Weekends at the Academy

SAshey

5-Year Member
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Jan 22, 2012
Messages
39
What does an Average cadet do on the weekends during the school year at USAFA (besides homework of course)? Are there usually military exercises? Or do they get to relax a little bit?
 
Transportation to 'town'?

What does an Average cadet do on the weekends during the school year at USAFA (besides homework of course)? Are there usually military exercises? Or do they get to relax a little bit?

Thanks for posting this question. I would like to piggy back on this and also ask if the AFA offers transportation into Colorado Springs or other places for the cadets, when free, to get away from the academy without their own transportation or relying on rides from others? Are there academy 'shuttles' or any public transportation?

S
 
There is no public transportation to Colorado Springs from the Academy. Most cadets who do not have cars (underclassmen) borrow cars from uppers to get into town. Unwritten rule is you always bring it back with a full tank of gas (that is if you expect to borrow it again). :thumb: With Outdoor Door Recreation, they might be able to get transportation to the ski resorts, not sure though. Some may also rent cars, there is I believe Enterprise on campus. Can get pricey though if done on a regular basis, but a good option if you are traveling further than the Springs.
I am not as familiar with their weekend schedule but do know that some weekends they have training, and SAMI's, also in the fall there are football games that they attend. For the most part, I think Sunday's are off. Someone with more experience/knowledge may be able to answer your weekend question better.
 
On the weekends I like to skype my friends, play xbox, and sleep in. Some people go out to eat and go see movies, but it gets expensive trying to go off base all the time. Typically people will rent a car, pay for a taxi, or borrow a vehicle. Not all weekends are free though. Like kdc said, some weekends have military training or football games during the season. And there's always plenty of homework to do!
 
Lfry94 is at the prep school currently. Many C4Cs do not yet have video game privileges and Skype is not allowed at all. Cell phones are restricted well into the academic year the first year for many squadrons also. Typically every other Saturday there is training for a few hours but on 'blue' weekends there is no training. They do honework, exercise and catch up on sleep. Borrowing cars is common and my DS drives to the slopes commonly to ski either for the day or a bunch rent a room for overnight (have to use passes or these trips). Sundays they can go to sponsor house any time without using a pass and sponsor family often will pick them up. Basically the weekend is theirs to spend as they like and there are opportunities for many things to do on and off campus. Of course, this will be much better after recognition when they can be out of uniform.
 
Lfry94 is at the prep school currently. Many C4Cs do not yet have video game privileges and Skype is not allowed at all. Cell phones are restricted well into the academic year the first year for many squadrons also. Typically every other Saturday there is training for a few hours but on 'blue' weekends there is no training. They do honework, exercise and catch up on sleep. Borrowing cars is common and my DS drives to the slopes commonly to ski either for the day or a bunch rent a room for overnight (have to use passes or these trips). Sundays they can go to sponsor house any time without using a pass and sponsor family often will pick them up. Basically the weekend is theirs to spend as they like and there are opportunities for many things to do on and off campus. Of course, this will be much better after recognition when they can be out of uniform.

That's right, I forgot to mention that. And like you pointed out, it is also dependent on your squadron. Some squadrons allow certain privileges before others, and some restrict them longer. So, some C4C's will get their phones and other priviliedges before others will. :smile:
 
Things I've done on weekends at USAFA:
Movies
Going out to eat
Snowboarding
Travel/training/races with the Nordic Ski Team
Skydiving (civilian sport, not Wings of Blue)
Vertical wind tunnel in Denver
Hiking
Frisbee golf
Laser tag
Shows in Denver
Visit high school friend in Boulder
...and the list goes on

After some weeks here, all I want to do on the weekend is sleep! :yllol:
 
If you are an intercollegiate athlete, depending on the team, you may also have weekend practices on Saturday as well.
 
I usually try to catch up on my sleep and homework during the weekends. There are certain training, or "silver" weekends where things like SAMI's (where one's room is graded) or different type of milt. training are done on Saturdays, but Sundays are free. Blue weekends are the fun ones, unless you get restricted or run out of passes. As a freshman, you have a very limited amount of passes, so it is best to choose wisely on when to leave.
 
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