The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is a military academy for officer cadets of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force immediately north of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is the youngest of the five U.S. service academies, having graduated its first class 62 years ago in 1959, but is the third in seniority. The Academy's stated mission is 'to educate, train, and inspire men and women to become leaders of character, motivated to lead the United States Air and Space Forces in service to our nation.' It is the only federal service academy that does not require a congressional nomination for admission. The Academy is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has a total of 4,000 cadets in attendance.