The old Chanute Air Force Base lies 20 miles outside of Champaign in the middle of several crop fields. However, the Chanute Air Force Base no longer exists; the current occupant of 205 Dodge Ave. in Rantoul, Ill., is Lincoln’s Challenge Academy.

Lincoln’s Challenge is a government-funded program for at-risk 16- to 18-year-old high school dropouts in the state of Illinois.

“A lot of our kids were into drugs and gangs,” said retired 1st Sgt. Michael McMullen, the commandant at Lincoln’s Challenge. “We are basically trying to give them a second chance at life.”

In order to enter the academy, applicants must meet several criteria. They must be a high school dropout, drug-free, a resident of Illinois, a legal citizen or resident of the United States, free from serious involvement in the legal system and pending court cases, unemployed and able to pass a medical screening.

The program offers incoming cadets opportunities for different levels of education, including getting a General Education Development (GED).

“They are learning to respect each other, respect adults, their parents and they’re also getting career advice,” McMullen said. “They are losing the tunnel vision of what they want to do tomorrow and see more of what they want to do in five to 10 years.”

Cadets are put through a 17-month-long program that consists of two phases. The first is called the Resident Phase and takes place during the first five months of the academy. During this time, the cadets live in the facilities of Lincoln’s Challenge in Rantoul and are under 24-hour supervision, seven days a week.

“There are high demands and high standards on these kids,” said McMullen.

The cadets attend 200 hours of classes, are put through rigorous physical training and must complete 40 hours of community service.

“Basically, from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., these kids are actively occupied every day,” said McMullen.

Wake up call for the cadets is at 5:30 a.m. The cadets are then allowed quick personal hygiene time and are assembled for roll call. After that, physical training begins, which involves pushups, stretches, relays, drills and other exercises. After physical fitness, the cadets are allowed another couple of minutes for personal hygiene.

The cadets are than split into two groups. Half attend GED classes for four hours and the other half performs community service in the Champaign area.

“In everything we do, there is a lesson to be taught,” said McMullen.

Lights out for the cadets is at 9:00 p.m. and they are expected to be asleep by 9:15.

The second phase is the Post Resident, where the cadets return to their homes to further their education or join the workforce. During this time, the cadet must keep in contact with an appointed mentor who reports their status back to the academy.

“If the kids don’t have a good support system when they leave here, they revert back to their old mannerisms,” said Colonel Adolphos Trawick, the counselor supervisor at Lincoln’s Challenge Academy.

According to Trawick, 800 youths enter the academy at the beginning of the year, but only about half of them graduate.

“The most successful placements are in the military,” said Dick Steigmann of Lincoln’s Challenge community relations. “We have 30 to 40 kids that enter the different branches (of the military).”

Many graduates also attend technical schools.

“I think the reason they’re (technical schools) so successful (for applicants) is because they’re short,” Steigmann said. “These kids need to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Other students attend various four-year colleges, while others join the workforce right away.

“I am proud of every kid in this academy,” said McMullen, “It’s like a haven for them.”