The Academy community consists of approximately 1,000 officers, 1,000 enlisted members, 1,600 appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund civilian employees and 4,000 cadets.

The entire Academy operation is under the leadership and direction of the Superintendent. The Superintendent oversees all aspects of officer development: professional military and leadership training, intellectual development, athletic programs and character development, including programs for moral and ethical enrichment, which serve as the foundation for all aspects of officership. A cadet's life is centered on seven major buildings in the cadet area. Some of these buildings were named after officers particularly vital to the history of the Air Force and the Academy.

Vandenberg and Sijan Halls are the cadet dormitories and contain cadet rooms, a cadet store, barber shops, supply and counseling offices, as well as rooms for professional activities and recreational clubs. The dorms are named after Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the second Air Force chief of staff, and Capt. Lance P. Sijan, the only Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. Fairchild Hall contains both academic classrooms and administrative facilities.

The McDermott Library is on the north end of Fairchild Hall and has more than 700,000 volumes. The academic building is named after the first commander of Air University, Gen. Muir S. Fairchild. The addition to Fairchild Hall is called the Fairchild Annex and contains state-of-the-art science labs, administrative offices, as well as an expanded cadet medical clinic and the dental clinics.

Mitchell Hall, the cadet dining hall, has facilities for serving meals to 4,400 people simultaneously. Mitchell Hall is named in honor of Brig. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell, air power pioneer.

The Cadet Chapel, dedicated in 1963, is the most recognizable building at the Academy and the most visited man-made tourist attraction in Colorado. It can seat 1,200 for Protestant services, 600 for Catholic services and 100 for Jewish worship.

Arnold Hall, the cadet social center, has a large ballroom, a 2,804-seat theater, snack bar and recreation areas. The building is named after the first general of the Air Force, Gen. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, chief of the Army Air Forces during World War II.