Distinguished Graduate Award
This award honors outstanding contributions to our nation and communities.
Who can be nominated? All graduates 40 or more years removed from the Academy.
Submit your nominationDo you know a graduate who deserves to be recognized?
The U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation presents annual awards to members of the Long Blue Line who embody USAFA’s core values. These awards honor those who demonstrate leadership, service, excellence and courage. Your nomination is an important contribution that enriches our heritage and strengthens the Long Blue Line. Nominations for this year’s awards are open from Sept. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025.
Leadership Achievement Award
This award recognizes professional accomplishments and integrity.
Who can be nominated? All graduates 16-39 years removed from the Academy.
Submit your nomination
Young Alumni Excellence Award
This award celebrates recent graduates who are making an impact.
Who can be nominated? All graduates 0-15 years removed from the Academy.
Submit your nominationSullenberger Award for Courage
This award honors acts of exemplary bravery.
Who can be nominated? All graduates.
Submit your nomination“The experience of service is one that is forever rewarding and forever exciting.”
FAQS
The sections below outline the nomination process and requirements for each award. If you have additional questions, contact our alumni relations team.
Distinguished Graduate Award
What are the requirements for the Distinguished Graduate Award?
The Distinguished Graduate Award is a lifetime achievement honor that recognizes exceptional contributions to our Academy, our nation and our communities by those who graduated 40 or more years ago.
Below are the sections that should be included in a nomination packet, as well as their point values:
- CV/Resume: 0-15 points
- Personal Information: 0-15 points
- Nominee’s name
- Current address
- Phone number
- Hometown
- Graduation year
- Military status
- AFSC
- Current role/job
- Current civilian occupation
- Current civilian employer
- Other education
- Awards and recognition
- Executive Summary: 0-15 points
- USAFA and military career highlights
- Military awards and medals
- Government, civilian, business, or community career highlights and awards/certificates
- Additional education
- Other notable achievements
- Two Letters of Recommendation (3-page limit): 0-55 points
- Describe the nominee’s outstanding professional and/or philanthropic accomplishments in a civilian or military setting.
- Highlight examples from their career that showcase character and integrity, both at the Academy and beyond.
- Explain how the nominee has been a positive reflection on the Academy as a leader of character.
Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025.
How long does it take to complete a Distinguished Graduate Award nomination?
While submitting a nomination only takes a few minutes, the preparation process requires planning and communication. Plan on a personal committement of 1-3 hours to gather and compile all necessary materials.
You have until Dec. 31, 2025 to submit your nomination.
Do I need to complete my nomination in one sitting, or can I save my progress?
You can complete the nomination form at your own speed, using the "Save" button to save your progress as you go.
Who can be nominated? Who can submit a nomination?
Only graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy are eligible for nomination. Nominations must also be submitted by a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate.
If I nominated a graduate in the past, will they still be considered in 2026?
Nominations do not carry over from one year to the next. If you nominated a graduate previously, please update your nomination materials and resubmit.
Leadership Achievement Award
What are the requirements for the Leadership Achievement Award?
The Leadership Achievement Award recognizes professional accomplishments and integrity by those who graduated 16 to 39 years ago.
Below are the sections that should be included in a nomination packet, as well as their point values:
- CV/Resume: 0-15 points
- Personal Information: 0-15 points
- Nominee’s name
- Current address
- Phone number
- Hometown
- Graduation year
- Military status
- AFSC
- Current role/job
- Current civilian occupation
- Current civilian employer
- Other education
- Awards and recognition
- Executive Summary: 0-15 points
- USAFA and military career highlights
- Military awards and medals
- Government, civilian, business, or community career highlights and awards/certificates
- Additional education
- Other notable achievements
- Two Letters of Recommendation (3-page limit): 0-55 points
- Describe the nominee’s outstanding professional and/or philanthropic accomplishments in a civilian or military setting.
- Highlight examples from their career that showcase character and integrity, both at the Academy and beyond.
- Explain how the nominee has been a positive reflection on the Academy as a leader of character.
Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025.
How long does it take to complete a Leadership Achievement Award nomination?
While submitting a nomination only takes a few minutes, the preparation process requires planning and communication. Plan on a personal committement of 1-3 hours to gather and compile all necessary materials.
You have until Dec. 31, 2025 to submit your nomination.
Do I need to complete my nomination in one sitting, or can I save my progress?
You can complete the nomination form at your own speed, using the "Save" button to save your progress as you go.
Who can be nominated? Who can submit a nomination?
Only graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy are eligible for nomination. Nominations must also be submitted by a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate.
If I nominated a graduate in the past, will they still be considered in 2026?
Nominations do not carry over from one year to the next. If you nominated a graduate previously, please update your nomination materials and resubmit.
Young Alumni Excellence Award
What are the requirements for the Young Alumni Excellence Award?
The Young Alumni Excellence Award celebrates recent graduates, 0 to 15 years from graduation, who are making an impact.
Below are the sections that should be included in a nomination packet, as well as their point values:
- CV/Resume: 0-15 points
- Personal Information: 0-15 points
- Nominee’s name
- Current address
- Phone number
- Hometown
- Graduation year
- Military status
- AFSC
- Current role/job
- Current civilian occupation
- Current civilian employer
- Other education
- Awards and recognition
- Executive Summary: 0-15 points
- USAFA and military career highlights
- Military awards and medals
- Government, civilian, business, or community career highlights and awards/certificates
- Additional education
- Other notable achievements
- Two Letters of Recommendation (3-page limit): 0-55 points
- Describe the nominee’s outstanding professional and/or philanthropic accomplishments in a civilian or military setting.
- Highlight examples from their career that showcase character and integrity, both at the Academy and beyond.
- Explain how the nominee has been a positive reflection on the Academy as a leader of character.
Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025.
How long does it take to complete a Young Alumni Excellence Award nomination?
While submitting a nomination only takes a few minutes, the preparation process requires planning and communication. Plan on a personal committement of 1-3 hours to gather and compile all necessary materials.
You have until Dec. 31, 2025 to submit your nomination.
Do I need to complete my nomination in one sitting, or can I save my progress?
You can complete the nomination form at your own speed, using the "Save" button to save your progress as you go.
Who can be nominated? Who can submit a nomination?
Only graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy are eligible for nomination. Nominations must also be submitted by a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate.
If I nominated a graduate in the past, will they still be considered in 2026?
Nominations do not carry over from one year to the next. If you nominated a graduate previously, please update your nomination materials and resubmit.
Sullenberger Award for Courage
What are the requirements for the Sullenberger Award for Courage?
The Sullenberger Award for Courage is open to graduates of all ages. It honors acts of exemplary bravery.
Below are the sections that should be included in a nomination packet, as well as their point values:
- CV/Resume: 0-15 points
- Personal Information: 0-15 points
- Nominee’s name
- Current address
- Phone number
- Hometown
- Graduation year
- Military status
- AFSC
- Current role/job
- Current civilian occupation
- Current civilian employer
- Other education
- Awards and recognition
- Executive Summary: 0-15 points
- USAFA and military career highlights
- Military awards and medals
- Government, civilian, business, or community career highlights and awards/certificates
- Additional education
- Other notable achievements
- Two Letters of Recommendation (3-page limit): 0-55 points
- Describe the nominee’s outstanding act(s) of airmanship and bravery.
- Highlight examples from their career that showcase courage, character and integrity, both at the Academy and beyond.
- Explain how the nominee has been a positive reflection on the Academy as a leader of character.*
Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2025.
How long does it take to complete a Sullenberger Award for Courage nomination?
While submitting a nomination only takes a few minutes, the preparation process requires planning and communication. Plan on a personal committement of 1-3 hours to gather and compile all necessary materials.
You have until Dec. 31, 2025 to submit your nomination.
Do I need to complete my nomination in one sitting, or can I save my progress?
You can complete the nomination form at your own speed, using the "Save" button to save your progress as you go.
Who can be nominated? Who can submit a nomination?
Anyone can submit a nomination. Only graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy are eligible for nomination.
If I nominated a graduate in the past, will they still be considered in 2026?
Nominations do not carry over from one year to the next. If you nominated a graduate previously, please update your nomination materials and resubmit.