Squadrons

clandyan

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2014
Messages
12
When my DH went to USAFA, cadets were in one squadron for their freshman year but were moved to a different squadron for the rest of their time at the Academy. Does that still happen now, or are they kept in the same squadron all four years?
 
Currently they are in the same squadron in their 3 and 4deg years. They move to a different squadron at the end of 3 deg year & remain there for the last 2 years.

Remember, though, the only thing constant at USAFA, is change.
 
Change is exactly right. When my DH ('05 grad) and I ('10) were at USAFA, the policy was to change squadrons after 4 dig year (so 1 + 3). But our '01 grad friend was there for 2 + 2. And it seems sometime in the last couple years they changed again to 2 + 2. Personally, among those of us who were in both systems that I have talked to about this, our consensus is that 1 + 3 is the better. For me, leaving the 4 dig squadron and starting fresh as an upper class cadet in a new squadron probably helped contribute to my success significantly.
 
I assume the cadet reassignments are for learning to interact effectively with different people, and to reduce the possibilities of squad loyalties trumping USAFA's. I like the 1+3 configuration.
 
So the squadron we are in for BCT, will that be the same squadron we are in all of freshman year?
 
So the squadron we are in for BCT, will that be the same squadron we are in all of freshman year?

The squadron you have in BCT is for basics only. Once BCT is over, each element is assigned to a squadron (1-40) which will include the upperclassmen.

For instance
Aggressors FlightA went to CS-1
Barbarians FlightE went to CS-10

So those 30 people in your flight will be in your squadron. (Current cadets - please correct me if I've remembered incorrectly.)

**Edit: changed Element to Flight
 
Last edited:
I agree that the 1+3 system seems better so they can finish their difficult first year and then start fresh/settle in for the rest of the time there. But as I know very well from being married to the military, our opinions don't matter - you just do whatever they tell you to do and make the best of it.
 
So the squadron we are in for BCT, will that be the same squadron we are in all of freshman year?

The squadron you have in BCT is for basics only. Once BCT is over, each element is assigned to a squadron (1-40) which will include the upperclassmen.

For instance
Aggressors element A went to CS-1
Barbarians element E went to CS-10

So those 10 people in your element will be in your squadron. (Current cadets - please correct me if I've remembered incorrectly.)

Correct! Instead of elements though, it's flights now . So Aggressors Alpha Flight instead of element A. And most flights will have around ~30 people. We started in Hellcats Delta Flight with 29 kids, and now we are in CS-39 with 25 kids.
 
Thanks for the clarification, guys! I know I've been told this before, but for whatever reason, it always confuses me! I think it's all the different names and numbers, lol!
 
So the squadron we are in for BCT, will that be the same squadron we are in all of freshman year?

The squadron you have in BCT is for basics only. Once BCT is over, each element is assigned to a squadron (1-40) which will include the upperclassmen.

For instance
Aggressors element A went to CS-1
Barbarians element E went to CS-10

So those 10 people in your element will be in your squadron. (Current cadets - please correct me if I've remembered incorrectly.)

Correct! Instead of elements though, it's flights now . So Aggressors Alpha Flight instead of element A. And most flights will have around ~30 people. We started in Hellcats Delta Flight with 29 kids, and now we are in CS-39 with 25 kids.

Ah yes, that's right - Flights. But you remain in the same element. I knew that. ;)
 
Anyone know why the prevailing squadron assignment is 2 + 2 now? I am curious as to the advantages of one over the other.
 
The reason for the change from a 1+3 to a 2+2 was because upperclassmen would "train" doolies much harder because they knew they would never share a squadron with them again. It created a system where the upper three classes would form bonds over the course of 3 years, while freshmen never had the chance to form any connection with the upperclassmen. With the 2+2 now, the juniors and freshmen are both entering a squadron without knowing anyone, and it creates a much friendlier and family-oriented place to live. Instead of just being trained, doolies are mentored and invested in beyond the freshmen training year.
 
Back
Top