how do you deal with stress

chipshandon

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Mar 26, 2009
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I am just wondering how you guys all respond when you say "im going to USAFA" and your parents, family, friends, teachers, etc say "oh too bad you didn't get into USMA, USCGA, USNA, Merchant Marine, Marion, Norwich" or "sorry your going to the baby factory"
 
Um, haven't really experienced that yet, even speaking to guys from Navy, Army, and Merchant Marine. Some will jokingly express their preference towards another branch, but they all said congrats and were very positive about Academy/appointment. No one has been derogatory towards USAFA, but they'd be pretty big a-holes if they were. Either way, sharing your good news shouldn't be stressful, right? :)
 
actually the complete opposite. Although there are some rivalries between the academies, they all know what it takes to one: be accepted, two: to complete training, and three: graduate. They might have some minute differences, but they all are supportive
 
Normally, you don't have the problem with individuals thinking less of the Air Force Academy compared to one of the others. Usually; it's ignorant people who say things like: "Sorry you didn't get accepted to a real college". or: "Why didn't you apply to go to college?"

As for the family/friends/etc... trying to degrade the Air Force academy to the other academies; I would re-ask the question back to them. MAKE THEM tell you why the consider the Air Force Academy to be "LESSER" quality. And if that doesn't work, just tell them the truth. You wanted to go to the service that had the "BETTER ACADEMIC ACADEMY" for a Baccalaureate degree.

In the Western United States, (Texas west to California); Air Force Academy is Ranked #1 school for offering a baccalaureate degree.

In the north, Coast Guard is Ranked #2 and Merchant Marines are Ranked #4

West Point is Ranked #14 among Liberal Arts Colleges
Naval Academy is Ranked #22 among Liberal Arts Colleges

For engineering degrees, Aerospace/Aeronautics/Astronomical; Air Force is Ranked #2 in the country; Navy is #4. For Electrical/Electronic/Communication engineering; Navy is #5, West Point #6, and Air Force is #7 in the country.

So, all military academies provide an excellent education. But for the areas you are interested in, the Air Force Academy is the Best School.
 
Haha the Army ROTC still thinks it can win me over :p

Believe me, I get so much crap (mostly joking around) from them on a daily basis. I'm now Air Force, Chair Force, and the pampered cadet who's going to rough it at the Holiday Inn. Of course, they're just joking and every now and again there'll be that one that comes along and says, "If it's what you want to do, then great for you. You have a bright future ahead of you." ... or something of the sort.

Now, if your friends are actually serious, I'd say go ahead and whip out those statistics Mike just gave. That'll show them. ... and if not, then what does it matter? As long as it's what you want to do, don't let anyone put you down for it.

...Kinda funny, really, I think I'm going to miss my Army boys more than anyone else when I leave...because even though they're not the same branch of the military, we still have that common mentality and have shared so many memorable experiences. Huh. Funny how that works.
 
yeah there'll always be some ribbing between everyone, but it's all in good fun. air force definitely has the toughest academics (if you're a techie major) from what i've heard from upperclassmen who've gone on exchange and from my friends over at west point and annapolis. so take it for what it's worth
 
i'm on of those ppl, and yes air force is harder academically (than Annapolis at least). if they have real perceptions that USAFA is a "lesser" school learn why and challenge them, as ppl have said. if they have nothing to support it, then who cares? i can say harvard is pointless and easy and anyone can go, but it means nothing w/o support. it sounds more like jealousy than anything else
 
It would appear that Chipshandon is trying to start a bit of academy rivalry. In checking his earlier posts, it appears he has accepted an appt to West Point class of '13.

Still agree with many of the posts here... it would be hard to find a better education than at one of our nation's SAs. Depending on what you choose to major in, one SA may be a better choice than another. I work in the public sector with grads of USAFA, USNA, and USCGA and they're definately 'on their game' each and every day. Great folks.:thumb:
 
I would tell them- I didn't apply to any of those other schools. :biggrin: Althought it's kind of sad when people say
----"what school are you going to?"
"Air Force Academy"
-----".......oh........"
"You don't know what it is, do you? It's a college like West Point, but for the Air Force."
----"Oh! Congrats!"
lol
My favorite is: "oh you're joining the army right?" LOL:rolleyes:
 
I've gotten this a few times;

"I'm going to the Air Force Academy."

"Oh, which one?"
 
I get a lot of crap as well...

a lot of gay jokes... morons (There's been a lot of coverage lately of the local university and hazing incidents... I get the "that's you next year" joke). I've learned to ignore it.
 
Two guys that my son knows asked him when he said he was going to the AFA, "Why do you want to drop bombs on innocent people". He just walked away.
 
gay jokes with the AF? the Navy are the ones gay jokes are usually made towards. ya know, 1000 men go down in a submarine, 500 couples come up. they also love to say "it's not gay if you're under weigh"

when i told people, a lot of them asked how long until i went to Iraq
 
Two guys that my son knows asked him when he said he was going to the AFA, "Why do you want to drop bombs on innocent people". He just walked away.

Makes you optimistic about the future of our country, doesn't it? :unhappy:
 
For some reason I have a feeling it's best to get use to these types of responses and this mindset for the remainder of our career in the military...

Smile and wave boys... Smile and wave... :wave:
 
My uncle (USMA '69) always refered/refers to USAFA as the "Country Club" because of how much more physically demanding USMA was then USAFA. I get asked when I'm going to Iraq all the time and I'm just in JROTC. I also was told to stop killing civies in Iraq by a french exchange student.
 
I am just wondering how you guys all respond when you say "im going to USAFA" and your parents, family, friends, teachers, etc say "oh too bad you didn't get into USMA, USCGA, USNA, Merchant Marine, Marion, Norwich" or "sorry your going to the baby factory"

Chips, in all due respect, get used to the rivalry. You'd think these branches were all fighting for different countries. They are not!!! You have received a fantastic honor. Enjoy it, and as the Navy says, "Keep your eyes in the boat." I don't know what the Air Force says! But, I wanted to encourage you. My lad applied and rec'd nominations to all four academies. (He didn't get an appointment for USAFA...feel better now?)

With all that said, I don't want to dampen your dreams, but USNA is gonna' kick your butts at football! OK, just call it a prediction. We'll just have to wait and see.

Congrats! You are blessed to have received the honor of an appointment, even if it wasn't for USNA. :shake:
 
I've gotten this a few times;

"I'm going to the Air Force Academy."

"Oh, which one?"


"The academy is in colorado springs."

"Oh, well where are you going for college after that?"

"There"

"Colorado springs has a college?"

(i then shake my head and either try to explain it or just walk away...)

ive gotten the gay ones sometimes too. mainly that i'm gay with my future usafa classmates who i talk to a lot. hate to see how bad usna guys get it if we already get so much crap for usafa. ;)
 
Don't worry, once here, you'll never again see as many heterosexual men act so gay. lol. It's hilarious.
 
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