Great place to be from, but not at?

H

hello-there

Navy '26
Joined
Jul 7, 2021
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I was just wondering if there was any truth to the saying that USAFA is "a great place to be from, but not a great place to be at". Is it really that bad while you're there?
 
Nothing worth having is easy … the Service Academies and the National Military Colleges are meant to be difficult … an SA appointment or a 4yr National ROTC scholarship to a National Military College (e.g., VMI, Citadel, Norwich, etc.) are some of the most difficult things to achieve … there are schools that are more difficult to get into … BUT no “scholarship” is more difficult to keep than attending an SA or a NMC …
 
hello-there said:
I was just wondering if there was any truth to the saying that USAFA is "a great place to be from, but not a great place to be at". Is it really that bad while you're there?
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That statement is common at all the SA's. However, I have met many MIDN that actually like much of the program and love several aspects. I know MIDN that smile every time I talk to them about what they are doing. What makes them feel that way? How do the overcome the aspects they don't like - and not let those spoil their four years?
 
As stated by @Don't Give Up the Ship, that statement is used for all the DOD SAs, and perhaps the non-DOD SAs as well. I’ve been at USNA the past four days, amid the thick of plebe summer. Each time I’ve been on the Yard, I’ve passed a few plebe companies. Few, if any, of the plebes look happy to be there. I haven’t seen any smiles, but I’ve seen plenty of tiredness. Some, I dare say, looked miserable — especially those bringing up the rear of the regimental run the other morning.

But it’s survival of this challenge that will make them very proud when plebe summer is complete in a couple weeks. Then things will only get tougher when the academic year begins. Stress will rise, demands will increase, frustrations will emerge. The mids are running a gauntlet, and enduring it will be their badge of honor. It’s what they’ll tell stories about — brag about, even — in the years to come.

Outsiders are impressed with the SA experience, plus the mids and cadets who endure it, because it’s hard. If it was easy, there’d be little prestige, legend or cache associated with it. Make no mistake, however: The four years also deliver enormous rewards, opportunities, highlights and, yes, even fun!
 
MidCakePa said:
As stated by @Don't Give Up the Ship, that statement is used for all the DOD SAs, and perhaps the non-DOD SAs as well. I’ve been at USNA the past four days, amid the thick of plebe summer. Each time I’ve been on the Yard, I’ve passed a few plebe companies. Few, if any, of the plebes look happy to be there. I haven’t seen any smiles, but I’ve seen plenty of tiredness. Some, I dare say, looked miserable — especially those bringing up the rear of the regimental run the other morning.

But it’s survival of this challenge that will make them very proud when plebe summer is complete in a couple weeks. Then things will only get tougher when the academic year begins. Stress will rise, demands will increase, frustrations will emerge. The mids are running a gauntlet, and enduring it will be their badge of honor. It’s what they’ll tell stories about — brag about, even — in the years to come.

Outsiders are impressed with the SA experience, plus the mids and cadets who endure it, because it’s hard. If it was easy, there’d be little prestige, legend or cache associated with it. Make no mistake, however: The four years also deliver enormous rewards, opportunities, highlights and, yes, even fun!
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Thanks for the insight!
 
I’ll tell you this…my youngster is looking forward to going back. Can’t wait to see his friends and continue his adventures. He is home now and spending time with his home buddies, all who want to hear about his adventures. And what he will do post graduation. And are fascinated.

If you find your people, your tribe? It’s amazing. You get out of it what you put in.
 
I fully believe in USAFA as being a Great place to be FROM!! USAFA, and I bet the other Service Academies, were 2/3's of the time drudgery to misery, and 1/3 the coolest thing you could do for college. Maybe 3/4's to 1/4. I absolutely remember the feeling of DREAD coming back from Thanksgiving skiing knowing all the academic projects and finals that were coming. Coming back from Christmas Break to the long Dark Days of winter until Spring Break. And coming back from Spring Break fun to 2 more months of drudgery. Even coming back from a weekend out left me with a miserable feeling a lot of times. But it also offered the most interesting, coolest, and thrilling things a college aged adult could get involved in, and fantastic and important possibilities after graduation. Sometimes, but usually not, a great place to be. But forever a Great place to be From is what I think.
 
SOLL said:
I fully believe in USAFA as being a Great place to be FROM!! USAFA, and I bet the other Service Academies, were 2/3's of the time drudgery to misery, and 1/3 the coolest thing you could do for college. Maybe 3/4's to 1/4. I absolutely remember the feeling of DREAD coming back from Thanksgiving skiing knowing all the academic projects and finals that were coming. Coming back from Christmas Break to the long Dark Days of winter until Spring Break. And coming back from Spring Break fun to 2 more months of drudgery. Even coming back from a weekend out left me with a miserable feeling a lot of times. But it also offered the most interesting, coolest, and thrilling things a college aged adult could get involved in, and fantastic and important possibilities after graduation. Sometimes, but usually not, a great place to be. But forever a Great place to be From is what I think.
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Thanks!
 
Honestly, I think that a lot of that has to do with a person's general approach to life. For example, I had one child who loved being at WP. Had ups and downs like anyone, but loved being a cadet and the cadet life. Cried when it was over. Just didn't want it to be over.
I had another child who complained nearly the whole time - saw it as prison. The day of graduation - they, too, cried when it was over. Realized what a great experience it was and didn't want it to end.
 
Unless you're a complete weirdo, waking up at 0430 during basic is going to be a pain and you're definitely not going to like it. You're not going to like a lot of things about the academy (especially your doolie year) like having to run the strips or the constant state of tiredness you are in. Anyone here will tell you that the goal is graduation, that's the one date that every class looks forward to so desperately. The constant strain on your time that you will often feel as pointless. The general culture of this place just makes it through. Most people here want their time at the academy to fly by.

If you wanna sum it up in a quote it would be "But by far the most important result was that it awakened in us a strong, practical sense of esprit de corps, which in the field developed into the finest thing that arose out of the war—comradeship." (All quiet on the western front)
 
hello-there said:
I was just wondering if there was any truth to the saying that USAFA is "a great place to be from, but not a great place to be at". Is it really that bad while you're there?
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I'm a current doolie and I just wanted to let you know that you should not at all be scared off by how bad you think life will be. The worst part for me was the first few days of basic, getting up at 0500 and realizing "this is my life now."

It gets so much better over time. You'll see yourself within weeks becoming a much stronger person in many ways, and while a lot of the week you're under some pretty strict regulations, everyone here is trying to make you better. Sometimes, we even have fun here! As long as you keep your chin high and involve yourself in some activities that will stretch you, it'll all feel worth it. And imagine the feeling once you graduate.

So yes, it might suck to wake up and get your room to tip-top shape before falling out and calling minutes. But when you're going for a run through the trails here or playing volleyball in the quad with some friends in the evening, it's not half bad. I'm proud to call myself a cadet here and could not imagine being anywhere else.
 
Absolutely true, and great comments by all!

My DD said, "Mom when you ask me if i'm excited to go back, no Cadet is going to say yes." (over summer leave; she was in bed with a beauty face mask, surrounded by her wubbies, playing nintendo switch, talking on the phone, with her laptop netflix on). "But if you ask me if i'm ready, then yes."

The best way parents can help is to ask thinking questions - help your Cadet process their thoughts, prioritize, develop their own game plan and goals. It's a 47 month journey and it is up to DD to define it. The Wing is made up of so many different types, all needed, all necessary, and no matter if you are #1 or #1,106, there is leadership and great things to come from everyone. So figure out who you are, how you want to define your Academy experience. It will be different for everyone. Some are 2.0 good to go, some are gunning for national scholarships and/or grad school. Some define themselves first as D1 athletes. Some want Wing leadership. Others want to do the least military possible. Some are just trying to stay off recondo. Some are trying for 500/1000 club. And of course 30+academic majors and the trajectory from there. There is no right or wrong, but to define your experience and goals while not being deficient in any category, and finding success and meaning in achievements is more important then being happy. IMO, self-worth > happy. Happy is a banana split.
 
Some days are amazing, some are terrible. It's all part of the experience. Sometimes I am still up at 12AM reading 50 pages from a history textbook and hating it, but then the hall brawls and Front Porch Thursdays all make up for it. It swings like a pendulum being here. You just have to get through each day and as cliché as it sounds, find the small things that make you realize why you like it here. I am a current doolie and it's hard sometimes, but I always remember that every single upperclassmen had to do what 25'ers are doing, and they got through it. Of course there are going to be the snarky, out-to-get-you upperclassmen that might dampen your mood once in a while by making a comment while you're running on the strips, but it's all a game of power (just like it was during basic). I am pretty sure that it gets better after recognition, so that's another thing. Military academies are harder in the traditional sense that there are a lot more responsibilities, but easier because you truly have friends that you can count on.
 
Mangito said:
Some days are amazing, some are terrible. It's all part of the experience. Sometimes I am still up at 12AM reading 50 pages from a history textbook and hating it, but then the hall brawls and Front Porch Thursdays all make up for it. It swings like a pendulum being here. You just have to get through each day and as cliché as it sounds, find the small things that make you realize why you like it here. I am a current doolie and it's hard sometimes, but I always remember that every single upperclassmen had to do what 25'ers are doing, and they got through it. Of course there are going to be the snarky, out-to-get-you upperclassmen that might dampen your mood once in a while by making a comment while you're running on the strips, but it's all a game of power (just like it was during basic). I am pretty sure that it gets better after recognition, so that's another thing. Military academies are harder in the traditional sense that there are a lot more responsibilities, but easier because you truly have friends that you can count on.
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I believe my DS Doolie would completely agree with you! Well said.
 
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