Chirag Veer Singh Sarao has made history by becoming the first Sikh American to enroll at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), marking a significant milestone for both the Sikh community and the academy. His achievement was announced by the American Sikh Council (ASC), which praised his dedication and perseverance throughout the admission process.
Before beginning his training, Sarao was granted official religious accommodation on June 20. The approval allows him to continue wearing and maintaining the Sikh articles of faith while pursuing a military career. He formally entered the academy on June 24, known as In-Processing Day (I-Day), and is now completing the academy’s intensive six-week basic cadet training program.
Sarao earned his place at the prestigious institution through an impressive combination of academic excellence and extracurricular accomplishments. Alongside his academic success, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, reflecting years of commitment to leadership, discipline, and personal development.
His achievements opened several doors before he selected the Air Force Academy. Sarao received full scholarship offers through both the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the Naval ROTC programs. He was also accepted into respected universities, including the University of Southern California and the University of Washington, before deciding to pursue military service.
The American Sikh Council said Kavneet Singh played a key role in Sarao’s journey by mentoring him during his high school years and guiding him through the highly competitive academy application process. Singh also serves as an honorary recruiter for the Air Force Academy.
The USAFA offers a rigorous four-year education that blends undergraduate academics with military instruction, leadership development, and physical training. Graduates are commissioned as officers in the US Air Force upon completing the program.
The American Sikh Council has also partnered with the US Air Force to create opportunities for Sikh American students through a flying scholarship initiative launched in 2022. Each year, one or two students between the ages of 16 and 18 are selected for the three-week summer program. The scholarship, valued at about $0.01 million, includes leadership development and 15 hours of hands-on flight training.
