Preparation for USAFA

bsa07eagle

bsa07eagle

10-Year Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2009
Messages
670
Hi again everyone,

I have heard lots of discussions and opinions about how one should prepare for the academy. What do you guys think is the thing that current prospectives/candidates/applicants/etc. should focus on? I have heard that some of the biggest things one can do are to be physically fit, accidemically prepared, mentally ready, or even do absolutely nothing. What can we do know that would help us most in the future? And for all you current cadets, what do you wish you would have done, before you got there, that would have bettered your experience. You have mentioned things before like: spending time with family, enjoying your senior year, etc. feel free to elaborate on some of those subjects also, but what about things that will really help you at the academy? I am not asking this as if I have already been accepted or anything, but only in preparation if I somehow do get accepted. I look forward to seeing all of your ideas and input.

Thanks all,

Brian Andre
 
What im doing is even though im done with my cfa im exercising everyday and running everyday. My diet includes mostly bland food so that should get me ready for the food there i guess. BCT physically and mentally i keep myself in shape through motivation. I go to sleep earlier about 10:00 and wake up earlier 5:30 because i have a lot of things to do during the day so that should help me out with the time i think. I don't think you can really fully mentally prepare yourself so idk. That's just something I do, not to prepare for BCT, but because I like it. It would help a lot with bct.
 
It depends on the person.
Personally, I should have worked out a lot more.

Jarvin, enjoy some good food!
 
jarvin said:
What im doing is even though im done with my cfa im exercising everyday and running everyday. My diet includes mostly bland food so that should get me ready for the food there i guess. BCT physically and mentally i keep myself in shape through motivation. I go to sleep earlier about 10:00 and wake up earlier 5:30 because i have a lot of things to do during the day so that should help me out with the time i think. I don't think you can really fully mentally prepare yourself so idk. That's just something I do, not to prepare for BCT, but because I like it. It would help a lot with bct.
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I agree with raimus, the food is actually really good. You just gotta get used to using your peripherals while eating lol. Also, if you want to get the real bct experience, don't go to sleep at 10, go to sleep around 1230 and wake up around 430 or 5. I wouldn't really know, though, unlike west point basics, at air force we werent allowed to tell time :confused:.
 
Nope we had no knowledge of the time either. Honestly, I would suggest purposefully getting less sleep, therefore preparing your body to deal with less sleep while having to perform at a higher level. There's a kid in my squad who was homeschooled, had he said 10-11 hours of sleep a night, and now falls asleep all the time in class or briefings or what not. Just get your body used to excelling while tired. If you know how to push your body while tired BEFORE you get here, in my opinion and in my experience things will be a bit easier here for you.
 
you really can't prepare. just psych yourself up for the worst and know that it will suck, and then when you get here you'll realize, "oh, this isn't as awful as i really thought it would be." the food is good (minus the days they serve "brinner":mad:), you will have a general concept of time after about a week because you go to so many briefings and the rooms have clocks, and you just get in to a routine- it's not that hard to figure out. being prepared physically helps you and your classmates, and that's really all you need to do. think it's going to kill you and prepare to die:thumb: (you won't....)

also, i know i and another guy in my squad were used to only a few hours of sleep at night, and that can help...but it doesn't really matter, you will at some point have to be nudged awake.
 
Bombtrack said:
I agree with raimus, the food is actually really good.
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It's not as bad as it used to be.
I was actually suggesting that appointees/candidates enjoy their life at home. You don't need to be eating bland food to prep yourself!
 
lol sorry if i didnt make it clear but Im not eating bland food to prepare for the academy (thats crazy). I eat healthy because I want to. And yes I know there are good tasting food out there that are high protein high carb but once you get used to it, it doesnt taste as good anymore trust me (Ive been eating the same meals at the same time almost everyday for the past year). But anyways I guess it's sort of like preparing for the academy because Im building myself up physically. and lol I know I'm going to lose a lot of muscle mass during BCT due to less food, less sleep, and more stress on the body. Building mass now, I may lose some of it during BCT but at least my strength is relatively the same and there's always muscle memory soo.. :rolleyes:
 
Mitchell hall food is gonna really screw with your system. Eating healthy is very good. But when you come here and eat the stuff they serve, it'll be an interesting transition for your body. Just saying....throwing in McDonald's or something else in there might not do harm. Sounds crazy I know.
 
I was quite fortunate. My mom was about the ONLY Italian I know, that couldn't cook. She could burn water. "And Has". I grew up on "BOXED" instant mashed potatoes. Canned vegetables. "I NEVER knew that (Green Beans) were actually GREEN - I thought they were suppose to be grayish/brown". Meat was cooked WELL WELL DONE. When I left home for the air force, I found the food to be GREAT!!! It was just like when we would go out to a restaurant.

So, it's all in the eye "Or Stomach" of the beholder. My son on the other hand put up with Mitch's, but doesn't really care for it. His mom; my wife; use to be a chef. She is one of the best cooks/chefs that we've ever had food prepared by. She made a lot of money doing it, and I gained a lot of weight eating it. So, for my son, Mitch's is simply convenient. Nothing more. For others; Mitch's is pretty good. "FWIW; I still PREFER Boxed Instant Mashed potatoes and canned corn over real and fresh".
 
I guess that I could be fortunate. My mom is a HORRIBLE cook. I love her dearly but everything she makes is either undercooked or burnt to a crisp.
 
I'd recommend running a lot more. That AFT right after you arrive is going to KILL you! Also, yes, I also regret not spending more time with my family. Coming here has changed my perspective on priorities. Family ALWAYS comes first.
 
1. Have fun... it's your senior year
2. Eat some good food (I think Mitch's poisoned half my squad the other day)
3. Get in shape
4. Keep up the good grades
5 HAVE FUN (w/i limits)
6. Spend time with friends and family
7. Have fun
 
After lunch one day, Mitch's made me so sick I actually puked. Stomach ache remained for about 1.5 hours afterward, and I missed Chem. And I don't even think Mitch's is bad. It's bland, but it's free food!
PS: I haven't puked in years, but the Academy has already made me puke several times via training sessions.
 
PDub said:
After lunch one day, Mitch's made me so sick I actually puked. Stomach ache remained for about 1.5 hours afterward, and I missed Chem. And I don't even think Mitch's is bad. It's bland, but it's free food!
PS: I haven't puked in years, but the Academy has already made me puke several times via training sessions.
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I dont think that Mitch's is too bad. Some fod is good like hamsters.

Patrick I think you need you edit your sig.
 
PDub said:
After lunch one day, Mitch's made me so sick I actually puked. Stomach ache remained for about 1.5 hours afterward, and I missed Chem. And I don't even think Mitch's is bad. It's bland, but it's free food!
PS: I haven't puked in years, but the Academy has already made me puke several times via training sessions.
Click to expand...

But remember: "It builds character...and discipline." :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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