Ask Us (current cadets) Anything

[AFrpaso]

This is a thread where appointees (and others) are free to ask current cadets questions about life at the Academy.

There are a few of us on here so I'm sure we'll be able to field most questions. That being said, don't expect to always get a full answer. There are aspects of life at the Academy which cannot be understood until you are a cadet and some parts we simply don't want to spoil.

Ask away.

My background:
Civ college -> Active Duty AF -> AFA Prep '13 -> USAFA '17.

Majoring in Applied Mathematics.

 

[Aviator1998]

What is life at USAFA Prep like? I have no idea what I would expect if I got offered an appointment to prep

 

[AFrpaso]

Life at USAFA Prep is relatively similar to life at USAFA. The main difference is the size of the school. Everyone knows everyone at the prep school. Academics are focused on three areas: math, English and chem. Class ends at 12 pm. You still have room inspections and take the PFT/AFT. A year at the prep school is NOT meant to be an extra freshman year. People have a lot of free time and make a lot of great friends. Those friends are awesome to have as you struggle through freshman year up on the Hill. My advice would be to accept an offer of appointment to USAFA Prep. I don't regret it at all.

 

[Xyann]

I'm 22 years old and have been enlisted for almost 4 years now.Were any of you direct entry from AD? If so, what did your records look like before applying to USAFA? I was an above average student in HS, but not really extraordinary in math or science. I did do four years of AF JROTC and hold an intelligence analysis job in the AF if that helps at all.

 

[Aviator1998]

One more question sorry haha. Does the prep school still have athletic clubs or like the soaring program and stuff or are those types of programs exclusive to usafa. And do prep students get issued flight suits?

 

[AFrpaso]

I'm 22 years old and have been enlisted for almost 4 years now.Were any of you direct entry from AD? If so, what did your records look like before applying to USAFA? I was an above average student in HS, but not really extraordinary in math or science. I did do four years of AF JROTC and hold an intelligence analysis job in the AF if that helps at all.

There were some who were direct entry from AD. I cannot comment on their records as that topic doesn't typically come up in conversation.

During the year that I applied the Academy actually didn't take any active duty Airmen for direct entry. They only offered Prep School appointments. I was told I was competitive for direct entry w/ the following stats:

HS GPA: 3.79
SAT: 1880
College GPA; 3.89
5 varsity letters
2x sports team captain
Tech school red rope (woo hoo haha)
Tech school distinguished grad
Applying myself in my job and volunteering many hours in community service while enlsited

 

[AFrpaso]

One more question sorry haha. Does the prep school still have athletic clubs or like the soaring program and stuff or are those types of programs exclusive to usafa. And do prep students get issued flight suits?

The prep school does have athletic clubs, but they are far more limited than those at USAFA. There is no soaring program for the prep school. Prep students are not issued flight suits (to my knowledge anyway).

 

[Xyann]

There were some who were direct entry from AD. I cannot comment on their records as that topic doesn't typically come up in conversation.

During the year that I applied the Academy actually didn't take any active duty Airmen for direct entry. They only offered Prep School appointments. I was told I was competitive for direct entry w/ the following stats:

HS GPA: 3.79
SAT: 1880
College GPA; 3.89
5 varsity letters
2x sports team captain
Tech school red rope (woo hoo haha)
Tech school distinguished grad
Applying myself in my job and volunteering many hours in community service while enlsited

Impressive record. It's a bit disconcerting that they didn't take Airman direct that year, but hopefully that isn't the case for this year. How intense did you find the academics to be freshman year?

 

[AFrpaso]

Impressive record. It's a bit disconcerting that they didn't take Airman direct that year, but hopefully that isn't the case for this year. How intense did you find the academics to be freshman year?

I found them manageable.

 

[16maybt]

I know most questions from us nervous/excited appointees probably sound redundant; however, I'll still ask.

What is BCT like in your opinion- hard? Easy? Lots of screaming? What is knowledge like? Most importantly, what kind of physical shape do I need to be in? I run XC and track so even with the elevation change I think I should be able to survive. But on the core/push ups side of things how much do you do? What would you recommend to get in shape?

 

[AFrpaso]

Hard? -Yes.
Lots of Screaming? -Yes.
What is knowledge like? -You will need to know and write info verbatim from memory.

Physical shape? -You will be all set for running. There is a lot of push/core work. I recommend that you continue running and start/continue doing the typical body weight exercises. Don't stress about which exact exercises to do. Just work hard.

 

[LFry94]

What would you recommend to get in shape?

Run even more! I ran 3 miles a day leading up to BCT and I think it helped a lot.

 

[Padre101]

How is the food? What made you decide your major? What are you going to do after graduation? Do most cadets get their airborne wings? Is it hard to get a slot on the parachute team?

Best wishes and thank you for your service to our Nation!

 

[LFry94]

How is the food?

Free.

What made you decide your major?

Management for two reasons.
1. There are a lot of things demanding for your time at the academy, which makes academics many times more difficult than in high school. Management is a major that's harder to fail.
2. Eventually, I'd like to work in business. The academy has one of the best undergraduate management programs in the US.

What are you going to do after graduation?

Just put in for my AFSC preferences today. #1 choice is contracting

Do most cadets get their airborne wings?

Not most, but a lot.

Is it hard to get a slot on the parachute team?

Yes, it is! I did not apply for it, so I cannot give you details, though.

 

[Tommyboy]

Are there any acting, comedy, or theater groups for cadets to join. My jock DS was suckered to join a production his senior year and turns out he enjoyed it and was a rather decent actor.

 

[BlahuKahuna]

Are there any acting, comedy, or theater groups for cadets to join. My jock DS was suckered to join a production his senior year and turns out he enjoyed it and was a rather decent actor.

Have your DS seek out Bluebards if he's still interested when he gets here. They're our acting group.

 

[Tommyboy]

Do you have the opportunity to switch majors if you find your first choice no longer interests you?

 

[LFry94]

Do you have the opportunity to switch majors if you find your first choice no longer interests you?

If you switch before you take too many of your major's classes you can. It depends on how many classes you validate and whether you are on the 4-5-1 plan or not.

 

[BlahuKahuna]

Re: switching majors, I'll also add that it really depends on what you switch between. I've heard of some pretty late switches (like, second semester junior year late.) If you switch from, say, aeronautical engineering to systems aero, it will be a much easier switch than from biology to econ.

Realistically, almost any switch can happen with minimal extra-classes heartburn during your first two years. Just keep your options open, I encourage not declaring a major until you're done with your first year unless you're incredibly set on one major.

 

[Tommyboy]

If you switch before you take too many of your major's classes you can. It depends on how many classes you validate and whether you are on the 4-5-1 plan or not.

Do you actually get to choose a major or does the AFA "recommend" a major to you?