Recent content by dah19

My '23 graduate began dating his girlfriend in December of '19. They were from different states and she was in TN (where she was from and went to school). They made time to talk and text. They flew to see each other when they could and over breaks from school. They put in the work and made it...

Go see the sites around the academy. It's a beautiful area and I enjoyed the Garden of the Gods and eating downtown.

We arrived the night before, as did many basic cadets. He was fine. Did it take time to acclimate yes, but that's understood.

I am headed to visit my son in a couple weeks and I am using Groome Transportation from the Academy Hotel

Look at the summer seminar opportunities at USAFA (as well as the other academies) that occur the summer after junior year.

I think it is department specific. My son applied for a grad school spot and doesn't have that GPA. He is a political science major.

My son said that there were over 500 pilot slots given this year. He got a Space Force slot and is very happy

We are coming in on Monday and leaving Friday. We will drive out from the East Coast, but will arrive in COS on Monday. He said we should be there by Monday because that's when activities begin.

I said the exact same thing

My advice (Class of '23) is to not worry after that first couple of letters from basic, it can be hard and discouraging. But they get better as time goes on. I also didn't write back about all the things they were missing at home. I just send interesting tidbits, news, jokes, and encouragements.

My son's favorite place to eat is the Skirted Heifer in downtown Colorado Springs

You are pretty much just assigned classes (some standard that all cadets take, others major specific). My son knew his schedule through senior year. I don't know when but I assume sometime in the summer during basic.

Remember the Academy offers far more than just an education. It builds an entire network.

Apply!! You will never regret you did but will if you don't. Getting in without a sport is a little harder, but my son did. He had a ton of leadership so that definitely helped. What can you do to show your leadership skills?

My son will miss his sisters HS graduation this year for Ring Dance. Just bad timing. But when you are a part of USAFA you don't have much say in breaks. You just learned to roll with it and not plan to far in advance.