Air Training Officers (ATO) were specially selected commissioned officers who served as surrogate upperclass cadets at the United States Air Force Academy.
the history of flight training by the predecessor organizations of the United States Air Force.
In 1976, the ATO program was revived in a modified form when women were allowed to attend the Air Force Academy.
Before taking on their roles, the new ATOs underwent Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training, physical conditioning, various airmanship programs, field training at Jacks Valley and audited academic courses.
Special counseling courses enabled the ATOs to help women cadets with potential personal problems.