# @af_academy on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DYpFHFvjAnc
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65846565-af-academy-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7f3f3f80ba.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-22T13:01:40.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** U.S. Air Force Academy (@af_academy) — https://gondola.cc/af_academy

## Caption

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝟭𝗖 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗔𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘀.
 
Elise is an Operations Research major with a Russian minor. Inspired by her grandfather’s service in the marines, she chose #USAFA to serve others and give back to the nation.
 
After graduation, she will attend pilot training.
 
Key experiences that shaped her journey:
🏔️ 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺. Strengthened leadership skills and resilience while teaching survival skills and backpacking in the mountains of New Mexico.
🥊 𝗕𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴. Built confidence, discipline and perseverance.
🤝 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝟰/𝟲 𝗣𝗔 & 𝗜𝗧 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱. Developed communication and mentorship skills while leading and supporting cadets across the Cadet Wing.
 
One of her most rewarding experiences was winning two National Collegiate Boxing Association National Championships despite entering the sport with no prior experience.
 
The Academy prepared her to lead in the usairforce by strengthening decision-making, time management and teamwork in demanding environments.
 
“𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵.”
 
#FirstieFriday #LeadersOfCharacterAndQuality #WarfightersToWin #CriticalThinkersToAdapt #NoQuitAllGrit #USAFA2026

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## Tags

usafa2026, firstiefriday, criticalthinkerstoadapt, warfighterstowin, usafa, noquitallgrit, leadersofcharacterandquality

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