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nick0094

10-Year Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2009
Messages
93
Hey everybody, I was USAFA c/o 2016 (KLEPTO lol). I always wanted to go to the AF/USAFA, but when I got there it wasn't what I expected, even with all the research and "preparation" I had done (CAP, forums, books, etc.). I did two years, and when commitment came, I realized I wasn't 100% committed to the AF (which everyone committing should be), so I decided to leave "two and through" is the term I made up for it haha. Just saying hey, and if any current cadets are on here wondering whether or not to stay, feel free to ask me anything. I won't tell you to stay or leave, just give you some perspective from someone whose walked on both sides of the line. But for anyone looking to go, I'd say do it. I learned a lot about others and myself, and made some friends I'll probably have forever, with hilarious stories to match (cracking up as I type this thinking about 4-dig shenanigans).

Peace..
 
Thanks for sharing your journey. Sounds like it took a lot of courage to be "two and through" with the Air Force Academy. What new directions are you planning to take? And are you responsible for paying back the two years at the Academy?
 
To answer part of your question no, we do not incur any costs during our first two years. We can leave at any time, for any reason, during those first two years and not owe anything. After first day of class junior year though, the price tag is high.
 
Nick. Thanks for making such a timely post. So many times applicants and those lurking talk about how the academy is something they've wanted and dreamed about their whole life. They mention how they've spent years in JrRotc, a CAP, Scouts, etc. because it's similar to what they want going to the academy. It's so hard to have some young people understand that until you are actually at the academy, there is no way for you to know if it's for you or not. Even if it's what you wanted since you were a little kid.

I know plenty who thought the academy was what they always wanted and they left early. Some after bct. Some during the first semester or two. Some of these still wanted the Air Force and they went on to get their commission through Rotc or OTS. Some decided the military as a whole wasn't what they thought.

This is why it doesn't bother me if an appointee accepts the appointment and later changes their mind. Every year on the forum, many people express their displeasure on how they feel that those who accept the appointment and then quit soon after bct, are taking a slot away from someone else who really wanted it. It's hard for them to accept that the person who left early really wanted it too when they first applied. And it's just as hard for them to accept that the person they feel got cheated, could also quit early just as easily.

Thanks for bringing up the topic and sharing your experiences.
 
Midwest said:
Thanks for sharing your journey. Sounds like it took a lot of courage to be "two and through" with the Air Force Academy. What new directions are you planning to take? And are you responsible for paying back the two years at the Academy?
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Yeah it was kinda hard. I think the hardest part was a tie between trying to explain to people who've never been to an academy why I would want to leave, (got a lot of "why would you leave free school/guaranteed job/etc"), and asking myself if it was possible to want something for so long and then just realize you were wrong about it all this time. Well right now I'm at a small school in Florida to get residency, then transferring to FSU next year. This way I can still get a good education and not have to pay for school. Right now I'm still even getting paid to go, so it's not bad. No, I left right before commitment, so no debt to pay back, just two free years of school, lifetime friends, and some funny memories. I do know kids who were on the fence like I was and stayed, most of them have gotten kicked out by now and either owe money or have to enlist for some time.

Christcorp said:
Nick. Thanks for making such a timely post. So many times applicants and those lurking talk about how the academy is something they've wanted and dreamed about their whole life. They mention how they've spent years in JrRotc, a CAP, Scouts, etc. because it's similar to what they want going to the academy. It's so hard to have some young people understand that until you are actually at the academy, there is no way for you to know if it's for you or not. Even if it's what you wanted since you were a little kid.

I know plenty who thought the academy was what they always wanted and they left early. Some after bct. Some during the first semester or two. Some of these still wanted the Air Force and they went on to get their commission through Rotc or OTS. Some decided the military as a whole wasn't what they thought.

This is why it doesn't bother me if an appointee accepts the appointment and later changes their mind. Every year on the forum, many people express their displeasure on how they feel that those who accept the appointment and then quit soon after bct, are taking a slot away from someone else who really wanted it. It's hard for them to accept that the person who left early really wanted it too when they first applied. And it's just as hard for them to accept that the person they feel got cheated, could also quit early just as easily.

Thanks for bringing up the topic and sharing your experiences.
Click to expand...

No problem CC. I thought it was important people know. You can't really understand what it's like at an academy unless you go, no matter how many books you read or how many people you talk to
 
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