People at the Academy

I know I’m going to be regarded as a PITA for saying this, but one of the worst things to happen to our country, NEXT to political correctness, is for schools and other social environments, to teach our kids that they need “safe spaces”, “crying rooms”, and most importantly that there is no reason that they should ever have their feelings hurt or be offended by something someone else says to them.

The only advice I can give to young people is: Your LITTLE world at home, in high school, and even in college, is NOT the “real world”. In the real world, people are going to say and do things that hurt your feelings and may even offend you. “Grow Up” and learn to deal with adversity and differences of opinion. Except under specific circumstances, the things that may hurt your feelings or offend you, are protected by the other person’s right to free speech. There will not be any safe rooms or crying rooms for you to go to where no one is allowed to say anything confrontational. You learn to address people who you don’t agree with, so you can at least respect each other’s opinions and position, or you’ll find that your employer and even the military will find a way to get you to leave.

In the military, we swear to protect the constitutional rights of our citizens. That includes their right to free speech. Even if what they say makes our blood boil because it’s totally against what we believe. Even when our service men and women come home from serving our country and are called baby killers. We don’t get to pick and choose which rights or who’s rights we defend.

If you’re going to let what people say hurt your feelings or offend you, and it’s going to make you “feel bad”, then don’t come into the military. Go to college, graduate, stay there and become a teacher, and keep yourself protected from living in the real world.

Fortunately, this thread isn’t that deep. It’s about the motivation of the cadre (upperclass men) who WILL yell at you; and the reasoning behind that. These cadre will not intentionally try and offend you, but if the act of yelling or screaming at you in itself offends you or hurts your feelings, then too bad. Grow up and learn to deal with such adversity, or find a different lifestyle. This is the military. It’s not a scholarship or jobs program. We have a life and death mission to perform, and your feelings simply don’t matter.
 
@Christcorp, I agree with you, but I think @sellina_753 just pulled the pin and rolled the old M67 into the center of the room.
She hasn't posted since that first post.

Who wants cheesecake?
 
sellina_753 said:
Are the people at USAFA nice? I’ve been looking into applying but I’m a bit worried about upperclassmen picking on Doolies.
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No one is nice... You are on your own... You will be yelled at and held accountable for your actions. Most classes are graded on a curve so someone gets an A and someone gets an F. You sink or swim based on how much you want to be at the USAFA. There is an honor code which you probably are not used to. I suggest you do more research about becoming a member of the military.
 
I might be upset reading our OP's original question. One could ask:

Are the people at your {highschool, church, job, team, neighborhood, school bus, grocery store, Wal-Mart, local government office, police, FAMILY} NICE???

Answer: sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I wonder if the OP is either in middle school or a troll.
 
The experience has purpose. Thousands of Doolies have made it through the "rights of passage." It is tradition. It builds character, cameraderie, teamwork, physical and mental endurance, etc...for future officers and leaders, and warriors in the greatest Air Force in the world.
 
Capt MJ said:
Future warriors may find it handy to meet less-nice people at times and learn how to handle, deflect, manage, defend against, take the offensive against, ignore those people or deal with them in future as the rules of engagement, the strategic objective and combat orders direct.
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If one had thick skin and cool headed, what else could one do to get better at what you mention?
 
I think the best thing to remember is:
Don’t take it personal!

Think of it as Harassment with a Purpose.
 
AROTC-dad: I enjoyed the video. It was interesting to see how the AFA runs the chamber - let me just say that the USMC's approach is just a "little" bit more intense.
 
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