The military academies reportedly have received significantly more applications than the year before. The US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., leads the pack, with a 40 percent jump, while the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., had a 10 percent increase and the US Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., nine percent. According to an Associated Press report, John Van Winkle, a USAFA spokesman, said applications for Class 2013 at the Colorado school topped the past five years. As with the continued strong recruiting experienced by the services, the academies believe that the still struggling economy may have been a factor. (Also read this New York Times report)
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.