2015 Grad, Send Questions!

^ yeah very different. One thing I would add is everything changes junior year when you get a car.

Free time is golden. I had weekends where me and my buds would go out and come back way later than we expected, way less sober than we expected (obviously senior year), and I had weekends where I didn't feel like doing anything at all other than lay in bed and read. Some dudes get into hobbies there; if that's your thing do it. Anything you enjoy that recharges you. And manage your time well - not so you can get good grades, though that will be a side effect - but so you can maximize your free time.

The best times I had there were when I went next door to my buddy's room ticked off about some late night briefing and wanting to complain, and ended up not doing my homework cause 4 other dudes joined us and we didn't stop laughing for the next 3 hours. The friends you make there will very quickly outpace your high school friends, and I promise you'll miss them
 
I do not know how much you know about the CRO AFSC, but your major would be irrelevant to whether or not you were accepted for CRO. You would need to attend a week long selection held by pararescue squadrons, where they would assess your leadership and physical aptitude. This selection is extremely difficult and the majority of people that attend are not selected. About 50% will quit before the week is over. To that end, the Academy, in my opinion, has the best opportunities of any commissioning source for preparing you for this selection (look into battlefield airman course, army programs, and phase zero).

If you want to attend med school, I would not recommend the academy. While a few do get to go to med school, it is extremely competitive and not guaranteed as it would have to be on the Air Force's dime.

Thank you for telling me more about the CRO career field. It is something that I've been wanting to do. I also have a passion for psychology so I might take a something related to that as well.
 
What would you recommend as a workout now to prepare for the vigorous aspects of BCT?
This:
Cardio every morning before school, alternating between these two workouts:
-10 400 meter (1/4 mile) sprints, 1:1 work to rest ratio, followed by 5 suicides of a distance that takes you about 45 seconds to complete, again 1:1 work:rest
-3 mile run

After school, alternate between these two workouts:

CHEST/SHOULDERS:
-5 sets of 5 reps flat barbell bench, 2 minutes rest between sets, increase weight by 5 pounds if you can get all 5 sets of 5 reps
-Shoulder press, same scheme as above
-20 minutes, pick a number of pushups to do every minute at the start of that minute. This number should be just about impossible to complete on minute 20. Touch the floor with your chest, lock out your elbows at the top. Your rest will be the remainder of each minute left over after you finish your pushups. Increase the number of reps if you can do all 20 sets
-6 rounds: hold the pushup position (front leaning rest) for 2 minutes without putting your butt in the air or lifting your hands off the ground. max pushups at the end of the 2 minutes, 2 minutes rest between each set
-Find a 100 meter distance, create 5 "stations" along that distance. Bearcrawl from station to station, completing 10 good pushups at each station. The start and end of the 100 meters can be stations. Rest as long as it took you to do that, repeat 4 times.

LEGS/BACK:
-5x5 of squat, deadlift, and barbell back row, same scheme as was used for bench press/shoulder press. Add 5 pounds when you can
-20 minutes every minute on the minute pullups, same scheme as was used for pushups above
-In as little time as possible: do 1 pullup, do 1 burpee. do 2 pullups, do 2 burpees. Keep adding 1 to each. When you have done 8 pullups and 8 burpees, go back down the ladder to 7,6,5, etc. until you reach one again. Goal here is to try to decrease the time it takes you to do this every time you do it.

Take sunday off. On saturdays, don't do cardio.
 
Just graduated last May, can give my honest opinions/advice on the academy and how to get in.
My DS just received Senate nomination and has a complete application. I've surfed the web a bit and can't conclude where he stands statistically. Just want to say, what a great adventure the application process was for him and our small community. Hoping he gets an appointment but a note to anyone interested in applying: The application process alone has a number of rewarding experiences and has measurable value for your son/daughter. Dive in and enjoy the ride!
 
what are the rewarding experiences of the application process!?
Figuring out you actually got a nomination after months of stressing about it, having your application portal have all check marks by your required forms (don't have to worry about doing paperwork on top of regular class work), seeing your standardized test superscored (makes you feel a lot smarter), getting through the CFA with your body still intact, etc etc
 
what are the rewarding experiences of the application process!?
Well, it is quite a relief when you see the word "complete" on the portal. Kind of like realizing the pain goes away when you stop hitting your head against the wall. No, seriously, when you get that appointment, it makes it all worth while. So, hang in there everyone. You got this!
 
Hello, I was wondering if you could recommend one thing that every candidate should do to be competitive. What would you suggest?
 
What did your High School Resume look like ??
-GPA unweighted/ Weighted (If you don't mind me ask
-Class Ranking
- School sports/Clubs involvement
- Out of school activities

Just trying to compare and see if I'm on the right track.
 
Hello, I was wondering if you could recommend one thing that every candidate should do to be competitive. What would you suggest?
There is no magical "one thing."
The better you are at academics, athletics, and leadership, the better your chances.
 
Just graduated last May, can give my honest opinions/advice on the academy and how to get in.

I have some questions relating to Sponsors during your time as cadet?

Please note that I do not mean to in any way question or diminish the contribution that the families who so generously offer to be sponsor families for cadets are making. However, I am curious about the concept of sponsor families. This seems to be a concept which is fully embraced by the Service Academies and somewhat unique to them. I’m puzzled about it and how the typical cadet views this during their progression from C4C to C1C.

  1. What percentage of cadets have sponsor families?
  2. I suspect it may be the extent to which the Academy’s environment is structured, one might even say it is rigid particularly for ones C4C year, which may drive interest in a sponsor family. Is it the need to be able to escape this structure even if for only a brief period which is the greatest value in having a sponsor family? Is this primarily a C4C year thing? What’s the frequency of visits to sponsor homes across your years as a cadet?
  3. I had initially thought that a major benefit was logistical support and the ability to have access to items which might not be allowed on campus for the beginning of their C4C year. However, recent posts would seem to indicate that things like bicycles, ski equipment, and associated clothing are allowed. Although, I’m not certain as to where they can actually store such items on campus. To what extent is this a key benefit of having a sponsor family?
  4. I would have thought that most free time would be spent with fellow cadets. Is it the case that most visits to sponsor families involve multiple cadets during the same visit? So your are with your peers but in a less structured environment. While I’m sure the sponsor families are great people, I’m not certain that the cadet being off with them would be that much of an attraction.
  5. I can certainly see the benefit for short breaks like Thanksgiving or three day weekends. Although, in traditional university settings, for short breaks students might be invited to homes of classmates who lived a bit closer. Does USAFA academy literally empty out for such holidays. For example can you stay at the Academy for Thanksgiving break? Is it a ghost town?
  6. I am of the impression that most sponsor families have ties to the military. For those who were not raised in a military family, is having personal time with someone who has been a career member of the service a key benefit?

Any comments or thoughts regarding any of the foregoing and how one interacts or values sponsor families while enrolled would be appreciated.
 
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For cadets that are from the south, how have you coped with the cold weather? Are all the issued uniforms enough, or do you use other items?

Similar to my first question, but regarding the uniform of the day. When it's cold, I imagine some people don't mind as much as others and would be perfectly fine wearing just the blues. But would I be allowed to wear my jacket/windbreaker whenever I think I need it, or can I only wear it on designated days?
 
what would you recommend for training for basic without access to a gym/weights? like workouts for home with no weights? I know it's not ideal but that's my only option
 
During BCT, I know there is a lot of PT, but what kinds of exercises specifically? Like mostly running and bodyweight stuff, or do basics have to lift as well?
 
89, body weight exercises are fine. Pull ups, squats, lunges, dips, push ups, burpees, mountain climbers, sit ups, planks, flutter kicks, leg levers. There are dozens of variations of these exercises. You can do regular squats, squat pulses, squat jumps, sumo squats, narrow squats, and many others. Any core exercises you can think of. Do a google search for body weight exercises for each of these and you will find tons of workouts. Seriously if you can develop a very tough regiment of exercises like this and tons of cardio you will be fine. You won't be lifting during BCT.
 
I'm a freshmen and I'm interested in being an ALO. I didn't do sandhurst this year and I'm not sure if its like honor guard where they only accept during 4* year. I'm planning on doing Phase Zero and getting more info on the Army programs. Is it a big deal that I missed out on sandhurst? Is being an ALO what you expected? How is it interacting with army guys as an airman? Thanks in advance!
 
Is taps part of a formation/check in? Like do cadets have to be lined up out of their rooms or is that just the time when they are supposed to turn the lights off? Can cadets go to sleep at say 2200 to try to get an extra hour or are they required to be up at taps?
 
Is taps part of a formation/check in? Like do cadets have to be lined up out of their rooms or is that just the time when they are supposed to turn the lights off? Can cadets go to sleep at say 2200 to try to get an extra hour or are they required to be up at taps?

You didn't ask me but, during Basic you're up until taps. And you stand out in the hallway at attention as taps plays. After A-Day you can go to sleep any time after 1950. You sign an early rest notification and put it on your door. If you don't then whoever is doing DI will open your door and get "eyes on accountability"
 
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