End of the Line for USAFA

F15DOC

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Messages
281
Well, sad to say but not unexpected, my DS was DQ from USAFA due to his fitness.
I figured that would be the case, he just couldn't get into run fitness in time after football season. As a big slow lineman he just didn't get fit in time. Guess it is the USAFA loss. Their deadlines were so much earlier than the USNA and USCGA. He just finished the fit tests for USNA and USCGA and his run times are 2 minutes faster after dropping 25 pounds of weight. He is looking great and he performed everything better on those fit tests. Now he waits to hear from those 2 acadmies. So I am off the USAFA forums and you can see any reports of success or failure at admissions to those 2 academies on their forums.
Keep on keeping on and a hearty congratulations to those students and their parents that gained admission to USAFA this year!!
Love these forums, there were so helpful to the process.
Now the worst part, let the waiting game begin for the other academies decisions!
 
F15DOC, I too am sorry to hear the news. I agree, the deadlines were so much earlier this year, especially for those who attended SS and used that app for the SA. My DD was sweating the November 10th deadline for her CFA. I truly hope that an appointment to USNA or USCGA come through for your DS. I am also a true believer that what happens, happens for a reason. I am certain great things are in store for your DS. Carry on and Go Navy! Uh, I mean, Aim High and Beat Army! :confused:
 
So sorry to hear this. Remember that there is a plan in place for your DS - it is so hard to live through the times of uncertainty and disappointment, but when we look back, we see that often we are glad that things worked out the way they did.

A wise friend also gave us good counsel when our DD was reluctant to apply to a second academy even though she'd received a nomination. He said, "It is an honor to serve our country through ANY of the branches. Think of it like being on a team. You might want to be on one team, but once you're on the other team, you love that team and love the experiences you have with that team." So my DD visited the other "team," and sure enough, she would be honored to serve in either. I expect your DS will feel the same way if he gets an appointment to the USNA or USCGA.

Your son has two other eggs in his basket, and then there's always next year's basket when he's a year older. As I mentioned in another post, when my DD visited the USNA, she was surprised to find that a number of mids were a year older because they didn't get in the first year they applied. Without fail, they told her they were so glad that they'd had an extra year to prepare for the physical and academic rigors of the Academy. That has always been my DD's plan - if she doesn't get in this year, she's not giving up without trying another year. (Of course, she'd rather get in this year, but again, there is a bigger plan in place for her, and she just needs to live it out.)

Don't be discouraged! There is a plan in place...
 
As a parent I was actually hoping for a different academy, even though I am USAF born and bred, I have had a few bad experiences with USAFA graduates. I unfairly judge all based upon those few bad apples. I was keeping this to myself because I know the USAFA is a great place and produces some great leaders, I just had a sour taste. Speaking for myself, I am not disappointed at all. In a weird twisted way (and not a 'fox and sour grapes' way) I was actually glad he didn't get an offer. He probably would have taken USAFA over the others if offered multiple, but he is taking it in stride. Certainly no tears or sorrow, he is simply looking forward to what the future brings. Bottom line is no worries from any of my family, including my son. But he is competitive by nature, and I am sure it was a body blow even though he kind of expected it.

On the portal is says:

Application Status

Your Status:
Disqualified
Your Application is:
Complete but Disqualified

The email letter he got from the USAFA states:

Dear Wes,
Admissions has received and evaluated the results of your candidate fitness assessment. Unfortunately your
performance indicates that you may have difficulty with the physical demands of the Air Force Academy. The CFA
is a key component of our application process and your results were not strong enough to make you a competitive
candidate therefore we have closed your file.
Please refer the Instructions to Candidates booklet for more information on performance expectations on the
candidate fitness assessment.
If you choose to reapply next year, you should enter a fitness program designed to prepare you for the physical
demands of the candidate fitness assessment and the Air Force Academy. The Instructions to Candidates provides a
complete description of the candidate fitness assessment. As part of your overall fitness program, it is strongly
suggested that you practice the candidate fitness assessment and then take the test for an official score once you are
confident that you can reach the average for each event.
Thank you for your interest in the Air Force Academy. You have my best wishes in your quest to serve our
country.
Sincerely,
PHILLIP DREW PROSSEDA, Ph.D.
Chief, Selections Division

So the worst part about this is that they are still in the selection process, his fitness is significantly better, likely good enough to be competitive now, but it doesn't matter, they have so many to review, they take one look and close it if you don't measure up. In fairness to USAFA they did give him one chance to retake, the problem was it was less than a month, that just wasn't enough. So it is what it is and we have moved on. I am glad they are tough, and I am glad he has tasted a failure, it all builds character! :)
 
Ah, drat. Sorry to hear about this.

Don't forget, if the goal is a military career, the academies are not the only ways to proceed. In fact, most officers are ROTC, which you already know.

You've still got Navy and Coast Guard in your bag!
 
Thanks Fencersmother, yep a big drat to get turned down but hey, these places are competitive and those that get offers truly deserve them! He has finished all the applications for AFROTC and NROTC as well, has his acceptance already in hand to the university he will attend if he doesn't get into an academy. So plan B is set. For the first time I asked him if he would reapply a year later IF he didn't get any academy offers. He made a very wise answer... "I don't know... maybe I will like a regular college and the freedom it brings... I won't know until I get there". All up in the air on that part. That gruesome waiting is the worst part now, it could be another 2 1/2 months before he knows!!
 
"I don't know... maybe I will like a regular college and the freedom it brings...

My DS started out wanting to attend USNA or The Citadel. ...and ended up on AROTC scholarship at a public university. He said the same thing about living a normal college life, and now he seems to be hitting his stride at it. Maybe it was making lemonade out of lemons but he seems really happy and enjoying it.

I also asked him if he wanted to reapply to an SA. He said, no because it would put him one year behind his goal of becoming a military officer. THAT was his goal...not attending the academy.
 
Doc,

One Fight One Team!
I am sure he will find his spot to serve. Some doors close so that you can see others opening!
Enjoyed your posts.
Good Luck
 
Back
Top