Trying out for cheer at the U.S. Air Force Academy works differently from other colleges. Every cheerleader is a cadet, and the cheer program can’t help you get into the Academy. You earn an appointment through USAFA admissions first, and try out after that. This guide follows the Air Force Spirit program page and the tryout documents it links to.

Step One: Get an Appointment to the Academy

The Spirit program says it is “a non-recruiting program and does not receive ‘spots’ for admission into the Academy.” You have to go through the regular USAFA admissions process:

• Start early. The process begins as early as March 1 of your junior year of high school, with the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire.
• Get a nomination. To accept an appointment, you must be nominated by an authorized source, such as your U.S. senators and representative or the Vice President. USAFA advises applying to every source you’re eligible for.
• Meet the requirements. On July 1 of your entry year you must be at least 17 and not past your 23rd birthday. You must also be a U.S. citizen and unmarried with no dependents. Admissions reviews your academics, the Candidate Fitness Assessment, a medical evaluation and your character.

After you receive an appointment, the Spirit program asks you to email the coaches for tryout information (see Contacts below).

When Tryouts Happen

The Academy’s most recent tryout sheet, for spring 2025, describes two tryout windows:

• Incoming cadets try out after Basic Cadet Training (BCT), during transition week. Coaches are available to answer questions on I-Day. During BCT, the program can take a limited number of new cadets for intramurals to start working on tryout skills. If you’re interested, go to the Spirit program’s meeting at the AD Brief, on the first Sunday evening after in-processing.
• Current cadets (Cadet Wing tryouts) try out in the spring. In 2025 that was Saturday, April 12, after a four-day prep clinic from April 7 to 10.

As of September 29, 2026, the Academy hasn’t posted spring 2027 tryout dates. Every athlete fills out an “Athlete Intake” form before tryouts.

What Tryouts Cover

Candidates show stunting, tumbling, a dance, a cheer and a jump. Judges score each area from 1 to 10 on the official tryout rubric, then assign each athlete to the Coed or Group Stunt team.

• Tumbling isn’t required. Well-executed skills earn extra points. The rubric runs from a cartwheel (2 points), through a standing back tuck (8), up to a round-off back handspring plus another skill (10). Adding a full or a whip connection earns +1.
• Coed stunting is scored from a high flick (1) to elite skills such as a full up, hand-in-hand or rewind (10). You don’t need prior coed stunting experience, and the program says there’s time to learn before tryouts.
• Group stunt scores run from a prep (1) to elite skills such as a back handspring full up or rewind (10).
• Cheer, jumps and dance are judged on memory, sharp motions, jump technique, timing and showmanship.

The coaches ask athletes to throw their “best, but SAFEST, skills.” They also reserve the right to cut any athlete, regardless of score.

The Teams

• The Spirit program has more than 60 Division I athletes on three teams: the Coed and Group Stunt cheer squads, “The Bolts” dance team, and “The Bird” mascot team.
• Each cheer team has 16 to 25 cadets a year. The Spirit program page says the Coed and Group Stunt squad has 12 to 14 couples and 3 to 4 stunt groups (the 2025 tryout sheet says 10 to 12 couples).
• The cheer teams perform at football and men’s and women’s basketball games. They travel to away football games, and to some basketball tournaments when time allows. They also make 15 to 20 ambassador appearances each year.

Contacts

Sarah Hanley is Director of Spirit and Head Cheerleading and Mascot Coach. Chris Julius is Assistant Program Director and Head Dance Coach. Their email addresses are on the Spirit program page. Contact them once you’ve received your appointment.

Summer Cheer Camp

Air Force Athletics also runs a summer cheer camp at the Academy. For 2027, it lists a High School / College Prep session for ages 12 to 18 (June 21–25). The camp is open to anyone, but it isn’t a route into the Academy: the Spirit program is non-recruiting and has no admission spots. See the cheer camp page for current dates and prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try out before I’m admitted? No. The program says to contact the coaches after you receive an appointment. Tryouts are for cadets.

Can the cheer coaches help me get into the Academy? No. The Spirit program is non-recruiting and gets no admission spots.

Do I need tumbling? No tumbling is required, but clean skills earn extra points on the rubric.

Related Resources

• Boise State University Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• UNLV Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• University of New Mexico Cheerleading Tryout Guide
• College Cheerleading Tryout Guides Directory

Sources: Air Force Academy Athletics, Spirit Home, Cheer team page, Air Force Spirit Tryouts (2025), Cheerleading Tryout Rubric and Cheer Camp; U.S. Air Force Academy Admissions, Admissions, Nominations and Applicant Requirements. Last checked September 29, 2026.