What are YOU PREPARING YOURSELF FOR after High School?

WARNING! We ARE NOT a Video Game!

     A Young Adult's U.S. Air Force or U.S. Military Preparatory Program

     *   Dream   *   Plan   *   School   *   Study  *   Educate   *   Discipline   *   Prepare   *   College  *   Air Force   * 

Established

The United States Air Force Explorers (AFX) was activated 1 March 1999 at Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The Command is located at the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, at Goldwater ANGB, Arizona.

Mission

Vision

Values

The Mission of the United States Air Force Explorers is to train,develop, and inspire tomorrow's Air Warriors for our Nation's Armed Forces. 
Our Vision is for each USAF Explorer Cadet to achieve and maintain Excellence through:
  • Character with Honor
  • High Academic Achievement
  • Personal Accomplishment with Dignity
  • Military Success through Service
Integrity First
Service Before Self
Excellence in All We Do
The United States Air Force Explorers (AFX) program is one of the finest Youth Training Programs in the United States. The primary mission is Military Education, with an emphasis centered on the concept of providing young adults a realistic academic environment in which to learn about military careers.
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The program is open to young men and women ages 14 - 21. You must possess good grades and be of good moral character. One must also have a strong interest in: Miltary or Civilian Aviation, Special Tactics, Intelligence Fields, desire to enter one of the Military Academies, College ROTC Programs, or enlistment in the U.S. Military. The typical age/grade level starting point is the High School Freshman or Sophomore.

U.S. Air Force Explorer Program Overview

Our Results

Since 1999, the United States Air Force Explorers has achieved some incredible results. Unlike other Military Youth Oriented programs, the U.S. Air Force Explorers stresses Academics as indicated in our Academy and Scholarship statistics. Our philosophy has always been to strive for the Quality of the Cadet versus numbers of Cadets. In an Unit, we typically graduate two Training Flights per year.
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The following statistics are from the 396th ATRS in Phoenix, Arizona over a 16-year period from 1999 thru 2016...
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Number of Cadet Officer Training Flights ................................................. 22
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Cadet Recruits Attending Orientation ...................................................... 618 
Cadet Recruits Interviewed ...................................................................... 344  (56%)
Cadet Recruits Accepted for Training ....................................................... 232  (76%)
Cadet Officer Candidates Commissioned ................................................ 166 (63%)
                
Out of 23 Cadet Officers who interviewed for a U.S. Military Service Academy slot, 
          17 were ACCEPTED or 74%!
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Out of 25 Cadet Officers who interview for an ROTC Scholarship,
           22 RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP   or 88%!
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Cadet Alumni serving in the U.S. Military................................................ 37 (23%)
                                                                                                                           Offficers: 13  (   9%)
                                                                                                                           Enlisted: 24  ( 14%)
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Note:  For a complete review of our Individual Cadet Achievements, please refer to our
             Fact Sheet 35-296E - 'Cadet Achievements.'