Swimming

BracesGlasses

5-Year Member
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Feb 20, 2012
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11
I ain't very good at swimming :frown: and I was wondering how i could become better at it.... Also, is the number of people getting accepted in the academy decreasing? For instance, it'd been 1,600 and now it's 1,400...
 
I ain't very good at swimming :frown: and I was wondering how i could become better at it.... Also, is the number of people getting accepted in the academy decreasing? For instance, it'd been 1,600 and now it's 1,400...

It's actually down to 1,050. :rolleyes: The only thing I remember about learning to swim was that I learned by trying over and over again in a shallow pool. Do you have somewhere you can practice? I would work on it for 30 minutes a day every day.
 
I ain't very good at swimming :frown: and I was wondering how i could become better at it.... Also, is the number of people getting accepted in the academy decreasing? For instance, it'd been 1,600 and now it's 1,400...

Its up to you, but I would probably go get some lessons at your local pool to build technique and to help out with water confidence.
 
Like the others said, you should learn to swim. You can take lessons at your local YMCS, Parks and Rec, or something similar.

And for what it's worth, I don't think there's EVER been 1600 appointments given out to the academy. The most it's ever been has been around 1300. As mentioned, this year it's in the 1050 range. Next year will be in the 1170 range.
 
Its up to you, but I would probably go get some lessons at your local pool to build technique and to help out with water confidence.
And SDK knows what he's talking about. :shake:

For anyone else who might be reading this... I'd also like to add that not being able to swim well or at all isn't something anyone should feel shameful about. Some people don't learn at an early age, whether it be because they don't have pool access or they don't like water. I have quite a few friends that can't swim at all, and I don't look at them any differently from anyone else. In fact, some of them are my best friends. I'd be super excited if they took up swimming lessons, because having a pool in my backyard would give me another excuse to have them over. :smile:
 
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Is it necessary for us to know how to swim well before going to BCT? I'm an okay swimmer but I can only do breast stroke and I can do it for a long time only it takes me forever to actually get somewhere. Should I work on it before BCT? I know in one of the catalogs it says they offer swim instruction classes so I was just thinking I'd do that to perfect my swimming.
 
Is it necessary for us to know how to swim well before going to BCT? I'm an okay swimmer but I can only do breast stroke and I can do it for a long time only it takes me forever to actually get somewhere. Should I work on it before BCT? I know in one of the catalogs it says they offer swim instruction classes so I was just thinking I'd do that to perfect my swimming.

Someone else can answer this better than I can, but from my knowledge you don't have to know how to swim at all. I'd say you're perfectly fine.
 
There is no water survival training during BCT, there are water hazards in Jacks Valley. However you should know how to swim before going. There is a water survival class during your C3C(2nd) year. It is not an easy class by any stretch of the imagination if you are not a regular swimmer. You will also jump off a 5m and 10m platform.
It will be in your best interest to take some sort of swimming lessons before entering the Academy and then after BCT, go to the cadet pool and practice.
 
Class Size

And for what it's worth, I don't think there's EVER been 1600 appointments given out to the academy. The most it's ever been has been around 1300. As mentioned, this year it's in the 1050 range. Next year will be in the 1170 range.

The class of '84 had over 1600 appointees report for I-day. I still have a newspaper article saying we were the second largest class. I don't which class was the largest.
 
I seem to recall that sometime, maybe during 4* year, there is a "swimming test" which one can validate, or which will place one in a swimming class for further instruction. I believe they had some kind of water safety or life saving instruction in a p.e. class.

The actor, Don Ameche, did not learn to swim until he was over 30 years old. He swam a lot in the movie "Cocoon."
 
The class of '84 had over 1600 appointees report for I-day. I still have a newspaper article saying we were the second largest class. I don't which class was the largest.

Was that for Navy? I was speaking of air force; being we were in the air force section. But you could be correct that air force had that many too. But that was almost 20 years ago.
 
Its up to you, but I would probably go get some lessons at your local pool to build technique and to help out with water confidence.

SD Kittens gives the best advice. If you don't know how to swim, or don't swim well, get some instruction so you learn to stroke efficiently. The Academy swim test will determine your skills. No shame in not knowing how to swim, but better to know how if at all possible before you report for I day.

Survival swimming is serious stuff, and for a reason. Not hard to figure out why AF officers need to know how to swim. Years ago, if you couldn't swim you were put on what was affectionately known as the ROCK Squad and had to go to EXTRA PE classes. You don't want to do anything extra because that cuts into what little "free" time you have.

In fact, even if you can swim, I'd recommend you get out to a pool and brush up on your basic strokes and swimming stamina. You want to do as well as you possibly can in all categories when you get to USAFA, just like you did when you were applying to USAFA. The appointee handbook says the standard is being able to swim 250 yards in under 9 minutes. Practice until that standard is easy to achieve.
 
My daughter's IC season (she is a freshman) ended last weekend and she and her team were in the pool swimming laps late last night. They certainly were not doing it for fun. Heed the advice of the other posters. Practice and get proficient.
 
USAFA Class Sizes

Was that for Navy? I was speaking of air force; being we were in the air force section.

The USAFA Class of 84 entered with 1609 cadets (2nd largest). Top honors go to the USAF Class of 78, which had a starting class size of 1630 cadets. Given that this year's class is projected to enter with just 1050 cadets is testimony to how very competivitive it has become to get an appointment.
 
The USAFA Class of 84 entered with 1609 cadets (2nd largest). Top honors go to the USAF Class of 78, which had a starting class size of 1630 cadets. Given that this year's class is projected to enter with just 1050 cadets is testimony to how very competivitive it has become to get an appointment.

That is amazing. Then again, during the Regan administration we were in a military buildup. So true about how competitive it has become. It was really difficult trying to explain to one of my candidate; with a 3.98 gpa and an excellent looking application; why he didn't receive an appointment. Fortunately for him he was proactive and had many other options for post high school education. Can not stress enough how important it is to apply to other schools. Nothing against State Universities and Community colleges; but if you believe that you have what it takes to be accepted to a military academy; ranked as one of the best universities in the country; then you should be applying to some of the other "Best" universities in the country. Anyway; that's a different topic.
 
Long time swimmer

To improve at swimming, you need to swim (duh). Find a 25 yard pool and go every day (ok, at least 5 days a week.) Also, if you can't find someone to teach you, there are dozens and dozens of instructional videos on youtube. Freestyle is the style you should master first. A couple quick tips: Swimming freestyle is mostly arms (kicking is mostly for balance.. to keep your legs up and your body on the same plane as the water surface...so don't kick so hard that you get out of breath before touching the other side.) Keep your chest down, hips up, leg kick in the water (don't splash.) Imagine you're swimming through a straight pipe, head first. Reach out straight and pull back in an S motion. Also, get decent goggles and a speedo. (And before anyone says "ewwww" a man can get away in a speedo as long as he is wearing or holding goggles and isn't wearing gold chains.) Good luck and get wet.
 
....a man Boy can get away in a speedo as long as he is wearing or holding goggles and isn't wearing gold chains.) Good luck and get wet.
I fixed it for you. You don't want to see this "Man" in a speedo. I don't care how many goggles I have. Matter of fact; you'd be the one who would need goggles. lol...mike....
 
For those who want something a little more conservative in swimming attire and don't want to go with regular trunks(they are a real drag in the water, seriously), they make "Jammers"- they kinda look like bike shorts but for swimming. There is also "square leg" suit that is shorter than a jammer but longer than a speedo. I know too much about this~Mom of two teenage swimmers.:shake:
 
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