Current State of the Academy

[happytrree]

Disclaimer: This might not represent the views of the Cadet Wing at a whole, but I know many people who agree with my view.

As a current Doolie, the academy is nowhere near what I signed up for. The changes they've made to the academy in the past 8 months, how badly they've destroyed our Rec experience, it just makes me wonder why I even chose this over the other two academies. I came here to be mentally and physically challenged, not be constantly told "I'm the victim", and that I'm being "hazed" because god forbid someone yell at me in a military environment. In basic we learned a quote from John Stuart Mill, it’s ironic how we’re required to learn the quote only for the academy to show exactly what he was warning about. For your reference, the quote is below:

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things
The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling
which thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse
The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight,
nothing which is more important than his own personal safety
is a miserable creature. and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so
by the exertions of better men than himself​

This place sells itself as "Cadet-led" and while it may have been that way years ago, it sure isn’t like that now. Permanent party (Officers/enlisted who work here), don’t trust cadets to run Rec without their supervision, which is the whole reason why Rec this year has been pretty much cancelled. Our upperclassmen spent countless hours planning and preparing to give us a meaningful Rec even with the countless stupid changes they’ve made to the rules, and it’s all gone down the drain because PP (perm. party) aren’t willing to postpone Rec or allow it to happen without them watching over us. There are so many problems arising here and this is just one of them. I understand this may not be all on our PP leadership, but it is hard to not blame them when we see all these traditions being wiped away in favor of a victim mindset-oriented era. I'm curious if any grads have any advice or would be able to share info/insight into the changes made at the Academy right now.

 

[USAFAparent27']

Our 27' Cadet feels the same, and often tells us the exact points you have made.

 

[AimHighMom]

I thank all of you for speaking out. I don't know if my DS will have a decision to make between academies, but if so these testimonials will play in to it. I have seen many posts attesting to this environment at USAFA.

 

[Wooda]

Can someone explain in a very basic sense what’s going on at the academy? I’m a candidate right now but I’m not really sure what all of this means. What is rec? Do the cadets not get yelled at at all anymore?

 

[MidCakePa]

Can someone explain in a very basic sense what’s going on at the academy? I’m a candidate right now but I’m not really sure what all of this means. What is rec? Do the cadets not get yelled at at all anymore?

Whatever is going on or might be going on -- I strongly suggest that you get multiple perspectives from various sources before making any big judgments or decisions.

Remember that this is an anonymous forum. You simply don't know who's on the other side, their credentials, motivations, context, etc. (And that includes this very post and poster.) This forum is valuable because you can get many perspectives -- some consistent, some opposing, most of them helpful in providing a more complete picture of SA and AD life.

As we longtime SAF members often say: caveat emptor. Take advantage of the opinions posted here, but sprinkle it liberally with grains of salt. The more different perspectives you gather, the fuller and better your own view will be.

 

[FlyFalcon]

Whatever is going on or might be going on -- I strongly suggest that you get multiple perspectives from various sources before making any big judgments or decisions.

Remember that this is an anonymous forum. You simply don't know who's on the other side, their credentials, motivations, context, etc. (And that includes this very post and poster.) This forum is valuable because you can get many perspectives -- some consistent, some opposing, most of them helpful in providing a more complete picture of SA and AD life.

As we longtime SAF members often say: caveat emptor. Take advantage of the opinions posted here, but sprinkle it liberally with grains of salt. The more different perspectives you gather, the fuller and better your own view will be.

I agree, I'm scared at the same time I'm enjoying my self here. Plus this was a different experience a year ago. If someone comes it with 2028 they will have the current comm, new supt. Then new comm same supt, then repeat. Because they switch every two years. Each comm and supt will change the atmosphere

 

[Wooda]

Whatever is going on or might be going on -- I strongly suggest that you get multiple perspectives from various sources before making any big judgments or decisions.

Remember that this is an anonymous forum. You simply don't know who's on the other side, their credentials, motivations, context, etc. (And that includes this very post and poster.) This forum is valuable because you can get many perspectives -- some consistent, some opposing, most of them helpful in providing a more complete picture of SA and AD life.

As we longtime SAF members often say: caveat emptor. Take advantage of the opinions posted here, but sprinkle it liberally with grains of salt. The more different perspectives you gather, the fuller and better your own view will be.

So in general, what is the OP saying about the academy? Fully understanding that it is an opinion and not neccecarily a reflection of all cadets as stated in his post.

 

[A1Janitor]

Whatever is going on or might be going on -- I strongly suggest that you get multiple perspectives from various sources before making any big judgments or decisions.

Remember that this is an anonymous forum. You simply don't know who's on the other side, their credentials, motivations, context, etc. (And that includes this very post and poster.) This forum is valuable because you can get many perspectives -- some consistent, some opposing, most of them helpful in providing a more complete picture of SA and AD life.

As we longtime SAF members often say: caveat emptor. Take advantage of the opinions posted here, but sprinkle it liberally with grains of salt. The more different perspectives you gather, the fuller and better your own view will be.

Unfortunately the opinions of the ones that matter - former officers and ALOs - aren’t stated. And for obvious reasons.

 

[raimius]

So in general, what is the OP saying about the academy? Fully understanding that it is an opinion and not neccecarily a reflection of all cadets as stated in his post.

In general terms, they are presenting frustration that the officer leadership has greatly restricted the intensity of training and forbid much of it unless cadets are under direct supervision (while also talking about how cadets need to be leaders in their own training).

As for my opinion, these complaints are concerning, as I believe training under some stress is important and highly beneficial. That said, some otherwise intelligent 18-26 year olds can lose track of appropriate stressors to use for training...thus there is a need for a certain amount of oversight. Appropriate training is difficult, and even more so for those with minimal experience as trainers. This is a constant balancing act for military instructors, with both an art and science behind it.

 

[TLR2025]

Disclaimer: This might not represent the views of the Cadet Wing at a whole, but I know many people who agree with my view.

As a current Doolie, the academy is nowhere near what I signed up for. The changes they've made to the academy in the past 8 months, how badly they've destroyed our Rec experience, it just makes me wonder why I even chose this over the other two academies. I came here to be mentally and physically challenged, not be constantly told "I'm the victim", and that I'm being "hazed" because god forbid someone yell at me in a military environment. In basic we learned a quote from John Stuart Mill, it’s ironic how we’re required to learn the quote only for the academy to show exactly what he was warning about. For your reference, the quote is below:

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things
The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling
which thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse
The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight,
nothing which is more important than his own personal safety
is a miserable creature. and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so
by the exertions of better men than himself​

This place sells itself as "Cadet-led" and while it may have been that way years ago, it sure isn’t like that now. Permanent party (Officers/enlisted who work here), don’t trust cadets to run Rec without their supervision, which is the whole reason why Rec this year has been pretty much cancelled. Our upperclassmen spent countless hours planning and preparing to give us a meaningful Rec even with the countless stupid changes they’ve made to the rules, and it’s all gone down the drain because PP (perm. party) aren’t willing to postpone Rec or allow it to happen without them watching over us. There are so many problems arising here and this is just one of them. I understand this may not be all on our PP leadership, but it is hard to not blame them when we see all these traditions being wiped away in favor of a victim mindset-oriented era. I'm curious if any grads have any advice or would be able to share info/insight into the changes made at the Academy right now.

My C2C completely agrees with you!!!! He is VERY disappointed overall! He said they were told any Doolie that shows up for Rec, passes- unless they are drunk! Like, WTH

 

[WED]

What is Rec?

 

[PFroggie]

What is Rec?

Recognition. It’s what just happened last weekend. Big tradition annually.

 

[USMC Crayons]

In general terms, they are presenting frustration that the officer leadership has greatly restricted the intensity of training and forbid much of it unless cadets are under direct supervision (while also talking about how cadets need to be leaders in their own training).

As for my opinion, these complaints are concerning, as I believe training under some stress is important and highly beneficial. That said, some otherwise intelligent 18-26 year olds can lose track of appropriate stressors to use for training...thus there is a need for a certain amount of oversight. Appropriate training is difficult, and even more so for those with minimal experience as trainers. This is a constant balancing act for military instructors, with both an art and science behind it.

So let me get this straight. The service academies are drawing some of our best and brightest. Certainly some of the most (if not the most) well rounded, intelligent, motivated, mature young people this country has to offer. If upperclassmen at the AFA aren't capable of running evolutions and training because they are in the 18-26 y/o cohort, and "lose track of appropriate stressors" then that is a failure of the leadership of the Academy full stop. OP seems to also indicate that the victim messaging is getting a little tired as well. Sounds to me like the leadership is just trying to CYA, because they are worried about a career mistake (which I acknowledge is a valid concern in the climate our military and government has created). Maybe the current leadership is more suited to run basic training, then they are for the Air Force Academy. I have to honestly question the mission and the massive spending per student if this is what the current climate at Colorado Springs is. I had more responsibility as a PFC in the Marine Corps.

 

[TLR2025]

Recognition. It’s what just happened last weekend. Big tradition annually.

Although it didn't happen. The event itself was canceled but the Doolies were still recognized.

 

[Maybe_A_Dreamer]

Although it didn't happen. The event itself was canceled but the Doolies were still recognized.

It did happen, and it was still a memorable and meaningful event.

 

[TLR2025]

It did happen, and it was still a memorable and meaningful event.

Lol. Take away from my statement what you want. I said nothing negative. It happened exactly the way the OP described in their post. And it will prob be executed in similar fashion in the future if current leadership get their way. It's nowhere near the way it should happen. Also, planning such an important event in Colorado during the month of MARCH, USAFA should have a plan B in case plan A cannot be executed correctly. It was basically canceled except for the dinner.

 

[Bigrod]

So General Moga leaves and the new commander comes in and makes his personal touch of permanent party the center of attention? Cancel 2 days of physical and mental fitness and they still get recognized? Recognition should have been pushed back until after spring break because of the weather. Sure, they wouldn’t have civies flying to and from for spring break but so what. Recognition can’t possibly feel truly achieved without putting in the work. I understand they have put in the work during the academic year but the culmination should be another boot camp type ceremony with all the pomp and circumstances. Anyway, congratulations Doolies….

 

[TLR2025]

So General Moga leaves and the new commander comes in and makes his personal touch of permanent party the center of attention? Cancel 2 days of physical and mental fitness and they still get recognized? Recognition should have been pushed back until after spring break because of the weather. Sure, they wouldn’t have civies flying to and from for spring break but so what. Recognition can’t possibly feel truly achieved without putting in the work. I understand they have put in the work during the academic year but the culmination should be another boot camp type ceremony with all the pomp and circumstances. Anyway, congratulations Doolies….

 

[Usafa27-Dad]

Disclaimer: This might not represent the views of the Cadet Wing at a whole, but I know many people who agree with my view.

As a current Doolie, the academy is nowhere near what I signed up for. The changes they've made to the academy in the past 8 months, how badly they've destroyed our Rec experience, it just makes me wonder why I even chose this over the other two academies. I came here to be mentally and physically challenged, not be constantly told "I'm the victim", and that I'm being "hazed" because god forbid someone yell at me in a military environment. In basic we learned a quote from John Stuart Mill, it’s ironic how we’re required to learn the quote only for the academy to show exactly what he was warning about. For your reference, the quote is below:

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things
The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling
which thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse
The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight,
nothing which is more important than his own personal safety
is a miserable creature. and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so
by the exertions of better men than himself​

This place sells itself as "Cadet-led" and while it may have been that way years ago, it sure isn’t like that now. Permanent party (Officers/enlisted who work here), don’t trust cadets to run Rec without their supervision, which is the whole reason why Rec this year has been pretty much cancelled. Our upperclassmen spent countless hours planning and preparing to give us a meaningful Rec even with the countless stupid changes they’ve made to the rules, and it’s all gone down the drain because PP (perm. party) aren’t willing to postpone Rec or allow it to happen without them watching over us. There are so many problems arising here and this is just one of them. I understand this may not be all on our PP leadership, but it is hard to not blame them when we see all these traditions being wiped away in favor of a victim mindset-oriented era. I'm curious if any grads have any advice or would be able to share info/insight into the changes made at the Academy right now.

Hopefully you realize that all the Generals and all Academy Superintendents have a boss, and it lives in the White House and in Delaware during the weekend. And just in case you didn’t see them or heard about them, you had people wearing black suits during Recognition (they were not the Men in Black I guess) as observers. What they were observing, God only knows. All this mess goes way over the Superintendent and his staff. Unfortunately

 

[unkown1961]

Whatever is going on or might be going on -- I strongly suggest that you get multiple perspectives from various sources before making any big judgments or decisions.

Remember that this is an anonymous forum. You simply don't know who's on the other side, their credentials, motivations, context, etc. (And that includes this very post and poster.) This forum is valuable because you can get many perspectives -- some consistent, some opposing, most of them helpful in providing a more complete picture of SA and AD life.

As we longtime SAF members often say: caveat emptor. Take advantage of the opinions posted here, but sprinkle it liberally with grains of salt. The more different perspectives you gather, the fuller and better your own view will be.

Exactly. The cadet we sponsor and her friends are fine with their experience.