Christcorp
15-Year Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2008
- Messages
- 5,381
Just a quick fact. Approximately 50% of an academy class go Pilot. As such, they have a minimum 10 year commitment. So right there, shows, approximately 50% of the class automatically DON'T do a 5 and dive. (Minus wash outs, medical, etc.). And of the 50% who aren't pilots, some of them stay more than 5 years.
How does a recruited athlete make for a better future leader?
"Presented to Universities by the NCAA"
Why athletics is important to human development:
"What does athletics teach individuals:
Attention to detail , Awareness of diversity, Challenging yourself , Commitment, Communication, Competition , Confidence , Cooperation , Coordination , Decision making , Dedication, Determination , Diligence, Discipline, Endurance, Fitness, Flexibility, Focus, Following plans/directions, Give/take feedback and criticism, Goal-directed, Improvement, Integrity, Individual/group effort, Keeping records, Leadership, Learning from failure, Management, Multitasking, Organization, Overcome obstacles, Pain/fatigue management, Patience,Performance, Persistence, Positive attitude, Prioritizing, Problem solving,Punctuality, Pursuit of excellence, Respect, Responsibility, Scheduling, Self-directed, Self-esteem, Set goals, Strategies, Stress management, Supervision, Tactics (offense/defense), Teaching, Teamwork , Thinking on your feet, Time management, Training motivation, Work ethic."
Now, can Non-Athletes learn/develop these same traits and attributes? Of course they can. It's just that in athletics, these attributes/traits are concentrated into one activity. And for the more dedicated athlete; not doing it "Just for Fun", these attributes/traits become a more important part of their life. And when you look at what it takes to become an effective military leader, many/most/all of these attributes/traits are required.
So, we then have to ask ourselves; if we want to know HOW does a recruited athlete make for a better future leader? Why don't we ask ourselves
1. how does a 4.0gpa / 36ACT academic student make for a better future leader?
2. how does a JrROTC or Civil Air Patrol member make for a better future leader?
3. how does being Class President make for a better future leader?
4. how does a Boy/Girl scout or going to Boy/Girl State make for a better future leader?
Remember; just because a cadet was a "Recruited Athlete" doesn't mean anything special. The term "BLUE CHIP" and "RECRUITED ATHLETE" is freely used to IMPRESS the kid. It's terms that they are familiar with from the NORMAL world of College scholarships, recruiting, etc. The academies don't give scholarships. Letters of intent, mean absolutely nothing. An individual can COMMIT to air force, change their mind the day before basic starts, and play sports at any other school. The recruited athlete can get to the academy, and decide their 2nd day of BCT that they don't want to play sports. They don't lose their appointment. They are still a cadet. They are ALWAYS A CADET FIRST. And the coaches know, that they aren't going to have a recruited athlete that can't make it through the academy and become an air force officer. It's not like a college athlete who has 5 years to do college; and they can major in the fine arts.
So, there are lots of things that make an athlete a better future leader. But just like ANY activity and background, it's all about the individual. Academias, JrROTC, CAP, Scouts, Band, Class President, etc. None of those activities make a BETTER LEADER than any other activity. The attributes and traits I listed, when developed, help to make for a better leader. You can get and develop those attributes many different ways. It just happens that athletics brings most of them together at one time. That's why the academy wants their applicants to have a sports back ground. Not to all be D-1 IC athletes. But to be better leaders. And while some EXCELLED in academics, JrROTC, CAP, Scouts, Band, 4H, Class Officer, etc. SOME EXCELLED IN SPORTS>
How does a recruited athlete make for a better future leader?
"Presented to Universities by the NCAA"
Why athletics is important to human development:
"What does athletics teach individuals:
Attention to detail , Awareness of diversity, Challenging yourself , Commitment, Communication, Competition , Confidence , Cooperation , Coordination , Decision making , Dedication, Determination , Diligence, Discipline, Endurance, Fitness, Flexibility, Focus, Following plans/directions, Give/take feedback and criticism, Goal-directed, Improvement, Integrity, Individual/group effort, Keeping records, Leadership, Learning from failure, Management, Multitasking, Organization, Overcome obstacles, Pain/fatigue management, Patience,Performance, Persistence, Positive attitude, Prioritizing, Problem solving,Punctuality, Pursuit of excellence, Respect, Responsibility, Scheduling, Self-directed, Self-esteem, Set goals, Strategies, Stress management, Supervision, Tactics (offense/defense), Teaching, Teamwork , Thinking on your feet, Time management, Training motivation, Work ethic."
Now, can Non-Athletes learn/develop these same traits and attributes? Of course they can. It's just that in athletics, these attributes/traits are concentrated into one activity. And for the more dedicated athlete; not doing it "Just for Fun", these attributes/traits become a more important part of their life. And when you look at what it takes to become an effective military leader, many/most/all of these attributes/traits are required.
So, we then have to ask ourselves; if we want to know HOW does a recruited athlete make for a better future leader? Why don't we ask ourselves
1. how does a 4.0gpa / 36ACT academic student make for a better future leader?
2. how does a JrROTC or Civil Air Patrol member make for a better future leader?
3. how does being Class President make for a better future leader?
4. how does a Boy/Girl scout or going to Boy/Girl State make for a better future leader?
Remember; just because a cadet was a "Recruited Athlete" doesn't mean anything special. The term "BLUE CHIP" and "RECRUITED ATHLETE" is freely used to IMPRESS the kid. It's terms that they are familiar with from the NORMAL world of College scholarships, recruiting, etc. The academies don't give scholarships. Letters of intent, mean absolutely nothing. An individual can COMMIT to air force, change their mind the day before basic starts, and play sports at any other school. The recruited athlete can get to the academy, and decide their 2nd day of BCT that they don't want to play sports. They don't lose their appointment. They are still a cadet. They are ALWAYS A CADET FIRST. And the coaches know, that they aren't going to have a recruited athlete that can't make it through the academy and become an air force officer. It's not like a college athlete who has 5 years to do college; and they can major in the fine arts.
So, there are lots of things that make an athlete a better future leader. But just like ANY activity and background, it's all about the individual. Academias, JrROTC, CAP, Scouts, Band, Class President, etc. None of those activities make a BETTER LEADER than any other activity. The attributes and traits I listed, when developed, help to make for a better leader. You can get and develop those attributes many different ways. It just happens that athletics brings most of them together at one time. That's why the academy wants their applicants to have a sports back ground. Not to all be D-1 IC athletes. But to be better leaders. And while some EXCELLED in academics, JrROTC, CAP, Scouts, Band, 4H, Class Officer, etc. SOME EXCELLED IN SPORTS>