The Center for Character and Leadership Development at the United States Air Force Academy: Why This, Why Now?

Abstract

Character and leadership development are indispensible to the development of military officers. This article discusses the processes that led to the creation of the Air Force Academy’s Center for Character and Leadership Development. The article describes the three main changes the new Center will bring to the Air Force Academy: cutting edge scholarship and research in character and leadership development; a renewed focus on developmental curriculum for faculty, staff, and cadets; and a new emphasis on institutional integration of leadership and character development curriculum and programs. A description of a new building for the Center and a roadmap for the way ahead are also provided.