Alright to start off, I'm a 21 year old Enlisted Airman. I turn 22 in October. My dream is to be an Air Force Officer and the path to pursue that is to go to the Academy. I know it's not easy to get into the Academy but I'll do whatever it takes to get in and excel at whatever it is I do. I just graduated Tech School yesterday and I'll be heading to my first base at McConnell AFB in Kansas. I plan to go to the Base Education Office as soon as possible to start the process. I even hear it's easier for Enlisted Airmen to get appointed compared to civilians because well for one we already have the military background also there's like 85 slots reserved for Airmen and we don't need a Congressional Nomination all we need is our Commander's signature. I plan on applying for the LEAD program and I've heard no one has heard about this program so no one applies. Also not too many people have a desire to be Officer either. Now I would have to go to the Prep School first because my grades aren't the greatest I have around a 2.6 GPA from high school along with college. I'm not sure if the SAT matters for the Prep School but I may have to retake them too which I wouldn't mind doing. I played sports in high school and college. I played basketball, baseball, and ran cross country Freshman year in high school. Sophomore year I ran cross country and played baseball, my senior year I played soccer. In college I was student ambassador for 2 years in my college and I played basketball my senior year. I have about 100 hours of community service from high school as well. When I get to my first base I plan on getting involved a lot, volunteering, and whatever I can do to get my name noticed by my leadership. Any advice on the steps I can take to get the process started. I know some on here have went through the LEAD program and went to the Prep School first and eventually got accepted into the Academy. Plus I see articles frequently about Enlisted Airmen heading to the Academy. So I know it's possible. PLEASE NO NEGATIVE RESPONSES, I'M NOT SEEKING DISCOURAGEMENT EITHER ONLY ADVICE OR ENCOURAGE THAT CAN BENEFIT ME IN THIS PROCESS. IF YOU CANNOT DO THAT THEN DON'T REPLY AT ALL. THANK YOU!