Look: This is your first post, and I welcome you here. I hope you spend a lot of time here learning about the air force academy and the application process if you truly are interested in it. But, because you don't know who I am, I want to give you a heads up. NOTHING I say is ever meant to degrade any poster. It's never meant to cut down on you. So NEVER take what I say as personal. It's just that most people here already know me, and they know how to take my posts.
Ok, having said that, here's my "opinion". I believe in "RESPECT". I believe that you should say "Yes Sir" and "Yes Ma'am", etc... to YOUR PARENTS; to YOUR TEACHERS; and to other adults in positions of authority and/or honor. That includes a presenter at your school. Whether it's a counselor or admissions representative from your state university or Harvard; you should say "Yes Ma'am and No Sir". Whether it's a presenter for one of the service academies; you should say "Yes Ma'am and No Sir". Whether it's your state representative or a retired astronaut; you should say "Yes Ma'am and No Sir".
Do NOT give me this story about you're from California and things are more "Casual". Like, like, do you know what I mean. Sorry, but that is simply "LAZY and Disrespectful". It's ok to speak that way to your friends. No problem. But you should NEVER speak that way to your parents, teachers, counselors, or other individuals of authority or honor. When you invite someone to speak at your school, they are called the "Guest of Honor". There's a reason for that.
Now, again, this is not personal and I'm not dogging you. But realize that you're preparing to possibly apply to the air force academy. An institution where men and woman are preparing for the possibility of RISKING THEIR LIVES, EVERY DAY, for your rights. I believe that definitely affords them a place of HONOR. Also, if you get the Privilege and Honor to someday be called a cadet, you can NOT use the excuse of: "I'm from California, that's why I didn't say Sir/Ma'am to you".
So, turn over a new leaf today. Recognize that when someone has earned and deserves respect, they deserve to be addressed as "Sir and Ma'am". This includes your parents and teachers. I have people who work FOR ME, and it is not uncommon to say "yes sir" or "yes ma'am" to them. Even though they are subordinate to me. That's because I respect them. If you don't respect your parents, teachers, guests of honor, etc... then I guess you shouldn't address them as Sir or Ma'am. That's up to you. Anyway; I don't know you, and you don't know me. This post is NOT PERSONAL in any way at all. Don't take it personal. When i post, I not only post to your direct question, but to all the other people who may have a similar question as yours and might be thinking; "Well, what if......". Hope that helps you understand my opinion, and more importantly WHY I present my opinion a certain way.
Definitely hope you hang around and learn more about the academy. If you are truly interested in the academy, you have definitely started off on the right foot in finding this forum. Many here will tell you how much easier it makes the application process. And most at least know sort of what they're getting into. The vast majority of applicants have never visited a forum or have any idea what they are getting into. Best of luck to you. Mike....