fromupnorth
USAFA '28 Appointee
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2024
- Messages
- 59
Hi everyone.
'28 Appointee. There was a post on SAF recently for someone who was struggling to accept their appointment because they couldn't come to term with certain things. While similar, my situation is different, and I come here hoping those of you with a lot more wisdom than me will provide some insight that will help me make a decision.
I'm stuck between two choices. USAFA, and continuing my career in the fire department as an EMT/Paramedic. I'm a senior in high school. For the past 2.5 years, I've been an EMT for the Fire Department, and have been full time for the last year. I started Paramedic School back in August, and have been doing well so far (graduation would be April 2025). Kind of on a whim, I applied for the Air Force Academy, and I got in. I love what I do currently; I get to directly serve the public (whereas the military to me seems more like you're serving a system), I am well set-up (job offers, good income, etc.), it's less education to sit through, and I have some amazing friends. Unfortunately, if I were to stay on this path, I'd be stuck in my hometown for longer than I want, I won't feel like I'm reaching for every opportunity, paramedicine as a field isn't very well respected (underpaid, underappreciated, feds classify us as transportation officials, is somewhat of a dead-end job), and I would be at risk for heavy heavy burnout.
The Air Force Academy would offer me a top tier education, will live a physically active lifestyle, have amazing benefits, unforgettable experiences, will be 'serving', and will have the opportunity to travel. Above all else, I get to be an officer in the Air Force. However, ideally I want to fly, but I do have a color deficiency so I am not sure if I even medically qualify. I recently take the Cone Contrast Test and pass, but my left eye was right on the benchmark (55). It also seems like the Air Force uses a slightly different variation of the CCT. Above all else, there is so much unknown, whereas I have so much control and comfort in my current life. I also wouldn't really start my career until 2028, 2030 if I get a pilot slot.
Right now, I'm leaning towards going towards the Academy, at least for the first year, and then re-evaluating. The Air Force doesn't require a service commitment after the first two years for a reason...
Give me your .02!
'28 Appointee. There was a post on SAF recently for someone who was struggling to accept their appointment because they couldn't come to term with certain things. While similar, my situation is different, and I come here hoping those of you with a lot more wisdom than me will provide some insight that will help me make a decision.
I'm stuck between two choices. USAFA, and continuing my career in the fire department as an EMT/Paramedic. I'm a senior in high school. For the past 2.5 years, I've been an EMT for the Fire Department, and have been full time for the last year. I started Paramedic School back in August, and have been doing well so far (graduation would be April 2025). Kind of on a whim, I applied for the Air Force Academy, and I got in. I love what I do currently; I get to directly serve the public (whereas the military to me seems more like you're serving a system), I am well set-up (job offers, good income, etc.), it's less education to sit through, and I have some amazing friends. Unfortunately, if I were to stay on this path, I'd be stuck in my hometown for longer than I want, I won't feel like I'm reaching for every opportunity, paramedicine as a field isn't very well respected (underpaid, underappreciated, feds classify us as transportation officials, is somewhat of a dead-end job), and I would be at risk for heavy heavy burnout.
The Air Force Academy would offer me a top tier education, will live a physically active lifestyle, have amazing benefits, unforgettable experiences, will be 'serving', and will have the opportunity to travel. Above all else, I get to be an officer in the Air Force. However, ideally I want to fly, but I do have a color deficiency so I am not sure if I even medically qualify. I recently take the Cone Contrast Test and pass, but my left eye was right on the benchmark (55). It also seems like the Air Force uses a slightly different variation of the CCT. Above all else, there is so much unknown, whereas I have so much control and comfort in my current life. I also wouldn't really start my career until 2028, 2030 if I get a pilot slot.
Right now, I'm leaning towards going towards the Academy, at least for the first year, and then re-evaluating. The Air Force doesn't require a service commitment after the first two years for a reason...
Give me your .02!