Leaving USAFA

I echo Raimius. Have something to run to. It doesn't sound like you do. Were you active in your school government in high school? Did you do an internship with your local county commissioner, state representative, state senator? This is where politics starts. It doesn't start by running for President or even running for a spot in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is hard work that takes years of dedication and commitment. If you can't focus now on just your course work and maintain in the other areas, then how are you going to do this somewhere else? If you can't find someone at the Academy that you can get along with, then how are you going to get along with constituents that have a thousand different concerns? If you can't find a club that suits your interests (debate comes to mind) then how will you do this somewhere else? You may just be the type of person that needs to experience something to really know what it is like. However, what if it takes four different attempts before you find the right thing. That's probably five years. USAFA gives you the opportunity to see a whole world beyond your wildest expectations. That occurs through your course work, summer programs, etc. There are faculty members that have been on the Council of Economic Advisers and others that have interned at the Supreme Court. Many have been in key policy positions, and of course there are the General Officers that have commanded in war. It seems to me that you are not taking advantage of all the opportunities that are afforded to you. If you really want to be a politician, my advice is to give it two years and give it all you have. Study the leaders that have gone before. Read their biographies, consult those who have been in the positions that I talk about. IF on the other hand, you must learn through experience, then quit now. Don't spend a day more being miserable and probably making all those around you miserable. But, and this is a big but--you had better be going toward something or you will spend a lot of wasted time in wilderness finding yourself.
 
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If serving in the military is something you don’t want to do, then you should change course. If your not 100% sure either way, then you should stay and give this opportunity all of your efforts. Explore all of the opportunities that are available, and take advantage of as much of it as you can. Reassess after you complete your first year.
Your military experiences, education and training will help you grow as a person, which will also give you the tools to help you make a positive impact for our world as you hope to.
Many politicians are prior service, so you can be both an officer and later a politician. If you choose to do both,
just do both of them well....
 
Were you active in your school government in high school? Did you do an internship with your local county commissioner, state representative, state senator?

Yes I was my high school's student representative for two years. I led protests at my school and was connected to my senator's office.


Study the leaders that have gone before. Read their biographies, consult those who have been in the positions that I talk about. IF on the other hand, you must learn through experience, then quit now.

I'm not quite sure what your advice entails then. Is experience not the greatest aspect that one can have towards a career goal? What is more valuable in your mind; the education that USAFA provides or the real world experience that one can gain?
 
I'm not quite sure what your advice entails then. Is experience not the greatest aspect that one can have towards a career goal? What is more valuable in your mind; the education that USAFA provides or the real world experience that one can gain?
I expect his point was that most political leaders, or at least many political leaders, served in the military first. Folks who come to mind.... Churchill, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Carter, G.H.W. Bush just to name a few modern Presidents and well known leaders. There are many others, some of them currently serving in Congress.

So yes, experience is important, but that would, or at least could, include experience serving in the military.
 
Merlinity; Listening to all your responses, I'm not quite sure why you ever applied and went to the academy in the first place. Unless your replies are "newly developed" and aren't the same perspective and position you held when you were in high school.

My advice is quite simple. If you have NO DESIRE whatsoever in "Serving your country in the military"; then you need to leave immediately. "Yesterday, if you can still manage it". If you have any thought of serving your country, and that the military does fit that bill at least a little, then I would say that you haven't given the academy a good enough chance. "No matter what you Think". In which case, I would give it until May. That does two things. 1st, it gets you through MOST of the emotional things involved; recognition, being treated differently and not 100% a cadet. It also will give you 2 semesters - a full year of credits to be transferred to another school.

Bottom line is: Based on your replies to this thread, I don't think you've actually "Given the academy a chance". Contrary to what you think or have written. But if you 100% believe you have; and that you have no desire to serve your country via the military, then definitely quit right now. If you have any doubts, any questions, any possibility of not being 100% sure...... then hang in there until May.
 
For what it's worth, we have two Cadets at USAFA. Cadet 1 implored Cadet 2 not to attend USAFA. Cadet 1 said go to a "normal" school and have fun. Do ROTC but don't attend USAFA. Cadet 2 decided to attend anyway. About this same time of Cadet 2's Doolie year, Cadet 2 wanted out. Cadet 2 contacted one of the private schools they had been accepted to and arranged a deferment to start the Spring semester. Cadet 2 paid the housing deposit and submitted their paperwork work (I think form 34) to leave around Thanksgiving so they could complete the semester. Cadet 1 and all of Cadet 1's friends were now imploring Cadet 2 to stay until after Recognition. They wanted Cadet 2 to see what it was like post-Recognition and then if Cadet 2 wanted to leave, then at least Cadet 2 gave USAFA a fair shot. Cadet 2 came one meeting away from leaving USAFA and withdrew their paperwork to leave. Cadet 2 did receive some grief from upperclassmen for wanted to leave and then staying. However, after Recognition and summer programs, Cadet 2 is glad they stayed. By no means is it easy and complaints come often, but Cadet 2 is glad they didn't leave. The other benefit of staying a year we learned is that private colleges consider serving in the military at least one year being off your parents payroll so their income status is not used for financial aid purposes. However, I do believe that Federal Financial Aid only requires one taking the oath of office to be eligible for Federal Financial Aid......This is a totally different subject though. Good luck in your decision........
 
If politics is the way you want to go, then project yourself into a future where your opponents will use your leaving the Academy against you. Doesn't matter if you left of your own accord, or couldn't hack it, it will be used against you to some degree. Now... why did you want to go in the first place? Was it your goal, or a means to achieving your goal? Those that succeed in completing a SA had a further goal in mind. And let me say this... you will have plenty of time/opportunity to pursue other interests or career options after graduating and leaving the service. You will want to look back and see you "punched that ticket" of graduating from a service academy.
 
Agree with everything said above. If you absolutely truly hate it and can't imagine yourself in any career in the Air Force, drop out now and apply to civilian U. Maybe attend a ROTC program, find out what drives you. Or, stay for the year. Stay for two years and drop before the AFA equivalent of the 2 for 7. I bet you can find a club that interests you, and if you can't, talk to some people about what you're feeling. There are most likely more cadets that feel the same way as you. Find friends in those people, or in the people who support you.
Try out for the falconry team if you stay. If you make it, I'll be jealous. ;)
 
Yes. Quit now. Go to college and use those scholarships.
 
Good afternoon, after a long time of deliberation since the day I got on the plane for BCT I am pretty sure that USAFA is not for me. i wasn't going to quit during BCT simply because I would look like and feel like a fool. I wasn't going to drop during the first month because it wouldn't be accurate of the academic year, but now I have the feel of what my life is going to be like. I want to change this world and be involved in my community on a more personable level than USAFA is offering me and the aspect of the Air Force simply does not coincide with my life goals. I want to be a politician, I want to be a thinker and innovator being involved with more things than warfighting and destruction, I want to be able to spend time with my family and not be hung up on work and school all the time because the most common theme in movies related to careers is people working too hard and losing sight of what matters most (time, family, experiences, and friends).

On top of this, the only friend I have here is my roommate and I basically do not "click" with anyone here. I've joined multiple clubs and dropped two after learning that I don't like the people in them and I don't think the clubs get enough support.

The idea of "waiting" until recognition poses two problems
1. It's not the doolie year that's stressing me, it's the idea of the Air Force.
2. The one thing you don't get back in life is time and that's the one thing I'd be losing the most of.

Now I have to decide whether to transfer at the end of the semester or leave now and apply as a freshman student for the 2019-2020 school year. The money will not be an issue for school as I have multiple scholarships and a job lined up at home, however, I must decide whether it's better to apply as a freshman or a transfer applicant from USAFA. Currently, my GPA is a 2.85 and I only seeing it getting worse because "doolie year" simply doesn't let you put your time where you want it as there are too many mandatory events that I have zero cares in the world about such as the de-humanizing K-bowls and training sessions.

With the argument being presented to me that my best option is to stay at USAFA because my future is "safe" and I will have a guaranteed job does not matter to me because it's not the life I want to live. Sure, I'll be able to "5 and dive" but there's no point to be in the Air Force if it's simply not how I think I can change the world. I believe I can change the world in a more effective way than following tradition, which is how most history is made. As Steve Jobs once stated, " the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."

Should I apply as a freshman student to my top schools again by dropping in the near future and attending my state school for the 2nd semester or apply as a transfer student with a realllyy low GPA compared to high school and the image that I'm "giving up"? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Merlinity, I think many of us would like to hear the rest of the story. Did you quit? when? Where are you now? And my other question out of curiosity is what was it you were protesting when you led a protest in HS?
 
So Merlinity, what's the verdict? Home for Thanksgiving with final GR's coming up...

You didn't ask me specifically but if you were my now-adult child, I would strongly recommend you finish out the doolie year. EVERYTHING changes after recognition. Then if you want to bolt, go ahead.

The caveat: those friends from HS you miss: no longer the same kids you knew back then (which you will find out at break; it can be extremely uncomfortable). You want to go to civilian college? OK, get ready for thousands of dollars in loans (unless you're wealthy), lots of stupidity among your peers and even more among your instructors. And now you might have calculus at night class along with bad food in the cafeteria, horrific work ethic among your age mates.

One thing my sons have said and I think PIMA's son would agree: undergraduate education, whether at USAFA or a civilian college is NOTHING compared to pilot training.

Best of luck...
 
So Merlinity, what's the verdict? Home for Thanksgiving with final GR's coming up...

You didn't ask me specifically but if you were my now-adult child, I would strongly recommend you finish out the doolie year. EVERYTHING changes after recognition. Then if you want to bolt, go ahead.

The caveat: those friends from HS you miss: no longer the same kids you knew back then (which you will find out at break; it can be extremely uncomfortable). You want to go to civilian college? OK, get ready for thousands of dollars in loans (unless you're wealthy), lots of stupidity among your peers and even more among your instructors. And now you might have calculus at night class along with bad food in the cafeteria, horrific work ethic among your age mates.

One thing my sons have said and I think PIMA's son would agree: undergraduate education, whether at USAFA or a civilian college is NOTHING compared to pilot training.

Best of luck...
I am finishing the remainder of doolie year following the recommendation of most. I still feel the same to a different extent, but I'm glad I ended up duking it out until now. We'll see where I stand after recognition and approaching the end of the year.
 
"I wasn't going to drop during the first month because it wouldn't be accurate of the academic year, but now I have the feel of what my life is going to be like. I want to change this world and be involved in my community on a more personable level than USAFA is offering me and the aspect of the Air Force simply does not coincide with my life goals. I want to be a politician, I want to be a thinker and innovator being involved with more things than warfighting and"

"I want to change this world "


I have always thought this is a interesting thing to say or think. People are always trying to change the world. What about those who are happy with the way things are. Better yet, some people want to change the world so its more left and some people want to change the world so that its more right. Dont they offset each other. I have never liked change for the sake of change unless of course it you give them a 5 dollar bill and it only costs 3.50. Sometimes change is worse.

End of my philosophical rant
 
You are about to be recognized Merlinity. I hope you will feel it was worth staying in this coming Saturday. You will have proven you have the mental and physical capabilities to get through the roughest year of your life. Congrats for sticking through it.
 
Based upon what I read, recognition or not, your should leave the Academy. It's just a shame you took up a slot from someone who actually desired to make the Air Force a career. I read your initial post, then waited a couple of days to comment. I don't know what you were thinking originally in choosing to attend USAFA, but (based upon your comments), it sure seems you went for all the wrong reasons. What did you think it was going to be like? It's the military; I served in the US Air Force...it's NO JOKE! Now politics...that is a JOKE. You think you can "change the world" in politics? Ha!, good luck with that.

Take one of your scholarships, go to a "normal" college and enjoy easy lifestyle. You'll look back the rest of your life with regret on bailing out of the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm not talking you out of it though; you absolutely should leave. You obviously don't belong there.
 
Based upon what I read, recognition or not, your should leave the Academy. It's just a shame you took up a slot from someone who actually desired to make the Air Force a career. I read your initial post, then waited a couple of days to comment. I don't know what you were thinking originally in choosing to attend USAFA, but (based upon your comments), it sure seems you went for all the wrong reasons. What did you think it was going to be like? It's the military; I served in the US Air Force...it's NO JOKE! Now politics...that is a JOKE. You think you can "change the world" in politics? Ha!, good luck with that.

Take one of your scholarships, go to a "normal" college and enjoy easy lifestyle. You'll look back the rest of your life with regret on bailing out of the opportunity of a lifetime. I'm not talking you out of it though; you absolutely should leave. You obviously don't belong there.
He didn't take someone else' slot. He earned that slot and is free to use it anyway he likes. Not everyone makes it through the program and everyone questions why they went and are there. Please be respectful of the individuals on this forum.
 
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He didn't take someone else' slot. He earned that slot and is free to use it anyway he likes. Not everyone makes it through the program and everyone questions why they went and are there. Please be respectful of the individuals on this forum.[/QUOTE]

No "disrespect" intended...same way I would talk to one of my 4 children. Your "earned" rationale is flawed, however. I won't get in to it, but it's flawed.
 
So Merlinity, what's the verdict? Home for Thanksgiving with final GR's coming up...

You didn't ask me specifically but if you were my now-adult child, I would strongly recommend you finish out the doolie year. EVERYTHING changes after recognition. Then if you want to bolt, go ahead.

The caveat: those friends from HS you miss: no longer the same kids you knew back then (which you will find out at break; it can be extremely uncomfortable). You want to go to civilian college? OK, get ready for thousands of dollars in loans (unless you're wealthy), lots of stupidity among your peers and even more among your instructors. And now you might have calculus at night class along with bad food in the cafeteria, horrific work ethic among your age mates.

One thing my sons have said and I think PIMA's son would agree: undergraduate education, whether at USAFA or a civilian college is NOTHING compared to pilot training.

Best of luck...
I am finishing the remainder of doolie year following the recommendation of most. I still feel the same to a different extent, but I'm glad I ended up duking it out until now. We'll see where I stand after recognition and approaching the end of the year.
Merlinity, now that recognition is behind you, please tell us your plans. Thank you.
 
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