C4C AMA: Ask me anything!

Icarus,

I appreciate your perspective! I definitely don't want to aim for mediocrity and I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed for class of '18, but I'm also aware that '18 may not become a reality for me. I simply like having a plan B and prep school seems like a fantastic one! I've known several cadets that were preppies and they were/are some fantastic cadets!
 
"Don't know how this topic got into the whole discussion about preps and directs."

I was wondering the same thing, since this thread is directed at candidates/future applicants who have questions about the doolie life and our perspective of it.
However, it would be wrong of me to deny my alma mater and say the Falcon Foundation provided me no benefits whatsoever. Bottom line: if you don't make it the first time around, there is nothing wrong with you- and don't EVER let anyone sway you if the academy is what you really want. There are plenty of us who are rooting for you. :thumb:
 
So... Where's the class crest?

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Word on the strips is that the crest was returned to the wing commander's room last night.
 
Airforce Evaluator

Hello,

I have added a sophomore chemistry teacher without knowing that sophomore teachers are not allowed to input information. How can I clear them?
 
Why is it mandatory to watch your team get humiliated at your home field?
Why aren't cadets given the option to support other sporting events instead?
How is it that ICs who don't participate in training sessions or even inspections make it through recognition?
 
Why is it mandatory to watch your team get humiliated at your home field?
Why aren't cadets given the option to support other sporting events instead?
How is it that ICs who don't participate in training sessions or even inspections make it through recognition?

Congratulations on your appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. As a member of the cadet wing and the US Military, you have obligations and expectations from your leadership that students at civilian colleges do not. So while you are not expected to enjoy attendance at the football games and you do have some valid points, you are still expected to attend and grousing about it is meaningless (Welcome to the Military). Someday when you are an O-8 like Gen Johnson, you can make your own rules, until then just focus on graduation.

As for your comments about IC's - I really think this is very misplaced. Many IC's go through recognition (unless they are in season and traveling in the Spring) and those who do, do well, even with the added attention that some misguided cadets give them.
 
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There's gotta be a more intelligent explanation than just "welcome to the military" or that's how it's always been done.
I understand that football brings in revenue that subsidizes the other less popular sports.
It would be nice to know if there are other reasons why all the cadets have to stand throughout a lopsided game of football and not the other sports?
 
There's gotta be a more intelligent explanation than just "welcome to the military" or that's how it's always been done.
I understand that football brings in revenue that subsidizes the other less popular sports.
It would be nice to know if there are other reasons why all the cadets have to stand throughout a lopsided game of football and not the other sports?

You've pretty much answered your own question. The AFA Football games are probably the most public event for the Academy and almost the only time the public gets to see the cadets up close and in uniform. They bring in revenue to support many other AFA programs.

Also, just food for thought. The last stanza of the Airman's Creed includes the line:

I will never leave an Airman behind.

So even when the football team happens to be down and out are we just going to abandon them? That's a big pride issue for me. Sure our team might not be the greatest but that doesn't mean I won't stand by them. What kind of message would we be sending to the public as future officers of the US military?

As for the other sports, there are really only two ways to make it fair.

Option A: Football games are no longer mandatory (compromising the public perception of the school and potentially cost the AFA thousands of dollars).

Option B: Make every sporting event mandatory. The cadets don't have the time and the AFA does not have the facilities to make this possible.
 
Is the soccer team competitive? My son wants to play soccer.

Yes, soccer is competitive, and in a normal year so is the Football team. But losing your starting QB, then the backup would hurt any team, add to that injuries and unanticipated loss of players and a young team is now a young team without many of it's better players. Wish your son the best, D-1 sports and Doolie year is a challenge, but one that brings it's own rewards.
 
"You've pretty much answered your own question. The AFA Football games are probably the most public event for the Academy and almost the only time the public gets to see the cadets up close and in uniform. They bring in revenue to support many other AFA programs.

Also, just food for thought. The last stanza of the Airman's Creed includes the line:

I will never leave an Airman behind.

So even when the football team happens to be down and out are we just going to abandon them? That's a big pride issue for me. Sure our team might not be the greatest but that doesn't mean I won't stand by them. What kind of message would we be sending to the public as future officers of the US military?"

The SAs are tasked of producing officers to serve in our Armed Forces. If for instance the football program is eliminated, (barring another extended shutdown) the Federally funded SAs will continue to operate and fulfill it's mission. Not all cadets attend and become sports nuts yet everyone has to be physically fit to remain.
Akin to proselytizing, I'm sorry if I don't worship at the altar of your football gods and your pride issue is laughable. I can think of several other things I can associate my pride with other than a football team? It's demoralizing and sad. A waste of time.
The creed? If only the linebackers would keep that in mind and not allow their quarterback to get sacked often.
What message would we be sending the public? There's other worthwhile pursuits and cerebral matters we can be spending time on besides a spectator sports where concussions, torn ligaments and numerous excuses on why they are doing poorly abound. Imagine how much the taxpayers would save if they don't have to cover all the expenses incurred? Maybe subsidies for other sports could be negated by the savings.
Since I'm not 0-8 yet like you have previously stated, next week-I am going to root for the Falcons especially against the Black Knights. Go AF beat Army!
 
Maybe you should go see the cadets near the field. Whenever I sat close, I always had fun, and I'm not a real fan of any D-1 sport.

Were there times when I legitimately had better things to do? Yep. Were they the majority of the time? Probably not.
 
Putting words in my mouth about "worshiping the altar of the football gods" is unaccounted for. You're insinuating that the only thing I have pride in is a football team. I never came to the AFA to play football. I am not an intercollegiate athlete, I'm probably less than what most consider "athletic". I am here to understand what it takes to become a follower and a leader. I am here to learn. I am here to build lifelong bonds and networks with my fellow cadets. All of these things certainty warrant pride.

I'm sorry you do not agree with the policy of the superintendent. The fact is, neither of us know exactly how the athletic department handles it's budget, or how much revenue is actually brought to the AFA through football (even when they're doing poorly). Nor do we know exactly what affect removing the "mandatory for cadets" policy would have. So there really is no validity in arguing that point either way.

As for now, it is mandatory, and as long as I'm ordered to attend football games, I will do so until the end of the Third Verse.
 
There's gotta be a more intelligent explanation than just "welcome to the military" or that's how it's always been done.
I understand that football brings in revenue that subsidizes the other less popular sports.
It would be nice to know if there are other reasons why all the cadets have to stand throughout a lopsided game of football and not the other sports?

I don't know why, but this discussion reminds me of the rather famous exchange between a Doolie, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen Jumper, and James Roche the Secretary of the Air Force. It seems like the cadet in question thought that his views on personnel decisions at the Academy warranted the attention of the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Sec of the Air Force. Needless to say, it did not go well.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/airforce.asp
 
It's sad that you choose to be a blind follower. I want to understand why an order or rule has to be followed. The very least you can do to try and become a leader is to be informed and not be ignorant. If you don't know the answer, maybe someone else does?
 
It's sad that you choose to be a blind follower. I want to understand why an order or rule has to be followed. The very least you can do to try and become a leader is to be informed and not be ignorant. If you don't know the answer, maybe someone else does?

Icarus, if you are a cadet, please do not presume to counsel me on leadership.
 
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