Current Doolie, Ask Away

J

JT2026

USAFA '26
Joined
Jan 15, 2022
Messages
21
Hi all,
Current doolie at USAFA here. I remember where I was around this time last year - the anxiety, checking my application portal every 30 seconds, etc. Looking for updates and asking questions on this forum really helped me out. If you have any random questions that don't need their own thread, ask them here and I'll do my best to answer them.
 
tasmaniandevil_06 said:
When did you start your application for USAFA?
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I started my application the week it first opened (USAFA was my number one since middle school, so I was very eager to apply). I completed as much of it as I could. From there, I made a checklist of everything that I still needed to get done - teacher recommendations, essays, applications/interviews for nominations, and everything else.

BTW, don't procrastinate on the essays. I tend to procrastinate on all writing assignments. It is far better to get them done and off your mind rather than sitting on them for months until the week before the due date (like I did.......)
 
is there a list or data base of service selection assignments for the seniors?
 
NavyUMO said:
is there a list or data base of service selection assignments for the seniors?
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Someone recently posted assignments here .....

USAFA Jobs

For anyone interested in what jobs you can get out of USAFA here is some recent data. Past performance does not predict future outcomes. Needs of the service take precedence.
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
Do you have good opportunities for support, such as needing help with one of your classes or wanting to get better at public speaking, reading, writing, etc.?
 
hopefulcadet02 said:
Do you have good opportunities for support, such as needing help with one of your classes or wanting to get better at public speaking, reading, writing, etc.?
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Also a current doolie, and yes there are so many opportunities for help in everything you need. There's a writing and math center for specific, personalized help with classes and plenty of opportunities for public speaking.
 
altomatic said:
Also a current doolie, and yes there are so many opportunities for help in everything you need. There's a writing and math center for specific, personalized help with classes and plenty of opportunities for public speaking.
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Awesome thanks!
 
TheToast said:
As a Doolie, what steps can you take to participate in soar and powered flight?
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I'm starting soaring in March which is the earliest doolies can start it. To do this you need to finish AV-100 in A or B go, you'll learn what go's are later but basically they're tiny bits of the semester to schedule short classes in. There was only 70 slots for spring soaring for doolies this semester. Regular soaring and powered flight are in the summer and you have to submit preferences for them. Get above a 3.0 you're first semester and I think you'll basically be guaranteed a slot in either.
 
This isn’t necessarily a question for just doolies, but does focusing on soaring over powered flight affect your chances when it comes to getting a pilot slot as the end of four years? Would doing powered flight be seen as more beneficial compared to soaring for a cadet wanting to get a pilot slot?
 
TheToast said:
This isn’t necessarily a question for just doolies, but does focusing on soaring over powered flight affect your chances when it comes to getting a pilot slot as the end of four years? Would doing powered flight be seen as more beneficial compared to soaring for a cadet wanting to get a pilot slot?
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My understanding is that you must complete powered flight to be eligible for a pilot slot. It is completely possible that they've relaxed that requirement, though.
 
AFrpaso said:
My understanding is that you must complete powered flight to be eligible for a pilot slot. It is completely possible that they've relaxed that requirement, though.
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This isn’t true, at least anymore. Airmanship can’t hurt your chances but they are in no means required for a pilot slot. Pretty much the only requirement is the have a brain, seeing as they didn’t even have enough pilots to fill their 560+ slots for 2023
 
TheToast said:
This isn’t necessarily a question for just doolies, but does focusing on soaring over powered flight affect your chances when it comes to getting a pilot slot as the end of four years? Would doing powered flight be seen as more beneficial compared to soaring for a cadet wanting to get a pilot slot?
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It’s not necessarily an either/or thing. Son #1 did Soaring after his Doolie year, and was also able to do Jump and Powered Flight as an upperclassman by using elective classes.

Stealth_81
 
I heard UPT slots were down for the current Firstie class due to the severe training pipeline backlog. If so, it may take more than a PQ rating, 2.0 GPA, and a pulse.

Apparently, the AF has a pilot retention problem. I’m shocked! [\end sarcasm]
 
ChaggyC17 said:
I heard UPT slots were down for the current Firstie class due to the severe training pipeline backlog. If so, it may take more than a PQ rating, 2.0 GPA, and a pulse.

Apparently, the AF has a pilot retention problem. I’m shocked! [\end sarcasm]
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Almost any Firstie that wanted pilot got a slot. I know kids who were ranked 920+ (out of less than 1000 kids) get a pilot slot.
 
ChaggyC17 said:
I heard UPT slots were down for the current Firstie class due to the severe training pipeline backlog. If so, it may take more than a PQ rating, 2.0 GPA, and a pulse.

Apparently, the AF has a pilot retention problem. I’m shocked! [\end sarcasm]
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Firsties who didn’t even want pilot got assigned pilot this year.
 
Just out of curiosity, if you get assigned a rated position like that do you still incur an extended (10yr) obligation?
 
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