Flight Academy or Boys State?

From this ALO's perspective...

Bullets on the resume/application

- One of only XX number of students in YYY State selected to attend serve as a representative at the Boys State Convention for 2023
- One of only XXX AFJROTC cadets worldwide to be selected for the USAF/AFJROTC Flight Academy, a Chief of Staff USAF visibility program
-- Earned FAA Private Pilot license in a minimum amount of time, demonstrating high potential for military aviation in the future

Or not...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
flieger83 said:
From this ALO's perspective...

Bullets on the resume/application

- One of only XX number of students in YYY State selected to attend serve as a representative at the Boys State Convention for 2023
- One of only XXX AFJROTC cadets worldwide to be selected for the USAF/AFJROTC Flight Academy, a Chief of Staff USAF visibility program
-- Earned FAA Private Pilot license in a minimum amount of time, demonstrating high potential for military aviation in the future

Or not...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
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When you put it like that it does sound more appealing. I really appreciate the advice from you, Sir.

Thank you!
 
When I was in high school I did the AFJROTC scholarship program as well. The quality of experience appears to vary quite widely depending on which school one goes to. That said, overall definitely an amazing experience, I highly recommending getting your PPL over Boys State.
 
You can always put "Selected to attend Boys State" as an honor received even I'd you don't attend. You can work into interviews while talking about PPL scholarsip and accomplishment, too. The PPL will follow you through life even if you don't join the military or get a flight slot.
 
Go fly.

Lots or people have dreams of flying jets or for the military and after they try it decide quickly it’s not for them.

The sooner a person can get aeronautically adapted the better. I got horrendously air sick for the first part of military flight training. Small airplane’s get kicked around quite a bit…

The PPL has permanent value even if not selected for a SA.

I suspect more personal confidence will come from getting a PPl than from boys state.

Flying is more fun that anything in my book…I’m biased.
 
While the application does not ask about flight training, if I remember correctly it does ask about licenses and list the PPL as one of the choices.
In any case I would go for the PPL for all the reasons stated above.
And as mentioned, what a great subject for an essay.
Good luck
 
A1Janitor said:
That resume doesn’t need points from boys state imo (I am waiting for the military folks to disagree ;) ) - I would take the scholarship.

Great stuff.
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I agree with you for one. My ds was told by USMA admissions that he had maxed his leadership and ECs and I imagine it happens often with involved kids like this. He did go to Boys State and loved it but it didn't conflict with a cool program that fit exactly into his passion. I say that with all of your ECs and leadership, follow your passion even if it doesn't give you any points. Use the hard decision or your experience getting your PPL as a topic for an essay.
 
JohnMcLane said:
You can always put "Selected to attend Boys State" as an honor received even I'd you don't attend. You can work into interviews while talking about PPL scholarsip and accomplishment, too. The PPL will follow you through life even if you don't join the military or get a flight slot.
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You can but at the most recent USMA admissions brief, the RC specifically said no points would be given unless you attend Boys State even if selected. Just want to throw that out there in case it sways anyone's decisions. Of course, I don't know how the other SA's view it.
 
another guy said:
I'm a part of my school's AFJROTC program and in December I was offered a slot in the Flight Academy Program (a fully funded scholarship for AFJROTC cadets to get their private pilots license). I finished the subsequent documentation and physicals already and I'm just waiting to be matched with a university. Now, Boy's State starts right after school ends for me, which is also when I assume the FA program will start as well. I'm not sure if the dates will be at the same time, but if they do, which will be more beneficial to my application to USAFA?

Notes:
-I understand that FA has no bearing on WCS other than another "extracurricular" while Boys State has its own category, so on paper, Boy's State is more important
-I spoke to my FFR for USMA and he strongly advised going to boys state
-I'm not even sure if I can opt out of the scholarship anymore
-The chances I get the scholarship again next year is slim (because I've rejected it the first time)

My perspective:
-The Air Force is dedicating ~$22,500 into this scholarship, so they would be happy if their money is being invested back into the Air Force through a USAFA candidate and not a private corporation or just being unused altogether
-USAFA can see that I can handle a tough schedule and can handle several things which matches their curriculum(ish) at USAFA
-It will show I am appreciative of what the Air Force has done for me (I got the scholarship and I might reject it for Boy's State)
-Many other candidates are already going to Boy's State, and while it is extremely useful, more people have Boy's State on their application compared to having their PPL, which would set me apart
-While it would make more sense to go to boys state for maybe USMA or USNA, USAFA would see it differently as per the reasons above
-Having my PPL would be a stable step for another career path if the military goes south and I want to be a pilot
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While I am not experienced, I would say that having a pilot's license is far more important/useful in the long term than attending Boys' State, no? While the event might be fun, a pilot's license is something that others pay thousands for, and having it at 17 is impressive.
 
another guy said:
I'm a part of my school's AFJROTC program and in December I was offered a slot in the Flight Academy Program (a fully funded scholarship for AFJROTC cadets to get their private pilots license). I finished the subsequent documentation and physicals already and I'm just waiting to be matched with a university. Now, Boy's State starts right after school ends for me, which is also when I assume the FA program will start as well. I'm not sure if the dates will be at the same time, but if they do, which will be more beneficial to my application to USAFA?

Notes:
-I understand that FA has no bearing on WCS other than another "extracurricular" while Boys State has its own category, so on paper, Boy's State is more important
-I spoke to my FFR for USMA and he strongly advised going to boys state
-I'm not even sure if I can opt out of the scholarship anymore
-The chances I get the scholarship again next year is slim (because I've rejected it the first time)

My perspective:
-The Air Force is dedicating ~$22,500 into this scholarship, so they would be happy if their money is being invested back into the Air Force through a USAFA candidate and not a private corporation or just being unused altogether
-USAFA can see that I can handle a tough schedule and can handle several things which matches their curriculum(ish) at USAFA
-It will show I am appreciative of what the Air Force has done for me (I got the scholarship and I might reject it for Boy's State)
-Many other candidates are already going to Boy's State, and while it is extremely useful, more people have Boy's State on their application compared to having their PPL, which would set me apart
-While it would make more sense to go to boys state for maybe USMA or USNA, USAFA would see it differently as per the reasons above
-Having my PPL would be a stable step for another career path if the military goes south and I want to be a pilot
Click to expand...
I did the AFJROTC Flight Academy personally and finished with my PPL; go fly. It is an amazing deal that is very underrated. Flight training is very expensive and hard to do on your own.
 
As a young man, I once asked my then-boss which items were the priority as I was overwhelmed. I entered the meeting with a list. He carefully listened, paused, and said... Yes.

My point is, you have a list of the partner universities that the Power flight Academy is offered at. It's a great program, even greater if you go in prepared by reading the pre-work information packets/ manuals. Call each of them starting with the closest program to your home, and confirm dates for each power flight program this summer. For reference, the Air Force Junior ROTC Flight Academy scholarship will cover the total cost of room, board, tuition, books, and fees for this program. HQ Air Force Junior ROTC will fund transportation from the cadet’s unit to the nearest airport. Offer to pay for the difference between the closest program and the program that meets your timing *if that is needed, so that you have time to both. Confirm if that is an option. I'd also research which flight programs are the best fit/ best reputation - some on that list are top programs -others, are-not. I'd pay to go to a top ranked program *if that's an option for you.

Boys State is typically one week. Confirm your exact dates in 2023 for your state. Then work it out so you can do both of these if you wish, if that is something you would like to do. I strongly advocate for people interested in being a pilot (my DS is a commercial pilot/ CFI and will soon fly for the navy) get up in the air to see if the interest and actual experience match.

If you have to do one, then for your life and future as a pilot I think the power flight academy is a win. But call admissions and discuss it with them too - I think finding a way to do both this summer would be a great essay foundation for your application and interview - good luck to you/ thanks for your willingness to serve.
 
When my son went into his congressional nomination interview the interviewers spent a bit of the time talking about his flying (he will be finishing his license this month). It certainly put him at ease. We footed the bill for the license (he had applied for the AOPA scholarship 3x and didn't get it, but looking back I think he may have if he had taken and passed the written exam before applying) and it was costly, but worth it. I am no expert, but I do think his flying was a plus for him. He did not do Boys State and earned an appointment.
 
Another possible option is to check the dates for Boys State in neighboring states . They may be holding their Boys State during a week that would work and they may allow you to switch.
 
I'm extremely biased here. Go for the scholarship. I remember only 150 people getting in for that scholarship when I applied. That's an expensive scholarship and heck it doesn't hurt to have some flight experience and knowledge. Plus it's a time commitment a few days vs weeks spent in a rigorous environment for learning ( at least that's what I was told by those who went in my JROTC). But I don't know boy's state as much so continue to investigate


Btw we have a program here that lets you fly at other colleges to get 15 flight hours ( this includes a solo), that's what I'll be doing this summer, something to look out for for those that want to fly here, it's selective with only 15 of us going.
 
FlyFalcon said:
Btw we have a program here that lets you fly at other colleges to get 15 flight hours ( this includes a solo), that's what I'll be doing this summer, something to look out for for those that want to fly here, it's selective with only 15 of us going.
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What is the name of this program? That sounds like fun!
 
I know you have a lot of responses but I’ll throw in one more. Stop caring so much about your resume and focus some on enjoying what life is giving you. There are a lot of things you can chase that might make you look good on paper, but are you going to remember boys state anywhere near as fondly as the time you’ve spent and will be able to spend flying for the rest of your life? If you’re passionate about flying, do it. You have one of very few slots and if you have any interest in it, dive into it.

And for what it’s worth in terms of points, the Air Force is not investing in you with no hope of a return, they’re investing in you to get you to join. It doesn’t guarantee anything by any means, but it gives you a buy in. If you want you can message me to find out more about dates, I’m participating in the program as a cadet mentor and have the dates for each location if you’re interested.
 
I agree with everyone else here. I would certainly go for the PPL for many reasons. It’s a much more selective program that you were able to get in. USAFA looks for candidates that have aviation knowledge even though it is not a requirement so this is a great thing to have. It is also a lot of work, it is certainly no easy task to get done and to say you have it completed is quite the accomplishment. I did not have the scholarship and it took me about a month and a half over this past summer of non stop training. Not only is it the 20-40 hours of just flying. There is many more hours spent studying and doing other things required to complete it. In my opinion it is a much more challenging opportunity and will suit you better in the future whether in the academy or other things. I did not do boys state either. Good luck, and stay safe flying!
 
Becoming a Private Pilot is, in some ways, like being knighted. You're in a very exclusive club for the rest of your life, and doing it at such an early age is a very special thing no matter what you wind up doing in your future. Doesn't matter if you're applying for an Academy, applying for grad school someplace, or standing in line at the grocery store in your baggy basketball shorts, crocs and bed-hair. Being able to say, "I'm a Pilot" makes people look at you differently for a reason. Doing for 100% free? Whaaaaat?? Just my $.02
 
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