2 things I'd like to mention.
1. ONCE you're a cadet, it is possible to defer a year. This is actually pretty common. Some LDS (Mormons) and Catholics, have taken a year off to go on a church mission. Some individuals have had family issues where they had to take care of family problems. Some weren't sure if they really wanted to stay at the academy. None of these are automatic and are a case by case situation, but they do occur. But as said earlier, NONE.... REPEAT NONE.... of the individuals deferred an APPOINTMENT. You actually have to be a cadet to defer. Not an "Appointee".
As for the argument that taking the appointment and quitting later is "Taking an appointment away from someone who REALLY WANTED IT, is "Dying for it", wants it MORE than ANYTHING ELSE"..... Is ridiculous. Hate to tell you, but there are individuals every year who quit at the academy, and THEY TOO WANTED THIS more than anything. They TOO would DIE for it. Trying to lay a guilt trip on someone because they aren't sure if they should accept the appointment or not is just plain wrong. This individual EARNED THIS APPOINTMENT. They were obviously BETTER than their COMPETITION. They have every right in the world to decide what is best for them. They don't need to think about all the other applicants. Hell; do you think about all those Hungry Children in Ethiopia every night when you throw away some of the food you didn't eat for dinner?
Lewis; you make the best decision you can, FOR YOU!!! The air force and the academy has already taken into consideration that of all the appointees, SOME will turn it down. Some will accept and quit during BCT. Some will quit in the first 2 years. Some will be kicked out for academic and/or honor issues. And the overwhelming majority of these individuals, ALL WANTED THIS APPOINTMENT. They wanted it MORE than anything else. They figuratively would DIE for it. You aren't STEALING ANYTHING from ANYONE ELSE!!! You make the best decision, FOR YOU...... YOU EARNED THAT RIGHT!!! Congratulations on having such options. That proves that you EARNED IT. Some things, you have to do in life FOR YOU!!! This is one of them. Best of luck.