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Air Force Academy -- A family tradition

  • Published
  • By Nicole Campbell
  • Staff Writer
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Seventeen-year-old Jonathan Lewis was presented an United States Air Force Academy appointment during a ceremony last month. He will leave for Colorado Springs, Colo., in June, a month shy of his 18th birthday. 

He made a firm decision when he was 12-years-old to attend the academy, and developed a plan with his dad in order to meet his goal. Jonathan has worked for nearly three quarters of his life to ensure his appointment, and to make sure he would be ready for the rigors of military training. 

His dad, Lt. Col. Michael Lewis, is a C-130 instructor pilot and the chief of Smart Ops 21. He graduated from the academy years ago, but didn't put pressure on his son to attend. 

"When he made the decision, I asked him if it was really what he wanted to do. Then we sat down and laid out a plan," Colonel Lewis said. 

Colonel Lewis said he knew Jonathan would have to work twice as hard since he was home-schooled, than someone who attended a regular school. He said Jonathan had to excel at sports and do well on his ACT and SAT exams. He has done both. 

Jonathan is an accomplished triathlete and marathoner, he plays the piano and excels academically. He is currently enrolled in his second year of calculus at Fayetteville Technical Community College while finishing up his high school studies. He scored a 2400 on his SAT and an average of 30 on the two ACT exams he took. 

He said that in particular, the experience of being a marathon runner will help him get through any difficult times at the academy. 

"Marathons teach that pain is temporary. When you're finished you can look back and say it was all worth it. Outcomes are determined by training," Jonathan said. 

Jonathan is also a member of the Fayetteville Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, which is the official auxiliary of the Air Force. The group is similar to junior reserve officer training, and he has served in leadership roles and on the training staff. 

Reflecting on all of his experiences, he has some advice for kids who aspire to attend a service academy. 

"It's good to decide what you want to do at an early age. If you find your talents you will have a better advantage over those who wait," he said. 

His dad echoed that statement. 

"Kids need to decide young, ideally by the eighth grade, so they can prepare. The academy looks for a whole person concept that includes athletics and community service," Colonel Lewis said.