Life at USAFA Prep School

Hi y'all!

I will be attending the USAFA Prep School and starting BCT in 25 days! I was wondering if anyone can share some insight as to what life is like at the prep school. I have learned a lot about life at the Academy and tips that would be nice to have while there. Is life at the Prep School similar to life at USAFA? Are there any tips or tricks you learned to make your life a little bit easier - like getting a sleeping bag after BCT so as not to mess up your bed for SAMI's? Any insight would be great. Thank you!

Prep school is similar to USAFA in many ways. Enjoy your year at the p, because it's the best one you'll have. The best part about the prep school is the friendships you'll build. I have friends here that were directs, but my strongest relationships are those with my fellow preppies.

Times are a little off because I can't remember them exactly but your daily life will look something like this:

0600-0700 Breakfast
0700-1200 Classes
1200-1300 Lunch
1330-1430 Briefings / Military Training
1530-1700 Athletic Training
1730-1900 Dinner
1945-2130 Academic Call to Quarters
2200 TAPS

That was our schedule the best I can remember. Military training is mandatory for everyone, athletic training is mandatory for ICs that have practice and everyone who doesn't have an athletic rope. (Athletic training means you go to the gym and do something active. It's not regimented unless you have a failing physical fitness score.)

I can answer more questions about the prep school if you have them!

Thanks! That's great information. How did BCT go for you? Did you find that your prep year prepared you well for the Academy? Also, for transitioning from training to school, did you buy your supplies or have your family mail it?


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USAFA'19 said:

Thanks! That's great information. How did BCT go for you? Did you find that your prep year prepared you well for the Academy? Also, for transitioning from training to school, did you buy your supplies or have your family mail it?


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I thought BCT was miserable, but it was BCT after all...

The prep school year definitely prepared me for the academy in academics, military, and athletics! I'm glad I was blessed with that opportunity and I wouldn't have it any other way. It was absolutely worth it.

As for your last question, I bought all my supplies. When I went to the prep school, I completely moved out and became self sustained.

On the list of required documents to bring to Prep it says to bring your parents date and place of birth. Do we just write it on a piece of paper or do we bring supporting documents?


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I don't remember doing this when I inprocessed, but that was awhile back... I don't think you'll need any additional documents, just the information.

Lfry94,

do u know if priors get the chance to replace unserviceable or missing uniforms or is it mandatory that we get everything before arriving to the prep?

hopefulenlisted said:

Lfry94,

do u know if priors get the chance to replace unserviceable or missing uniforms or is it mandatory that we get everything before arriving to the prep?

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Im not sure, I don't know much about the week the priors had before us at the prep school. Maybe AFrpaso can chime in on this. He's a prior preppie that could probably answer this question.

This website has been invaluable in answering my questions so thanks to all who've contributed, it means a great deal!

Now, I have a few additional questions for preppies and priors as well.

First off, can you briefly explain what priors will be doing the week we are as the PS before the others arrive?

Next, I've gotten mixed answers about the uniform. I was told to fly out to the academy with my stripes still sewn on, however the packing list located in the welcome package says stripes removed. Can somebody possibly tell me their experience?

Everybody I've spoken to says that prep school is your best year at the academy and it seems to repeat in this thread. Why exactly is that? The daily schedule looks pretty similar?

Is it rare for a prep school cadet to be invited to take courses up the hill if they are academically exceeding at the prep. I'm told by my ALO this is a possibility but I'm not sure whether it's an extremely rare case or not?

Lastly, is there a form of transportation around base like a shuttle or bus loop? From what I understand the campus is enormous and everything is spread out. I'm flying into Colorado Springs the day before my report day and staying at the hotel on base. After booking this hotel I mapped how far of a walk it is to the prep school and its a few miles. Any ideas on transportation for my day and a half before reporting?

Thanks again everybody! 16 days!

Do you know what we wear our husky gear for? (The khakis, brown shoes, and brown belt that we need to bring)


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USAFA'19 said:

Do you know what we wear our husky gear for? (The khakis, brown shoes, and brown belt that we need to bring)


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Football games rarely and for some prep school functions. Not a whole lot.

Does anyone know what color our compression shorts should be? I have a bunch of navy ones from basketball.

Also what is the average run length at prep?


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USAFA'19 said:

Does anyone know what color our compression shorts should be? I have a bunch of navy ones from basketball.

Also what is the average run length at prep?


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Where does it say we should bring compression shorts?

It doesn't say we need to but everyone recommends we should. It apparently is a great thing to have.


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If I recall correctly, I was issued compression shorts at the P. That was two years ago, though. Things may have changed.

They issued us dark blue ones. Black were also acceptable to wear.

I only wear compression shorts. We were issued them. I have blue, black, and white ones.

Great. Thanks y'all.


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