Concerns Regarding New USAFA SAMI/AMI standards - Parent's reactions

But we can all agree that an issue with golf clubs and mini-fridges is so "Air Force".... right?
Considering all the discussions/concerns with sequestration doesn't it make sense that the cadets at USAFA occasionally practice their golf games so that in the future the golf courses on AF bases are not "wasted"? These courses cannot be cheap and NEED to be fully utilized. Also, I can't imagine that you would expect our cadets to rent clubs!

This issue could be resolved if USAFA would either expand the Club House to allow for more storage of cadet necessities or provide valets for our cadets. The added benefit of the valet solution is that cold refreshments could be kept in a central location (instead of taking up valuable putting space in the cadet room) and then delivered when needed. Just saying.....:cool:
 
OMG LITS... YES!

In AF terms that post was a shack!

:beer1:

Had to do that smilie because let's be honest..fridge/golf it fits!
 
Society views the AFA as a college. The AFA Academy plays in the NCAA. CC, I realize your broader point is that this isn't a "college" per say; it's a Military Academy. But if I asked any Academy grad "where did you go to college", I know what their answer will be. :)
 
Society views the AFA as a college. The AFA Academy plays in the NCAA. CC, I realize your broader point is that this isn't a "college" per say; it's a Military Academy. But if I asked any Academy grad "where did you go to college", I know what their answer will be. :)

The point is, that some parents need to realize that they didn't just "Drop their Kid off at College". There is no difference than the 17-18 year old who went down to San Antonio, Texas and went through basic training and became "Enlisted". Well, actually, there is 1 difference. The "Cadet" can QUIT at any time up until the start of their 3rd academic year.

But the point is; Mommy and Daddy can't just come over to Little Johnny or Jannie's room whenever they want or have a meeting with the college advisers because of some concern they have.

Some don't realize that if there was some major modern conflict, the academy and military could "SUSPEND COLLEGE" and make every one of those "Cadets" go off to war if need be. Is that likely? No. Is it allowed? Yes. Why? Because these cadets are "IN THE MILITARY". They aren't just "Off to college".
 
CC-

I think every parent I have met understands the nature of their cadet’s commitment and also the likelihood that in today’s world they will one day be in harm’s way - and that they need to be mentally and physically prepared to face that. We all know that this is college – but also a real world military commitment. We find acceptance of this early in the process. We can respectfully disagree as to the other issues in this thread.

BTW – there IS one other difference between the cadet and the enlisted person in San Antonio. The enlisted person has a fridge :shake::shake::shake:
(sorry couldn’t resist)
 
That is the problem with the air force, you are all so spoiled. In the navy they see to it that all recruits get their first 6 months being around all the refrigerators they want while doing mess duty. I remember it as if it was yesterday and not 38 years ago. I spent countless hours in the cooler and freezer and loading stores. But I will admit that when I reported on board as a 17 year old E1 they would not have allowed me to store my golf clubs either. But on the other hand, coming back from West-Pac we were able to store our camel bone furniture in the forward missile compartment. :shake::yllol::biggrin:

Brings back the memory of my husband's first med deployment on a creaky, old boomer. Their food stores were actually marked (no lie) Army Rejected. Things did improve on the slow-approach fast attack sub where the ballistic missile tubes were converted to dry storage and the crew was allowed to bring back their swag from the Bacardi factory every time they visited Puerto Rico.
 
Society views the AFA as a college. The AFA Academy plays in the NCAA. CC, I realize your broader point is that this isn't a "college" per say; it's a Military Academy. But if I asked any Academy grad "where did you go to college", I know what their answer will be. :)

We haven't met...and the fact I'm a pilot may give me a twisted sense of humor...:eek:

But when people ask me "Hey! Where did you go to college?" My standard answer is:

"I didn't go to college (now look down and slightly uncomfortable) I was in a federal institution for four years."

Usually gets an interesting reaction! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
We haven't met...and the fact I'm a pilot may give me a twisted sense of humor...:eek:

But when people ask me "Hey! Where did you go to college?" My standard answer is:

"I didn't go to college (now look down and slightly uncomfortable) I was in a federal institution for four years."

Usually gets an interesting reaction! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

LMAO :yllol::yllol:
 
We haven't met...and the fact I'm a pilot may give me a twisted sense of humor...:eek:

But when people ask me "Hey! Where did you go to college?" My standard answer is:

"I didn't go to college (now look down and slightly uncomfortable) I was in a federal institution for four years."

Usually gets an interesting reaction! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

That sounds like something I'd say. :)
 
The point is, that some parents need to realize that they didn't just "Drop their Kid off at College". There is no difference than the 17-18 year old who went down to San Antonio, Texas and went through basic training and became "Enlisted". Well, actually, there is 1 difference. The "Cadet" can QUIT at any time up until the start of their 3rd academic year.

But the point is; Mommy and Daddy can't just come over to Little Johnny or Jannie's room whenever they want or have a meeting with the college advisers because of some concern they have.

Some don't realize that if there was some major modern conflict, the academy and military could "SUSPEND COLLEGE" and make every one of those "Cadets" go off to war if need be. Is that likely? No. Is it allowed? Yes. Why? Because these cadets are "IN THE MILITARY". They aren't just "Off to college".

God only knows that you have dealt with parents who have been way out of line and have stuck their noses where it doesn't belong. Speaking for myself, under no circumstantial would I ever give the AFA advice by calling, writing, or visiting. IMHO, that is completely out of line. I cannot think of one situation (for myself) to ever get personally involved. My advice would come from the sidelines only when I was asked for help.

I cut that 1st apron string in about 9th grade. I refused to give advice to high school teachers, schools, coaches, etc. Sometimes it was tough but it was the right decision. I might talk with other parents but not the school or coaches. I advised my son on how to interact with people in authority early on. From the best I can tell, he has adapted well at the AFA. The only thing that I can offer now is some occasional advice and encouragement. There is only a couple of topics left where I can add value.

No choice in life is going to be perfect. 100% of any major decision will result in policies put forth by others that you don't agree with. That said, just because I have an opinion doesn't mean I am intervening. Truth be told, I don't think it's a big deal to restrict refrigerators, golf clubs in the room etc. But that doesn't mean I don't understand why others have that opinion.

Who knows, maybe Wing77 has the same philosophy as I do. The way I read your tone is you are put him/her in the same box as "Mommy and Daddy" intervening. If so, I don't think it is productive to assume. :)

That said, I don't think the Academy has a "none of your business" philosophy. If they did, why bother with Parents weekend (going to their classroom and chatting with instructors), hiring a Parents’ Liaison at the Academy, encouraging parents group, etc? I suspect the Academy realizes there is a transition even if they are in the military. They also know that parents who are on-board (as I am) help with the end mission of training our future leaders.

So while I think academics should be the focus of the Academy (while balancing the military discipline and sports team work), that doesn't mean I'm intervening just because I just posted these words. It simply means I have an opinion and I am discussing it with like minded people. :)
 
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Christcorp said:
Some don't realize that if there was some major modern conflict, the academy and military could "SUSPEND COLLEGE" and make every one of those "Cadets" go off to war if need be. Is that likely? No. Is it allowed? Yes. Why? Because these cadets are "IN THE MILITARY". They aren't just "Off to college".

Hmm....I don't think that is correct.

1st of all, not "every one of those Cadets" would be subject to it, as half the brigade/corps could simply drop out without obligation.

2nd of all...Cadets are not subject to deployment unless they are "graduated" early as has happened in the past during a declared war (in which case they are no longer cadets).

If you can cite the law that allows the deployment of a USAFA, USMA, USCGA cadet or USNA midshipman to a war, please post a link to it, I'd be interested in reading it.
 
Hmm....I don't think that is correct.

1st of all, not "every one of those Cadets" would be subject to it, as half the brigade/corps could simply drop out without obligation.

2nd of all...Cadets are not subject to deployment unless they are "graduated" early as has happened in the past during a declared war (in which case they are no longer cadets).

If you can cite the law that allows the deployment of a USAFA, USMA, USCGA cadet or USNA midshipman to a war, please post a link to it, I'd be interested in reading it.

It would probably be equally helpful for you to cite support for your statements. We always just assumed we could be sent (since we were sent on orders to other areas that could put us in harms way...) but I never thought about actually looking it up.

I don't remember seeing it in the Coast Guard Personnel Manual.

Luigi, where'd you get your info?
 
Very entertaining - I am a mom and agree 100% and can't stop laughing!

It certainly was entertaining and yet very informative :jerry::biggrin: Hmmmm I sense some folks need to get together for Parents Day weekend soon and have a go with Pugil Sticks! :hammer: and have some brewhahahahahah after!:beer1:
 
This post is from late February of 2013. I think all parties were locked in an available dorm room in Sijan for 6 hours during Spring Break in March of 2013. The survivors have been sworn to secrecy on this matter. :wink:
 
Could we have regional pugil contests?

And, please, one for alumni parents?

I'm definitely in on the party... :beer1:
 
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