USAFA questions for current/recent cadets

J

jmk0601

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2012
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73
Well I received the appointment from USAFA, and I was wondering if current cadet or a recent cadet could help some questions for me?
I'm quite worried/nervous/scared.. etc about the I-day and the 38 days of training. Please send me a pm!
 
DS has a question of

what are the types of assignments USAFA Grad's would/could receive if they didn't choose to Fly or be a Navigator in a plane?
 
Thx, but have no Catalogue,

an AF Coach is trying to move son off of USNA/USMA recruitment for 2014 and it was a question to help him get a quick feel if its within his realm of possibilities. We'll find it somewhere, thank you!
 
JMK, just post your questions. Chances are, someone else is wondering the same thing.
 
I'm happy to answer any questions about I-day, BCT, the academic year, my experience with USAFA clubs, etc. I was a BCT element leader for 2016, and I'll be a Flight Commander this summer. :cool:
 
jmk0601 said:
I'm quite worried/nervous/scared.. etc about the I-day and the 38 days of training
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No need to be. Just the mere fact that you have been given an appointment means that a lot of people that facilitated that decision (ALO, MOC, Senator panel, Admission board) believes that you have what it takes. You wouldn't have applied if you didn't think you can do it. There's been thousands of young appointees that were in your shoes and have made it through. Run a lot and keep fit. Just because you're done with your CFA doesn't mean that you stop. Don't forget that the higher elevation makes it even harder if you're from sea level. Enjoy the rest of your senior year and congratulations on your appointment!
 
I received an appointment and I also am quite nervous. I need to visit again, but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to handle BCT mentally.
 
Hi! Terrified appointee #2 here.

I have a feeling I know the answers to my questions... but I'll ask them anyway, if only because now that it's "real" I feel like I need to hear the answers again. (And, of course, there are lurkers who could benefit... I'm very glad that I've had this forum over the last year of research!)

-Physically, any suggestions for preparing for BCT? I am a female & definitely most scared of the physical aspects.
-On that note, any tips for females specifically during BCT--in general? I already spend most of my time in male-dominated environments, but I'll admit I'm a little daunted by the prospect of being so much in the minority.
-Hair. Tips for getting it up quickly? How neat is "neat"? I can do fast, but I end up with stray hairs.
-Okay, this is a specific question. I know there are some tests to take online, and some in person. My question... are any of those for critical need languages? I've taken some Russian and some Arabic. I'd like to test for Russian, but I don't know if that's an option, since probably few in the class will have taken Russian.
-What were you surprised by coming into the Academy? What would you have done differently to prepare, and what would you have done the same?
-When should my parents plan to come? I have a lot of young siblings & live far away, so they may tag team, or only come out a few times. I've told my mother Parent's Weekend. Are there other times when we'd be able to actually interact?
-Anything else I should know now? I'm sure I'll have more questions when paperwork starts arriving...
 
Invisibility

look at this thread for female info
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=6666&highlight=girls+usafa

and this also
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=17021&highlight=girls

Your parents should not miss Parent's weekend -- which is always Labor Day weekend. Siblings are welcome to attend it as well.
This is a link to last year's PW schedule -- and it's usually pretty much the same each year.
http://www.usafa.edu/superintendent/parentsweekend/?catname=Parents' Weekend

Others will say a parent should attend I-day with you and then come for A-day. But if that can be expensive so it might not be possible.

DS went by himself to I-day because that's what he wanted to do. He participated in the AOG Bed & Breakfast program and was picked up at the airport by a host Wed night and then delivered to USAFA for inprocessing in the morning.
We did not go out for A-day either -- he said in his letters during BCT to save the money and bring his siblings to PW, which is what we did.

I do know DS took language test online for Spanish (his HS class) and then during BCT took another language test and ranked the critical languages after the test. He was placed into Arabic, which was his first choice.

I'm sure others can answer your other questions about cadet life and such.

Good luck
 
Invisibility said:
Hi! Terrified appointee #2 here.

-Physically, any suggestions for preparing for BCT? I am a female & definitely most scared of the physical aspects.
Click to expand...

My opinion of what consitutes "good" physical shape for I-day (women):
*Pushups: 38
*Flutterkicks: 75 4-count in boots (without stopping)
*Run - 4 miles (without stopping) at about an 8:30/mile pace
*Pullups - 3

"Good" is above average. Hit or exceed that, and you'll be just fine. Your cadre will be in much better shape, and have the benefit of being used to the altitude. Some basics will inprocess hardly able to do 20 pushups. They will have a rough time with the physical aspect, which tends to take a mental toll.

Regardless of initial condition, you WILL improve in BCT...via organized hour-long workouts in the morning (alternating calisthenics and running days), cadre-led workouts throughout the day, and intramurals about every other evening. In Jack's Valley you'll be engaged in some sort of physical activity for most of the day.

If you are playing a sport, keep it up and add more of whatever you are weak in (running, upper-body, etc). Really work on cardio, because the altitude can hit you like a sledgehammer. If you aren't in-season or don't know where to begin, a mainly body-weight workout system like P90X or Insanity will increase your strength and overall fitness.
 
falcongirl said:
My opinion of what consitutes "good" physical shape for I-day (women):
*Pushups: 38
*Flutterkicks: 75 4-count in boots (without stopping)
*Run - 4 miles (without stopping) at about an 8:30/mile pace
*Pullups - 3

"Good" is above average. Hit or exceed that, and you'll be just fine. Your cadre will be in much better shape, and have the benefit of being used to the altitude. Some basics will inprocess hardly able to do 20 pushups. They will have a rough time with the physical aspect, which tends to take a mental toll.

Regardless of initial condition, you WILL improve in BCT...via organized hour-long workouts in the morning (alternating calisthenics and running days), cadre-led workouts throughout the day, and intramurals about every other evening. In Jack's Valley you'll be engaged in some sort of physical activity for most of the day.

If you are playing a sport, keep it up and add more of whatever you are weak in (running, upper-body, etc). Really work on cardio, because the altitude can hit you like a sledgehammer. If you aren't in-season or don't know where to begin, a mainly body-weight workout system like P90X or Insanity will increase your strength and overall fitness.
Click to expand...

What about guys?
 
Push-ups: 50-60 *correct push-ups within 2 minutes
Flutter kicks-75-100 4-count without stopping
Pull-ups: about 12
Run: 1.5mi in around 10:30 or better, endurance for 3-5mi at a 8ish min. pace. 600m in 1:45ish (might be off on that one?)
Sit-ups: 95 in 2 min (IMO, this is the easiest part to max on the PFT)

That will set you up to pass the PFT, and generally keep up with most cadre-led PT. Some cadre are downright talented at certain exercises...but you'll figure that out.
Go for better wherever possible. The numbers I threw out will just get you to a decently passing score. Many guys max the push-ups (72) and sit-ups (95), and quite a few max the pull-ups (21). Jump scores are all over the place, and the 600 run gets a lot of people from reaching the perfect score.
 
Ladies, you'll want to be able to run the AFT (1.5 miles) faster than 12:30 (303/500) when you start BCT. BARELY passing is 13:30 (250/500). 450/500 is 10:15.

If you are coming from sea level, add about 1-1.5 minutes to your sea level run time. You will run the AFT on day 2.

Also, a quick note on what I said earlier:
Strive to EXCEED the average, not meet it. You may be able to do unlimited pushups/flutterkicks/squats/jumping jacks no problem when you're rested and stress free. How many can you do while you are wearing 10 extra pounds (canteen, uniform and boots), saying a quote, shouting repetitions numbers, and generally screwing up...and getting attention for it? You will be stressed, you will be tired, you will be overwhelmed. PLEASE do yourself a favor and prepare NOW. You won't have an easy basic if you arrive physically on your game, but you will have an EASIER basic. Be on the range from above average to excellent, and you'll save yourself a lot of attention.

It is possible to score 500/500 on the PFT during the 1st week of basic. I've seen it done by both males and females, it's damn impressive, and the cadre take note.
 
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I'd say I'm pretty fit. I can hit 100 push ups, sit ups easily. I can probably do like 3~5 sets of pull ups. But running.. that's my biggest problem. What should I set for? (as in how many miles in how many minutes?)

Btw I'm trying to put in 3~4 cardio days in addition to my 3 gym days (weight training).
 
I would shoot for 3-5 miles at an 8 minute pace, if you can't do that already.
That will give you the endurance for most events. Also, do some quicker pace 1.5-2 mile runs. You want to be getting the 1.5 done in 10:30 or faster to be keeping up with averages. Just under 9 minutes is getting into the "very good" category.
 
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