What a crazy ride.

Dad

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2010
Messages
1,132
I still remember my good fortune of stumbling upon this site. I was researching USAFA to determine if my son had even a remote chance for an appointment. I asked many dumb questions before I figured out how to search old threads. I learned about the new lexicon of acronyms and the important milestones. All of this helped my wife and I support my DS thru the ups and downs of the application, have us insight of what our cadet was experiencing (w/o being a helicopter parent or Yik Yak stalker), and gave us understanding of the four class system and what to expect after graduation. I shared the joy of my son's successful application while comforting new friends who wound up on a different path to success. Invaluable Intel, emotional support, and accurate info for my son. Thanks, My son has gone from doubting his chances for appointment to a 2nd LT with a engineering degree (civil) with a minor in Arabic and pilot training for a job.

Thanks SAF for everything. Best wishes to all. Farewell.
 
Dad...congrats to you and your DS. Thank you for all your posts. I remember reading a lot of them when my DS was new appointee. You were always extremely helpful and informative. Thanks again and we wish you and your DS all the best.

P.S. I've always been secretly jealous of your forum name. If you're signing off for good, may I have it? Haha
 
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I still remember my good fortune of stumbling upon this site. I was researching USAFA to determine if my son had even a remote chance for an appointment. I asked many dumb questions before I figured out how to search old threads. I learned about the new lexicon of acronyms and the important milestones. All of this helped my wife and I support my DS thru the ups and downs of the application, have us insight of what our cadet was experiencing (w/o being a helicopter parent or Yik Yak stalker), and gave us understanding of the four class system and what to expect after graduation. I shared the joy of my son's successful application while comforting new friends who wound up on a different path to success. Invaluable Intel, emotional support, and accurate info for my son. Thanks, My son has gone from doubting his chances for appointment to a 2nd LT with a engineering degree (civil) with a minor in Arabic and pilot training for a job.

Thanks SAF for everything. Best wishes to all. Farewell.

No needs for Farewell. Come back every now and then impart all that valuable knowledge you've gained not only here but through your DS as he went through the process and as he goes through UPT and beyond.

The greatest resource is not what this forum contains but the people who share this knowledge! Without them there wouldn't be anything on this forum.
 
Oh DAD! Congrats to you and your son! Where is he reporting for UPT?

Try and stick it out here... parental experience can be exceptionally valuable to other parents and even to prospective cadets (though some would tell us otherwise!).

Plus, we'll all love to hear about your son's experience in the real air force!
 
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Oh DAD! Congrats to you and your son! Where is he reporting for UPT?

Try and stick it out here... parental experience can be exceptionally valuable to other parents and even to prospective cadets (though some would tell us otherwise!).

Plus, we'll all love to hear about your son's experience in the real air force!

So true. The different perspectives from applicants, appointees, cadets, parents, alumni, enlisted, ROTC, ALO's, and even the ocassional interested poster is what makes this forum in my opinion the BEST forum online relating to commissioning officers in our military. Even better than any official academy or military forums.

As for providing experience in the "Real Air Force" that is extremely important. Getting into the academy or ROTC is nice, but that's not really the goal. That's simply a stepping stone to the real goals. A career, an occupation, learning skills that will carry you a lifetime. Travels, adventures, etc. those are the real life goals and experiences. The academy is just a stepping stone. My son as an adult has been involved in the Air Force for 7 years now, and he still hasn't seen the "Real Air Force". 4 years at the academy. 3 years in grad school. He finishes that up in less than 2 months. Then he's off to another 2 years of training to do his "Real Job" in Special Operations. That will be 9 years before doing his "Real Job".

So definitely stick around and continue giving your perspectives. Each persons is different and valuable.
 
I have fun with one of my former candidates...I met him when he started 9th grade in a small mining town in rural Arizona. LONG story short; he had a type 1 ROTC scholarship to Daytona Beach, FL...gave that up to go to USAFA however his congressman "oopsed" and nominated him to USMA!!! He (Chad) and I spoke often, I went and visited him...we talked...he agreed, he really wanted to SERVE and the service branch wasn't as important. So off to USMA he went.

It's now...well a "few" years later. Chad was recently promoted to MAJOR a year below the zone (that's ahead of his peers for those that don't know the term), is in a staff position as an aviation officer (was a aviation company commander) waiting to go to Command and General Staff College, was married a few years ago and just had a son. I still remember that 14 year old...

He is my "army information expert" for the kids I work with that are interested in army careers! I also send them here to this forum. The point is: Chad and I have maintained contact and he contributes a bunch to "the future" of the Army!

Definitely stick around and be one of our "out there" experts!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
That's a great story Flieger. I bet if you asked him today he is thrilled that the congressman made an "Ooops". Had that minor little mistake not been made his life would have been completely different. He would not have his current job, met his current wife nor have his son. Just one small mistake shapes our lives. They say things happen for a reason......
 
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