I'll keep this concise. Is there a difference in your WCS if your CFA score is barely passing or if you max out all the events? Because I have seen posts on SAF saying to JUST PASS the CFA and forget about it and other posts saying to max out all the events. What's the difference?
CFA Question
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Full Metal Bulldog
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There is no written standard as to a "bare minimum" for the CFA. However, there is a very well-advertised max for each event. Try to achieve the maximum score in every event. If it helps prep your mental game, imagine the max scores as the minimum. In order to get into a service academy, you must be "triple-qualified with a nomination". That means physically, academically, and medically. Your physical qualification is based entirely on CFA performance. For each academy, there are approximatley twice as many fully qualified applicants as there are spots. That means even if you are fully qualified, you have about a 50% chance of getting in. Make that 50% stretch as far as it can by trying to max the CFA so no red flags will be brought up at least with the physical aspect when the admissions board discusses your file. So the answer to your question is yes, I apologize for my cynical rambling. Good luck.
Well, when I was at SLS, several officers as well as my squad leader explained the impact of the CFA as such: It's ten percent of your qualification. You pass it--and yes, there is a passing level; admissions just doesn't publish it--and you're physically qualified. Free points. After you're totally qualified, you are assessed subjectively. Merely being qualified isn't enough. You have to get an edge on at least one other candidate to get in. Find your edge, be it academically, through leadership experience, or perhaps particularly high scores on the CFA.
Again, passing is good enough, but an outstanding performance gives you an edge.
Again, passing is good enough, but an outstanding performance gives you an edge.
Full Metal Bulldog
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Don't stress, just try your best and be proud. Its been over a year now but I maxed the sittup event, got close to maxing pushups, scored average on the mile run and shuttle run, and below average on pullups. I was deemed physically qualified, but was not offered admission. Again, its a new year with a new applicant pool. Don't worry about the things you can't control, but tackle to the ground the things you can. Good luck.
As stated above, the passing score is not released by the admissions office. One additional fact is that the admissions office can give candidates waiver if they fail CFA.
My opinion is that time spent to trying max your CFA could be better spent on other things. How much would you have to train to improve your 1 mile run time by 2 minutes, or improve your puill up by 5 more, and etc?
Your academic is 60%, leadership 30%, and physical (CFA) 10%. We could safely assume if you max the CFA, you will get full 10%. Does a candidate that just pass get 1%, 5%, or 7%?
CFA is to ensure you have a baseline physical abilities.
My opinion is that time spent to trying max your CFA could be better spent on other things. How much would you have to train to improve your 1 mile run time by 2 minutes, or improve your puill up by 5 more, and etc?
Your academic is 60%, leadership 30%, and physical (CFA) 10%. We could safely assume if you max the CFA, you will get full 10%. Does a candidate that just pass get 1%, 5%, or 7%?
CFA is to ensure you have a baseline physical abilities.
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Think long term- the only thing worse than a bad CFA keeping you out is to get in with a low CFA, then struggle to stay there.
Not talking about basketball throw here, or doing just OK on one item. But if you are below published average, much less near minimums on things like running, pushups, situps, and even pullups.... you are in for a struggle and will want to improve while you can.
We know cadets separated last year due to APFT issues. And more who are at risk, not in good standing due to APFT, mil movement, etc. Others with low military grades starting at CBT, and continuing on because they could not handle the physical stuff. Good kids, but in retrospect, totally ill-prepared for the physical side of USMA. Few are overweight, it's just a core conditioning thing.
DS is not a super athlete, but has kept at his training since even a applicant, and has been able to come within a few points of supermaxing the APFT each time. And it's more than just the APFT, it's upper body strength, and general stamina. Which means he was not the one who stopped the platoon on FTX because they were spent. Or had to repeat obstacle courses because of fitness issues. Or worse, wash out in your MIAD.
You don't want to be "that" cadet. You *do* want to be able to be the solid one brings the company performance up with APFT scores, Recondo, etc. And some of the PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) that comes with being able to hang in there in tough physical situations.
Your physical scores directly impact class rank as well, and performance often trickles into your military grade. Two big chunks of class rank, which impacts many aspects of cadet life... MIAD selection, leadership positions, and ultimately branching priority.
So don't think of the CFA as a way to get in.... work it as a long term goal. This does not mean you have to be a super athlete, just recognize it's part of being successful at USMA and prepare for it. This is an area completely within your control and you have the time to prepare.
Not talking about basketball throw here, or doing just OK on one item. But if you are below published average, much less near minimums on things like running, pushups, situps, and even pullups.... you are in for a struggle and will want to improve while you can.
We know cadets separated last year due to APFT issues. And more who are at risk, not in good standing due to APFT, mil movement, etc. Others with low military grades starting at CBT, and continuing on because they could not handle the physical stuff. Good kids, but in retrospect, totally ill-prepared for the physical side of USMA. Few are overweight, it's just a core conditioning thing.
DS is not a super athlete, but has kept at his training since even a applicant, and has been able to come within a few points of supermaxing the APFT each time. And it's more than just the APFT, it's upper body strength, and general stamina. Which means he was not the one who stopped the platoon on FTX because they were spent. Or had to repeat obstacle courses because of fitness issues. Or worse, wash out in your MIAD.
You don't want to be "that" cadet. You *do* want to be able to be the solid one brings the company performance up with APFT scores, Recondo, etc. And some of the PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) that comes with being able to hang in there in tough physical situations.
Your physical scores directly impact class rank as well, and performance often trickles into your military grade. Two big chunks of class rank, which impacts many aspects of cadet life... MIAD selection, leadership positions, and ultimately branching priority.
So don't think of the CFA as a way to get in.... work it as a long term goal. This does not mean you have to be a super athlete, just recognize it's part of being successful at USMA and prepare for it. This is an area completely within your control and you have the time to prepare.
I was stressing out like you are now, but then at SLS they kind of downplayed it a bit and it made me feel much better about it. They made it out to be more like a hoop you have to jump through in order to get in, not so much test that you will be ranked on. They said the CFA will not make or break your chances of getting in, as long as you get at least the averages all the way across the board. So yes train for it, but once you pass it move on.