Just do it, and others. There is nothing wrong with having a better feel for navy over Air Force. Or army over coast guard or merchant marine over the others. Just realize and emphasize to yourself and your kids that the goal isn’t to make a “career” out of the academy. The academies are simply a path to getting a degree, a commission, and becoming an officer/leader in the military. ALL of the academies provide a stellar education. The question an applicant must ask themselves is what branch of the military fits them best for the 5, 10, 15, or 20 years AFTER they graduate and get commissioned.
The way the Air Force academy replies and relates to applicants is not indicative of what the REAL Air Force will be like for the next 5-20 years after. Just like the navy, army, coast guard and merchant marine academies aren’t representative of the REAL military in those branches.
I know first impressions can be very influential to your decisions. But in the end, you need to look at which branch of service you want to serve in. For some, it doesn’t matter. In that case, let the emotions of the academy admissions process sway your decisions. But if you have a particular interest in a certain branch of the military, don’t let the admissions process; good OR bad make the decision for you. Once at the academy, they are all the same as they’ve always been (prior to any admissions process changes or feelings). And active duty military, any branch, is the real deal. No matter what academy or rotc unit you attended.
In other words, look at your goals. Look at the big picture and long range goals. The academy SHOULD NOT be your goal. It’s simply “A PATH” to get you towards your goals.
Christcorp, generally I read your posts and nod my head in agreement, but I've got to tell you that I'm scratching my head on this one.
You said, "There is nothing wrong with having a better feel for navy over Air Force." As the dad of an applicant, I believe that is an accurate statement. However, if I were an advocate (such as yourself) for USAFA, that would be very troubling to me. Why are so many individuals on this thread be indicating that the USAFA admission process is changing their perception of the academy... not for the better? Additionally, why are so many indicating that the other SAs are doing a much better job "selling" their academy and their service branch to the candidates?
You could say, as you have, as long as USAFA has more qualified applicants than it has slots, it can conduct its programs as it sees fit. Fair enough, but if that is the prevailing attitude at USAFA, it has to be impacting its recruiting efforts.
This notion that the admissions process should have little or no bearing on the candidates is naïve, in my humble opinion. The argument that candidates should look at the service branch - not the service academy admissions process - reminds me of a card sharp telling his audience to watch one hand while the other hand changes the cards. When you say, "don’t let the admissions process; good OR bad
make the
decision for you," or "In that case, let the
emotions of the academy admissions process sway your decisions," there's a disingenuous and condescending tone to it.
Finally, you say, "The academy SHOULD NOT be your goal." That's preposterous. Of course gaining admittance to an SA is a goal, and it's a lofty, worthy goal, at that. It's a goal that most of these young adults have been striving to achieve for years. As with any goal, once attained, it becomes the platform for reaching your next goal. Through out the process objectives and aspirations change, so goals are reassessed and revised.
Now, apparently
In-The-Know (as a representative for the USAFA admissions office?) has published a combination {How are we doing? Survey/FYI Service announcement/Make sure you complete these steps} post. Is this an acknowledgement that there is an issue? Given the push back that several USAFA representatives gave earlier in this thread, I suppose that's potentially a good thing for the class of 2023.
Again Christcorp, you are a trusted resource on this site, and I usually find your posts very helpful. I apologize if this post has a tough tone to it. I truly believe that USAFA is one of the finest institutions in the nation and want it to maintain that distinction.