Ask Us (current cadets) Anything

Is the food served with a consistent menu schedule? For example, dish A is always the meal on Mondays.
If so, what do you guys eat?
 
Alright, I just made an account and plan to lurk as this information is invaluable.

I'm a 18 year old (19 in July) and I'll be enlisting some time within the next month or so.

My long term goal is to attend the Academy and become an officer.

The problem, is that my highschool GPA is very lackluster (2.7). I have a plan of action of sorts to make myself a strong candidate after being enlisted a while, and I'd like to know what y'all would have to add to it.

-Strong SAT, ACT, and ASVAB scores
-BMT honor grad
-Tech School distinguished graduate
-performing well as an Airman
-taking some college courses to show that I am capable of a course load

I know it's a lot to strive for and nothing is a given, but I'm completely motivated. I would greatly appreciate some input from the ones who worked hard to make things happen for themselves!
 
EngineerFQ said:
Is the food served with a consistent menu schedule? For example, dish A is always the meal on Mondays.
If so, what do you guys eat?
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Hopefully Monday is still pasta night, but besides that there's no set schedule. Of course, there's only so many main courses that Mitch's serves, but usually several weeks pass before the exact same meal is served again.
 
Oh, also, to you prior enlisted cadets, did you participate in any Air Force intramural sports? Would it help my chances with the LEAD program?
 
EngineerFQ said:
Is the food served with a consistent menu schedule? For example, dish A is always the meal on Mondays.
If so, what do you guys eat?
Click to expand...
buffalo said:
Hopefully Monday is still pasta night, but besides that there's no set schedule. Of course, there's only so many main courses that Mitch's serves, but usually several weeks pass before the exact same meal is served again.
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Yep, Monday is still pasta night.

Other than that, you can pretty much count on having chicken available to eat at dinner every day.

All other meals are rotated based off the schedule the nutritionist at the academy comes up with.
 
VanGoose said:
Oh, also, to you prior enlisted cadets, did you participate in any Air Force intramural sports? Would it help my chances with the LEAD program?
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I think your questions are very good and the answers could be useful to others. Why not start a new thread? You're kind of buried in this one. :)
 
How competitive are semester exchange programs to other academies like USNA or USMA? Are only certain majors allowed to exchange? Does it impact your future assignments in any way?
 
They're pretty competitive, but a lot of it depends on your interview skills. On my exchange, we had GPAs ranging from 2.8-3.8. Any major can apply, and as far as post-academy assignments, not really...but I will say, it does set you up well for future opportunities here. It's always helpful to have context to compare your USAFA experience with.
 
EngineerFQ said:
How competitive are semester exchange programs to other academies like USNA or USMA? Are only certain majors allowed to exchange? Does it impact your future assignments in any way?
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DS went on exchange to USMA in the spring his C2C year - he was Mechanical Engineering major which fit right into USMA curriculum. He knew he wanted to try to do the exchange to USMA after his C4C year (grandfather graduated from West Point) so he worked with his USAFA advisor on scheduling his classes so it would be a smooth C1C year on required classes. His grades from USMA transferred into his USAFA cum avg. Not all exchange programs transfer grades. DS made some great friends there and has come across some of them in AD. Only difficulty was when his finals schedules came out -- he had a final at USMA the morning of his USAFA Ring Dance and USMA would not let him take it early; the solution that was finally worked out was he took the final at USAFA, (exam emailed to a USAFA prof that Friday morning -- at 5am-- yep, his final was at 7am at USMA, so it was 5am at USAFA)
 
I have two questions:

1. I see that bringing a pair of ABU boots is highly recommended but not required. Any insight from a current cadet would be appreciated. We are trying to keep my DS packing list to a bare minimum.

2. Molded cleats are permitted but how important are they during BCT? Could I mail them to my DS after he completes BCT or does he really need them for BCT?
 
^^ in addition to the previous question, I have already bought boots to break in and to have for after BCT. They are Rockys- I'm not sure if its worth bringing to BCT since only some squadrons can use their own boots. Would you recommend bringing them or waiting till Parents Weekend?
 
I personally did not bring my boots(nike SFB) and wouldn't have been allowed to wear them during 2nd part of BCT anyway. Because of many reasons I'd just recommend waiting till parents weekend. I didn't bring cleats either, but some people did and liked using them for the couple days of intramurals during basic.
 
VeryProudParentOfSix said:
I have two questions:

1. I see that bringing a pair of ABU boots is highly recommended but not required. Any insight from a current cadet would be appreciated. We are trying to keep my DS packing list to a bare minimum.

2. Molded cleats are permitted but how important are they during BCT? Could I mail them to my DS after he completes BCT or does he really need them for BCT?
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1. I would spend that money on a comfortable pair of ABU boots (like Nikes) for later in the year and just use one of the two pairs of boots you are issued here. Plus it's less weight to carry around on I-day.

2. Truthfully, you might use them 5 days max, for about an hour each day. Most people didn't bring cleats, but those who brought them did use them.
 
Bumping this thread because there are probably still questions!
 
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Thank you for answering these questions, this has been so helpful. I have a question about sports, though.
I was wondering about how joining intercollegiate sports worked. I come from a school with no sports programs (I do sports outside of school though) and am not particularly phenomenal at any particular sport, but I was interested in trying out for football or gymnastics. Would I be turned away and have to join a club sport if I am not good enough to play? I know that the USAFA drafts a lot of high school athletes, so I don't know how competitive it is. Thanks!
 
Foundnation said:
Thank you for answering these questions, this has been so helpful. I have a question about sports, though.
I was wondering about how joining intercollegiate sports worked. I come from a school with no sports programs (I do sports outside of school though) and am not particularly phenomenal at any particular sport, but I was interested in trying out for football or gymnastics. Would I be turned away and have to join a club sport if I am not good enough to play? I know that the USAFA drafts a lot of high school athletes, so I don't know how competitive it is. Thanks!
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USAFA is a Division I school in the Mountain West Conference (for most of the teams). You can try to walk on, but you are going to have to be pretty damn good. Still, it doesn't hurt to try. At the end of BCT there is a day where you can go and meet with teams who are accepting walk ons. Otherwise there are still a lot of fun club sports!
 
AFrpaso said:
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.
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Can you please tell me what the class schedule will look like for a first year cadet? (Calculus, Chem, English - 1st semester....... Calculus, Physics, English - 2nd semester etc..............)My son and I just visited yesterday and he is deciding between Air Force and Navy (ROTC) His career goal is in Intel and he plans on majoring in Political Science.
 
rd2849 said:
Can you please tell me what the class schedule will look like for a first year cadet? (Calculus, Chem, English - 1st semester....... Calculus, Physics, English - 2nd semester etc..............)My son and I just visited yesterday and he is deciding between Air Force and Navy (ROTC) His career goal is in Intel and he plans on majoring in Political Science.
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It's different for everyone. Depends on your academic composite score and what classes you validate. This early on, your major doesn't factor into the classes you get.

Most students start out with a schedule like this for first semester: (Assuming no validation credits)
Chem 100 (3 credit hours)
English 111 (3 credit hours)
Engineering 101 (3 credit hours)
French 131 (3 credit hours)
Math 141 (3 credit hours)
Behavioral Science 110 (3 credit hours)
Physical Education 112 (0.5 credit hours)
Total Credit hours: 18.5

As I said before though, everyone's first year schedule is different. Some people validate Chem 100 and take Chem 200. Some people take Physics 115 first semester and Chem 100 second semester. It's different for each student.
 
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