A few questions about USAFAPS...

LFry94

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Hello everyone. Being a curious kind of guy, I have a few questions about USAFAPS. I posted this in the prep school forum, but that forum doesn't receive as much attention as this one does, and a few of my questions have gone unanswered. 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?

3. How and when do/should I go about scheduling a visit to the USAFA? Do I have to pay for travel?

4. What are the costs of USAFA prep school? Do we have to pay for books?

5. 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.)

6. 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? (Got one answer to this question, but I'm still interested in what other preppies do on the weekends.)

Thanks again! :smile:
 
LFry,

Have you found this document online? http://www.usafa.edu/superintendent/pl/Incoming/11Package.pdf
This was for last year's class but I'll bet most of it still applies. It probably won't answer all your questions, but maybe a few. You might see if you can find a Preppy on FB that can answer the more specific questions. I can try and contact my DD and see if she knows any current cadets that were at the P recently if you want.

Good Luck:thumb:

Note: make sure you scroll all the way past the security form information. There are more questions answered at the end.
 
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Thank you. Unfortunately it doesn't answer a few of the specific questions I have. :frown:
I understand. was not sure you had seen it already.

I believe you will have to seek out a local gun club to maintain your marksmanship skills. This would be a possible weekend activity for you, of course. The catalog mentions that a rifle program might be offered if there is demand from the Class. Of course, you will have no place to store your weapons(s), unless you can make arrangements at the shooting club.

You might contact Jim Walsh on FB. He is at the P right now and has indicated a willingness to help you guys out.

Your travel expense to the P for a scouting visit will be at your own expense.

Information about your finances, etc. will come in your Appointee package (your BFE).

Hoping some former P schoolers will jump in and fill you in.
 
LFry,

Have you found this document online? http://www.usafa.edu/superintendent/pl/Incoming/11Package.pdf
This was for last year's class but I'll bet most of it still applies. It probably won't answer all your questions, but maybe a few. You might see if you can find a Preppy on FB that can answer the more specific questions. I can try and contact my DD and see if she knows any current cadets that were at the P recently if you want.

Good Luck:thumb:

No I hadn't! This looks extremely insightful. I'll give it a read. Thanks! :smile:


I understand. was not sure you had seen it already.

I believe you will have to seek out a local gun club to maintain your marksmanship skills. This would be a possible weekend activity for you, of course. The catalog mentions that a rifle program might be offered if there is demand from the Class. Of course, you will have no place to store your weapons(s), unless you can make arrangements at the shooting club.

You might contact Jim Walsh on FB. He is at the P right now and has indicated a willingness to help you guys out.

Your travel expense to the P for a scouting visit will be at your own expense.

Information about your finances, etc. will come in your Appointee package (your BFE).

Hoping some former P schoolers will jump in and fill you in.
I appreciate your help! I'll see if I can get a hold of Jim Walsh. Thankfully I haven't purchased any guns (I just use my neighbors), so I won't have to worry about leaving anything behind. Thank you for answering my question about travelling to the prep school. That was a pretty big one I had. :rolleyes:
 
Don't worry too much about it. The Academy will take good care of you. In the Appointee package (link above) you will find a list of what you need to bring. Keep in mind that this is LAST YEAR's package and there may be differences this year, so I recommend taking no action until you receive this year's package. I strongly recommend that you review it thoroughly, however, so you have an idea of what to expect. The Academy requires you to purchase several things, but they give you money with which to do so. You really don't need to worry about money, other than a small amount to pay for food while you are being in-processed. Once you have been processed in, your meals and everything will be taken care of. On that note, I highly recommend you eat everything they give you and drink everything they give you. Trust the Air Force. They will take care of you.

The P class of 2012 has a FB page, so you might make some connections there.

Run, and do calisthenics. You will do more running and pushups, sit-ups, flutter kicks and running, and stuff like that, than you have ever done in your life. Oh, and did I mention running? Recommend you wear out a new pair of running shoes between now and 11 July :biggrin:
 
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Don't worry too much about it. The Academy will take good care of you. In the Appointee package (link above) you will find a list of what you need to bring. Keep in mind that this is LAST YEAR's package and there may be differences this year, so I recommend taking no action until you receive this year's package. I strongly recommend that you review it thoroughly, however, so you have an idea of what to expect. The Academy requires you to purchase several things, but they give you money with which to do so. You really don't need to worry about money, other than a small amount to pay for food while you are being in-processed. Once you have been processed in, your meals and everything will be taken care of. On that note, I highly recommend you eat everything they give you and drink everything they give you. Trust the Air Force. They will take care of you.

The P class of 2012 has a FB page, so you might make some connections there.

Understood. Looks like most of my questions are answered now. :smile:

This packet is filled with great information, even if some of the info changes this year. Thanks again kdc. :biggrin:
 
worth repeating

Understood. Looks like most of my questions are answered now. :smile:

This packet is filled with great information, even if some of the info changes this year. Thanks again kdc. :biggrin:
Run, and do calisthenics. You will do more running and pushups, sit-ups, flutter kicks and running, and stuff like that, than you have ever done in your life. Oh, and did I mention running? Recommend you wear out a new pair of running shoes between now and 11 July:biggrin:
 
Run, and do calisthenics. You will do more running and pushups, sit-ups, flutter kicks and running, and stuff like that, than you have ever done in your life. Oh, and did I mention running? Recommend you wear out a new pair of running shoes between now and 11 July:biggrin:
Will do! Thanks for the tip. I've started doing lots of pushups and flutter kicks throughout the day, and I run every night before bed already. Looks like I need to add situps and pullups. :biggrin:
 
Will do! Thanks for the tip. I've started doing lots of pushups and flutter kicks throughout the day, and I run every night before bed already. Looks like I need to add situps and pullups. :biggrin:
Basic Military Training (BMT) is more than just running and calisthenics. You will learn the proper military courtesies and protocols, how to stand at attention, how to salute, how to march properly. You will learn some military history. You will learn how to keep your belongings in proper order in your room, proper dress, proper care of your uniform and equipment, etc.

I recommend the fitness training partly because you will be at about 7,000 feet elevation and IMHO being fit, particularly aerobically fit, will help you deal with the altitude adjustment. There is no getting around the fact that BMT is stressful. The Physical Training (PT) will add to the stress, particularly if you are less fit than you could be. You've got nearly 3 months before you report. why not use that time wisely and increase your fitness and reduce the stress you will have to endure?
 
Basic Military Training (BMT) is more than just running and calisthenics. You will learn the proper military courtesies and protocols, how to stand at attention, how to salute, how to march properly. You will learn some military history. You will learn how to keep your belongings in proper order in your room, proper dress, proper care of your uniform and equipment, etc.

I recommend the fitness training partly because you will be at about 7,000 feet elevation and IMHO being fit, particularly aerobically fit, will help you deal with the altitude adjustment. There is no getting around the fact that BMT is stressful. The Physical Training (PT) will add to the stress, particularly if you are less fit than you could be. You've got nearly 3 months before you report. why not use that time wisely and increase your fitness and reduce the stress you will have to endure?
That's what I'm workin' on :thumb:
 
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