A former New York Times reporter's year behind the scenes at the scandal-ridden Air Force Academy Diana Jean Schemo covered the Air Force Academy's sexual assault scandal in 2003, one of a series of academy embarrassments that have included drug use, rape complaints, and charges of evangelical officers pushing Christianity on cadets of all faiths. Today, the institution is in flux—a fascinating time to look at the changes being made and the experience of today's cadets. Schemo followed a handful of academy cadets through the school year. From the admissions process and punishing weeks of basic training to graduation, she shares the triumphs and tribulations of the cadets and the struggle of the academy's leaders to set their embattled alma mater on a straighter path. Follows cadets in all grades, with insights on day-to-day academy life and training Written by a veteran reporter, two-time foreign correspondent and Pulitzer Prize nominee, with excellent contacts at the academy Includes 38 black-and-white photographs Like David Lipsky's successful Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point, this book offers a fascinating window on the training of our military today. But Schemo's book updates the story: the seniors were the first class to sign up after the attacks of 9/11, and the road to graduation, this time, leads to an America at war.

The United States Air Force Academy is one of the nation's top undergraduate engineering schools. It is only fitting that this book employs an engineer's mindset to guide you on how to gain a coveted admission. The Selection Composite Score, or SCS, is the single most important factor in determining who is admitted. The author breaks down the SCS in detail. The higher the SCS, the greater the chance of admission. The book also explores the Academy nomination process and other important areas for consideration. Written by a Service Academy graduate and former instructor at West Point, this is a unique, in depth look at the admissions process that is packed with information you will find in no other book.

Includes index.