Questions for a current USAFA freshman?

Which ABU boots would you recommend? I have gotten my DS a pair of the Nike already just to wear and do some running in.
 
Elmo
Cell service is dependent on dorm and Squadron... ie location within one of the two dorms due to a lot of variables...some carriers are better or worse depending on the above!
 
Thank you for taking the time to give some answers and advice. I was wondering what cell phone carrier is the best at USAFA and is WiFi available? Just want to send DS with a phone that works!

I don't know exactly what carrier is best, but there are areas that are dead zones for certain carriers. USAFA is next to the mountains and made mostly of steel and concrete...not a great combination for connectivity. WiFi is available for all cadets (new this year), although streaming services and video games are not supported by the USAFA WiFi. For this, many cadets purchase personal WiFi through a company called Boingo.
 
Which ABU boots would you recommend? I have gotten my DS a pair of the Nike already just to wear and do some running in.

I personally have Nike and really like them. If you show up on I-Day with boots, they will still issue you a pair (which are much heavier, but waterproof, unlike Nike). I also know people really like Rocky boots. As long as the Nikes are comfortable for you, they will be fine. Another thing to consider is that the Air Force is switching to OCPs at some point in the near future, so your ABU boots will only be worn for so long.
 
So something I have wanted to ask is how things change from freshman to upperclassmen. I have heard that the first year at USAFA is right up there with the other academies based on difficulty (in fact a mid told me that USAFA is harder than USNA the first summer and year). However, I don't know how things change after recognition. Does everything get pretty lax? Or do 3rd class cadets still have responsibilities and restrictions and gradually receive their privileges as they progress through their academy career? I am asking because 1) I am curious and 2) I want to know how the leadership is structured and whether or not life is still hard after the first year.
 
So something I have wanted to ask is how things change from freshman to upperclassmen. I have heard that the first year at USAFA is right up there with the other academies based on difficulty (in fact a mid told me that USAFA is harder than USNA the first summer and year). However, I don't know how things change after recognition. Does everything get pretty lax? Or do 3rd class cadets still have responsibilities and restrictions and gradually receive their privileges as they progress through their academy career? I am asking because 1) I am curious and 2) I want to know how the leadership is structured and whether or not life is still hard after the first year.

It is generally seen that freshman year is the hardest at USAFA, as compared to the other academies. That being said, the following years are not as difficult. The analogy that I have heard is this: service academies are like eating a bad sandwich. At USAFA, you eat the whole thing in one big bite (freshman year). At USMA and USNA, you take one bite every year. After recognition, life gets much better. Sophomore year is when you start having leadership responsibilities and jobs, but some restrictions still apply. You cannot have a car or a refrigerator until junior year. You get more passes to leave base every year, so sophomores don't have as many as juniors. Hope this helps.
 
Thank you for taking the time to give some answers and advice. I was wondering what cell phone carrier is the best at USAFA and is WiFi available? Just want to send DS with a phone that works!

I don't know exactly what carrier is best, but there are areas that are dead zones for certain carriers. USAFA is next to the mountains and made mostly of steel and concrete...not a great combination for connectivity. WiFi is available for all cadets (new this year), although streaming services and video games are not supported by the USAFA WiFi. For this, many cadets purchase personal WiFi through a company called Boingo.

Thanks! Will they allow a 4th year to have Boingo?
 
Thank you for taking the time to give some answers and advice. I was wondering what cell phone carrier is the best at USAFA and is WiFi available? Just want to send DS with a phone that works!

I don't know exactly what carrier is best, but there are areas that are dead zones for certain carriers. USAFA is next to the mountains and made mostly of steel and concrete...not a great combination for connectivity. WiFi is available for all cadets (new this year), although streaming services and video games are not supported by the USAFA WiFi. For this, many cadets purchase personal WiFi through a company called Boingo.

Thanks! Will they allow a 4th year to have Boingo?

Yes, but you will probably find that cadets who limit diversions, especially in their first semester, are those who are more successful. All cadets do need time to decompress but you'll need to assess you own ability to focus on your academics instead of getting caught up in online diversions.
 
Thank you for taking the time to give some answers and advice. I was wondering what cell phone carrier is the best at USAFA and is WiFi available? Just want to send DS with a phone that works!

I don't know exactly what carrier is best, but there are areas that are dead zones for certain carriers. USAFA is next to the mountains and made mostly of steel and concrete...not a great combination for connectivity. WiFi is available for all cadets (new this year), although streaming services and video games are not supported by the USAFA WiFi. For this, many cadets purchase personal WiFi through a company called Boingo.

Thanks! Will they allow a 4th year to have Boingo?
I'm going to push back slightly on what FMHS-79 said. I agree that the ability to avoid distractions is an important factor in separating the successful from the less successful freshman, but if you need to simply not have internet access to avoid being distracted, the problem is not the Internet, it's the user. Trust me, Internet is not the biggest distractor at USAFA, and for me, it has been extremely nice to have. Also, you aren't allowed to have a video game system until you're recognized so the Academy eliminates that distractor for you.
 
I'm going to push back slightly on what FMHS-79 said. I agree that the ability to avoid distractions is an important factor in separating the successful from the less successful freshman, but if you need to simply not have internet access to avoid being distracted, the problem is not the Internet, it's the user. Trust me, Internet is not the biggest distractor at USAFA, and for me, it has been extremely nice to have. Also, you aren't allowed to have a video game system until you're recognized so the Academy eliminates that distractor for you.

Completely agree with VDI here. Often times the USAFA internet has been down, and having Boingo available to do assignments and other work is very beneficial as well. Cadets also use it for their phones to video-call family.
 
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I'm going to push back slightly on what FMHS-79 said. I agree that the ability to avoid distractions is an important factor in separating the successful from the less successful freshman, but if you need to simply not have internet access to avoid being distracted, the problem is not the Internet, it's the user. Trust me, Internet is not the biggest distractor at USAFA, and for me, it has been extremely nice to have. Also, you aren't allowed to have a video game system until you're recognized so the Academy eliminates that distractor for you.

Completely agree with VDI here. Often times the USAFA internet has been down, and having Boingo available to do assignments and other work is very beneficial as well. Cadets also use it for their phones to video-call family.

I was looking at the service and was wondering what plan you have
 
I'm going to push back slightly on what FMHS-79 said. I agree that the ability to avoid distractions is an important factor in separating the successful from the less successful freshman, but if you need to simply not have internet access to avoid being distracted, the problem is not the Internet, it's the user. Trust me, Internet is not the biggest distractor at USAFA, and for me, it has been extremely nice to have. Also, you aren't allowed to have a video game system until you're recognized so the Academy eliminates that distractor for you.

Completely agree with VDI here. Often times the USAFA internet has been down, and having Boingo available to do assignments and other work is very beneficial as well. Cadets also use it for their phones to video-call family.

I was looking at the service and was wondering what plan you have

I have the faster plan because I use it to watch stream TV and movies on my computer. I also split my plan with another cadet because it is cheaper than each of us having our own plan.
 
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