U.S. Space Academy - What, When, How?

I may be coaching future 'space cadets' sooner, than later!

Executive Order 14423, dated August 28, 2026, directs a presidential commission to deliver a late December 2026 report with recommendations on whether to establish a U.S. Space Academy.

The decisions and efforts required will be significant for Congress and the administration in creating a new federal service academy. It will require extensive legislation, indepth planning, substantial appropriations, and decisions around the governance, curriculum, service obligations and other important components that will impact how the Space Force develops its future officer corps. In fact, when Congress established the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1954, it took almost seven years of review and debate before the legislation passed. The first class entered the AF Academy in the summer of 1955 at its temporary Lowry AFB location in Denver, Colorado, with cadets eventually marching down to the present Colorado Spring's location in August, 1958. It will be interesting to see if this administration can push through a similar institution is a much shorter time frame. I look forward to learning more.

From a merely personal perspective, it would be fun and rewarding to provide coaching to the first cadets to arrive at the USS Academy. Many of my student today aspire to become test pilots and move into NASA. One of my AFA seniors will be joining the Space Force upon graduation in 2027. I will use the balance of this blog to provide some insights into how I believe a future USSA candidate should prepare.

At first blush, I believe the same overall concept -- the Whole Person Concept -- will apply for any strong candidates for the Space Academy. As with the other service academies. USSA will look for well rounded students who are scholars, athletes and leaders.

Let's review how a student becomes a 'strong' candidate for the US Space Academy (and any of the other services academies, too).

Academics

Strong candidates should prepare academically by taking challenging high school courses with an emphasis on STEM along with the ability to write well. In practical terms, I believe the USSA will look for the following with their candidates' academic records:

• Four years of English (with a college preparatory class in writing)

• Four years of math (strong background in geometry, algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus)

• Four years of science (lab-based and should include biology, chemistry and physics)

• Three years of social studies (to include a course in U.S. History)

• Two years of a modern foreign language

• One year of computer study with exposure to programming and artificial intelligence

This blog about academic preparations provides some good insights for candidates.

Athletics

Military members must be fit. It is their job. The same is true today for the U.S. Space Force and all other U.S. military branches. Consequently, candidates must also be fit. I am confident the same Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) used for more than 50 years will be employed by USSA to evaluate the fitness level of their candidates. Clearly, a candidate will focus on their fitness.

My blog here will provide guidance on how to prepare for the CFA.

Leadership

The USSA will seek leaders. These are students who have made a difference in their classrooms, with their teams and clubs, and in their local communities. I suggest that any candidate for the US service academies start immediately to find leadership opportunities.

First, find some groups or clubs that you enjoy working with and become an active member. With time, you will find opportunities to volunteer to lead a project, manage a fundraiser or run for a formal leadership position, such as the club treasurer or the vice-president. Action and involvement are important. Work to improve your organization and help them achieve their goals. The results will be satisfying, fun and a valuable addition to your résumé!

My blog about leadership goes into more details.

The 'what' and 'when' for the U.S. Space Academy are still be determined. The 'how' to become a USSA cadet is much clearer. Ideal candidates will be be scholars, athletes and leaders. It will be interesting to watch the developments for the proposed USS Academy over the next months and years. In the meantime, students should start preparing now to become 'space cadets'!

[I would welcome a chance to discuss details with you. I offer coaching services to pace and prepare you (and your parents!) for the entire military scholarship application process . . . including counseling and coaching for the new USS Academy! Contact me at chris@cbbrechin.com and/or 503.515.7406 -- my contact form is here]