Form 34

So I am currently a cadet that is in the process of leaving the academy. I don't know if I will get anywhere but I had a few questions.
1. Has anybody ever heard of cadets taking a year away from the academy and coming back?
2. Is there anybody who can shed some insight on if this is a mistake or not?
Misled, hang in there. Recognition is almost over and things will get better. I know another prior enlisted, was also 22, and he had a rough first year. It will get better. And one thing I know for sure is that time goes by very fast! Before you know it, you'll be a C1 and ready to graduate!
 
I just Form 34ed this past summer after doing 2 years at the Academy. I'll tell you up front I highly advise sticking out at least the first year. If you have any questions just PM me and we can talk about it.
 
Misled, I see that comment again about ROTC and want to remind you, their "pick up" rate is about 55% - and I think that is for techy majors (PIMA - assist?). Are you willing to give up what you have, definitely HAVE, for a HUGE HUGE HUGE maybe?

I know what I would say to you if you were my kid (even my 22 year old kid), and it wouldn't be any namby-pamby stuff. It would be: Suck it up! Recognition is around the corner, summer session in just a few weeks (GET YOUR JUMP WINGS! And then we'll talk about how awful you feel.)

Go for a semester to Japan or to England or heck, to NAVY, go to Vegas with your squad, make friends whom you'll know and love your whole life -

Just don't tell me you 34'd because you didn't like _______________. Have a SPECIFIC and VALID reason, not just some feeling of blech just before Recognition. You have the chance of a lifetime there. Don't waste it on (a silly) emotion or temporary "unhappiness." On Hundreds Night, you'll be glad you stayed. At graduation, you will be SO TOTALLY PROUD (and yes, so glad it's over!)! Don't let a temporary feeling of disquiet wreck your future.

One thing that does concern me here: if you are, as you seem, so willing to return to life as an NCO, it may indeed be true that you are not a leader, despite your "advanced age" and experience. I don't mean to insult you or demean you; I am just thinking that it may be that you just don't want to accept the role of leadership which is asked of almost all officers. If that is the case (and not just some emotional boo-hoo phase), then, yes, you may want to reconsider.

BE SURE BEFORE YOU ACT.
 
My DD is a firstie and there was a prior enlisted in her freshman squad who left after Recognition. I don't think he formed 34 though. He just took a year off and came back as a second semester recognized freshman. He is now part of the class of 2016. You can take a year off much like when the Mormons go on their missions. I believe if you form 34, there is no coming back.

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If you went to the academy when you were 17 would you have been happier? I ask this, because I would like to know if it is the academy or your age that is pushing this?
 
That is a good question to ask soccermii. Maybe it is the lack of personal freedoms (which will soon or eventually be returned) that bothers our OP.
 
That is a good question to ask soccermii. Maybe it is the lack of personal freedoms (which will soon or eventually be returned) that bothers our OP.

A follow up question to that is which personal freedoms the OP is really bothered by losing...if it's just 4-degree things, they'll get over that on Saturday night. But if they're really upset by not having a car, not being able to go out past ACQ on weeknights, not having a fridge, room inspections, etc....they'll struggle with those issues for a while still.
 
OP doesn't appear to be on here anymore. He hasn't responded to any of the posts. DD thinks he has filed his form 34 or will soon. Let's hope he sticks it out through Recognition at least. If not, then I wish him all the best! Only he knows what his heart truly desires.
 
Please post again after "RECOGNITION" so that we can hear about how you are doing...
I am sure that there are a lot of people praying for you to hang in there through this summer.
My best to you, and prayers that you will give a great deal of thought to this decision...
 
I'd have to understand the whole situation before I could give honest advice. Let's say the OP is stressed and getting C's and D's in the classroom. Do you really want that on your future transcript? Some people's tolerance of "suck" is much higher than others. If the writing is on the wall to be dealing with stress and depression for 4 years, how is that worth it? My DS loves the AFA and is excelling. He sees the school and culture as an endless learning opportunity. He knows it is a leadership factory and he feels himself growing as a person. The school is pushing him beyond the limits that he never knew he had. Now I personally would have no interest in attending college in the challenging culture that he and others appreciate. There a bunch of cadets that in between but they can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm not saying he hasn't had 2nd thought about his path. Everyone does. But if the OP is dealing with off the chart "suck" without any end in sight I'm not so sure "hanging in there" is the right advice especially if the GPA is terrible.

My recommendation would be to always pick a path where you excel. Get though the game of Recognition and re-evaluate. But if the OP knows the show-stoppers won't change enough then punt and pick a path that you are good at. The OP said they understood what the USAFA could do for their career. IMHO, that's a flag. It needs to be a (good enough) match in order to pick a path such as USAFA. Striving to go to a school such as a military academy exclusively to open doors or for "free" can get you in big trouble.

Now I am not saying to quit. Rather figure a way to remove the emotion out of the decision. Ask yourself if you can still do a good job in the classroom if you are battling powerful emotions. Are you able to understand that this is an intentional game to tear you down and deep down you know it will make you stronger? Are you learning valuable things or is this making you hate life because of the lessons you want no part of? So just hanging in there may not be what I would advise my son to do. It depends.
 
\It needs to be a (good enough) match in order to pick a path such as USAFA. Striving to go to a school such as a military academy exclusively to open doors or for "free" can get you in big trouble.

Now I am not saying to quit. Rather figure a way to remove the emotion out of the decision. Ask yourself if you can still do a good job in the classroom if you are battling powerful emotions. Are you able to understand that this is an intentional game to tear you down and deep down you know it will make you stronger? Are you learning valuable things or is this making you hate life because of the lessons you want no part of? So just hanging in there may not be what I would advise my son to do. It depends.

This is a part most people don't understand, but I agree with you. Ignore all the "propaganda" (I call it that because that's what it sounded like when I was there, and now that I'm out I see that's what it was). Yes, USAFA is a way to give you a comfy(in some way) start at life, but it's NOT the ONLY way. I did two years and left, and I'm fine. I'm still getting paid to go to school (a bit less than I would as a 3 degree, but still I have no tuition so I can't complain). On top of that, the skills and experiences I gained in those two years, coupled with other skills I had prior to going to the Academy, landed me a job making almost as much as a 2LT anyway, and I'm just getting started. Don't ask yourself if you like USAFA, that's temporary. I'm not sure anyone really LIKES USAFA lol. Ask yourself if you'll like the AF, because that's what you're really getting into. Just some food for thought for later. For now, you should just focus on finishing your first year strong, and doing your summer programs. Then go back for next year. If after 1st semester of 3-dig year, you've thought about it and you decided you don't want to be in the AF, then apply to other schools, but don't tell anyone you don't trust, or start the paperwork, because they'll try to get you out before you can get that last semester of credits. You can even stick around for summer programs if you want, then leave.

TL;DR: USAFA is a way to be great, but not the only one, and arguably not even the best one. It depends on you, it's your life. DON'T LEAVE BEFORE 1st SEMESTER 3-DIG YEAR! IT'S A LOT DIFFERENT! If you ABSOLUTELY want to leave after then, do it, but try to get all you can while you're there.
 
"Don't ask yourself if you like USAFA, that's temporary."

This is so true. Our culture has become over the years very short sighted. We look for instant gratification. If political leaders are discussing a military war or campaign, most Americans can't see and don't want to see "Years" down the road. They want the mission accomplished in a couple days. We've become the society of the 30-minute sitcom. If it can't be achieved in a short period of time, we don't want to consider it. Its so easy to see the difference between today's society speaking of "Goals" and past generations.

In the past, people spoke of goals in "YEARS" or in a "LIFETIME". They spoke of getting an education so they could get a good job, provide a nice life for their family, send their kids to college, eventually become debt free, and enjoy a nice leisurely retirement. Their goals were long term and the actions leading to it were to help reach those goals. Today's society in more interested in "Short Term Goals". With a few exceptions, College or education in general, was a tool and a means for REACHING one's goals. Now, we hear of people who's "GOAL" was to get to the academy. Or their "GOAL" was to go to Harvard.

I know we can argue that it's semantics. But it's really not. It's a short sighted society. Having a military career is a "Goal". Using that military career to serve your country, travel the world, get the benefits, and have a secure retirement afterwards, is a goal. Going to the Academy is simply a MEANS or TOOL to reaching the goal. Just like going to military enlisted basic training ISN'T a GOAL. It's a means of helping you reach your goals. Yes, some can say there's nothing wrong with Short Term Goals" like wanting to attend the air force academy. But attending and graduating from the academy is a STEP to something else. E.g. Military career and lifestyle. Is THAT your goal? You can't simply go to the academy and then go off to working for McDonald Douglas. A lot of young people have a goal of going to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc. They reach their goal...... and then they wind up working at Pizza Hut once they graduate.

When setting goals, look more "LONG TERM". If the "Military" is, or is PART of your long term goals, then the academy CAN be a MEANS to reaching that goal. So can enlisting. So can ROTC, So can OTS. There are MANY ways to reach your goals. Just don't confuse the "GOAL" with the tools or the means use to GET to that goal. They are definitely different.
 
I think the OP was very clear about his concerns and the choices before him. Christcorp makes very good points, as he always does. OP wants to serve his country, he just needed to figure out how best to do that.

It is my understanding that OP decided to forgo Recognition and return to enlisted service where he will be promoted to SSgt.
I respect his decision and understand how difficult it must have been for him. However, he did what everyone on here told him to do - determine if the Academy was right for him. I don't believe academics was the driving force in his decision. He just determined that he was following someone else's dream.
 
I am sorry if he did indeed forgo Recognition. It would have, at the least, given some value, some recognition, to the months of hard work (some say the hardest year in the AF, EXCEPTING UPT).
 
Christcorp. Certainly the culture HAS changed. Before people and companies were loyal. But now it is bottomline management is alive and well including the military. It's dog-eat-dog and employees are now disposable. Additionally, the AFA also sells it as short term goals. Like the Cadets who are convinced to join so that coaches can have better players. Heck, they never contemplated serving their country before someone gave them a "free ride" to play a D1 sport. I'm not saying all coaches but surely some.

So now a long term path isn't realistic. One needs to be more strategic because when you become expensive later in life, someone may want to cut you off of your dedicated long term goal. It's a global economy now and that has made this society what it is. We both don't like that but it is what it is. :(
 
MN-dad. I agree to some extent of what you speak. I do still believe that long term goals are practical. They may not be as long out as they once could be, but they are still there. There are some they may want to be a professional student. I've met some of these. They are 30+ years old and have been in school their entire life. But most people don't go to school because it's what they've dreamed of doing since they were a kid. Most people realize that they go to school, so doors can be opened up to them. Doors that can lead to their goals. Short term or long term, they are goals.

My point is, just because a particular school may be somewhat prestigious, such as one of the academies, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, etc. don't make going there your goal. It is simply a tool. A means of opening up doors and opportunities. It isn't the only means of opening doors to your goals. But one thing is for sure, don't make attending the academy or any school, your goal.

For most people in the world, we all have very similar long range goals. Live a long, happy, healthy, prosperous life. A life where you can provide your children, if they are part of the plan, to have as good or better opportunities than you had. A life where you are successful at whatever you do, and you're happy doing it. Where you feel that your life matters and makes a difference in the lives of those around you.

The problem is, when you make the tools, steps, doors, etc. that you are using, AS your goals, then you lose sight of what's truly important to you and your real long rang goals. Especially if you don't achieve one of these insignificant goals. I.e. If you don't get accepted to the academy or Harvard, or reach one of these doors that you've set up as a goal, people will tend to get discouraged and rethink what their goals really are. The academy is a great example. If your goal is to be a commissioned officer in the military, and you don't get accepted, you can still reach your goal. There are other doors. If you make attending the academy a goal, and you don't achieve it, then what do you have left?

Again, some may say that these are semantics. That you can have more than one goal. That you can have being a commissioned office and going to the academy both as goals. Yes you can. You can say it's semantics. But the truth is, goals are not designed to be finite. You don't reach a goal, and then die. Goals were meant to be reached and built upon to help you find self fulfillment. If people want to call their path and the tools they use to reach their goals, also goals, e.g. Short term goals, then fine. Call it that if you like. At least realize then that these goals don't have the significance or importance that your long range goals have.

I've seen too many people put too much emphasis on these paths as goals, and when they don't reach them, they try and rethink their whole life. I've seen too many Princeton and Harvard type grads who believed so much in attending that school was a goal, and that everything else on life was going to fall right into place. I've seen them graduate and not get the job or opportunities they thought they would have. Not because of the economy. Because they didn't realize that Princeton and Harvard are just tools, and they didn't keep their eye on the real goals and use the other tools needed to open the doors needed to reach the real goals.
 
Christcorp. I took the post before your last where you started out by agreeing with : "Don't ask yourself if you like USAFA, that's temporary." to mean don't quit at all costs. My mistake. Because my point was if you are incredibly miserable at USAFA and your grades are suffering all 4 years, a cadets exclusive goal should not just be to finish EVEN if it means you had to bail on your short term goals of finishing the academy. IMHO, USAFA is very much about getting an academic education. I hear too many employing the "just finish" attitude. The ability to get though the intense stress, figuring out time management, etc is another form of education. But for me at least, the college classroom and learning the textbook material should be the students #1 goal (while learning how to manage time and pressures). If they cannot accomplish learning in the classroom because of the high "suck factor", then my advice would be to bail and chose another path. But I'm not so sure I would want that person in the military anyways. So re-thinking the long term goals should be on the table.
 
Because my point was if you are incredibly miserable at USAFA and your grades are suffering all 4 years, a cadets exclusive goal should not just be to finish EVEN if it means you had to bail on your short term goals of finishing the academy.

I think it kinda sucks for everyone at least at one point. I had some really good times, and some really bad ones. What everyone should do is ask themself WHY it sucks. Is your problem one that you only have to deal with for a while(4-degree rules), all of USAFA(USAFA rules), or the AF(AF regs)? If your problem is one of the first two, I say just stay, it'll be over and you can get in the AF where you'll be happier. If you issue is with something in the AF in general(as mine was), then just leave now, because you're setting yourself up to be wayy more miserable down the road. Think long term, and find the real root of your problem
 
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