Ask a Doolie Anything!

[baileydb]

Don't worry about the glasses, usually the fact that you go to USAFA is a strong enough deterrent itself.



Sorry I had to (Go Navy). But from what I've heard BCGs are usually only strictly worn during summer and more casually after that

Ouch! Haha!

 

[Drawer]

During BCT do we have to do parachuting or anything, IE jumping out of a plane or copter?

I'm not a cadet, but from what I've seen, not at all. That's an activity offered to upper class cadets during the summer.

Ohh okay, that one has been on my mind a bit haha, I intend on studying behavorial science. I'd like to work in the mental health field to help soliders with mental illnesses such as PTSD so I don't particularly want to jump out of stuff but I will if required and maybe once just to say I did!

During your sophomore summer (the summer after Basic), you will participate in an airmanship program. You can request to do Space, UAS (unmanned aerial systems), Jump, or Soaring. Most people take Soaring during freshman year as well. So as far as I, a lowly Doolie, know, you will never be forced to jump out of a plane.

 

[RogersCO'19]

During BCT do we have to do parachuting or anything, IE jumping out of a plane or copter?

I'm not a cadet, but from what I've seen, not at all. That's an activity offered to upper class cadets during the summer.

Ohh okay, that one has been on my mind a bit haha, I intend on studying behavorial science. I'd like to work in the mental health field to help soliders with mental illnesses such as PTSD so I don't particularly want to jump out of stuff but I will if required and maybe once just to say I did!

During your sophomore summer (the summer after Basic), you will participate in an airmanship program. You can request to do Space, UAS (unmanned aerial systems), Jump, or Soaring. Most people take Soaring during freshman year as well. So as far as I, a lowly Doolie, know, you will never be forced to jump out of a plane.

Thank you!

 

[USAFA83GradWife]

During BCT do we have to do parachuting or anything, IE jumping out of a plane or copter?

I'm not a cadet, but from what I've seen, not at all. That's an activity offered to upper class cadets during the summer.

Ohh okay, that one has been on my mind a bit haha, I intend on studying behavorial science. I'd like to work in the mental health field to help soliders with mental illnesses such as PTSD so I don't particularly want to jump out of stuff but I will if required and maybe once just to say I did!

During your sophomore summer (the summer after Basic), you will participate in an airmanship program. You can request to do Space, UAS (unmanned aerial systems), Jump, or Soaring. Most people take Soaring during freshman year as well. So as far as I, a lowly Doolie, know, you will never be forced to jump out of a plane.

Funny. My DD has jump this summer (she requested it). It's actually as popular as Soaring. DH did it when he was at the Academy and said it was "amazing."

Keep an open mind, you may eventually want to give it a try. I believe you have another opportunity as a rising senior.

 

[RogersCO'19]

During BCT do we have to do parachuting or anything, IE jumping out of a plane or copter?

I'm not a cadet, but from what I've seen, not at all. That's an activity offered to upper class cadets during the summer.

Ohh okay, that one has been on my mind a bit haha, I intend on studying behavorial science. I'd like to work in the mental health field to help soliders with mental illnesses such as PTSD so I don't particularly want to jump out of stuff but I will if required and maybe once just to say I did!

During your sophomore summer (the summer after Basic), you will participate in an airmanship program. You can request to do Space, UAS (unmanned aerial systems), Jump, or Soaring. Most people take Soaring during freshman year as well. So as far as I, a lowly Doolie, know, you will never be forced to jump out of a plane.

Funny. My DD has jump this summer (she requested it). It's actually as popular as Soaring. DH did it when he was at the Academy and said it was "amazing."

Keep an open mind, you may eventually want to give it a try. I believe you have another opportunity as a rising senior.

I will keep my mind open, I just have a small issue with heights. It takes encouragement for me to conquer thinhs such as jumping of the high dive

 

[BlahuKahuna]

That will be less of an issue with summer programs and more of an issue with swimming/water survival classes during your second year. You don't absolutely have to do jump or soaring (in fact, plenty of people don't), but those classes both involve heights and are grad requirements.

 

[falconchic88]

AAAand you'll get the chance to do that at USAFA too, during your water survival class!

ETA: Oops, posted at same time as BlahuKahuna

 

[RogersCO'19]

That will be less of an issue with summer programs and more of an issue with swimming/water survival classes during your second year. You don't absolutely have to do jump or soaring (in fact, plenty of people don't), but those classes both involve heights and are grad requirements.

I noticed that, in my appointee kit it asked if I was comfortable jumping from 10 meter platform and the highest I have jumped from was 5meters. I love swimming and diving boards but I've been next to the 10meter platform and they are no joke

 

[TheEvanCat]

They talked about that at summer seminar and I saw the 10m jump. Probably not comfortable at the moment but I've never tried.

 

[afacademychic]

Going to a SA is all about pushing your limits and overcoming challenges. Heights, though intimidating, shouldn't really be the focus of your concerns and won't be close to the hardest thing you'll have to do. Your first challenge is basic. If I were you, I would prepare for that and hold off thinking about jumping out of a plane or off a 10m diving board. I know it's easy to think about all the far off things that may be difficult, but trust me when I tell you you won't be during BCT. Best of luck 2019

 

[RogersCO'19]

They talked about that at summer seminar and I saw the 10m jump. Probably not comfortable at the moment but I've never tried.

If you have ever seen Olympic platforms that have the three platforms, the 5m is the bottom one and the 10m is the top one. I jumped of the 5m and it was alright, I was terrified at first. It'll be interesting getting to USAFA and being asked to jump of the 10m. I'll have to suck it up and jump I guess. But that what they look like. I am not at the academy yet though.

 

[RogersCO'19]

Going to a SA is all about pushing your limits and overcoming challenges. Heights, though intimidating, shouldn't really be the focus of your concerns and won't be close to the hardest thing you'll have to do. Your first challenge is basic. If I were you, I would prepare for that and hold off thinking about jumping out of a plane or off a 10m diving board. I know it's easy to think about all the far off things that may be difficult, but trust me when I tell you you won't be during BCT. Best of luck 2019

Thanks for the advice. Youre right, I just need to focus on BCT and getting there. One step at a time right.

 

[Hodge]

One thing I have heard personally from various sources is you might want to get over those height problems before BCT. It's not bad, but there are things that require confidence.

 

[USAFA83GradWife]

One thing I have heard personally from various sources is you might want to get over those height problems before BCT. It's not bad, but there are things that require confidence.

BCT and doolie year will help a little with that. You learn to trust those around you. So far as I can tell, they haven't lost anyone off that 10m jump yet!

During a visit to USAFA a couple of years ago, we went into the pool area. There was a young lady on the 10m platform. You can tell immediately that she was VERY nervous about jumping off. She'd go to the edge, back away, go to the edge ... you get the drift. After a while, several cadets started congregating at the edge of the pool and cheering her on. You should have heard the cheers after she made the jump! Her smile was beautiful when she came up out of the water.

 

[RogersCO'19]

One thing I have heard personally from various sources is you might want to get over those height problems before BCT. It's not bad, but there are things that require confidence.

BCT and doolie year will help a little with that. You learn to trust those around you. So far as I can tell, they haven't lost anyone off that 10m jump yet!

During a visit to USAFA a couple of years ago, we went into the pool area. There was a young lady on the 10m platform. You can tell immediately that she was VERY nervous about jumping off. She'd go to the edge, back away, go to the edge ... you get the drift. After a while, several cadets started congregating at the edge of the pool and cheering her on. You should have heard the cheers after she made the jump! Her smile was beautiful when she came up out of the water.

That's inspiring! Eases some stress

 

[raimius]

You need to be able to overcome personal fears. The military really doesn't want leaders who can't lead in stressful situations.
That's why things like the "confidence course" exist.

I stood on the 10m platform for a good few minutes, as a cadet. I needed the grade, so I made the jump!

 

[CadCandMateus]

They give you plenty of chances to work your way up to the 10m. They don't just send you up there day 1 and say go.... worry about Basic first lol.

 

[RogersCO'19]

Haha, that makes sense. I think I'm just so anxious that I am over worrying myself. I am just gunna set my focus on basic like all you guys have said. One challenge at a time.

 

[CadCandMateus]

One thing I loved about USAFA (honestly) is that they give you so many opportunities to succeed it's up to you to seek them out. There is EI for PE classes just as much as there is for academic courses. I've had my fair share of EI (extra instruction) for my scuba class, water survival, swimming, etc. If you have trouble just ask for help, they are there to help you.

Except for basic... rely on your classmates to get you through Basic. Also, hydrate now. (lol good times)

 

[RogersCO'19]

One thing I loved about USAFA (honestly) is that they give you so many opportunities to succeed it's up to you to seek them out. There is EI for PE classes just as much as there is for academic courses. I've had my fair share of EI (extra instruction) for my scuba class, water survival, swimming, etc. If you have trouble just ask for help, they are there to help you.

Except for basic... rely on your classmates to get you through Basic. Also, hydrate now. (lol good times)

Thanks for the advice, and omg there are scuba classes?