AIR FORCE ACADEMY, COLO. -- Air Force Academy officials are investigating 15 Cadets who allegedly used illegal drugs in late 2011.

According to officials, the unnamed Cadets violated a General order prohibiting the use of intoxicating substances other than alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and lawfully used prescribed medications.

"Consistent with Air Force policy and instructions, the U.S. Air Force Academy has a zero tolerance policy regarding the use of these intoxicating substances, and certainly illegal drug use or possession,” Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, Academy Superintendent, said in a statement. "The abuse of these products by military members, cadets or cadet candidates contradicts the nature of the profession of arms, threatens our military readiness and impairs our responsibilities to the Air Force and our Nation-and we will not stand for this behavior, ever."

Gould issued the General Order in April 2010.

Officials will continue the investigation over the coming weeks and months. Any Cadets found to have violated the order could face a Court Marshal and possibly involuntary separation from the Air Force.

"These alleged actions by just a few of our more than 4,300 cadets are not what we expect of America’s future leaders, and are not reflective of the highest standards we uphold every day,” Brig. Gen. Richard Clark, USAFA Commandant of Cadets, said in the statement.  "We expect the very best from our cadets, and we do not tolerate this type of behavior."

A year ago, Air Force officials conducted a similar investigation into 25 Cadets who allegedly had used the drug 'Spice.'