Who can be appointed as a USAFA cadet?

The correct choice identifies that candidates for appointment as USAFA cadets must be U.S. citizens aged between 17 and 23 years. This age range reflects the Academy's commitment to developing young leaders who are at the optimal stage for training and education necessary for military service. Furthermore, citizenship is a fundamental requirement, as the Air Force Academy is a federal institution that trains future officers of the United States Air Force.

The other options do not align with the admission criteria set by the Academy. Only military veterans, for instance, would limit the pool of potential candidates unnecessarily, excluding qualified individuals who may have no prior military experience but meet other significant criteria. Similarly, restricting appointments to only enlisted service members would ignore the Academy's role in training both enlisted personnel and civilians in leadership and military strategy. Lastly, limiting eligibility to residents of Colorado would contradict the Academy's national scope, drawing applicants from across the entire country rather than just one state.