Admissions Outreach at USAFA

A longtime Catholic community leader based in Arizona and New Mexico, Father Thomas Maikowski serves as an admissions liaison officer with the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). In this capacity, Father Thomas Maikowski oversees recruiting efforts and conducts academy applicant interviews for high school students in the northwest New Mexico region. Every year, the USAFA and its representatives conduct outreach events in locations throughout the United States, designed to inform prospective students about the benefits of joining the Academy.

Through its admissions outreach programs, the USAFA attempts to increase its applicant pool to include students with diverse personal life experiences, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, physical abilities, cultural knowledge, and more. The USAFA also relies on its Diversity Visitation Program (DVP) to sponsor visits from especially diverse candidates. Participants in the DVP pair up with current cadets and have the opportunity to immerse themselves in campus life for three full days.                            

Career Opportunities at the Air Force Chaplain Corps

A longtime Catholic community leader based in the southwestern United States, Father Thomas Maikowski has spent more than 25 years as a reserve chaplain with the United States Air Force. During his time as an Air Force chaplain, Father Thomas Maikowski has delivered spiritual care to enlisted personnel and provided an opportunity for families to exercise their right to freedom of religion.

Members of the Air Force Chaplain Corps come from a diverse array of backgrounds, representing a number of different cultures and denominations. The Air Force Chaplain Corps welcomes candidates from organizations such as Active Duty, Reserves, the Chaplain Candidate Program, and the Air National Guard.

Those interested in joining the Air Force Chaplain Corps can also apply to become a Chaplain Assistant. Chaplain Assistants support their ministries via administrative and logistical contribution, as well as direct involvement of units. Because the chaplain assistant career field qualifies as a retrainee-only specialty, the Air Force Chaplain Corps typically directs enlisted airmen to the senior enlisted leader of their installation chapels.