How bad is basic? I’m not the most physically fit so I am quite concerned about it
I felt the same way coming in, trust me! The 26er's basic will be a bit different than my class' from what I've heard, but overall, if you passed the PFA you are fine. (I would
definitely recommend coming a day or two early just to get used to the altitude...oh and DRINK WATER).
Are you allowed to use your phone to watch TV shows or YouTube videos in your free time (if you have any) as a pre-recognition doolie?
How much (if any) free time do you have?
These two I'll answer together -
yes you can go down as many YouTube rabbit holes as you wish & binge all the TV shows you want...it just depends on your free time. I would say that I have
enough free time. Coming from a "normal" college I obviously have less, but that doesn't stop me from watching the entire Mandalorian series in 3 days (highly recommend!). Overall, I'd say it comes down to how much you're willing to do the things you need to do so that you can make time to have fun.
Are Doolies allowed to leave the base on Sundays without a pass? I heard Sundays are off, I’m just wondering how much freedom you actually have
Sundays we are allowed to sign out during the "Sunday sign-out period". Some people choose to go to church, but other people I know go and get food, go shopping, or just chill off-base! (Non-training weekends here are great)
How difficult are the academics? Do most cadets struggle in all of their classes or are there a few classes that are very difficult and others that are very easy?
Ah yes, academics.... For the most part I would say that cadets I know struggle in the classes they don't take the time to understand. Everybody is very different and will find certain classes really easy and others super tough. All this to say (the worst answer ever, I know)
it depends.
I will say that compared to "normal" college the class sizes here are
way, way smaller (like 15-30 vs. 100-300 people) so that means the teachers all pretty much know you by name and are super willing to help you! You just have to
ask for help.
How much sleep would you say the average cadet gets?
Haha - what's that? Jk, but on average I would say that I get anywhere between 6-8 hours every night, but like with most things here, your mileage may vary and I know cadets who consistently get waaaay less than 6 and those who get closer to 10 (imagine...). It all depends on your major, what homework you have, what you're involved in, and (most importantly) how you choose to manage your time.
Do you get to choose which language you study or does the Air Force choose that for you? And does past language experience influence that decision at all? (I have four years of Spanish experience but I am really hoping to learn Russian)
Hoping to learn Russian? USAFA will
definitely help you with that goal. You might already know, but there are certain languages that the DoD deems as "strategic" (Russian, Chinese, & Arabic to name a few). If you express interest in one of those they are likely to put you in one. If you have 4 years of high school Spanish you'll (probably) do good on the placement test taken during basic and might get to validate a course or two. That being said, everybody and their neighbor has taken Spanish in high school (not to discredit your Spanish ability) and USAFA knows that, so the placement test and the Spanish 110 course here are designed assuming that you have a few years under your belt already.
And lastly, is there anything about Basic Training or the Academy that you wish you knew before attending?
The people here are
amazing! You've probably heard it already from others, but the people you meet here will really be your friends for a long time - you can just tell. I would also say to not freak out (easier said than done, right?). Just understand that all of the upperclassmen and everyone who is training you Doolie year is doing it because they really care about you (otherwise they wouldn't be there).
Sorry I have so many questions, no worries if you don’t have time to answer them all or don’t know the answers. Thank you so much!
No problem - questions are good! Good luck!