ColinBlueMoon
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2012
- Messages
- 32
Hello everyone. Being a curious kind of guy, I have a few questions about USAFAPS. If you could answer any of these, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
1. Does the prep school have an intermural or professional level marksmanship/shooting team? If so, what are the requirements to join this marksmanship/shooting team?
2. What is BMT like and how much does it differ from BCT other than being shorter? I'm assuming Jack's Valley isn't part of the prep school's BMT?
3. What are prep schoolers referred to as? I know a C4C is referred to as a basic cadet until recognition, so what do they call prep schoolers?
4. Do prep schoolers interact with USAFA cadets much/at all?
5. When attempting to obtain nominations for the USAFA class of '17, I will be applying for noms in my home state correct?
6. Would it be a good idea to schedule a visit to USAFA, or is that not something prep schoolers can/should do?
7. What are the costs of USAFA prep school? Do we have to pay for books?
8. How much of a stipend do the prep schoolers recieve monthly? Roughly $990 before taxes right? Is this enough to cover any costs I may have at prep school?
8a. Are prep schoolers given credit cards or debit cards to make their transactions at the store? (Not a huge fan of credit cards just because I don't like debt, but I'm not a big spender so I'm not worried. Just want to know what I'll be using.)9. I heard prep schoolers are allowed off campus on the weekends if they have satisfactory grades/military performance. What opportunities and activities are available to prep schoolers off campus on the weekends assuming they don't have studying to do?
10. What are the meals like? Do we get to dine in Mitchell Hall with the cadets and basics?
Thanks again!
I can answer all of these.
1.) No, there is no marksman team. The sports here are pretty limited since money's tight.
2.) No Jack's Valley type of thing here. Just a team challenge course at one point. It was pretty easy in my opinion. This isn't the Marines or anything.
3.) We're called Cadet Candidates, or C/Cs for short.
4.) We're not allowed to talk to cadets. It's considered fraternization. Of course, it'll still happen anyway. You can never get everyone to follow all the rules.
5.) You apply for nominations from your home states. You will need to do it again, so start it early when you get the chance.
6.) I don't know how visits work for here. You'll have to call on that one. Right now is a bad time to visit anyway since the moths are everywhere right now.
7.) You'll spend over $2000 when you first get here. All of it will be charged to a Military Star Card. We're trying to reduce this for next year's class. The MSC sucks, and I suggest you shred it after paying it off. Anything else you want to buy is with your own cash/card.
8.) I don't know how much the stipend is, but it's plenty enough for whatever you need. People were buying iPads and Xboxes right after Parent's Weekend.
9.) Anything within an 100 or so mile radius of the Academy is open for your entertainment. I know people who spend the weekends at Keystone sometimes as well.
10.) Meals aren't too great and you don't eat at Mitch Hall. The dessert bar is usually the favorite of everyone. Expect lots of dry meat.