in researching and refining assessment techniques and tools in order to clearly measure the Academy's success in producing leaders of character.

From soccer to physics to combat shooting, more than 100 cadet clubs provide leadership and character-building experiences that enhance military training, academic excellence and athletic development. Cadets represent the Air Force Academy in local, regional and national-level competitions. Funding is needed to provide for transportation, lodging, registration, entry fees, equipment, uniforms, training and coaching expenses, guest speaker fees, awards events and related club expenses.

Privately funded graduate scholarships enable a limited number of cadets to pursue master’s degrees at various institutions and in a variety of academic disciplines after graduating from the Air Force Academy. These advanced degrees give new Air Force officers opportunities to broaden their knowledge and lay a firm foundation for successful careers in the Air Force, Space Force and beyond.

The Journal of Character and Leadership Development is published by the CCLD to provide thought leadership and research in the field of character and leadership advancement through in-depth articles, interviews, book reviews and scholarly discussions of cutting edge issues.

The journal does not receive government funding for personnel beyond oversight. An endowment would fund the editor-in-chief’s salary as well as publication costs and occasional editor travel for interviews.