Civilian College & ROTC or USAFA?

You have big ambitions. Realize that there are a great number of steps required to achieve them, and you will not have control over all of them. If you want to be an astronaut, the best ways of improving your odds are to become a test pilot or world-class scientist. USAFA gives you an opportunity to become a pilot, combined with a tech degree would give you a shot at Test Pilot School. So, yes, USAFA is a logical pathway toward that goal. As for politics, by percentages, being a lawyer first is the more common path...but a few pilots and at least two astronauts did it. It isn't the easy way, though!

My advice is to work to keep your options open, and focus more on the next step or couple of steps than your end goals. Astronaut or Senator are a long ways off, with many intermediate steps--do well at those first.
 
Have you read An astronauts guide to life on earth by Chris Hatfield? It would be a good read for you. He planned his career with astronaut in mind even though it was impossible at the time. Canadian astronauts didn't exist.
However, he writes that he always made life choices that did two things. One, if my career goes this far and NO farther will I be happy. If you make military officer, and the career stops there will you be happy? For him the answer was yes. If I make pilot but never make test pilot. If I make test pilot but never make astronaut? Would you be happy?
The second thing he considered was if a choice opened doors or closed them. He came to understand that all of our choices open some doors and close others.
Remember, we don't know what NASA will need astronauts to be 15 years from now. Will they want a bunch of pilots, or will they be focused on mission specialists? No one knows, not even NASA.
 
Merlinity.

Dude you’re way too serious for a 17 year old. You need to relax take a chill pill and learn to take one thing at a time and try to master what you do before you plan out 20 years of your life. You already sound burnt out.

You can plan plan plan but life takes its own course. Planning is good but don’t get obsessed with it. If you master things you do even if it takes 2 tries 3 tries to do it. You can reach your goals in life.

Of course your goals can change. And it certainly will. You even fear it on your post. Embrace now first. You sound like you are already drowning in your greed, of things you must achieve in life. You have many determined selfish thoughts. Think why you want to be an Astronaut. Is it for the mankind or for your kind. If America is going to invest millions into an Astronaut I hope your biggest reason to be one is to serve the mankind. Then what ever your skilled to do you’ll be employed to do.

You make becoming an Astronaut is to become a celebrity so you can get elected to office in Congress. All your aspiration sounds self centered. I don’t hear any desire “to serve others before self.” You’ll see those words inscribed in the walls of the Air Force Academy. I hope you think about the basics of service before you enroll at either USAFA or USNA. If anything, I hope your time at the Academy will help you mature and become more selfless and allow you to become a servant leader not a selfish leader. We don’t want that kind around anywhere.

I’m sorry if this sounds harsh or mean it is not intended. But I was honestly very disappointed by your post. You sound like a very bright young man so I hope that in time you will develop into a fine servant leader to our country in the Air Force or in the Navy.
 
@merelinity

I was also accepted to USAFA for the class of 2022. Personally, I do not think that the Academy or military in general are the right choice for you. In my opinion, your post sounds very narrow minded and arrogant, and portrays somebody that I would not want on my team. You also sound particularly opposed to following orders in which you do not understand the reason for. That is awful since at the Academy, especially at BCT, you might not understand all of the time why our upper classmen have us doing certain things. You should also note that going to the Academy does not automatically grant you a pilot slot. Sure, it makes it easier, but it is no guarantee. If that is the only job that would satisfy you while serving your country, then the military route is not at all what you should do. For me, I want to be a pilot, but I will serve as an Air Force officer as whatever job that I am given the privilege to do, and I will enjoy it.

You also should not “need to stand out.” Every last one of us appointed to USAFA were big fish in small ponds. Now, we will be small fish in an even bigger pond. Standing out should not be your goal. Your goal should be to contribute to your team and succeed together rather than alone.

You should not go to USAFA or the military in general. Your attitude is focused too much on your own personal agenda to ever serve effectively in the team that you would otherwise be joining this summer. I would not want you on my team.
 
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Dwolo2022 said:
I was also accepted to USAFA for the class of 2022. Personally, I do not think that the Academy or military in general are the right choice for you. In my opinion, your post sounds very narrow minded and arrogant, and portrays somebody that I would not want on my team. You also sound particularly opposed to following orders in which you do not understand the reason for. That is awful since at the Academy, especially at BCT, you might not understand all of the time why our upper classmen have us doing certain things. You should also note that going to the Academy does not automatically grant you a pilot slot. Sure, it makes it easier, but it is no guarantee. If that is the only job that would satisfy you while serving your country, then the military route is not at all what you should do. For me, I want to be a pilot, but I will serve as an Air Force officer as whatever job that I am given the privilege to do, and I will enjoy it.

You also should not “need to stand out.” Every last one of us appointed to USAFA were big fish in small ponds. Now, we will be small fish in an even bigger pond. Standing out should not be your goal. Your goal should be to contribute to your team and succeed together rather than alone.

You should not go to USAFA or the military in general. Your attitude is focused too much on your own personal agenda to ever serve effectively in the team that you would otherwise be joining this summer. I would not want you on my team.
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@Dwolo2022 It might have been a bit more helpful if you made it clear who you were addressing. A reply to a particular post works well, or typing in @screen-name at the beginning does a good job too. I've actually done both here. Just something to consider for the future. Without that, dummies like me will think you're replying to the immediately preceding post and that's not who I think you're aiming your comments at. But then I may be wrong... which I guess demonstrates my point.

Good luck at USAFA! You have the right attitude.
 
kinnem said:
@Dwolo2022 It might have been a bit more helpful if you made it clear who you were addressing. A reply to a particular post works well, or typing in @screen-name at the beginning does a good job too. Just something to consider for the future. I've actually done bother here.
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Thanks this is the first time I’ve done this. I actually only made an account to respond to that question.
 
No worries. Just trying to be helpful. It's no big deal.
 
lrecono4 said:
Christcorp said:
Merlinity said:
Yes. I totally took my time at two in the morning to write paragraphs asking for help all to.....be a troll.

Seriously.....? I'm asking a question that I really don't know the answer to.
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I'm glad you replied. Believe it or not, there are a lot of trolls that sign in to forums, make only one post, never come back, and try to get a lot of people to get into a debate.

But; onto your question.

You have a lot of great ambitions. I applaud that. I also think you have a lot of good qualities for potential leadership. There are a few things you have to realize if you truly care about going to the academy.

1. The academy is not a finite goal; like going to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc. The academies are simply a MEANS of becoming a commissioned officer in the military; and becoming a military leader. Yes, you receive a college degree, but it's just one of a number of paths to becoming a commissioned officer.
2. Being a pilot, let alone a fighter pilot, would simply be your job in the military. It's not a lifestyle. You will spend a lot more hours/days on the ground, behind a desk, doing paperwork, etc. then you will be flying.
3. Some of the things you mentioned about yourself, you will have to "Reflect on" to determine if the military is actually the right place for you. (Academy OR ROTC). For instance, when you say: "the thought that someone is telling me I can't do something". A large part of BEING in the military, is about rules and regulations telling you that you CAN'T DO SOMETHING. Especially during any type of training.
4. The military is 100% about "THE TEAM". It's NEVER about the INDIVIDUAL. That doesn't mean there isn't "INDIVIDUALITY". It simply means, that the individual talents and desires become part of a collective, for the betterment of "THE TEAM". It's ALWAYS about the TEAM. To be successful in the military, you have to WANT to be Part of Something that's BIGGER than YOURSELF.
5. In the military, you can question social norms and rules, but NOT in public. Any questioning, will be done complaining with your friends/team in private. You can't protest, can't go on strike, can't give you opinion publicly, etc.
QUOTE: The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred."
6. You can WANT to be a pilot all you want. That doesn't mean you'll get to be a pilot. The academy definitely increases your chances. IF you're physically qualified, medically qualified, and pass your classes and will graduate, then you are indeed pretty much guaranteed to be a pilot if you want. However; assuming that all goes through well, you will then have quite a long training session in "Undergraduate Pilot Training". DEPENDING on how you do there, will determine if you will get to be a fighter pilot, cargo pilot, jets, props, helicopter, etc. IN OTHER WORDS, even if you get a pilot slot, there is NOTHING that guarantees you'll get to be a FIGHTER PILOT.\
7. Take this one step further; your chances of being in the astronaut program become even slimmer. And, simply being a pilot, if selected, requires a minimum of a 10 year commitment to the military. As a minimum. MORE if you decide to go in residence for grad school or other similar add-ons.

I could go on, but what is most important, is that you have to come to a realization for yourself. "WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE IN THE MILITARY AS A COMMISSIONED OFFICER"

If the reason is "TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY", then that is a great reason. If your MAIN reason is for the pilot, astronaut, etc., then those aren't the right reasons. I am not saying any of this to discourage you from having ambition, dreams, and pursuing your passion. But THE NEEDS OF THE MILITARY COME FIRST!!! That means HOW MANY pilots they need, or any type of job. That determines if you have a chance at a particular job. "You WANT IT" isn't good enough. And if you CAN ACCEPT THAT, and accept the fact that you might be selected as an Intel Officer, or a Missile Officer, or a Security Forces Officer, or a number of other types of jobs in the air force, then you are EXACTLY the type of person the military is looking for.

But, if you're type that says: I'll graduate from the academy, and if they don't let me be a pilot/fighter pilot, then I will do the minimum 5 year requirement and get out; then you will honestly be miserable. And the military is probably not for you. That's not to say that you have to stay in for 20+ years to truly want to serve. But most of those that stay in for the minimum 5 years, didn't really have that decided on day one. They decided that they were proud of serving, but a military career wasn't for them. But they didn't go in with a "I MUST have this particular job, or I quit" attitude.

Just remember, you might NOT get to be a pilot. Even if you are a pilot, you MIGHT NOT get to be a fighter pilot. And even if you get to be a fighter pilot, you MIGHT NOT get to be an astronaut. If you are OK with all these "MIGHT NOTs", and you don't mind a set of RULES that you have NO SO SAY in MAKING or CHANGING; and you don't mind that the number one PRIORITY is "THE TEAM" and NOT "The Individual", then you'll do fine in the military. If none of that is ok with you, then you should REALLY RE-EVALUATE what it is you want.
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Thank you for this! My DS received his TWE April 12th and it kind of turned his world upside down. It is not that he has not moved on but it unsettled him and is now not very focused. He is visiting Embry Riddle this weekend and plans to enroll AFROTC. Your post is very helpful. Thank you!
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Sorry what does DS stand for? Also what is a TWE? Is your son one that got accepted to the USAFA?
 
raimius said:
You have big ambitions. Realize that there are a great number of steps required to achieve them, and you will not have control over all of them. If you want to be an astronaut, the best ways of improving your odds are to become a test pilot or world-class scientist. USAFA gives you an opportunity to become a pilot, combined with a tech degree would give you a shot at Test Pilot School. So, yes, USAFA is a logical pathway toward that goal. As for politics, by percentages, being a lawyer first is the more common path...but a few pilots and at least two astronauts did it. It isn't the easy way, though!

My advice is to work to keep your options open, and focus more on the next step or couple of steps than your end goals. Astronaut or Senator are a long ways off, with many intermediate steps--do well at those first.
Click to expand...

That is why I believe the USAFA might be the best option. It will allow me to learn about myself and try something completely different from the situation that I'm used to.
 
Dwolo2022 said:
@merelinity

I was also accepted to USAFA for the class of 2022. Personally, I do not think that the Academy or military in general are the right choice for you. In my opinion, your post sounds very narrow minded and arrogant, and portrays somebody that I would not want on my team. You also sound particularly opposed to following orders in which you do not understand the reason for. That is awful since at the Academy, especially at BCT, you might not understand all of the time why our upper classmen have us doing certain things. You should also note that going to the Academy does not automatically grant you a pilot slot. Sure, it makes it easier, but it is no guarantee. If that is the only job that would satisfy you while serving your country, then the military route is not at all what you should do. For me, I want to be a pilot, but I will serve as an Air Force officer as whatever job that I am given the privilege to do, and I will enjoy it.

You also should not “need to stand out.” Every last one of us appointed to USAFA were big fish in small ponds. Now, we will be small fish in an even bigger pond. Standing out should not be your goal. Your goal should be to contribute to your team and succeed together rather than alone.

You should not go to USAFA or the military in general. Your attitude is focused too much on your own personal agenda to ever serve effectively in the team that you would otherwise be joining this summer. I would not want you on my team.
Click to expand...

I agree with you, I am very narrow minded and focused on self growth. That is why I applied to the Academy, I want to learn about things that I have previously not been exposed to. It would be a learning experience. I'm tired of hearing people say that you have to LOVE the idea of the academy before you attend, I disagree. I think it's important to test my boundaries and explore terrain previously unexplored. I understand the pond analogy completely and I understand during BCT they're trying to show to us that every single person there has the same capability.

I want to learn. I want to exit my comfort zone. I think it's worth the risk.
 
CrewDad said:
Merlinity.

Dude you’re way too serious for a 17 year old. You need to relax take a chill pill and learn to take one thing at a time and try to master what you do before you plan out 20 years of your life. You already sound burnt out.

You can plan plan plan but life takes its own course. Planning is good but don’t get obsessed with it. If you master things you do even if it takes 2 tries 3 tries to do it. You can reach your goals in life.

Of course your goals can change. And it certainly will. You even fear it on your post. Embrace now first. You sound like you are already drowning in your greed, of things you must achieve in life. You have many determined selfish thoughts. Think why you want to be an Astronaut. Is it for the mankind or for your kind. If America is going to invest millions into an Astronaut I hope your biggest reason to be one is to serve the mankind. Then what ever your skilled to do you’ll be employed to do.

You make becoming an Astronaut is to become a celebrity so you can get elected to office in Congress. All your aspiration sounds self centered. I don’t hear any desire “to serve others before self.” You’ll see those words inscribed in the walls of the Air Force Academy. I hope you think about the basics of service before you enroll at either USAFA or USNA. If anything, I hope your time at the Academy will help you mature and become more selfless and allow you to become a servant leader not a selfish leader. We don’t want that kind around anywhere.

I’m sorry if this sounds harsh or mean it is not intended. But I was honestly very disappointed by your post. You sound like a very bright young man so I hope that in time you will develop into a fine servant leader to our country in the Air Force or in the Navy.
Click to expand...

You're completely right. One day at a time and enjoy everything alone the way. I'm going to do so at the Academy. I can't go in with an attitude that I'm going to transfer, but I leave my mind open to the opportunity to learn and develop differently than I previously have. I believe attending college living the same life you did in High School is extremely unhealthy. I would want to be an astronaut because I want to pave the way for others. I want to be the one that volunteers for everyone else.
 
I’m glad you feel that way! Go to Academy and learn to be a follower first. That is what the Plebe year is all about. Academy will break you down to reset you so they can rebuild you to be a leader. If you pass that journey with a flying color you are well set to be a leader to your junior class and become a good mentor and coach. Begin your leadership journey by learning to be a good leader to your underclass. You can’t be a good leader unless you have been a good follower.

If you were in athletic team sports with heavy emphasis on the team work and Scouting, this is what people go through regardless of their age. If you ever pursue an MBA this is what the MBA first year program does to calibrate everyone to a same level regardless of your background. These programs reset new members during the first year to be all equal. Looking alike talking alike and thinking alike as a Corp.

When you become a cadet at USAFA, you are entering the life of eternal fraternity with men and women of your Academy. And you will proudly serve in the Air Force and pursue your aspirations one at a time. Enjoy each day and be grateful to all those who mentored you and helped you get there including this forum.
 
I don't recall ever seeing a thread quite like this before. It's intriguing to see someone asking these deep questions, and I thought I'd throw in another perspective. Please keep in mind that I do NOT consider myself an experienced life counseling expert and my opinion is worth what you paid for it. I also wish you the best of luck regardless of which path you choose to take.

The Academy is definitely "a hard route". You will face difficulties and challenges most non-cadets will never fully understand. You will experience some miserable moments of difficulty, late nights of studying for an incredibly difficult test (especially as an Astro major), and disappointments from failing. If you can fight through the pain and the grind, though, you will find that there are more unique opportunities at the Academy than you can possibly imagine. I have been very blessed during my time here, and there is no other school I'd rather be at. I do, however, need to make sacrifices every day as far as my personal freedom is concerned. I believe it's worth it, but not everyone would agree. I personally have never, ever regretted my decision to come here and am grateful every day for God's goodness in bringing me to this school.

Having said that (and again, this is my own personal opinion and nothing more)...

I don't think USAFA is the right choice for you. Throughout BCT, your cadet career, and (from what I've heard and seen from those wiser than me) your Air Force career, you will be given a set of boundaries and told what you can and can't do. In many respects, you won't have a say in the matter, either. Based on your original post, I suspect this kind of environment would make you miserable. I wouldn't wish that experience on you. I think you have a great, exciting future ahead of you, but I don't think you would thrive at the Academy. That's not because you don't have what it takes, but rather because it's not who you are. IMHO, your personality isn't a match for USAFA.

I suspect the same line of logic can also be applied to your pursuit of a military career in general, but I will leave that part of the answer to someone who has actual experience in the matter.

Feel free to PM me if you would like. I'd be happy to talk more with you about USAFA or other options. I would also encourage you to chat with the more experienced members of the forum as well to gain additional insights.

Good luck to you.
 
Christcorp said:
I'm glad you replied. Believe it or not, there are a lot of trolls that sign in to forums, make only one post, never come back, and try to get a lot of people to get into a debate.

But; onto your question.

You have a lot of great ambitions. I applaud that. I also think you have a lot of good qualities for potential leadership. There are a few things you have to realize if you truly care about going to the academy.

1. The academy is not a finite goal; like going to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc. The academies are simply a MEANS of becoming a commissioned officer in the military; and becoming a military leader. Yes, you receive a college degree, but it's just one of a number of paths to becoming a commissioned officer.
2. Being a pilot, let alone a fighter pilot, would simply be your job in the military. It's not a lifestyle. You will spend a lot more hours/days on the ground, behind a desk, doing paperwork, etc. then you will be flying.
3. Some of the things you mentioned about yourself, you will have to "Reflect on" to determine if the military is actually the right place for you. (Academy OR ROTC). For instance, when you say: "the thought that someone is telling me I can't do something". A large part of BEING in the military, is about rules and regulations telling you that you CAN'T DO SOMETHING. Especially during any type of training.
4. The military is 100% about "THE TEAM". It's NEVER about the INDIVIDUAL. That doesn't mean there isn't "INDIVIDUALITY". It simply means, that the individual talents and desires become part of a collective, for the betterment of "THE TEAM". It's ALWAYS about the TEAM. To be successful in the military, you have to WANT to be Part of Something that's BIGGER than YOURSELF.
5. In the military, you can question social norms and rules, but NOT in public. Any questioning, will be done complaining with your friends/team in private. You can't protest, can't go on strike, can't give you opinion publicly, etc.
QUOTE: The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred."
6. You can WANT to be a pilot all you want. That doesn't mean you'll get to be a pilot. The academy definitely increases your chances. IF you're physically qualified, medically qualified, and pass your classes and will graduate, then you are indeed pretty much guaranteed to be a pilot if you want. However; assuming that all goes through well, you will then have quite a long training session in "Undergraduate Pilot Training". DEPENDING on how you do there, will determine if you will get to be a fighter pilot, cargo pilot, jets, props, helicopter, etc. IN OTHER WORDS, even if you get a pilot slot, there is NOTHING that guarantees you'll get to be a FIGHTER PILOT.\
7. Take this one step further; your chances of being in the astronaut program become even slimmer. And, simply being a pilot, if selected, requires a minimum of a 10 year commitment to the military. As a minimum. MORE if you decide to go in residence for grad school or other similar add-ons.

I could go on, but what is most important, is that you have to come to a realization for yourself. "WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE IN THE MILITARY AS A COMMISSIONED OFFICER"

If the reason is "TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY", then that is a great reason. If your MAIN reason is for the pilot, astronaut, etc., then those aren't the right reasons. I am not saying any of this to discourage you from having ambition, dreams, and pursuing your passion. But THE NEEDS OF THE MILITARY COME FIRST!!! That means HOW MANY pilots they need, or any type of job. That determines if you have a chance at a particular job. "You WANT IT" isn't good enough. And if you CAN ACCEPT THAT, and accept the fact that you might be selected as an Intel Officer, or a Missile Officer, or a Security Forces Officer, or a number of other types of jobs in the air force, then you are EXACTLY the type of person the military is looking for.

But, if you're type that says: I'll graduate from the academy, and if they don't let me be a pilot/fighter pilot, then I will do the minimum 5 year requirement and get out; then you will honestly be miserable. And the military is probably not for you. That's not to say that you have to stay in for 20+ years to truly want to serve. But most of those that stay in for the minimum 5 years, didn't really have that decided on day one. They decided that they were proud of serving, but a military career wasn't for them. But they didn't go in with a "I MUST have this particular job, or I quit" attitude.

Just remember, you might NOT get to be a pilot. Even if you are a pilot, you MIGHT NOT get to be a fighter pilot. And even if you get to be a fighter pilot, you MIGHT NOT get to be an astronaut. If you are OK with all these "MIGHT NOTs", and you don't mind a set of RULES that you have NO SO SAY in MAKING or CHANGING; and you don't mind that the number one PRIORITY is "THE TEAM" and NOT "The Individual", then you'll do fine in the military. If none of that is ok with you, then you should REALLY RE-EVALUATE what it is you want.
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This is one hell of a post @Christcorp , Thank you.
 
Merlinity; just to clarify a thought or two.

You are correct. You don't have to "Love" the idea of the academy before you attend. As I mentioned previously, the academy is simply a PATH. A Path to becoming a commissioned officer in the military. There's a lot of people with your similar understanding. Just like you said, they have the opinion that "They can TRY" the academy. And while there are some that apply and accept an appointment to the academy and "Try" it out; many of these individuals will usually drop out and quit. The academy is unique, in that it WILL let you "Try it out" and quit if you don't like it. I have mixed feeling about this. If you were to "Enlist" in the air force, you MAKE a COMMITMENT. You're pretty much going to stay in for at least the first 4 years. Whether you like it or not. The academy lets you quit, within the first two years, because they'd rather waste the time and money on that little amount of education and training, than to have you as a dysfunctional officer with a bad attitude INFECTING the enlisted personnel and other officers you are involved with. In the military, your PRIMARY JOB is to "Fight and Win". With a bad attitude as an officer, you can cost people THEIR LIVES.

But anyway; you can definitely accept an appointment and "Try it out"; but going in with that attitude, will make you less likely to succeed. The right attitude is; "You want to serve your country; everything they throw at you at the academy (even though you might not understand it) is leading towards that service to your country; and that you TRUST the academy/system that they are preparing you to be a military leader and to serve your country." That attitude will allow you to ACCEPT that which you do not know or understand. Without that attitude, you will constantly question the academy's methods, which YOU THINK you KNOW BETTER. Yet, they've been doing this for 64 years in the air force; 173 years for the Navy; and 216 years for the Army. IN OTHER WORDS. They don't NEED your OPINION, or you SECOND GUESSING their methods. If you can ACCEPT that, and TRUST them, then you will probably succeed. If you can't handle having them tell you what you CAN and CAN'T DO, many times without telling you why; then the military is NOT FOR YOU.

When you said: "I understand during BCT they're trying to show to us that every single person there has the same capability." Kinnem is totally correct. "You have NO IDEA". Let me give you a little hint; which is going to go AGAINST your grain (Based on a number of your previous comments about "individuality").

Remember previously, I mentioned that the Military is 100% about "THE TEAM". ONE of the many things about BCT, is that they are taking in approximately 1,200 INDIVIDUALS. These individuals come from ALL 50 states, US Territories, they have different religions, morals, values, etc. They all have different upbringings. They are black, white, hispanic, asian, etc. in backgrounds. They come from traditional families, single parents, adopted parent, foster homes, orphanages, etc. They come from public schools, private schools, home schools, and online schools. They come from the urban/inner city, the suburbs, rural ranch/farms. You name the diversity, and the academy HAS IT there. You name the INDIVIDUALITY, and the academy has it there. ONE of the MAIN PURPOSES of BCT, is to STRIP AWAY ALL of this INDIVIDUALITY. YES, that's what I said. You keep talking about your proud individuality, but one of the main purposes of BCT is to STRIP AWAY this individuality, so that ALL BCT Trainees can FIND THEIR COMMONALITIES. In order to BE A TEAM, you must build upon what you HAVE IN COMMON. NOT YOUR INDIVIDUALITY. The military is 100% about the TEAM. So, the academy takes 1,200 INDIVIDUALS, strip that individuality so they can find their COMMONALITIES, so they can LEARN to work as a TEAM. They even provide tasks, usually VERY PHYSICAL, that are IMPOSSIBLE to do AS an Individual. They structure your time, so you can't possibly complete many tasks WITHOUT THE HELP OF OTHERS. Many of the appointees/cadets, besides being Big Fish in Little Ponds back in high school, were very good at accomplishing things ON THEIR OWN. Not possible in BCT and at the academy. Many complain about WHY it's so important in the application process that the applicants be involved in SPORTS. (It has NOTHING to do with Physical Fitness; that's what the CFA test is for). It's because in SPORTS, you're part of a TEAM. 1 player on a football team CAN'T WIN the game without the OTHERS on the team. Same with MOST SPORTS. Even with individual sports, there's usually a "TEAM MENTALITY" during the training sessions. Each helping out the other. It's ALL ABOUT THE TEAM.

BUT, I will say that the academy and military will allow you (In Time) to take your individual personality, individual skills, and INDIVIDUALITY as a whole, and let it grow. With the PURPOSE of using your individuality to BETTER the TEAM.

So, if you truly want to attend a military academy OR ROTC, and you want to succeed, then the BEST WAY to go about deciding if this is right for you or not, is to accept certain things.
1. ACCEPT: The military is 100% about THE TEAM, NOT the INDIVIDUAL.
2. ACCEPT: You have NO IDEA what you're getting into when going to the academy or ROTC, but recognize and ACCEPT that the academies/ROTC have been doing this a LONG TIME. Therefor, TRUST THEM. "WITHOUT QUESTION".
3. ACCEPT: That the NEEDS of the Military COME FIRST. BEFORE YOURS!
4. ACCEPT: That you are there to SERVE YOUR COUNTRY. It MAY or may NOT be doing what YOU WANT.

The military, academy and ROTC ARE NOT Scholarship Programs or Jobs Programs. Even though you hear the word scholarship in many discussions, that's ONLY to USE COMMON TERMINOLOGY for people with no military background to understand. The military is looking for people to "Serve Their Country; by being WILLING TO DIE if necessary". That's what it's ALL ABOUT. IN RETURN, (Because ALL humans experience the Risk vs Reward innate survival instinct); the military is willing to give you an education; PAY YOU for your time as a student where you're not really contributing yet; and guarantee you a PAID JOB with BENEFITS for "X" amount of years of service.

Some may want to "Romanticize" this more, but the fact remains, the military/country needs a certain number of individuals who are WILLING to Serve their country, up to and including possibly DYING in that service. In return they (Government/Military) are willing to try and make it WORTH YOUR TIME and COMMITMENT. (The worth is based on how much you give them). I.e. officer at the academy/rotc vs enlisted; 10 year pilot commitment vs 5 year commitment for jobs requiring no additional extensive training. Airman Basic 4 year commitment vs Airman First Class 6 year commitment or enlistee with prior college. The point is; it's NOT a SCHOLARSHIP OR JOBS PROGRAM. It's 100% "Quid Pro Quo". Many scholarship/jobs programs don't require a commitment. You get a scholarship, you get your degree, you move on with your life.

Anyway; you have a LOT to think about. It's better to know the TRUTH and make an informed decision, than to have some Hollywood Movie opinion and make an EMOTIONAL decision.

Is the academy/ROTC (And ultimately, the military) right for you????? HOW MUCH are you WILLING to GIVE of YOURSELF and your INDIVIDUALITY, including the POSSIBILITY of DYING; in RETURN for an education, guaranteed paid job for a certain number of years, and certain benefits? In the end...... that's what it ALL comes down to.

best of luck
 
1- these days, and in the future, "astronauts" are and will come from many different backgrounds to perform all kinds of missions! These are exciting times! Here is a link to a podcast interview with Kate Rubins, a microbiologist who went to the space station in 2016.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health...419/a-microbe-hunter-plies-her-trade-in-space

An excerpt
"Rubins doesn't fit the normal astronaut profile. Many start out as military pilots, engineers or doctors — not microbiologists studying viruses. But she got the job....
Before the shuttle program ended in 2011, Robinson says, "our commanders and our pilots had to be ready to land the shuttle, so that implied a really strong piloting [and] aerospace background, and that isn't as important now."

But once NASA's shuttle program ended and U.S. astronauts started hitching rides to space on Russian rockets, the focus for the American personnel shifted away from piloting skills — they no longer have to be counted on to land the shuttle."
...
If are "struggling with math and science", I would encourage you to do some more research into careers in which you will not only thrive, but that you can make a significant contribution. If you love space, that's great! Check out who SpaceX is hiring, or go to
https://www.airforce.com/careers/browse-careers/ , pick what really interests you and see what career that could lead to in the Air Force!

Do you have any mentors you could talk to who know your strengths and weaknesses? Is there someone in a position of authority whom you admire? Even politicians are usually willing to talk with you about what their job is really like...

However, I do think Christcorp makes a good point-in the military, it ain't about you! It's not a bad thing, it's just different.
Good luck to you!
 
More astronauts have come from CU Boulder than the academy. If you have any doubts about the academy then it's ok to go ROTC. Overall, follow your heart my guy.
 
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