Changes to Internet Restrictions @ USAFA

Campfamily

5-Year Member
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Jul 31, 2014
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DS is complaining about recent restrictions the Academy has put on Internet access, specifically to video chat services (Skype, ooVoo) and Internet radio (Pandora, Spotify). Curious whether anybody knows if this is common to all of the academies, or just something at USAFA. Obviously he understands why there are restrictions, since this is a government installation, plus bandwidth needs to be managed, but the changes have been relatively recent and without warning.
 
Many things your child will experience in the military will be relatively recent and without warning.
 
Many things your child will experience in the military will be relatively recent and without warning.

Yes, we all figured that out quite a while ago. But part of human nature is being curious, and as this is a forum to ask questions and perhaps have curiosity satisfied.....

And I have said this before. People come to terms with, accept things and provide voluntary, willing and strong support for things they understand.

And as I have said before, the military doesn't have to give a rats rear end regarding popularity or provide any type of explanation or acknowledgement.

But as I was a cat in my former life, and have several lives left this time....any one know why? Creative explanations are welcome as well ;)
 
Most likely it is a USAFA thing and the only people that know the real reason are "The Powers that Be" there.

The cadets may or may not be told right away, but they do get the word eventually.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Most likely it is a USAFA thing and the only people that know the real reason are "The Powers that Be" there.

The cadets may or may not be told right away, but they do get the word eventually.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

So whats faster, the cadet network or the parent network? :rolleyes:
 
I'm confused where he is getting these restrictions from... Skype hasn't worked here for a while, it's not a recent thing. Spotify's internet player still works, as does Pandora and Oovoo.
 
The cadet network..... Almost always.

Most "parents" and their "Network" get the majority of their information from their cadets. Even individuals like Steve (Flieger) and myself, who may know most of the policies put out by the academy and the air force, don't know about most of the day to day changes, activities, policies, etc... that the cadets are having to live through. Many of those issues can be at a squadron level or maybe only a temporary policy affecting the cadets for this semester or this year.

Here is my #1 advice about ANYTHING happening at the academy involving day to day life.

1. If your cadet has a question or concern, s/he has a chain of command where s/he can find out the facts. Mom and Dad and the parent's group at home won't have the answer any sooner; and definitely not more accurately.
2. If mom or dad have a question or concern about their little baby boy/girl and their living conditions, they should ask their cadet first about it. You'll get 2 really important pieces of feedback from your cadet. a) More accurate facts about what you're concerned about; and b) Whether or not your cadet is affected or even really cares about it.

And that is the most important thing to remember. You son/daughter are the cadet. It's their life at the academy. If something isn't bothering them, then it definitely shouldn't be bothering you.

As for this thread, a parent's cadet is "Complaining". Are they really complaining to mom/dad or are they simply "VENTING". If they are truly "Complaining" to you, then you need to tell them to get the concerns clarified within their chain of command. I'm sure they aren't actually asking mom/dad for "Assistance". If they are simply venting; then just assure them that they are going to encounter hundreds and thousands of other things at the academy, in the air force, in a civilian job, with their spouse and kids, etc... that frustrates and bothers them. Tell them to learn how to adapt. If they are looking for mom/dad to somehow "Help"; then junior/missy needs to grow up and learn to take care of him/herself.

Ok; speech is done. Mike.....
 
I'm confused where he is getting these restrictions from... Skype hasn't worked here for a while, it's not a recent thing. Spotify's internet player still works, as does Pandora and Oovoo.

Zach - thanks for the reply. Yes, Skype has never worked. He told us ooVoo quit about a month ago, Spotify went out yesterday. He's over in Vandy, not sure if it's any different.

Keith
 
To the rest of the folks responding to this thread without addressing my question - as a long term employee at a DoD contractor, I'm very familiar with the military mentality, and the fact that change in the military happens without warning or explanation that is made public. I wasn't addressing or "complaining" to that position. My question was simple......is this common to the academies, or simply something that is unique to USAFA?

Please do not try to spin this thread into another "stay out of your kid's life in the military" or "he's in the military now, be prepared for every hardship" thread that some members on this forum seem to love to turn any question into.

Thanks!!! And, Go Falcons!!!
 
Please do not try to spin this thread into another "stay out of your kid's life in the military" or "he's in the military now, be prepared for every hardship" thread that some members on this forum seem to love to turn any question into.

:thumb:

I'd estimate that a full 50% of the threads here get spun into one or both of those at some point in their life. . .
 
:thumb:
I'd estimate that a full 50% of the threads here get spun into one or both of those at some point in their life. . .
Amen X2 :thumb:
It's seems that it is the universal answer for some on this site. No need to discuss or debate...."stay out of your kid's life in the military" or "he's in the military now, be prepared for every hardship".
 
Zach - thanks for the reply. Yes, Skype has never worked. He told us ooVoo quit about a month ago, Spotify went out yesterday. He's over in Vandy, not sure if it's any different.

Keith

It might be a squadron specific restriction. I was Oovoo-ing DD this past Sunday. Or maybe Sijan is having issues (DD is in Vandy)

-- Proud Mom to 2018 USAFA cadet
 
It might be a squadron specific restriction. I was Oovoo-ing DD this past Sunday. Or maybe Sijan is having issues (DD is in Vandy)

-- Proud Mom to 2018 USAFA cadet

My son is also in Vandy, so that isn't it. And, I'm not sure how this restriction could be squadron specific, according to him, the website is blocked by the server when you try to go there.
 
I may be way off, but could this have anything to do with the recent restrictions?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/10/07/source-air-force-father-son-targeted-online-isis/

Had an eerie feeling when, within minutes of reading this post, that I see a Facebook group that I belong to (don't want to mention specifics, but I'm sure some of you belong to as well) was just changed from a "closed" group to a "secret" group with advice on "How To Lockdown Your Facebook Account For Maximum Privacy and Security".
 
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I may be way off, but could this have anything to do with the recent restrictions?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/10/07/source-air-force-father-son-targeted-online-isis/

Had an eerie feeling when, within minutes of reading this post, that I see a Facebook group that I belong to (don't want to mention specifics, but I'm sure some of you belong to as well) was just changed from a "closed" group to a "secret" group with advice on "How To Lockdown Your Facebook Account For Maximum Privacy and Security".

That is the exact thing I was thinking. Probably not, but it came to mind immediately due to timing.
 
My immediate reaction was: boo hoo. Cadets can't be on skype. And are whining to parents about it.

Then I thought that maybe parents are more upset by all this than cadets.

In their military careers, things will often come up that your current cadet will think are "bogus, dude!"
 
Oovoo and Spotify are opposites. The network is the same in both dorms I believe. You can use spotify's web player at https://play.spotify.com/ and you can download the Oovoo program at http://www.oovoo.com/download.aspx

Zach - what do you mean they are opposites? My son has both of these programs downloaded on his laptop, and both used to work; now they don't. He told me some had found a way around the block using an online vpn service, but he knew that if IT was blocking it and he was circumventing that block he could be in trouble.

Once again, thank you for your comments "from the inside". :shake:
 
Sorry, opposite was kind of vague. So Spotify only works on the online web player. The separate program won't work. With Oovoo, any web functions do not work, but the stand alone program downloaded separately still should.

Blocking social media from our network doesn't prevent people from still finding your page. The ability to protect your information lies solely in your personal security settings. The information on how to safe guard your information is out there; it's up to you to put it in to use.
 
The original thrust of this post was asking if other military academies limit cadet access to these apps. I made it a point to reread the entire post, and it was not about someone's feelings. It was started with an introduction to how this question came up/what inspired the question. It was then followed by the question asking if other SA's have the same limitations.

I was lucky enough to chat with an exchange student from another SA during parents weekend. I asked about the differences between BCT, freshman year, other years etc. It was very interesting.

Asking "if" and "why" isn't about whining or feelings. It can simply be a question for understanding and knowledge. Oh and wait...and about LEARNING something.

Frankly, I would like to know if they differ in their internet restrictions. And if they do differ, why would one SA set such restrictions and another not? I am curious.

Anyone know IF the internet restrictions on things like oovoo, etc. differ between service academies? And if they do, do you know why?
 
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