2013 Appointments

Wow that's scary. :eek:

off topic: I though the personal statements said maximum of 2500 words, not characters. GEEZ! All that extra work for nothing. haha
 
It is possible to be turned back on the first day or another day during basic.
If you are turned back through injury or illness, your spot is held for you to return the next summer and you join the next class.

The cadet Christcorp was referring to who slipped and fell - had a prior a knee injury. As I recall, he wasn't sure he was going to make I-day to begin with.

From what I read here - it seems that AFA is quick to turn cadets back.
Each academy seems to be different. Some kids do get sick or injured and do not get turned back. My daughter got blisters that got infected and turned into cellulitis at West point. Her foot and ankle blew up and she ended up on crutches for about 10 days but she completed all required parts of beast and was not turned back.
Some kids end up in the hospital for a day or two. If you get seriously ill, like mono or suffer an orthopedic injury that will require extensive pt or surgery then you can count on being turned back.
BTW - the service pays for your medical care to get you healthy again while you are a turn back.
 
If you are turned back through injury or illness, your spot is held for you to return the next summer and you join the next class.

Ohhh that's GREAT of them!!
Is that for sure? Is there anything one can do to get that taken away? Like senioritis for incoming plebes & cadets?
 
It is reassuring, though, to know that your spot is held for you for next year, so all that hard work isn't lost due to a sprained ankle.
 
A lot of good info provided. However; this is very important; NONE OF THIS IS INTENDED TO SCARE YOU OR DISCOURAGE YOU. It is/was intended; at least from me; to let you know that getting the appointment to the air force academy is only the beginning.

As for being "Turned Back"; each year is a little different. This year for instance, the academy was a lot more forgiving. You still have to complete a certain number of days and hurdles. But, if you are willing to fight to keep your spot, the academy is willing to fight and help you. Remember, they didn't spend all the time and money just to send you home. They want you to succeed.

Realize that it is very difficult to get set back if you truly want to be there and are determined. In the athletic world we have a saying that "Players play hurt; they don't play injured". In other words, if your feet are "Sore" from all the marching and hiking, suck it up and keep it to yourself. If you're getting a sore throat from screaming, don't complain about it. The academy will not take chances. If you say your not feeling well, they will take you from what you're doing and have you checked out. Know the difference between "Hurt" and "Injured". If you are injured, definitely let them know. If you are hurt, keep it to yourself. If you're an athlete, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't understand, maybe someone else can decipher.

But most importantly, this was a prelude of things to come. You still have a long way between now and then. My son was a multi-sport varsity all state athlete in high school. He received his appointment the 1st week of November on the same exact day as the state championship football game. (Which they won). I didn't tell him about the "Envelope in the mail" until AFTER the game. I didn't want to break his concentration. A week later, he was also recruited by the academy to play football. He took it upon himself to forgo the rest of school year's sports involvement. Not that he had to, but because he didn't want to take that risk of a broken leg, concussion, etc... in soccer, baseball, etc... That was his choice. Obviously, that's easier to do when you actually have an appointment in your hand in November instead of having to wait until March. The point is, that's how bad he wanted the academy. He used the new free time to concentrate on maintaining his GPA, spending time with his girl friend and other friends, time with his family, and making the most out of his senior year. But he was "HELL BENT" on not getting injured, getting in trouble; messing up a class; etc...

Each of you are old enough to make up your own decisions. There's a lot of things that you will continue to do. Very low risk. However, there are some things in your life that you may want to back off of. Maybe getting a christmas present present to go skydiving for the very first time is exciting, but maybe not the right time to try it. Maybe it will be very tempting to hang out every minute out of school with your friends because you won't see them much, if at all, in the future. But maybe you should think about maintaining that GPA that got you into the academy. Anyway; as I said; this post was not intended to scare or discourage you. It was intended to make you realize that you must now start making some very difficult and mature choices in your life. Determine what is important to you and prioritize your actions. Best of luck to all of you. later... mike....
 
It is reassuring, though, to know that your spot is held for you for next year, so all that hard work isn't lost due to a sprained ankle.

One CAVEAT!!!! You have to "Take the oath" and officially be part of the academy. I believe that the young person who slip coming out of the bus, never made it to the oath, so he had to start all over again with nominations, appointments, etc.... Once you are "Officially" part of the academy and are training, then yes, if you are injured to the point where you can't finish, you will be released and afforded the slot next year if you want it. It will be suggested that you attend a community college or similar to keep up on math, science, and other academics. But you have to take the oath and be part of the cadet wing first. Getting injured 4-wheeling a week before BCT starts does not allow you to keep the appointment. later... mike...
 
The kid this last summer who tore up his knee falling off the bus was supposed to be in my squad. And it's good advice to play hurt, not injured. I got injured a week into Basic, sucked it up for 2 weeks before going to orthopedics. they advised me to go home, get surgery and come back next year. But that was not an option in my opinion. THey were allowing me to continue, so that's what I did. I ended up hurting myself much worse through the rest of Basic, constantly at the doctors, hospital, being pulled off courses (not willingly), but I finished. It takes hard work and tons of determination. When your classmates are getting beat all around you and you just watch, it sucks. It's worse than getting beat. I ended up getting surgery, and now can't do anything physical until about mid-Feb. It sucks, but it's do-able. I should be able to do most of the stuff for Recognition, and if I can't, I'll still probably do it anyway.

Oh, one girl broke her back during the O-course, and she still finished Basic.
 
My friend was working the O-course as an EMT when that happened. Interesting story.
 
If you are turned back through injury or illness, your spot is held for you to return the next summer and you join the next class.

A cadet returning from a medical turn-back must still pass a medical evaluation to be allowed to return. One of the 2011 cadets who was injured during BCT wanted to return with the class of 2012, but was denied because he had not recovered fully enough to pass another physical evaluation. Even though the Academy will work to get a turn-back into the next class, it is never 100% guaranteed.

Stealth_81
 
Getting injured 4-wheeling a week before BCT starts does not allow you to keep the appointment.
Actually it could. My daughter went to prep school - MMI- with a guy who blew out his knee two weeks before R-day. His spot is being held for him in the class of 2013.

If something happens and you do get hurt you must call admissions. They will instruct you on how to proceed. They have spent a lot of time and money getting you to accept your appointment - they want to keep you if possible.

Yes - on I-day (or R-day) you do undergo a complete physical. If you don't pass the physical you probably won't be staying.
 
Anyone know what the I-Day physical is like? Is it like the physical for DodMERB? That would suck.
 
My DODMERB physical was so laid back. The doctor barely looked me over. The nurse did all the testing, and he did the regular stuff.
 
my DODMERB physical was also pretty laid back. the guy who tested most of the stuff had a sister in the Army, so we talked a little. the actual doctor just looked things over, read my medical history report, and sent me on my merry way...
 
It's a basic physical. Make sure you aren't sick, hurt, broken parts, obvious issues, etc... "Turn your head and cough" type of stuff. Not exactly like DODMRB, but different in the respect that they are looking for specific things. Something that changed in the last 6-9 months or something hidden. later...mike...
 
anyone not pass? actually i don't even know why i care, because i'm in good health/no injuries, but i like to obsess over the most minor issues.
 
There are turnbacks on I-DAY...DID I scare you :eek:

Calm down and breath now!

The turnbacks were kids that hurt themselves tripping off the bus and other things. I do recall a turnback of a cadet that was returning from a turnback.

All of that being said...do what many people say to do when you get the appt. Wrap yourself in bubble wrap and don't let anybody cough on you. Getting mono the week b4 I-day would definetly stink!

Keep in shape, continue to play your sports, but don't be reckless
 
Sweet. congrats Ryan!

That's good news for me. If the wait time is about 3 weeks, I should have a wonderful Christmas present! :biggrin:
 
Back
Top