USAFAPS Questions

LFry94

1Lt
5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2011
Messages
884
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? :smile:

Thanks again!
 
Sorry I can't answer your questions, but I am super pumped you got appointed there!! The preps do not eat at Mitch's and rarely have interaction if any with USAFA cadets.
 
From what I have read, they are called Cadet Candidates. Also, I do believe that the prior enlisted run BMT and are the cadre, but once school starts, they become C/C's. Thats all I know :thumb:
 
Sorry I can't answer your questions, but I am super pumped you got appointed there!! The preps do not eat at Mitch's and rarely have interaction if any with USAFA cadets.
I'm pumped too! Thanks for the information, globalview. :smile:

From what I have read, they are called Cadet Candidates. Also, I do believe that the prior enlisted run BMT and are the cadre, but once school starts, they become C/C's. Thats all I know :thumb:
Great, thanks for the information SDK. :biggrin: Very much hoping I get to see you there.
 
Wait, the prior enlisted prepsters run the prep basic training??? What?

Oh boy...
 
Congrats!

I'm going to prep school as well! See you there my friend! I feel ready for anything! :)
 
Look on the bright side... At least BMT is shorter than BCT.

My point is that, granted I am accepted to the prep school, I might just be in charge of you.

How long is it anyways?
 
AFrpaso, you'll just be in charge for those 18 days. After that, your a normal C/C just like the rest of the direct entries.
 
I can answer a few of yoru questions

My son didn't attend the prep school, so I can't provide answers to all of your questions. But, because we have two close friends who are there now and will be in the AFA Class of 2016, I can answer a few:

4. Do prep schoolers interact with USAFA cadets much/at all? Not much. But there are a couple of events on campus that the prep kids attend that allowed my son a little time to interact with his prep school friends.

5. When attempting to obtain nominations for the USAFA class of '17, I will be applying for noms in my home state correct? Yes. But I understand that the prep school will help with nominations if one from your home state isn't forthcoming.

8. How much of a stipend do the prep schoolers recieve monthly? Roughly $990 before taxes right? That's correct.

Is this enough to cover any costs I may have at prep school? Should be unless you are a big spender.

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? I don't know the specific details or restrictions, but the two kids I know were able to spend quite a few weekends snow boarding. One of their concerns for next year at AFA is that they'll have significantly less freedom on the weekends than they had at the prep school. I'm under the impression their weekends were generally free.

10. What are the meals like? Do we get to dine in Mitchell Hall with the cadets and basics? You don't dine in Mitchell Hall.

If you post this on the AFA forum, you'll may get some prior preppies who can provide more info. Good luck and congratulations on the appointment!
 
My son didn't attend the prep school, so I can't provide answers to all of your questions. But, because we have two close friends who are there now and will be in the AFA Class of 2016, I can answer a few:

4. Do prep schoolers interact with USAFA cadets much/at all? Not much. But there are a couple of events on campus that the prep kids attend that allowed my son a little time to interact with his prep school friends.

5. When attempting to obtain nominations for the USAFA class of '17, I will be applying for noms in my home state correct? Yes. But I understand that the prep school will help with nominations if one from your home state isn't forthcoming.

8. How much of a stipend do the prep schoolers recieve monthly? Roughly $990 before taxes right? That's correct.

Is this enough to cover any costs I may have at prep school? Should be unless you are a big spender.

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? I don't know the specific details or restrictions, but the two kids I know were able to spend quite a few weekends snow boarding. One of their concerns for next year at AFA is that they'll have significantly less freedom on the weekends than they had at the prep school. I'm under the impression their weekends were generally free.

10. What are the meals like? Do we get to dine in Mitchell Hall with the cadets and basics? You don't dine in Mitchell Hall.

If you post this on the AFA forum, you'll may get some prior preppies who can provide more info. Good luck and congratulations on the appointment!

Thank you! I appreciate all the information! Do you know if they rent their snowboards, or did they buy them?
 
Last edited:
Snowboards

Sorry. No idea on that one! My son isn't a snowboarder, so I can't help you out there. I do believe the cadets at the Academy (and I assume the prep school) get all sorts of discounts on lift tickets, etc.
 
Sorry. No idea on that one! My son isn't a snowboarder, so I can't help you out there. I do believe the cadets at the Academy (and I assume the prep school) get all sorts of discounts on lift tickets, etc.

That's pretty cool! I can ski blacks well, but I don't know how to snowboard at all. Maybe I'll get to learn while I'm there. :tongue:
 
Snow boards and the P

Thank you! I appreciate all the information! Do you know if they rent their snowboards, or did they buy them?
LFry, keep in mind that this is a military academy. :smile: You will receive a manual which will describe to you how and where to properly store your belongings in your dorm room. You will also have regular inspections to make sure your equipment, uniforms, belongings, are in order. They will teach you how your bed is to be made, how to arrange your uniforms in your closet, etc. I am virtually positive that snowboards are not an item of standard military equipment, so there will be no mention of the proper storage of snowboards in the manual, therefore you can conclude that they are likely not allowed to be stored in your dorm room. The short answer is, most likely, the Cadet Candidates who take advantage of Colorado's glorious alpine recreation facilities will rent their snowboarding equipment at the respective resorts, or at area ski shops. :biggrin: This is something that you can look forward to with great anticipation. Few things compare to the experience of rapidly descending a steep, snow covered slope. Just take care not to break anything on the way down. You don't want a medical DQ from the Academy next year.
 
LFry, keep in mind that this is a military academy. :smile: You will receive a manual which will describe to you how and where to properly store your belongings in your dorm room. You will also have regular inspections to make sure your equipment, uniforms, belongings, are in order. They will teach you how your bed is to be made, how to arrange your uniforms in your closet, etc. I am virtually positive that snowboards are not an item of standard military equipment, so there will be no mention of the proper storage of snowboards in the manual, therefore you can conclude that they are likely not allowed to be stored in your dorm room. The short answer is, most likely, the Cadet Candidates who take advantage of Colorado's glorious alpine recreation facilities will rent their snowboarding equipment at the respective resorts, or at area ski shops. :biggrin: This is something that you can look forward to with great anticipation. Few things compare to the experience of rapidly descending a steep, snow covered slope. Just take care not to break anything on the way down. You don't want a medical DQ from the Academy next year.

Of course! I guess I thought maybe they would rent some sort of storage area and store any purchased equipment there, but I guess that could end up being more costly than renting the equipment. I've been skiing three times before (with awesome people who pushed me to do blacks and glades and helped me overcome my fear of them), and I can easily say that shredding snow is the most fun I've ever had doing anything. Sounds like a great way to relieve stress during the year.
 
Back
Top