Attached is a News Release on the Federal Budget and the impact to USAFA.
From The Air Force's Academy Superintendent Lt Gen Michelle D. Johnson:
The President's budget for Fiscal Year 2015 was released earlier today, and I want to share with you what it could mean for our Air Force Academy.
As an Air Force organization, USAFA shares in the responsibility of making tough choices. As we navigate through turbulent times, we remain mindful of our mission -- to produce leaders of character for our Air Force and our Nation. We'll be guided by the Essence of what the Air Force expects from its Academy: character and leadership development; a focus on the Air Force mission in Air, Space, and Cyberspace; a four-year immersion experience; the harmonizing of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and the Humanities; opportunities for competition; internalizing the Air Force ethos; exposing cadets to Air Force professional culture; and maintaining an exemplary Air Force Installation.
This new budget reality will affect all aspects of our Academy, to include academics, military training, athletics, and many support functions. In total, our Academy will lose 99 manpower positions, both civilian and military: 29 Dean of Faculty positions, 40 Academy Military Trainers (AMTs), and 30 positions from the Athletic Department.
Regarding academics, we will phase out 10 academic majors over the next three years and eliminate three course requirements. Cadets currently in eliminated majors will still be able to earn their degree in those fields of study (all cadets earn Bachelors of Science degrees regardless of major).
With certainty, USAFA will maintain accreditation as a top academic university.
Regarding military training, we will lose 40 enlisted leadership and support positions. However, the Cadet Wing structure will not change, thus preserving leadership opportunities for cadets.
Regarding our athletic department, we will lose 30 civilian positions with a 10% funding cut across all 27 intercollegiate sports. We will utilize a business-like approach to athletics and continue to integrate the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation (AFAAC) to ensure the continued success of our athletic programs.
Finally, USAFA will also answer to other Air Force-wide programs: 18 military force management programs and a Civilian Workforce Review, which entail a loss of an additional 44 civilian positions starting in Fiscal Year 2016. These changes will be tough, emotional, and confusing for a lot of our teammates and supporters. I truly get that! I plan to be as open, honest, and fair as possible as we navigate through these changes.
With unity of effort, we will be strategic and innovative in thinking through solutions to current and future challenges. I want to acknowledge and commend the hard work of USAFA staff in using our philosophical Essence to guide our way ahead. Difficult decisions have already been made; and this hard work prevented even deeper cuts. We need to follow through, by acting on institutional priorities that will preserve the Essence of our Air Force's Academy. Now, more than ever, I'll count on your support and very much appreciate your understanding as part of the Air Force's team.
-Lt Gen Michelle Johnson
USAFA Superintendent #19
From The Air Force's Academy Superintendent Lt Gen Michelle D. Johnson:
The President's budget for Fiscal Year 2015 was released earlier today, and I want to share with you what it could mean for our Air Force Academy.
As an Air Force organization, USAFA shares in the responsibility of making tough choices. As we navigate through turbulent times, we remain mindful of our mission -- to produce leaders of character for our Air Force and our Nation. We'll be guided by the Essence of what the Air Force expects from its Academy: character and leadership development; a focus on the Air Force mission in Air, Space, and Cyberspace; a four-year immersion experience; the harmonizing of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and the Humanities; opportunities for competition; internalizing the Air Force ethos; exposing cadets to Air Force professional culture; and maintaining an exemplary Air Force Installation.
This new budget reality will affect all aspects of our Academy, to include academics, military training, athletics, and many support functions. In total, our Academy will lose 99 manpower positions, both civilian and military: 29 Dean of Faculty positions, 40 Academy Military Trainers (AMTs), and 30 positions from the Athletic Department.
Regarding academics, we will phase out 10 academic majors over the next three years and eliminate three course requirements. Cadets currently in eliminated majors will still be able to earn their degree in those fields of study (all cadets earn Bachelors of Science degrees regardless of major).
With certainty, USAFA will maintain accreditation as a top academic university.
Regarding military training, we will lose 40 enlisted leadership and support positions. However, the Cadet Wing structure will not change, thus preserving leadership opportunities for cadets.
Regarding our athletic department, we will lose 30 civilian positions with a 10% funding cut across all 27 intercollegiate sports. We will utilize a business-like approach to athletics and continue to integrate the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation (AFAAC) to ensure the continued success of our athletic programs.
Finally, USAFA will also answer to other Air Force-wide programs: 18 military force management programs and a Civilian Workforce Review, which entail a loss of an additional 44 civilian positions starting in Fiscal Year 2016. These changes will be tough, emotional, and confusing for a lot of our teammates and supporters. I truly get that! I plan to be as open, honest, and fair as possible as we navigate through these changes.
With unity of effort, we will be strategic and innovative in thinking through solutions to current and future challenges. I want to acknowledge and commend the hard work of USAFA staff in using our philosophical Essence to guide our way ahead. Difficult decisions have already been made; and this hard work prevented even deeper cuts. We need to follow through, by acting on institutional priorities that will preserve the Essence of our Air Force's Academy. Now, more than ever, I'll count on your support and very much appreciate your understanding as part of the Air Force's team.
-Lt Gen Michelle Johnson
USAFA Superintendent #19