ONLY Encourageing Words for the Class of 2017

never ever alone

5-Year Member
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Feb 20, 2013
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with the appointment thread getting longer everyday and with the days slowly counting down to june 27th, i would like to wish the class good luck and best wishes to all of you (or ya'll as some prefer it).

while some of the threads seem to be getting more gloomy and somber and almost discouraging, i'd like to say lets start everything on a positive note with a positive mindset and a positive attitude.

go class of 2017, see you soon.:biggrin::biggrin:


p.s. if you don't have anything good to post - just don't post it. we already know its going to be hard, challenging, a pain, stressful etc, etc, etc. please post something that we can draw strength from in our darkest hour and when were are at the end of our ropes, something to keep us going. thanks.
 
Encouragement

As much as we would prefer to read pleasant and positive posts, the reality is that there has to be a balance of what's positive and also negative so that everyone is truly informed. After sifting through the flood of information that's provided, it's up to the individual to decide if it's something that is honest and useful or garbage. I would much prefer my kids to know beforehand both the pros and cons before they make a commitment and if it truly is what they want even after being informed of the possibilities. There's plenty of time between now and May 1 which is the deadline to accept your appointment. In the past there even have been appointees who just chose not to show up on In-processing day or just not get off the bus. The point I'm trying to make is for those sitting on the fence on whether to accept the appointment or not. If reading negative postings gets you down-please don't fill a spot that many others wish they had despite the unpleasant details that go with it. Forewarned is forearmed.
 
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So much knowledge

Hi
It amazes me that with so much information out there such as You Tube, Video of BCT from academy story ECT. How any one could not be prepared and ready for what is to come. I know I have had the talk with my DS about this being the hardest thing he will ever have to endure. He has met with the C4C and had time alone to ask his questions. He has read the books and seen the videos. So while I understand reality is often harder than perception. I hope any parent who has been to the academy or boot camp takes time to discuss the mental games they will face along with their education. I know I have and while my DS has admitted to having nerviness or even being a little scared, he is ready. I pray this is so......
Regards
John
 
Reality check. Prepare to get put on your face or at 6 inches for the mistakes others make. (Your classmates will get the same for your mistakes too.) Just remember it only lasts a year. :thumb:

This motivated me last year and still motivates me this year.

http://youtu.be/hN_UI81fmmQ

Hope to see you there. Enjoy the time you have left.
 
Succeeding at USAFA

Lfry, it isn't just a year, it is 4 years and then some more.
There will always be someone over you telling you what to do. Then again, this is the case regardless of where you go to school, work, etc. The most important thing is the attitude. If you let it roll off and just go with the flow and work hard, you will succeed. If you let the little things bother you, it will be very stressful. You will make mistakes, everyone will. It is what you do afterward that allows you to succeed.
Good luck to you all, it will be worth it!
 
Lfry, it isn't just a year, it is 4 years and then some more.
There will always be someone over you telling you what to do. Then again, this is the case regardless of where you go to school, work, etc. The most important thing is the attitude. If you let it roll off and just go with the flow and work hard, you will succeed. If you let the little things bother you, it will be very stressful. You will make mistakes, everyone will. It is what you do afterward that allows you to succeed.
Good luck to you all, it will be worth it!

I meant freshman year only lasts a year. :smile:

The struggle, however, will be there all four years and afterwards just like you mentioned though. Very true words.
 
Remember

While I have been a silent lurker this year, I do want to chime in on this thread. It's important to remember why you're here, and for those appointed, just where you will be.

USAFA is one of America's shining lights. USAFA, like USMA and USNA, has a very proud tradition of excellence, and those that graduate share in that pride and carry incredible friendships and memories throughout their lives. It's a tough school, to be sure, and offers one of the finest educations available not only in the US but the world as well. There's a reason that so many apply and want to attend.

For those of you selected for the class of 2017, you have an incredible experience ahead of you. Honestly, you'll be so busy in BCT that you'll probably not even have time to be homesick (it's almost like a long summer camp). Lot's of upper-classmen will be yelling at you, but in a year's time you'll be doing the yelling. There is an actual psychological basis for that, however! You'll build the camaraderie that you'll need to get through the 4th class year, but then, sweet Recognition.

As a cadet you'll have lots of opportunities that your high school friends can only imagine. The facilities are absolutely world class, the faculty and staff are incredible, the summer programs interesting, varied, educational, and fun, the athletics (intercollegiate and intramural) are rigorous and challenging (but rewarding), and the traditions are moving and inspiring. Of course there will be tough days, but the day you stand in Falcon Stadium, hear the words "Class of 2017, you are dismissed!" and throw your hat into the air will be a memory that brings chills to you even decades later.

In the years between in-processing day and graduation, you will have lots of ups and downs, and lots of hard work. There will be plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind, however. Enjoy the football games, show your pride when you're home over the holidays, kick back at your sponsor's house on the weekend, or whatever, but always remember why you're here and what your goal really is. You'll get a "Prop and Wings" when you're recognized next March, and you'll get a set of gold bars in May 2017.

To those already appointed, and those that will be in the next few weeks, congratulations! You've earned an opportunity that few earn. What you do with it is up to you, but stand tall for the achievement, and get ready to work hard and build those memories!

Best wishes and Godspeed,

Insider
 
While I have been a silent lurker this year, I do want to chime in on this thread. It's important to remember why you're here, and for those appointed, just where you will be.

USAFA is one of America's shining lights. USAFA, like USMA and USNA, has a very proud tradition of excellence, and those that graduate share in that pride and carry incredible friendships and memories throughout their lives. It's a tough school, to be sure, and offers one of the finest educations available not only in the US but the world as well. There's a reason that so many apply and want to attend.

For those of you selected for the class of 2017, you have an incredible experience ahead of you. Honestly, you'll be so busy in BCT that you'll probably not even have time to be homesick (it's almost like a long summer camp). Lot's of upper-classmen will be yelling at you, but in a year's time you'll be doing the yelling. There is an actual psychological basis for that, however! You'll build the camaraderie that you'll need to get through the 4th class year, but then, sweet Recognition.

As a cadet you'll have lots of opportunities that your high school friends can only imagine. The facilities are absolutely world class, the faculty and staff are incredible, the summer programs interesting, varied, educational, and fun, the athletics (intercollegiate and intramural) are rigorous and challenging (but rewarding), and the traditions are moving and inspiring. Of course there will be tough days, but the day you stand in Falcon Stadium, hear the words "Class of 2017, you are dismissed!" and throw your hat into the air will be a memory that brings chills to you even decades later.

In the years between in-processing day and graduation, you will have lots of ups and downs, and lots of hard work. There will be plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind, however. Enjoy the football games, show your pride when you're home over the holidays, kick back at your sponsor's house on the weekend, or whatever, but always remember why you're here and what your goal really is. You'll get a "Prop and Wings" when you're recognized next March, and you'll get a set of gold bars in May 2017.

To those already appointed, and those that will be in the next few weeks, congratulations! You've earned an opportunity that few earn. What you do with it is up to you, but stand tall for the achievement, and get ready to work hard and build those memories!

Best wishes and Godspeed,

Insider
thank you for this post. it was truly inspiring and helped ease the some of the uneasiness. i feel like these next few weeks will be the longest weeks of my life but regardless the wait will be well worth it. Fingers crossed! good luck everyone. i'm sure in the end everything will happen for a reason
 
Thanks for your post. My DS has been preparing for 5 years, so it's hard to believe we'll know his fate within the next month or two. We sure hope to see you in June. Best wishes to all who are waiting!

Jill
 
Good luck to all! I hope to be joining my brothers and sisters in arms as we all enter the Class of 2017; this is an opportunity too good to be passed up. Congratulations to all of those who have been accepted! I have my fingers crossed:thumb:
 
Look, here's the thing. If a random website with comment threads is the "deep down encouragement" you need in your "darkest hour", it's going to be a very long summer, and freshman year....

So... here's my positive advice.

Figure out why you're going, and never forget it. Never ever forget it, even if you see things that disappoint you. That's the thing you need to cling to in your darkest hour.

But let me tell you something else... you WILL need help, and your classmates will need your help. Things will get stressful, and you'll feel overwhelmed, but remember you get through it together.

I had a rough Swab Summer at CGA. My roommate for most of the summer was Swab XY. There were some very dark hours that summer, and I came very close to breaking. But sure enough, at that darkest hour Swab XY, in the darkness of our room at night, would have something to say that would lift me up. At my lowest point he was there to talk to me.

Sometimes it's hard to tell someone how much you appreciated that. During the summer you're just trying to make it. But luckily I was able to tell Swab, then Cadet XY how much his support meant. I told him I'm not sure I could have made it without him. Two years later we were the cadre, I was a Yankee 3 squad leader and he was Yankee 2 platoon commander.

At some point, talking to my swabs about teamwork, I told them, you get through it with the people around you, not just during the summer but through your four years and into your career. I owed a lot to Cadet XY, and I let me swabs know it. They would be lucky to have a classmate like that, and they would be good to do it for one of their struggling classmates.

Cadet XY got a shout out on my senior page of our year book, and we still keep in touch.

Your summer will be challenging, and that makes it all the better when you're done, but help each other out and figure out the most basic reason you're going to go to that school. Cling to that reason and don't let anyone take it from you.
 
As I watched the video that Lfry94 posted of my class's inprocessing, I realized that many of the kids in that video are no longer at usafa. But that isn't necessarily because of how bad it is here. It's really not that bad, really! When you look at the bigger picture, it could be much much worse. Many people who leave do so because they realize that usafa is just not for them. Anyways, best of luck to 2017!!!

USAFA CLASS OF 2015
 
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