I really doubt that half of a current year's academy class all went to summer seminar. There are now 3 summer seminar sessions at air force, but I'm not sure if that means more people attending or less people in each session and basically the same amount of people. When my son went to summer seminar for Air Force; 2007, there were 2 sessions with about 350 attendees each session. So, if ALL 700 summer seminar attendees made it to getting an appointment, that would be pretty much exactly 50% of the class. However; the SS is so far before the application process and nomination process, that there's no way that they can all get an appointment. They don't look through nearly any of the things for accepting to SS that they do for an appointment. Plus the fact of all those who realize at SS that the academy isn't for them. I don't know the exact number/percentage each year. But I would say that probably 1/2 of SS attendees get an appointment, which would be about 25% of the entering class.
As for for what Pima said; I agree 100%. An applicant shouldn't be choosing one academy over another simply because of perceived academics. They should be choosing the academy that is the branch of service that they ultimately WANT to serve in. Then again, I'm also the type that isn't too fond of people who apply to the academy with the SOLE PURPOSE of doing a "5 and Dive". I'm not saying that every cadet needs to spend 20 years in the military. But I don't think that the individual should already have 9-10 years from now already figured out. They should be going in with the attitude of WANTING to serve their country. NOT only doing it for the education. And realistically setting themselves goals when they are in their 3rd year of the academy whether they want to apply for a job that requires 10+ years in the military; e.g. pilot, med school, etc... Or, do a job that gets them into the military, start your career, then determine at some point if it's something you want to continue to do after 5 years or not. But sorry; to ALREADY KNOW that you are doing a 5 and Dive, and that that your service is simply "Payback" for the 4 year education..... Well, let's just say, I don't have much respect for that.
And I do think that Brats (Military Children) are a little more prepared for the academy that non-military children. Not in the "What" to expect. But in the "Attitude". In the "What" to expect, too many people think that Boy Scouts, CAP, JrROTC, etc... all "PREPARE" you better for the academy. Sorry, they don't. Matter of fact, sometimes they are actually a hindrance to you because of "Preconceived" ideas. I think the Brat has a more realistic perception of the academy and of military life in general. Many, (Not all) with no military experience at all, usually have no idea why or what they are doing. This can be very frustrating. It can also create a lot of stress. Some adapt, some don't. Then there's some with the CAP, JrROTC, Boy Scouts, etc... experience. Many, (Not All), think they understand what they are doing and WHY they are doing it. However, their previous training wasn't mandatory. They could literally just not show up and quit. Didn't need permission or anything. So the attitude is different. Plus, many think that because they "Think" they already know "What and Why", that it's also frustrating when they are being treated like a child, or sub-human as some would say. It's not like their ROTC, CAP, or Boy Scout meetings or training. Physically it's similar, mentally, it's much different.
Then there's the BRAT. The difference between the brat and the CAP, Boy Scout, JrROTC, etc... is that those others are a part time activity. It's a class during the day; or a meeting on Wednesday nights, etc... As a Brat, these individuals lived this way for 17-18 years. EVERY DAY!!! As a military member, you didn't come home and turn OFF the military. I didn't raise my son and daughter the same way that my Non-Military neighbors raised their kids. Yes, we are all different, but the military definitely had an influence on how as a parent I raised my kid. One example: When I told my children to do something, they were NOT ALLOWED to ask why... INITIALLY!!! They were to just do what I said. THEN, afterwards, if they didn't understand why they had to do what I told them, they were encouraged to ask me why. We would chat and I'd tell them WHY I had them do something. But asking WHY at the time I wanted you to do it, is NOT AN OPTION. That is very military. At least the military I was in for 20+ years. You don't have time to ask WHY when given an order. You can ask why AFTER, and learn from it. But there is a time for every purpose under heaven. And at the time of being told what to do, was NOT the time to ask why. "Unless of course you truly believed that it was unsafe, immoral, or illegal. The Brat grew up with much of this attitude their whole life. The non-military experience person might have the attitude at the academy of "What/Why am I doing". The ones who THINK they are prepared, have the attitude of "I KNOW What/why I am doing". Even though they may not necessarily. The Brat's attitude is more like; "Ah crap, here we go again". Not in a "Negative" manner. But in the "I am definitely use to this environment".
The best real story I can give was during doolie for a day in Summer Seminar. The cadets were in the faces of the summer seminar attendees. Giving them hell. Some attendees were definitely being affected. Some had a very high stress level. My son just stood there with the cadet in his face. Not smiling. Not smirking. Not doing anything wrong. The cadet asked: Doesn't this bother you? Doesn't this upset you? My son simply said; "No Sir". The cadet got louder. Why doesn't my yelling and screaming bother you??? My son simply said: "You don't know my father". The cadet asked: What does your father do? My son said, he recently retired from the air force. The cadet said: "Oh"... And walked to the next attendee and got in his butt. Point is, Summer Seminar, the Academy, and the Military, is all about attitude. Having the right attitude. Not the attitude of "I already know this, I'm already prepared for this, I can do any of this". No, the right attitude is to know that the person OVER YOU, does care about your welfare. They aren't there to harm you. That they really do want you to succeed. That everything you are going through has a purpose. That you don't have to know the purpose right now. You can find out the purpose later. That if you TRUST those above you, you will learn and become a better person. Best of luck to everyone. Sorry for the damn book. I've tried a lot recently not to post too much. Guess I couldn't help myself. later... mike.....
It is not to give them an edge, but actually to even the playing field.
