When I have a candidate that has a "legacy" of academy people: parents, grandparents, siblings, etc., I have but two questions: Why do YOU want to attend USAFA? and then: "How will your family feel if you do NOT get selected?"
I had a candidate once, more than 10 years ago, that was almost perfect on paper. I went to the house for the interview; family was there. They "stayed close by" while I interviewed the candidate. Turned out father, his two brothers (uncles), both parents fathers, and back...about 6 generations of USMA, USNA, and now USAFA graduates. When I asked the mother: How do you feel about his decision, she actually looked at me askance and said something like "well...ALL the XXXXXX men serve our nation; and the academy is the logical starting point." His answers to all my questions were perfect (both parents smiling in the background). I stood to leave, he escorted me to the door and like a James Bond movie, shook my hand and passed me a note.
I read the note in the car...he wanted to meet me at school. So I did that and he told me he really did NOT want to go to USAFA; he wanted to study physics under a specific PhD professor at Stanford and he had a bunch of scholarships that would pay his way but he could NOT tell his folks; they wouldn't understand. I asked if they'd understand if he received a letter telling him how superb a candidate he was, how amazing the new class was, and that they just ran out of slots before he could be offered an appointment...that sorta thing. He said they would accept that; he'd tried his best.
So the folks at USAFA/RRS after hearing my story, said they'd take care of it and they did: he received one of the very last TWE's...which extolled his talents, etc...etc... His parents were sad but understanding; and off to Stanford he went!
I tell you this to illustrate the point: if your family is the reason you want to do this, it won't work. It must be YOUR call ALONE. If it is...then having the knowledge of "what it's like" from your siblings perspectives is a benefit in my eyes.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83