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ak29 said:
Currently a 26er (sophomore) here at USAFA, willing to answer any questions you might have about this place (applying, cadet life, etc.)!
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What made you choose USAFA over the other SAs? What do you think is the best and worst thing about being a cadet at the Air Force Academy?
 
How are you fairing academically? There's a lot of amazing things to do at USAFA, and it would suck if academics takes up all your time.
 
Are you happy with your decision to go to USAFA? I have heard people say that it's not a good place to be, but a good place to be from.
Was the application process as competitive as you thought it would be? Did you get in on your first application attempt? What are you studying? Do you like it?
 
runningwolf_63 said:
Are you happy with your decision to go to USAFA? I have heard people say that it's not a good place to be, but a good place to be from.
Was the application process as competitive as you thought it would be? Did you get in on your first application attempt? What are you studying? Do you like it?
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Just a quick interjection here, the old "not a good place to be but a good place to be from" is pretty common for every military academy in the world. It's not designed to be a party location like many universities and it can be tough, so while you are there it very rarely seems to be a good place to be. Once you graduate you realize it wasn't that bad and look back at your time with fond memories and strong friendships that were forged in the fire. Both my sons actually love being there and just wish it was more military focused and more disciplined but they were raised by an old operator :) Truth is, every place you are in life is what you make of it.

Back to you ak29
 
blueskies18 said:
What made you choose USAFA over the other SAs? What do you think is the best and worst thing about being a cadet at the Air Force Academy?
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I only applied to USAFA and USCGA, and I chose USAFA for several different reasons. First, I felt that USAFA had very unique opportunities that could expose me to aviation and flying -- as someone who has done all three of them (Jump, Soaring, and Powered Flight), these were all amazing and has solidified my interest in flying as one of my careers. Another reason is because this was the only service academy that really had an in-depth academic department and course load for the major I wanted to pursue -- Biology. Along with their wide range of courses and research opportunities, this was the place that I felt would best fit my academic interests. Additionally, I strictly wanted to pursue a career in the Air Force or the Space Force (kind of contradictory as to why I applied to USCGA but that's a different story) and the rest of schools I applied to were AFROTC universities, so this was my first choice no matter what.

One of the best things about being a cadet here is being exposed to the officer corps of the Air and Space Forces, and getting to hear about their operational careers and experiences. This can happen through various avenues -- your class instructors, Permanent Party, and even families and friends of other fellow cadets. Hearing about their experiences and challenges has been amazing because I get to see what each career is like, and how they all contribute towards the Air and Space Forces' objectives and missions. This exposure also includes several instances where high-ranking officials of the AF and SF visit USAFA. I've shaken hands with several generals, including the former CSAF and CSO, along with numerous other members of HQ USAF and the DOD.

The biggest challenges I've faced as a cadet is stress. There are so many responsibilities and duties that you have as a cadet, from your classes to military training and even athletics, and it is very easy to feel burnout or overwhelmed by all of this. Especially if you are an Intercollegiate Athlete or an upperclassmen with a key leadership position, your commitments increase exponentially and your schedule could be very packed. I have coped with this by setting specific times throughout the days and weekends where I focus on solely relaxing and recuperating before getting back in the grind, whether that be going out with friends, watching a movie, or just being completely lazy -- it is absolutely necessary to do "soul-refreshment activities," as my PoliSci teacher noted.
 
Ritual75th said:
How are you fairing academically? There's a lot of amazing things to do at USAFA, and it would suck if academics takes up all your time.
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Academics are definitely the most stressful thing in my opinion. Unlike civilian universities, USAFA has such a large CORE curriculum (equivalent to GE classes at normal universities) that a lot of the classes I have to take are unnecessary for my major. It is astounding that there are more CORE classes that are required to take instead of majors classes.

Since I've been on the Dean's list for all 3 semesters I've been here (over 3.0 GPA) I guess I can say that I am doing fairly well academically, but I think I could definitely do better in some of my core classes. Classes like Mechanical Engineering, Political Science, and Chemistry have been the most difficult for me but I have been trying different ways to perform very optimally in these courses. I'm excited to dive in more towards my majors classes in the coming semesters.

I still have windows throughout my days where I can participate in other activities as well, such as religious groups and other clubs. Time management is the most important thing here, though.
 
runningwolf_63 said:
Are you happy with your decision to go to USAFA? I have heard people say that it's not a good place to be, but a good place to be from.
Was the application process as competitive as you thought it would be? Did you get in on your first application attempt? What are you studying? Do you like it?
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I am very happy with my decision to go to USAFA. As I've mentioned in my previous replies, there are so many unique and amazing opportunities that you are exposed to here, which are things that I would have missed out on have I attended somewhere else. In response to the statement "not a good place to be, but a good place to be from," I think it is misleading. Cadet life definitely is not easy, I can conclude. But the whole idea and mission of a service academy is meant to be difficult, rigorous, and challenging. I have had my ups and downs here, but pushing through it and being resilient is the most important aspect of USAFA and all the other SAs as well. There will be bad days, but there will certainly be good days. You have to make the best out of this place, and I do not regret enduring all of the hardships that have come my way here at USAFA.

From my knowledge, I was the only person from my high school applying to USAFA. But I did not know how many others were applying from the other schools in my area, so I just assumed that it would be relatively competitive. This is why I tried to excel in all areas -- GPA, CFA, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews -- to the maximum extent possible in order to stay competitive. But once I received my nomination from my congressman, I think the competition went down a little bit more, as I had more optimism about the final result. I ended up getting in on my first attempt on St. Patrick's Day 2022!

My major is Biology with a pre-med concentration and a Spanish minor. Classes can be difficult, as I mentioned in my previous reply, but I absolutely love it. All of my instructors have been dedicated towards helping cadets succeed, and I've been able to participate in opportunities like research and language immersion programs. I'm excited to continue on my coursework throughout the rest of my semesters.
 
All3Services said:
Just a quick interjection here, the old "not a good place to be but a good place to be from" is pretty common for every military academy in the world. It's not designed to be a party location like many universities and it can be tough, so while you are there it very rarely seems to be a good place to be. Once you graduate you realize it wasn't that bad and look back at your time with fond memories and strong friendships that were forged in the fire. Both my sons actually love being there and just wish it was more military focused and more disciplined but they were raised by an old operator :) Truth is, every place you are in life is what you make of it.

Back to you ak29
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I completely agree with this! Undoubtedly this place has been extremely difficult at times.... especially during Doolie year. But pushing through and enduring all the hardships are what makes this place so memorable, and building all the friendships and connections in the process is what makes this place a lot better. I know that once I graduate and serve in the AF I will know many individuals who will go on to become generals and successful people in life, that I was fellow cadets with.

I do think that USAFA lacks more of the "military" aspect unlike the other academies. It is very heavy during BCT and Doolie year, but essentially vanishes after Recognition and into sophomore year and beyond. But the new Commandant is making several changes to this matter so that upperclassmen will have their respective military training, but the specific details are yet to be known. I'm interested to see where he goes with this.
 
Aardvaark111 said:
What do summers look like? I've seen the list of cadet summer programs. Is that something where you apply for the program(s) you want to attend?
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Summers are broken up into 3 summer periods. Each year there are different opportunities available for what you can do. After 4deg year you do one airmanship program and combat survival training. After 3deg year you do OPS where travel to a base and get to learn about different jobs and see more of the operational Airforce, and you do one cadre program (i.e running a summer program for the underclassmen). After 2deg year you can do 2 cadre programs or apply for other opportunities such as summer research. Each year you are guaranteed one block to take leave if you want it. There are more nuances to it than just this such as giving up leave to do extra programs or summer school, but this is what it is for most people.

In terms of getting the program you want it is mostly based on a priority list you send in during the year with higher ranking cadets getting their first choice more often. Some programs however have applications separately such as for summer research or leadership positions within the summer programs.
 
jack42405 said:
Summers are broken up into 3 summer periods. Each year there are different opportunities available for what you can do. After 4deg year you do one airmanship program and combat survival training. After 3deg year you do OPS where travel to a base and get to learn about different jobs and see more of the operational Airforce, and you do one cadre program (i.e running a summer program for the underclassmen). After 2deg year you can do 2 cadre programs or apply for other opportunities such as summer research. Each year you are guaranteed one block to take leave if you want it. There are more nuances to it than just this such as giving up leave to do extra programs or summer school, but this is what it is for most people.

In terms of getting the program you want it is mostly based on a priority list you send in during the year with higher ranking cadets getting their first choice more often. Some programs however have applications separately such as for summer research or leadership positions within the summer programs.
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You mentioned Summer School…is that always an option?

How many classes can be taken, how many weeks are the classes, are you still able to take part in the Summer Programs?

Is Summer School designed to shore up weaker courses or to “work ahead” (reducing class load/opening up schedule for other opportunities)?

I truly appreciate all of you who offer your experience to assist those coming behind!
 
snoofn17 said:
Is it all worth it? All the stress and work?
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I think most would say that's entirely up to you. Do you want to serve your country and be a leader in the US Air and Space Forces and potentially fly some of the most advanced aircraft in the world and lead AF/SF personnel in times of peace and war? If you do and also want a great education as well as the experience that only a SA can give then clearly it's a yes. If you are more of a casual observer and aren't sure if it's right for you then it may not be. Every cadet at every academy has their own reasons, their own "why" that gets them through so if you have that then go for it.
 
HereToLearn said:
You mentioned Summer School…is that always an option?

How many classes can be taken, how many weeks are the classes, are you still able to take part in the Summer Programs?

Is Summer School designed to shore up weaker courses or to “work ahead” (reducing class load/opening up schedule for other opportunities)?

I truly appreciate all of you who offer your experience to assist those coming behind!
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Before I answer, I need to provide a little background on the USAFA core curriculum. First, the core is very large, and most cadets take almost all core courses their first year, a majority of core courses during their second year (the year most declare a major), and their remaining core courses during their final two years...sprinkled throughout their majors courses and electives. Second, if a cadet is in academic trouble when they arrive at USAFA (low GPA and/or multiple D or F grades), it is likely due to a core course...either it is not a course that is in their wheelhouse (e.g., a tech courses for a non-tech cadet, or a non-tech course for a tech cadet) of they are having trouble adjusting to academic life with all the mandatory military and athletic demands added on.

In such cases, cadets may for forced or offered Summer Academics to either take another shot at a course they failed (because you cannot fail a core course...you must re-take it) or try to improve a low grade (because you cannot allow your cumulative GPA to drop below 2.00). Since cadet summers generally consist of 3 three-week long periods, you take a single course in three weeks rather than over a full academic semester. It is very fast and hard--long classes and homework every day--but in most cases you are seeing the material for the second time. So, you see that taking a summer course means giving up a summer period of training. Summer trainining requirements are forgiving enough that they can be shifted to future summer periods, future summers, or even shifted to the academic year (if offered year round). But, you will have fewer summer training opportunities if you take summer academics.

If you are NOT in academic trouble, you CAN request summer academics to "get ahead". For example, if you changed majors from Electrical Engineering to History at the start of your Junior Year, some of the EE courses MIGHT satisfy your History majors course requirements (but not many!), so you will have to take extra classes until graduation. This burden can be lessoned by taking a remaining core class during summer. If you are a double major (e.g., Political Science and Philosophy) then you will be taking extra classes until graduation, and summer academics can help reduce the burden.

Finally, some cadets (either in academic trouble or to get ahead) can request TWO summer academic courses, but they typically have to give up their summer leave period. Recall that each summer consists of 3 periods...one is typically summer leave and cadets look forward to this all year long. If you give that up, then you can replace your leave with a second summer academics course.

From the perspective of the Dean and her faculty: faculty like to have a summer break for time off with family and family vacations too. So, there are only so many courses and faculty assigned to teach them during the summer. For this reason, USAFA tends to prioritize cadets in academic trouble--those actually in danger of being kicked out due to poor academic performance--over those who simply want to get ahead. Those who are double majors or recent majors changes and are "overloaded" get the remaining slots and can be prioritized based on how overloaded they might be during their remaining academic semesters.
 
snoofn17 said:
Is it all worth it? All the stress and work?
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Nobody excels in life without stress and work. Since stress and work are constant, the real question is, do you really want to get an education at a military academy, and serve in the Air Force or Space Force? The more you want these things, the more the stress and work will be worth it.

My two closest friends in high school all went to academies with me. One went to USAFA with me, the other to West Point. The West Pointer wanted to go with us to USAFA, but he could not get a vision waiver. In the middle of West Point Basic Training, he soon realized he did not want to be in the Army enough to endure basic, and four years at West Point. My friend at USAFA had an outstanding first year at USAFA, and then decided to leave. He attended only because his father wanted him too. I stayed on because I have always wanted a military lifestyle and to serve in the Air Force in particular. I am now retired and I can absolutely say it was worth it. My friends are now doing well in different (civilian) occupations and they are also happy with their decisions.
 
GoodRun said:
Before I answer, I need to provide a little background on the USAFA core curriculum. First, the core is very large, and most cadets take almost all core courses their first year, a majority of core courses during their second year (the year most declare a major), and their remaining core courses during their final two years...sprinkled throughout their majors courses and electives. Second, if a cadet is in academic trouble when they arrive at USAFA (low GPA and/or multiple D or F grades), it is likely due to a core course...either it is not a course that is in their wheelhouse (e.g., a tech courses for a non-tech cadet, or a non-tech course for a tech cadet) of they are having trouble adjusting to academic life with all the mandatory military and athletic demands added on.

In such cases, cadets may for forced or offered Summer Academics to either take another shot at a course they failed (because you cannot fail a core course...you must re-take it) or try to improve a low grade (because you cannot allow your cumulative GPA to drop below 2.00). Since cadet summers generally consist of 3 three-week long periods, you take a single course in three weeks rather than over a full academic semester. It is very fast and hard--long classes and homework every day--but in most cases you are seeing the material for the second time. So, you see that taking a summer course means giving up a summer period of training. Summer trainining requirements are forgiving enough that they can be shifted to future summer periods, future summers, or even shifted to the academic year (if offered year round). But, you will have fewer summer training opportunities if you take summer academics.

If you are NOT in academic trouble, you CAN request summer academics to "get ahead". For example, if you changed majors from Electrical Engineering to History at the start of your Junior Year, some of the EE courses MIGHT satisfy your History majors course requirements (but not many!), so you will have to take extra classes until graduation. This burden can be lessoned by taking a remaining core class during summer. If you are a double major (e.g., Political Science and Philosophy) then you will be taking extra classes until graduation, and summer academics can help reduce the burden.

Finally, some cadets (either in academic trouble or to get ahead) can request TWO summer academic courses, but they typically have to give up their summer leave period. Recall that each summer consists of 3 periods...one is typically summer leave and cadets look forward to this all year long. If you give that up, then you can replace your leave with a second summer academics course.

From the perspective of the Dean and her faculty: faculty like to have a summer break for time off with family and family vacations too. So, there are only so many courses and faculty assigned to teach them during the summer. For this reason, USAFA tends to prioritize cadets in academic trouble--those actually in danger of being kicked out due to poor academic performance--over those who simply want to get ahead. Those who are double majors or recent majors changes and are "overloaded" get the remaining slots and can be prioritized based on how overloaded they might be during their remaining academic semesters.
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Thank you for this detailed reply!!
 
Could be a stupid question, but how did/do you fair with PT? I’m a hopeful candidate for the C/O 2029, and training for the CFA is kicking my butt in the upper body department. I’m very strong otherwise, and I know that upper body strength is extremely important, but just wanted to hear your thoughts. Kind of looking for any strategies, ways to deal with the exhaustion through training/testing, etc. Thanks for taking questions from us! I know we all appreciate you. :)
 
ak29 said:
Currently a 26er (sophomore) here at USAFA, willing to answer any questions you might have about this place (applying, cadet life, etc.)!
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How often do you get to visit your family/friends out of stare? Also, is USAFA completely miserable freshman year? (before recognition)
 
Malst0rme said:
How often do you get to visit your family/friends out of stare? Also, is USAFA completely miserable freshman year? (before recognition)
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Your first year, you can have family and friends visit for Parents Weekend in Oct, and can go home for Christmas and New Years after Fall semester final exams before returning very early in Jan for the Spring semester. Some years the academic and military training schedule are worked to allow a long weekend (maybe 5 days) over Thanksgiving for those who think its worth the expense. Other times you get like 4 days including travel so why bother. Next time you can go home is Spring Break. After that, you have to wait for your assigned 3-week summer leave period. Note that some cadets have extracurricular activities (athletics, competitive clubs) that might take up part of the Winter or Spring Break. If your parents and friends are free, they can come to YOU at USAFA, but you might not have very much time to see them--a few hours in the evening if you give up academic call to quarters (study time) or after training ends (if any) on a Saturday. Sundays are typically free until academic call to quarters that night. Finally, you can request a sponsor in the local area--typically a friend of USAFA who is willing to host a cadet in their house so they can get away from USAFA from time to time. If you really mesh well, then you will likely be invited to lots of family events and they will provide better support to you...like rides to the airport and hosting your parents during Parents Weekend visits. Upperclassmen get all of the above plus more "passes" to leave USAFA during the semester. A junior will be allowed to have a car, which opens up way more opportunities.

It is impossible for me to predict how miserable your experience will be. Different cadets will have different experiences (squadron environment, class schedule, assigned trainers/mentors, fast fourthclass friends), and every person is stressed by different things. USAFA is designed to be stressful, so plan accordingly so you learn, grow, and adapt quickly to reduce your stressors. For example, if you are more athlete than academic, then make it a priority to study as poor grades are the fastest way to be booted from USAFA. If you take things personally, then try to understand why you are being yelled at (trained) rather than assuming the trainer doesn't like you. It helps if you are the kind of person that can bounce back after taking a hit, and you are the kind of person that never ever gives up.
 
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