Air Force Academy Disenrollment

January 31, 2026

The Air Force Academy Disenrollment Process is defined and regulated by USAFAI 36-3504, available for download at this link.

Disenrollment from USAFA can be based on any of the following reasons:

failure to comply with Academy enrollment agreement to complete the graduation requirements of USAFA and accept an Air Force commission;
failure to show potential for commissioned service;
failure to abide by established Air Force standards of conduct; or,
medical disqualification or unsuitability for service due to other reasons

An Air Force Academy Disenrollment is typically based on the following, specific, deficiencies:

Conduct (i.e. minor disciplinary infractions or serious misconduct);
Aptitude;
Training;
Academics;
Physical Fitness/Education/Intramurals; or,
Academic/Conduct/Athletic/Honor Probation Failures

Generally, an initiating authority determines it is appropriate to recommend disenrollment and provides the reason for the proposed disenrollment, as well as all supporting documentation, to the Cadet involved. The Cadet will then have at least 3 duty days to submit a response, which should include a detailed rebuttal with additional evidence.

The Air Force Academy Disenrollment Process continues by forwarding the disenrollment recommendation, supporting documentation, and the Cadet's response, to the Commandant. The Commandant can terminate the disenrollment action or forward the action to the Superintendent, who makes the final decision. A Cadet may request a personal appearance in front of the initiating authority, Commandant, and/or Superintendent before he/she makes the final decision.

An Air Force Academy disenrollment for medical disqualification shall not result in required service in the Air Force or recoupment of education costs; however, all other types of disenrollment can result in both. For these other types of disenrollment, active duty service is the primary means of reimbursement for an Academy education; however, the Secretary of the Air Force may direct monetary recoupment in lieu of active duty when he/she determines the Cadet's record at the Academy renders the Cadet unsuited for active duty service, or that active duty service is otherwise not in the best interest of the Air Force.

After completion of the Air Force Academy Disenrollment process, if disenrolled, a Cadet receives one of the following characterizations of service:

Honorable: Assign an honorable discharge when a cadet’s record warrants the highest character discharge. It should be awarded when the quality of the cadets’ service has met Air Force standards of acceptable conduct or when the cadet’s record is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be inappropriate.
Under Honorable Conditions: Assign this discharge characterization when a cadet’s service has been honest and faithful, but significant negative aspects of conduct or performance of duty outweigh positive aspects of the cadet’s record, and the cadet’s service is not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge, but does not deserve an under other than honorable discharge, either.
Other than Honorable: Assign this discharge when a cadet’s record warrants the least favorable type of administrative discharge and there exists a pattern of behavior or one or more acts or omissions that constitute a significant departure from the conduct expected of officer candidates.
Entry Level: Assign an entry-level characterization when a cadet is disenrolled and discharged within 180 days of taking the oath of allegiance, unless the cadet has a prior service commitment that makes the cadet ineligible for the entry-level characterization and provisions in AFI36-3504, paragraph 12.4

If, during an Air Force Academy Disenrollment, it is determined that the underlying misconduct is serious enough to potentially warrant an other than honorable discharge, an involuntary discharge action should be initiated. When an involuntary discharge action recommends the Cadet be discharged with an other than honorable characterization, a proceeding similar to a Board of Inquiry or Admin Discharge Board must be offered to the Cadet in question.

During the Air Force Academy Disenrollment process, a Cadet may also tender voluntary resignation, which may result in certain consequences (ie. active duty obligations, recoupment of funds). Resignation is not authorized for cadets facing a Court-Martial, involuntary discharge based on serious misconduct, involuntary disenrollment for deficiencies, or an Honor Investigation. If a resignation is approved, the Cadet will receive an Honorable discharge. A resignation in lieu of a disenrollment action, a special type of resignation, may result in an Honorable or General, under honorable conditions, Discharge.

Any Cadet facing the Air Force Academy Disenrollment process should immediately consult with an experienced Military Defense Lawyer. A good written rebuttal, which should include a detailed rebuttal to the proposed reasons for disenrollment with additional evidence attached (if applicable), can result in the USAFA Cadet being retained. Furthermore, experienced and effective representation at a Board of Inquiry/Admin Discharge Board can make all the difference. While ADCs are available to assist, they are typically inexperienced, overworked, and unable or unwilling to provide the level of attention necessary for a Cadet to present a good Defense. A civilian Military Lawyer can be retained, which allows a Cadet to be represented by a proven lawyer with good former client reviews.

This Article was written by Attorney Matthew Barry. Attorney Barry and his team are highly rated by former clients and have a proven track record of success. They have extensive experience with all types of Military Adverse Actions, including USAFA disenrollment actions and other types of USAFA punishment.

Furthermore, The Law Office of Matthew Barry has an office in Colorado Springs (near USAFA) manned by Attorney Gittleman. This allows in-person meetings with USAFA Cadets facing disenrollment and physical presence at any involuntary separation hearings.