Ask Us (current cadets) Anything

At a commissioning this week it was a announced that a couple of cadets from the squadron were going on to careers outside of the Air Force. One was going into the FBI, another I think to Lockheed Martin (could have been another big aerospace company, I can't remember for sure). I'm curious to know how that might happen--could it be cadets whose medical status changed along the way so they no longer qualify for active duty? Is there some arrangement with other agencies such as the FBI where that organization might pay back the Academy in lieu of a cadet's service obligation? Or might the cadet themselves be paying back the cost of their education? Or are there situations where the cadet could be released from the active duty obligation without any payback required?
 
Joos said:
On tours I noticed many if not all cadets have monitors to hook their computers up to on their desks. Is this something that the cadet must buy or is this something issued? Need to bring own cords too hook it up too?

Wondering if I should pick one out for my parents to bring for parents weekend. Wondering the same thing about speakers
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C4C this past year were not allowed to have speakers until recognition and I can't see that changing
 
Joos said:
What does this docking station do? Like charges it? Connects it to speakers?
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The docking station is kind of a central hub for your computer. It gives more input/output options than the laptop does alone. It's nice because you don't have to connect/disconnect a whole bunch of devices, you can just drop the laptop into the dock. In my current set up, when I am out and about, I just use the touchpad and laptop keyboard along with the built in 13" screen. When I am in my room I drop my laptop into the docking station which then connects me to an external wireless mouse, keyboard and two 24" monitors. The laptop itself stays closed and tucked away. It is MUCH easier to do work on a monitor(s) with high resolution because you can tile programs instead of constantly switching back and forth between them. You can have your peer reviewed source for say a research paper and your actual research paper open side by side. I highly recommend it.
 
Alef said:
At a commissioning this week it was a announced that a couple of cadets from the squadron were going on to careers outside of the Air Force. One was going into the FBI, another I think to Lockheed Martin (could have been another big aerospace company, I can't remember for sure). I'm curious to know how that might happen--could it be cadets whose medical status changed along the way so they no longer qualify for active duty? Is there some arrangement with other agencies such as the FBI where that organization might pay back the Academy in lieu of a cadet's service obligation? Or might the cadet themselves be paying back the cost of their education? Or are there situations where the cadet could be released from the active duty obligation without any payback required?
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So I think what you are describing is commonly referred to as the "Golden Handshake." It is basically graduation with a degree but without commission as an Air Force Officer. The most common way for this to occur is a medical status change as you said. I am not sure what other circumstances would warrant it.

I was in a pretty severe car crash my junior year (November) and fought like hell to get healthy/finish my fitness requirements for a commission, but I was still in quite a bit of pain senior year and was asked if I wanted to just graduate rather than fight with a medical board to stay active duty. Basically I would have just moved on with my degree and no commitment, but because I had a spot at AFIT I decided to push through and try for the commission.
 
Two questions please...

Is it OK to bring an electric toothbrush on I-day or will it get confiscated? Should my DS pack a regular toothbrush as a backup? He'll probably get yelled at for bringing both but is electric acceptable?

Also, at a meeting yesterday for Class of 2020 appointees, a class of 2016 graduate was on hand and said that C4C's will be allowed to wear watches for BCT this year. Can anyone confirm if this is true? If so, is there a particular type of waterproof (non-smart) watch that most cadets prefer wearing?

Thanks!
 
Eaglescoutmom2020 said:
Two questions please...

Is it OK to bring an electric toothbrush on I-day or will it get confiscated? Should my DS pack a regular toothbrush as a backup? He'll probably get yelled at for bringing both but is electric acceptable?

Also, at a meeting yesterday for Class of 2020 appointees, a class of 2016 graduate was on hand and said that C4C's will be allowed to wear watches for BCT this year. Can anyone confirm if this is true? If so, is there a particular type of waterproof (non-smart) watch that most cadets prefer wearing?

Thanks!
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Here is the link: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/best-watch.48908/#post-489273
 
Eaglescoutmom2020 said:
Also, at a meeting yesterday for Class of 2020 appointees, a class of 2016 graduate was on hand and said that C4C's will be allowed to wear watches for BCT this year. Can anyone confirm if this is true? If so, is there a particular type of waterproof (non-smart) watch that most cadets prefer wearing?
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Recently, a 2016 graduate told my DD and other 2020 appointees that the Academy will be "issuing" watches to the basics, so not to bring one.
 
Eaglescoutmom2020 said:
Two questions please...

Is it OK to bring an electric toothbrush on I-day or will it get confiscated? Should my DS pack a regular toothbrush as a backup? He'll probably get yelled at for bringing both but is electric acceptable?

Also, at a meeting yesterday for Class of 2020 appointees, a class of 2016 graduate was on hand and said that C4C's will be allowed to wear watches for BCT this year. Can anyone confirm if this is true? If so, is there a particular type of waterproof (non-smart) watch that most cadets prefer wearing?

Thanks!
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You should be fine bringing an electric toothbrush. Bring a regular one if you really want to be safe. I highly doubt the cadre will say anything about them.
 
We need to bring an all black backpack for the school year correct? Is it all right if this all black backpack has a logo on it?
 
Joos said:
We need to bring an all black backpack for the school year correct? Is it all right if this all black backpack has a logo on it?
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You will be issued a black backpack. You can use your own backpack if you desire. The logos need to be conservative. For example, northface backpacks are usually okay, but some nike backpacks with a giant white swoosh would not be authorized.
 
I'd wait on the back pack. As AFrpaso said, you will be issued one (DS was issued 2 back in 2009, one smaller than the other). After the Ac year started he asked for a specific (not cheap) back pack which one of his siblings got him for Christmas.
 
AFrpaso said:
You will be issued a black backpack. You can use your own backpack if you desire. The logos need to be conservative. For example, northface backpacks are usually okay, but some nike backpacks with a giant white swoosh would not be authorized.
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Also, if you bring one, make sure it has a good handle as you will be carrying it in your left hand for many, many months......
 
KTMDad said:
Also, if you bring one, make sure it has a good handle as you will be carrying it in your left hand for many, many months......
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Yes! Also, we would wrap our backpack handles with black athletic tape to make them more comfortable.
 
What is the cadet pay like? I know that the first two years cadets must pay back the advance of pay for their uniforms, computers, ect., but what is the breakdown of it through the four years? Thanks!
 
Are cadets allowed to bring a camera after BCT. I have a cannon 6D and two lenses, would something like that be allowed?
 
mack7 said:
What is the cadet pay like? I know that the first two years cadets must pay back the advance of pay for their uniforms, computers, ect., but what is the breakdown of it through the four years? Thanks!
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There is a budget breakdown out there but I don't think it is for public release. You are correct about paying back the advance during the first two years. Freshman often take home around $200 a month or less. Sophomore's $400 -$600 depending on the month. Juniors $600 - $800. Your debt is paid off by this point but there are still expenses. I am unsure what the pay is like senior year, but I hear it is slightly less than junior year for various reasons.

Once you finish basic then information about cadet pay will be disseminated by your class president.

Kyfalc said:
Are cadets allowed to bring a camera after BCT. I have a cannon 6D and two lenses, would something like that be allowed?
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Yes, a camera would be allowed after BCT.
 
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