First off thanks so much for being willing to answer all these questions. I also have a few
I will be at session c also and I was wondering 1) Where do we meet in COS? I am guessing luggage pickup but I really would not want to get lost of my first day. 2) I know that at AFASS the CFA does not count but is there anything that does go on your record, such as an evaluation?
Also I have one questions about the academy life in general. Do you have fun? I think I would do well at the academy and with the environment but I just want to whether there will be some enjoyable times amongst all the work. What do you do for fun? Thank you and I am very very excited!
There will be two Lieutenants at luggage pickup that should be pretty easy to spot. Look for a blue uniform with butter bars. They will be the ones that get you on the bus to get on base and on campus.
There isn't necessarily a sit down one on one evaluation; however, we will take notes on you in general. For example, if you have a great attitude about this place and an open mind, it will be annotated in your profile and will be considered when the board evaluates your packet for admission. At the same time, we could write negative notes. For example, if you didn't respect your element leaders or kept giving us a hard time then the negative notes may contribute to you being denied an appointment. It's really hard to get negative notes because before we write them, you WILL sit down one on one with your element leader, flight commander, and the officer in charge
before we fill one out and that's to give you multiple chances to fix your problem before it affects your appointment.
Personally, I do have fun. Some people are very cynical about this place. I try to experience everything this place has to offer as well as explore Colorado Springs and Denver. Colorado has a lot of nature sights to see. (Pikes Peak, Great Sand Dunes, Zapata Falls etc.)
Your definition of "fun" will decide whether or not you have "fun" here. If you like to party, drink, and go after girls 24/7, then this place won't necessarily be fun. I'm not much of a drinker but I have been to a few UCCS parties.
Since both of my freshman roommates are from Colorado, I usually go to their houses on the weekend. Freshman year is rough as far as having fun. Almost every weekend though, you should be able to access the bowling alley on base which is fun.
There are many clubs to join (
http://www.usafa.edu/cadetFocus/cadetClubs/) which is what I did to take the stresses off during freshman year. The ski club may be the best club to join if you like skiing. Personally, I joined the Car Club and Paintball Club. The Car Club usually went to a local dragstrip or the local autocross track to race or to the shop to work on their cars. The Paintball Club practices all the time.
Almost forgot to mention, there are many traditions this place has to offer to have fun. Although I don't recommend it, some kids went in the tunnels at night and found the way to get in the ceiling above the pool in the gym and would jump ~40 feet out of the ceiling into the darkness and hopefully into the pool.
Hope this helps! Thanks for asking the questions.