Ask a Cadet Anything

Missnj

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2014
Messages
23
Hi everybody! I posted a thread like this towards the middle of the academic year, and I just became a sophomore at the Academy on Thursday. Basic is coming up quick, so if you have any questions about that, the school year, Academy life, or anything that you might be worried about, you can ask it here and I'll do my best to answer. :)
 
Do you get to choose where you go on ops during your 2C and 1C summers? Also, if you go on a trip to a foreign country through a language program, do you have to pay for the trip like you would have to at a civilian college or does USAFA cover it for you?
 
I'm 99% sure you get to submit requests for where you go on ops. I'm not sure about the trip to the foreign country though. Like I said, I just became a three-degree, so I'm mostly just good for answering questions from incoming freshmen.
 
I am an incoming freshman, but those were just two questions that have come to mind lately. Thanks anyways!
 
No, you don't get to submit preferences for ops. Yes, USAFA will foot your bill for CSLIP.
 
Ops is just during the summer before 2-dig year-you'll see some rising firsties going on ops only if they had to miss the previous year. The only way you can request is if you do the AETC leadership program at Lackland (shadowing enlisted basic, ask me if you have questions) or if you do deployed ops. Regular ops programs don't take requests for locations.

Language programs, at least CSLIP/immersion and semester abroad are paid for.
 
Ops is just during the summer before 2-dig year-you'll see some rising firsties going on ops only if they had to miss the previous year. The only way you can request is if you do the AETC leadership program at Lackland (shadowing enlisted basic, ask me if you have questions) or if you do deployed ops. Regular ops programs don't take requests for locations.

Language programs, at least CSLIP/immersion and semester abroad are paid for.

Got it. Thank you for the response. P.S. Diggin' the username brah. Shootz.
 
Ops is just during the summer before 2-dig year-you'll see some rising firsties going on ops only if they had to miss the previous year. The only way you can request is if you do the AETC leadership program at Lackland (shadowing enlisted basic, ask me if you have questions) or if you do deployed ops. Regular ops programs don't take requests for locations.

Language programs, at least CSLIP/immersion and semester abroad are paid for.

Got it. Thank you for the response. P.S. Diggin' the username brah. Shootz.
Do you get to choose where you go on ops during your 2C and 1C summers? Also, if you go on a trip to a foreign country through a language program, do you have to pay for the trip like you would have to at a civilian college or does USAFA cover it for you?
 
Here is some information that will hopefully also help you. I've had several cadets go on the summer trips. They were in China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

I do know that when they were chosen to go on one of these trips, they had some pretty strict guidelines to follow. I just texted one of my kids to make sure I give you the right information.

My kids actually applied to go on different trips, but they did not get to choose where they went.

The cadets that went to China were following very strict guidelines. For example, if they wanted to bring a laptop, they could not bring their AFA issued laptop, they had to bring their own. They could have anything on it that would indicate in any way that they are a cadet at a military academy. They could not bring any clothing that said anything Air Force Academy on it.
They were also not allowed to say they were even from the Academy. One of my cadets said when he was in China they would have people coming up to them, literally in their faces, saying I know you go to the Academy I know you're a cadet, the cadets would just politely smile and say no and move on.

They did become very immersed in learning the languages and customs and learned how to barter very well. Definitely, if you're wanting to bring back gifts you may want to bring a small bag to put gifts in, but also be very alert and smart about it.
You may think it's a fantastic deal to get a notebook for $5, but the notebook is just a shell, and it doesn't work. It was just made to look like a notebook.
Definitely bring a camera, as my kids took a lot of photos, and for the most part, they really enjoyed it.

An issue that they did encounter in China, was bugs and mosquitoes. I did send them with tubes of bug guard, but some of the kids literally looked like they were eaten alive by the mosquitos. They had so many bites on them. Do your homework on what country you are going to, and if it is warranted, make sure you bring things like bug guard and itch creams.

Some of my other cadets actually did work in Cambodia.
They helped to rebuild or build things the people of that country needed.
The cadets that visited Loas and Cambodia, they still could not bring their issued laptop, but it wasn't as strict as China.

Another cadet I had went to Vietnam, and learned quite a bit from that trip. There were some areas that they take you that are pretty scary, but trust your Academy instructors that are with you, they do know what they are doing.

Other tips my kids mentioned are to always have your money hidden in some type of a pack on your body, and get to know the people and make it not just a learning experience but a lifetime experience.

I encourage any cadet that gets the opportunity go on these summer trips, go and take full advantage of the experience.
Hope this helps.
 
Here is some information that will hopefully also help you. I've had several cadets go on the summer trips. They were in China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

I do know that when they were chosen to go on one of these trips, they had some pretty strict guidelines to follow. I just texted one of my kids to make sure I give you the right information.

My kids actually applied to go on different trips, but they did not get to choose where they went.

The cadets that went to China were following very strict guidelines. For example, if they wanted to bring a laptop, they could not bring their AFA issued laptop, they had to bring their own. They could have anything on it that would indicate in any way that they are a cadet at a military academy. They could not bring any clothing that said anything Air Force Academy on it.
They were also not allowed to say they were even from the Academy. One of my cadets said when he was in China they would have people coming up to them, literally in their faces, saying I know you go to the Academy I know you're a cadet, the cadets would just politely smile and say no and move on.

They did become very immersed in learning the languages and customs and learned how to barter very well. Definitely, if you're wanting to bring back gifts you may want to bring a small bag to put gifts in, but also be very alert and smart about it.
You may think it's a fantastic deal to get a notebook for $5, but the notebook is just a shell, and it doesn't work. It was just made to look like a notebook.
Definitely bring a camera, as my kids took a lot of photos, and for the most part, they really enjoyed it.

An issue that they did encounter in China, was bugs and mosquitoes. I did send them with tubes of bug guard, but some of the kids literally looked like they were eaten alive by the mosquitos. They had so many bites on them. Do your homework on what country you are going to, and if it is warranted, make sure you bring things like bug guard and itch creams.

Some of my other cadets actually did work in Cambodia.
They helped to rebuild or build things the people of that country needed.
The cadets that visited Loas and Cambodia, they still could not bring their issued laptop, but it wasn't as strict as China.

Another cadet I had went to Vietnam, and learned quite a bit from that trip. There were some areas that they take you that are pretty scary, but trust your Academy instructors that are with you, they do know what they are doing.

Other tips my kids mentioned are to always have your money hidden in some type of a pack on your body, and get to know the people and make it not just a learning experience but a lifetime experience.

I encourage any cadet that gets the opportunity go on these summer trips, go and take full advantage of the experience.
Hope this helps.

Thank you for all of the information! What summer did these cadets go to China/Vietnam? Were the cadets that went on the China trip taking Chinese at the Academy? Did they have to pay for the bulk of the travel/housing expenses, or did the Academy cover that?
 
What are the requirements for sunglasses, and where is a good place to find sunglasses that you're allowed to wear after BCT? Are sunglasses issued?
Thanks
 
They were all 2-3 years ago, as they have all graduated, and yes, they were all from the USAFA.
It was part of the Academy, so it was paid for, but anything extra you may want, you would need to bring your own money . They did tell me money goes farther in those countries. The cadets that went to China were in the Chinese language program at the AFA.
All of the cadets that I knew brought their own laptop, and posted pics and info about their trip on FB. I could tell when they were in an area with no Wi-Fi, as they were not on FB as much.
 
You can wear any sunglasses you want as long as they're conservative in color and style. They aren't issued, but you can buy them at home or you can buy them out in the Springs after basic or during Doolie Day Out.
 
I have a question about cell phone usage after BCT. I've seen a couple posts from a few years ago saying that, depending on your squadron, as a C4C, you may only get to use your phone on weekends. Does anyone know if this is still the case? Also, are there restrictions on what you can do with your phone as a 4-degree (e.g., no listening to music, no Instagram, etc.)?
 
When a 4-degree gets their phone back is strictly squadron-based, but the majority of people will have them back right after basic. They're also allowed to use them on Doolie Day Out and a select few other times. During the year, they can have whatever media they'd like on their phones as long as they're not using it.
 
Would there be a place for me to store large sports equipment (snowboard) or a musical instrument (cello)?
 
Whatever you do, DO NOT bring them to Basic with you! You'll have to carry them around with you all day. If you plan on playing the cello during the year in Drum and Bugle or another USAFA group, they will have a place to store it for you. As far as the snowboard goes, you should be able to store it in your room as long as you don't have a lot of other things taking up space. I have two guitars I keep in mine, and some of my squadmates are able to fit ski equipment, usually next to the head of their beds or between desks, if they have a three-man room.
 
you may also want to check with your sponsor parents, they may allow you to store items at their home. I know with my own cadets, about half of them, have things stored at my home/aka their home away fryom home for the next 4 years. :)
 
Would there be a place for me to store large sports equipment (snowboard) or a musical instrument (cello)?

You may also want to check with your sponsor parents, they may allow you to store items at their home. I know with my own cadets, about half of them, have things stored at my home/aka their home away from home for the next 4 years. :)
Missmj's response is great advice, do not bring these things to Basic.
 
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