Visiting CO

J

jm1223

Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2020
Messages
19
Hi all, I am honored to recently have received an appointment from USAFA. I can very much see myself attending in the future but I have never visited the academy. I think that it would be very beneficial to visit before I accept my appointment. My parents and I are looking into taking a trip out there to try to get a better idea of the academy than what we already know from talking with others, reading books, and searching the internet. As of right now, there are no campus tours available from USAFA and I am not sure if there will be any in the foreseeable future (or at least before I need to decide). If we go out there we will definitely participate in a "windshield tour" but I am wondering if anyone had any suggestions for things to check out/ do in CO that would help me to 'experience USAFA' without actually being on campus.
Thank you in advance!
 

Visiting USAFA

Can any of the moderators/ parents on here see the future and speculate if the campus will be open for candidate visits? I’ve already attended the virtual tours and I understand that there is a drive by tour; however, nothing beats the real thing. Any thoughts or ideas to visit the academy would...
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
A windshield tour might not be very satisfying, unfortunately. First, it’s unclear whether USAFA is even allowing civilians into the base during COVID — but that’s something you can determine with a quick phone call. If they are, then you’ll be able to drive the main road that skirts the central campus, seeing the athletic fields, academic and residence halls, and chapel from a distance.

However, what you really want to experience is the campus core, i.e. academic and residence halls. That, unfortunately, is behind a fence (a nice fence, to be sure, but a fence nonetheless). Even when official tours are running, you need an official guide to take you beyond that fence. Otherwise, you’ll only get a long view from the terrace next to Arnold Hall, i.e. the student center (which itself might not be open).

Two other key buildings that sit outside the fence: (1) The visitors center/gift shop, which may or may not be open. (2) The chapel, which is a marvel, but may be closed, if not for COVID then for renovations that have been going on for a while.

Certainly not trying to discourage you. Just worth knowing that USAFA is not laid out like, say, USNA. At the latter, it’s not hard for civilians to get inside the walls (even now, I believe). And once you are, you have fairly free rein to stroll the Yard. Not at all the same thing at USAFA, unfortunately.

In terms of other things to give you a feel, USAFA is about 10 miles from downtown CS. A couple small commercial developments have sprung up nearby, but otherwise it’s a base just off the interstate, flanked on the backside by the Rockies. So again, fairly limited in terms of what you seem to seek. Unfortunately.
 
Last edited:
I can tell you as of today there is no civilian getting on base. In order to get on base right now you must be a DOD card holder.
 
MidCakePa said:
A windshield tour might not be very satisfying, unfortunately. First, it’s unclear whether USAFA is even allowing civilians into the base during COVID — but that’s something you can determine with a quick phone call. If they are, then you’ll be able to drive the main road that skirts the central campus, seeing the athletic fields, academic and residence halls, and chapel from a distance.

However, what you really want to experience is the campus core, i.e. academic and residence halls. That, unfortunately, is behind a fence (a nice fence, to be sure, but a fence nonetheless). Even when official tours are running, you need an official guide to take you beyond that fence. Otherwise, you’ll only get a long view from the terrace next to Arnold Hall, i.e. the student center (which itself might not be open).

Two other key buildings that sit outside the fence: (1) The visitors center/gift shop, which may or may not be open. (2) The chapel, which is a marvel, but may be closed, if not for COVID then for renovations that have been going on for a while.

Certainly not trying to discourage you. Just worth knowing that USAFA is not laid out like, say, USNA. At the latter, it’s not hard for civilians to get inside the walls (even now, I believe). And once you are, you have fairly free rein to stroll the Yard. Not at all the same thing at USAFA, unfortunately.

In terms of other things to give you a feel, USAFA is about 10 miles from downtown CS. A couple small commercial developments have sprung up nearby, but otherwise it’s a base just off the interstate, flanked on the backside by the Rockies. So again, fairly limited in terms of what you seem to seek. Unfortunately.
Click to expand...
 
In response to MidCakePa & a confirmation from someone who lives in Colorado Springs... USAFA is currently closed to anyone without a military ID (and no word on when that may change), the Visitor's Center is closed and the Chapel is closed for renovations. Unless you just want to spend some time exploring Colorado Springs, I wouldn't recommend a trip with the current COVID restrictions at USAFA. You won't get any better idea of life at the Academy than you would watching videos online.
 
If one were to hold a military ID, such as child of active duty military, would they be allowed to tour the campus? If that is true would it be worth it?
 
SpaceisAboveAll said:
If one were to hold a military ID, such as child of active duty military, would they be allowed to tour the campus? If that is true would it be worth it?
Click to expand...
Seems like the kind of question you’d ask admissions directly. And as a couple of posts above have said, that may get you on base. But it may not get you inside the fence into the core campus that really matters.
 
SpaceisAboveAll said:
If one were to hold a military ID, such as child of active duty military, would they be allowed to tour the campus? If that is true would it be worth it?
Click to expand...
Yes, a dependent with an ID card can get on the Academy. It might be worth it if you have never been there before. You can see the stadium, the airfield from a distance, the golf course, the athletic fields, maybe the field house, maybe Arnold Hall (cadet rec hall), possibly a view of the Terrazzo, and other areas of the base. What you won't have access to is the cadet area. You won't be able to see is the inside of the cadet dorms (Vandenberg and Sijan Hall), Academic classrooms (Fairchild Hall), and dining area (Mitchell Hall). These are where cadets spend the majority of their time.

Hopefully, Admissions will provide some amplified information soon to appointees about tours. Feel free to PM me with questions. I live in the area
 
Wait so a dependent can get into Usafa? A
I knew base ( live right next to one) but I wasn't sure on the actual academy due to restrictions. Especially since ealirer on they had harsher regulations then the base I live next to.
 
FlyFalcon said:
Wait so a dependent can get into Usafa? A
I knew base ( live right next to one) but I wasn't sure on the actual academy due to restrictions. Especially since ealirer on they had harsher regulations then the base I live next to.
Click to expand...
My DS got on the Academy multiple times this summer/fall to golf. I haven't checked the restrictions lately. I'm pretty sure if you show ID at the north or south gate, you can access most of the Academy
 
We did a windshield tour in December. Found it very helpful. Enjoyed looking around CO Springs and the surrounding areas as well.
 
Cannot speak to accessing the Academy as of today but our daughter is at the Academy. In December we were allowed access to the Academy as long as she was with us. The guards just want someone in the vehicle to have a DOD badge. She had someone bring her to the gate and then got into the vehicle with us to drive back in. As stated above thought, the cadet area is closed to visitors so you would be able to drive around the cadet area and see the buildings from the outside.
 
My daughter (recent graduate of class of 2020) is working at USAFA Admissions and she said Windshield tours are available to civilians (max of 50 cars per day) to visit USAFA but is limited to what you can see from your car and you must stay in your car. Unfortunately, no in-person tours of the actual Academy grounds. For more information see: https://usafasrm.force.com/AdmissionsWindshieldTours/s/
 
We just completed the windshield tour about 2 weeks ago. You must bring the printout confirmation of the windshield tour to be allowed access. However, spouse had DoD card (we he showed) and we got in without showing confirmation windshield tour. Literally you drive the outskirts of campus and see buildings/fields from a distance while in your car. Encouraged to view the virtual tour before windshield tour. Also, the printout windshield tour ticket provides instructions on driving route and what buildings you are viewing. While there we visited Garden of the Gods and hiked around. Hope this helps!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top