Arrival Information

Checking In Your Sponsor
Sponsors are appointed to help all personnel assigned to the Academy. They are prepared to help you with any questions or problems before your arrival and while getting settled. Please exchange phone numbers, e-mail addresses and your travel itinerary with your sponsor. If you're unable to contact your sponsor, call the base locator at DSN 333-1110 or your gaining unit commander's support staff.

Military In-Processing
Upon arrival, check in with your sponsor and in-process with your assigned commander's support staff. You will need to hand-carry your orders, the sealed records package from your losing military personnel flight and be in uniform. After obtaining a local address and phone number, you will need to update your emergency data card (DD Form 93), PCIII and the DEERS/RAPIDS computer database with the new information. During the first month Following your arrival, You will attend a briefing from the finance office, military personnel flight, newcomers orientation/information fair and, if applicable, a first duty station/military equal opportunity orientation. Spouses and teenage family members are encouraged to attend the newcomers orientation/information fair.

Civilian In-Processing and Employment
APF, (719) 333-4363; NAF, (719) 333-3425
If you are an appropriated fund civilian employee arriving for employment at the Academy, you will be in-processed by Civilian Personnel (10FSS/FSMC), 5136 Eagle Drive, Community Center, lower floor, east side. You will be scheduled for orientation briefings within your first 60 days. Call (719) 333-4363 or write to: 10 FSS/FSMC, 5136 Eagle Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840 for more information. (Note: If you are seeking employment, you will submit your résumé and self-nominate at: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov)

If you are non-appropriated fund civilian employee, you will in-process with NAF Human Resources (10FSS/FSMH), 5136 Eagle Drive, Community Center, main level, east side. If you are seeking employment there are a number of ways to complete the process. You may visit the NAF HR office in the community center between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and fill out an application in the office. You can access our webpage for a list of vacancies and instructions on how to apply http://www.usafaservices.

com/top-navigation/employment. Application can be mailed to 10 FSS/FSMH 5136 Eagle Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840, or fax to (719) 333-2016. Phone Calls DSN and commercial calls follow a "333-XXXX" format. The local area code is "719."

Environment/Weather
The weather is generally moderate, but can vary. April through September is normally pleasant; typical high temperatures are near 80 degrees for July and August. Thunderstorms are nearly a daily afternoon occurrence from May through August. Snowfall normally occurs October to late April; typical high temperatures are in the low 40s for December and January. The area enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year. The Academy Weather Flight provides specialized event-focused weather forecasts and observations including weather warnings and advisories for Academy outdoor activities and the airfield's flying training and airmanship programs.

Due to the roughly 7,000-foot elevation, some people from lower elevations experience minor discomfort after climbing stairs or walking. Allow yourself time to rest each day and don't over-exert yourself soon after arrival.

How to Get Here
The Academy is roughly 10 miles north of downtown Colorado Springs and 60 miles south of Denver on Interstate 25. The Academy is near the foot of Pikes Peak—the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains—and covers more than 18,500 acres of spectacular scenery.

If driving from the west during the winter, weather could present some problems. Roads through the Colorado Rockies are excellent, but you'll have to cross a number of mountain passes. These can be very hazardous or impassable during the winter. Sometimes the state patrol requires snow tires or chains for mountain travel.

You can call ahead to the Colorado State Patrol in Denver at (303) 639-1111 or your travel agency, and, if necessary, detour around the mountains.

Colorado Driving Tips
Colorado's terrain and weather challenge both the driver and the vehicle. Pay close attention to weather warnings or watches and be sure your vehicle is in excellent all-around condition. A good set of all-season radial tires is a must. Snow routes are posted on base. Snow routes receive priority for plowing and sanding, making them the best roads to use during inclement weather.

When driving up hills, slower moving vehicles are required to stay in the right lane to keep the passing lane clear. If you meet oncoming traffic while on a narrow mountain road, the vehicle going up the hill has the right-of-way, unless it is close to a turn out.

In Colorado, drivers may turn right on red lights unless otherwise posted.

Winter Safety
If you're arriving at the Academy during the winter months, ask your sponsor to send an Academy snow route map in your welcome package. During inclement weather, portions of the base's roads may be closed to traffic. Only select priority roads will remain open to drivers during extreme weather conditions. They are identified on the Snow Route Card and via snow route signs posted across the installation.

Winter weather can bring poor visibility, slippery roadways and rapidly changing conditions.

Here are some tips to reduce your chances of having an accident:
• Plan ahead! Build in extra travel time for travel during the winter season. Check the road conditions for your planned route and have an alternate/safe route ready should conditions worsen.
• Pick up speed slowly. Accelerating too quickly can cause loss of traction and spinning wheels or a skid on icy roads.
• Never slam on the brakes. This could cause the brakes to lock and result in loss of steering control. Instead, take it easy. Just squeeze the brake pedal down until you feel the brakes are about to lock up; let off the brake, then squeeze again. For those with anti-lock brakes, simply press evenly on the pedal and let the vehicle's braking system control your stop.
• Keep plenty of distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you. Colorado spreads crushed stone on the roadway to enhance traction. Unfortunately, many people have cracked windshields because they were driving too closely when a car in front of them kicked up this loose gravel.

Before departing on a trip (regardless of the distance) check the following:
• Cooling system
• Windshield washer system (fluid)
• Battery and connections
• Tune up (check air filter, oil/oil filter)
• Outside of the car:
• Tires and windshield wiper blades

Have an emergency/survival kit in your vehicle during travel. Some suggested items include:
• Shovel, chains, bucket of sand, defroster sprays, flares, jumper cables, towrope and an orange or yellow streamer for the antenna.
• Blankets, heavy jackets, gloves, stocking caps, snow and ice scrapers, flashlight, safety matches or lighter, high-energy foods such as candy and nuts (enough for several days) and an empty coffee can and candles for heating water. Lastly, the time-tested tips are to be prepared. Be defensive and slow down.

Postal Services
(719) 472-0537
Sponsors can obtain a postal service center box number for military personnel with one copy of their PCS orders. Lock boxes are available without charge for permanently assigned military members living in the dormitories.

Civilians transferring to the Academy can forward mail to general delivery at the Academy. They may also request a post office box; however, the request requires a home address and phone number. Submit box requests to: USAF Academy Postmaster, USAF Academy, CO 80840-9998, along with a fee ($29 plus $2 deposit for key).

There are four proper addresses for personal mail at the Academy:
1. Base housing residents: name, street address, USAF Academy, CO 80840-XXXX ("XXXX" is a Zip+4 extension based upon geographical location in the housing area).
2. Dormitory residents will be provided their address and delivery compartment number from the USAFA Post Office. Two forms of identification are required.
3. Civilians renting post office boxes may either fill out their application on line or at the post office once arriving here. Two forms of identification are required. Prep School Students will be provided post office boxes upon arrival to in-processing and will not be required to fill out an application or show identification to the post office.
4. Civilians and Military personnel may take advantage of the General Delivery Service while in transition of moving to this location. A Temporary Change of Address from the old address to: Name, General Delivery, USAFA, CO 80840. Mail is held for 30 days.

There are two postal facilities at the Academy. The main post office is located at the community center. The second facility is in the cadet area on the ground floor of Vandenberg Hall. This facility primarily serves the Cadet Wing and has its own ZIP code of 80841. Cadet addresses include: name, post office box number, USAF Academy, CO 80841-XXXX (XXXX is the box number).

Housing
(719) 867-9688
On May 1, 2007, the Air Force Academy's hous-ing privatized, and the housing and associated infrastructure was conveyed to our privatization partner, Forest City-Hunt, LLC. New construction and whole house renovations have begun and will be completed by mid-2013. During this time, there will still be an abundance of units available for immediate occupancy.

Mountain living in the heart of the Air Force Academy and best school district (D-20) includes two neighborhoods, Douglass and Pine Valley. The homes range from two to five bedrooms, each equipped with a range, refrigerator and dishwasher, grounds maintenance, snow removal and $20K in renter's insurance. In 2009, a community center will open, providing the residents a fitness center, children's playroom, social lounge and multi-purpose room with full kitchen that can be reserved for parties. Additional trails and playgrounds will compliment the great community development of Air Force Academy housing.

Forest City Residential Management welcomes you to visit their website at http://www.usafaliving.com and encourages you to contact them weekdays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at (719) 867-9688. They are conveniently located at the Community Management Office, 6556 Columbine Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840.

Temporary Lodging
(719) 333-4910, ext. 0
The Rampart Lodge, located east of the Falcon Club, provides overnight accommodations by reservation only. The lodging staff accepts reservations for priority one and two travelers 24 hours a day. Reservations are available by calling the lodging reservations desk, or via Internet by logging onto http://www.dodlodging.net. Temporary lodging facilities (TLF) and visiting quarters (VQ) are available for authorized families or single members. Priority-two guests possessing a DoD identification card may request lodging by calling the reservations clerk or the front desk. Reservations will be taken 365 days in advance depending on the percentage of occupancy for the particular day requested. The VQs & TLF are available to officers, cadets & prep students and their families, DoD civilians enlisted members and retirees.

Dormitories
(719) 333-4229
Single/unaccompanied E1-E4s with less than three years are required to live in the dorm unless they apply and receive authorization from the commander. All residents are assigned single rooms and share a bath with a suite mate. The rooms are a minimum of 180 square feet and include a full size bed, entertainment center, three-drawer dresser, night stand, desk, recliner and one floor and table lamp. The dorm is in the Community Center area and is an easy walk to the gym, Milazzo Center, post office, clothing sales, credit union, Military Personnel Flight, bowling alley, base exchange and commissary. However, most working areas are located several miles from the dorms, so residents will need personal transportation.

Off-Base Housing Referral
(719) 333-2247
The housing referral office provides counseling to all incoming/outgoing customers in securing adequate and affordable housing in the Colorado Springs area and follow-on duty locations. They provide an abundance of community information and will provide you a newcomer package upon request. If you are planning on purchasing a home, don't miss their semi-annual home buying seminar.

All listings are maintained through the Department of Defense sponsored program called the Automated Housing Referral Network at http://www.ahrn.com. AHRN is designed to improve the process of securing available housing for relocating military members and their families. People can access this website 24 hours a day from your own home.

Military members are required to report to the housing referral office upon arrival to their new duty station. Additionally, all members are encouraged to call or visit the housing referral office before entering into a rental or purchase agreement. The office is located at 6556 Columbine Drive.

Household Goods
(719) 554-9298
Call the joint personal property shipping office and follow instructions to determine if your household goods or baggage has arrived and to make arrangements for delivery. The JPPSO office is located in the lower level of the Community Center.

Pet Policy
(719) 333-4055
Pet owners residing on base must register dogs and cats with the Academy Veterinary Treatment Facility within 10 days of arrival. All dogs and cats are required to be microchipped. The facility is located in Building 6966, behind Air Academy High School. Call (719) 333-4055 for available services.

Pet owners cannot maintain more than two adult pets (4 months or older). Small caged birds, small caged rodents, and reptiles and aquarium fish are exempt from registration.

Base residents with exotic pets must meet applicable federal and state laws and current Academy regulations, as stated in USAFAI 48-103.

Pets must be on a leash or chain or in a fenced area at all times. Forest City Housing established a breed ban for housing residents. The current ban includes pit bulls and rottweilers and any dog that has a mixed lineage of said breeds. The breed ban is subject to change at any time. Contact Forest City Housing for more current information.

Members residing off base must license their animals with the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Proof of current rabies immunization is required. It can be a 1 or 3 year vaccine.

Veterinary Treatment Facility
(719) 333-4055
The Veterinary Treatment Facility provides low-cost, quality health care to privately-owned pets of active duty and retired military members eligible to receive care at any military medical treatment facility through DEERS. Services include, but may not be limited to: vaccinations, microchips, heartworm testing and prevention and limited sick call; which focuses on the prevention of zoonotic diseases (disease transmitted from animals to humans.) Clinic staff will determine if the medical condition is within our scope of care when the owner calls for an appointment.

Emergency care, surgery, radiology and boarding and grooming services are not provided. It is recommended all newly-arriving families consult the local telephone directory to locate a civilian clinic for services the base facility does not provide.

Pet owners living on base must register their pets at the facility within 10 days of arrival. The facility is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. All pets are seen by appointment only. For more information, call (719) 333-4055.

Financial Services
(719) 333-3160
Visit our website at https://wwwd.my.af.mil/afknprod/ASPs/CoP/usafafm for links to the PCS In-Processing System (PIPS), myPay, LeaveWeb, Pay Tables, Thrift Savings Plan, Defense Travel System and other financial information. We are located on the 2nd floor of Harmon Hall, Suite 2200. Our customer service hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Vehicle Registration
Vehicle registration is not mandatory on Air Force installations. Those personnel who commute to Fort Carson or plan to utilize services on Fort Carson should register their vehicle. Vehicles may be registered at the Pass and Registration Center located just outside the South Gate, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vehicle registration documentation requirements include a current DoD ID card, current driver's license, valid vehicle registration and insurance. All documentation must be presented during the registration process.

The DoD Form 2220, DoD Vehicle Registration Decal, Academy color-coded decal and a year of expiration tag must be displayed on the top center or lower left of the front windshield.

All individuals operating government owned vehicles or privately owned vehicles on the Academy must possess a valid state driver's license or international driver's license and be in full compliance with Colorado state law. Foreign operators must carry their driver's license from their home country. International driver's licenses are valid for a maximum period of 1 year. International driver's licenses may be obtained through the American Automobile Association. Military personnel returning from an overseas assignment with an international driver's license must obtain a valid U.S. driver's license within 30 days of return.

Civilian personnel must obtain a Colorado driver's license and vehicle registration within 30 days of arrival. Military members and their families may keep their valid driver's licenses or license plates from their home states or get them from Colorado. Vehicles registered to military members (and not family members) are exempt from Colorado's vehicle ownership tax.

To obtain the exemption, you must:
1. Be assigned to a military base in Colorado.
2. Show a copy of your current registration or renewal notice.
3. Show a military ID card.
4. Complete the military exemption form (available at unit orderly rooms or the base legal office). Military spouses may accomplish this with an appropriate power of attorney and a current copy of the active duty member's orders assigning them to a Colorado military base.

For information about Department of Motor Vehicles office locations and other frequently asked questions, visit http://www.mv.state.co.us.

Firearms
(719) 333-0442
Dormitory, visitor's quarters and temporary lodging facility occupants must register and store firearms at the Security Forces Armory, Building 8024. Call (719) 333-2000 for information.

All personnel residing in Air Force Academy privatized housing must follow the Forrest City Residential Management requirements for registering their privately owned weapons. Privately owned weapons must be registered with the Security Forces Pass and Registration Center located in Building 8486. Registration must be completed via an AF Form 1314, Firearms Registration, coordinated through the individuals' First Sergeant and signed by the Unit Commander or designee. All personnel are also required to complete a DD Form 2760, Qualification to Possess Firearms or Ammunition. The original AF Form 1314, signed by the unit commander or designee, and DD Form 2760 are required to be dropped off at the PRC to complete the registration process. Discharging firearms of any sort, to include air rifles, BB guns and similar devices, within the Academy's boundaries is forbidden. The only exception is guided hunts conducted by the natural resources section. Call (719) 333-0442 for more information.

Fish and Wildlife
(719) 333-3308
The Academy has large populations of deer, elk and other wildlife and each year there are numerous vehicle-wildlife collisions. The base does not provide financial compensation for damages involving wildlife. Drivers can reduce the wildlife hazard by slowing down and frequently scanning the roadside, especially around dawn and dusk when wildlife are often most active. You can also help others avoid wildlife by rapidly flashing your headlights to warn oncoming drivers of a hazard. If you have a wildlife accident, please call the Security Forces Squadron at (719) 333-2000 to file a report for insurance purposes and to notify the authorities of a dead or injured animal. A road kill permit is available from the Natural Resources Office for any salvageable deer or elk.

The Academy is also home to black bear, mountain lion, coyote, raccoon, skunk, fox, squirrel, snakes, wild turkey, hawks and other wildlife. All wildlife can be aggressive and potentially dangerous, and some may carry diseases that can infect humans.

It is against state law to feed wildlife and people should not attempt to approach, capture, or pet any wild animal. Sightings of black bear or mountain lion should be reported immediately to the Security Forces at (719) 333-2000 or Natural Resources at (719) 333-3308.

Excellent "Living with Wildlife" brochures, which provide information on co-existing with various wildlife species, are available through the Natural Resources Office or the Colorado Division of Wildlife website at http://wildlife. state.co.us/Education/LivingWithWildlife.com

Persons interested in hunting can contact the Natural Resources Office for information on the base's annual deer and elk hunting opportunities. Annual and one-day base fishing permits can be purchased at the Outdoor Recreation Center, Building 5136 or Farish Recreation Area. A state fishing license is also required for anglers over 16 years old.