Joining the Academy

CPT Johnson,

Very true. They can go Army, BUT the Army has to agree to accept them and the AF has to agree to release them.

SAs are not joint assignments. The key word that any poster should take from your post is wish

I am stilling wishing for that money tree to show up in my backyard!:wink:
If according to you it is that simple to commission into the Army from the AFA, could you please come to my house and find my money tree that I wished for!

Now for your direct/implied position, depending on how you take your post.
CPT Johnson said:
I am truly amazed at how you chastise a young woman that is trying to accomplish a dream. As an officer and even when I was enlisted in the United States Army I have always tried to help others below me to accomplish their dreams. That is the ADULT thing to do. She JOINED the forum to obtain advice on the steps needed to be nominated and APPLY for the academy. Yes she made a few grammatical errors in her posts, but picking on her for it was extremely immature. She is a bright girl with a bright future.
I do want to thank you though; because of your negativity she is now more than ever motivated to prove to you that you are WRONG!!!
Click to expand...

1. If you want to play with the grown ups, than accept criticism. Additionally, be respectful of those you are asking advice from.
2. They were constantly asked for more info, by multiple posters.
~ How supportive were you as an enlisted member or an officer when it came to those you were mentoring/guiding when they refused to offer any insight? When did your frustration level break?
3. How do you know she is a bright girl? Did she pm you her stats? Where in any of her posts did she illustrate that? Finding this site? No, sorry, google AFA chances and SAF is going to show up.
4. Maybe, we were immature in your eyes. I prefer to believe we were giving her a realistic look on her future. We were not going to hold her hand and take everything at face value while singing Cumbaya.
~ The SAs are looking for leaders, not hand holders.
~ If we are immature, than so be it, because as you said she will be more than ever determined to prove us wrong. HOWEVER, I have been here for years and the ignoring everyone's post unless it works to their advantage is showing her own downfall.


Look, I want Sami to get into the AFA, but right now we can't help her without her being honest to us.

This is not personal, as mean as it reads, it is trying to help her be the best. Part of being the best is accepting criticism. The AFA will surely hand out everyday and twice on Monday!
 
Well, I am glad to hear that Sami is not a bot, but in indeed a young lady seeking information, and thank her mother for providing some context.

I don't think I actually chastised your daughter (or is she the child of a friend?) - though I did ask on several occasions for more information, which she did not deliver. What is obvious now, is that there was little information to provide because of her youth. She doesn't have test scores, varsity athletics, weighted/unweighted GPA, Honors, AP.... she is essentially moving from middle school into high school. As far as being ADULT, how can we know her circumstances? She neglected to supply ANY information, except that she was 15 and a genius.

Her 4.0 GPA is excellent and I hope she can continue to earn top grades, and to take the most difficult courses available to her, including dual-enrollment coursework if possible. She should be especially vigilant in studying Math, Chemistry, Physics, Biology - and to land a job, and to develop some leadership skills (as you know).

If you feel that PIMA and I in some way demeaned your child, that is unfortunate. Especially PIMA (and many others) has spent years trying to help all comers to find their way into US Service Academies, and ROTC programs, and into rewarding military careers. Just look up some of her posts! Her husband and son have given the lives to the service of their country, and she, as the wife of an officer in the USAF, has given her entire married life to the fulfillment of the demands of her husband's career.

Surely you can understand that there are many posters here who come seeking information without looking at or reading the stickies above, who never have gotten a brochure from the USAFA or any other service academy, who haven't even gone to usafa.edu to see how things are. It's frustrating for those of us who are here to help when requested information is not forthcoming. How can we help anyone who hasn't bothered to do his/her homework? Or who won't help us help them?

Many regular posters here have given invaluable advice and assistance to hundreds of SA hopefuls. If Sami doesn't like people asking for information, maybe she would not be a good fit for any military.

PIMA said she did not think SAMI was a bot, but not in high school, but in middle school. Sami could have just told us that at the beginning. Advice wouldn't have changed, though. Get good grades, develop athletic skills and be the best of the best. Also, now I will add: accept advice when you ask for it. If you don't like the advice you get, look elsewhere.
 
As far as just doing whatever floats your boat after graduation from USAFA - not too ding-dang likely. Graduates' futures are based on the needs of the Air Force, not on the whims of its graduates.
 
CPT Johnson said:
In regards to point number 1... Once you complete the academy it is not written in stone that you must join the Air Force. You have the opportunity to do what you wish. Even join the US Army and be a soldier.
Click to expand...

This is not a dice I would care to roll. If she wants to go to the Air Force Academy, it should be to become an airman (general name, not rank) and an Air Force officer. Cross-commissioning is not only difficult, it's not a given. If she wants to be a soldier, and specifically an Army officer, USMA or Army ROTC are much better bets. Heck, USMMA may be a better bet than USAFA.

Is it written in stone? No. But it's pretty close.
 
Now here's the good thing. All the things you can do now, starting in high school and through the time you start applying for colleges for USAFA are the same kinds of things you would do for any of the service academies.

So, if down the road, you DO want to be a soldier and not an airman, NO PROBLEM! A competitive application package to USAFA is also likely a competitive application package to West Point.

The fact that you're even thinking about how to build a high school transcript and personal activities to be considered for the Air Force Academy puts you ahead (in the planning department) than many. While you'll see comments here on SAF like "I've always wanted to attend..... USXA" you'll find than MANY applying (including me) didn't consider an academy until well into their high school careers.
 
Pima said:
CPT Johnson,

Very true. They can go Army, BUT the Army has to agree to accept them and the AF has to agree to release them.

SAs are not joint assignments. The key word that any poster should take from your post is wish

I am stilling wishing for that money tree to show up in my backyard!:wink:
If according to you it is that simple to commission into the Army from the AFA, could you please come to my house and find my money tree that I wished for!

Now for your direct/implied position, depending on how you take your post.


1. If you want to play with the grown ups, than accept criticism. Additionally, be respectful of those you are asking advice from.
2. They were constantly asked for more info, by multiple posters.
~ How supportive were you as an enlisted member or an officer when it came to those you were mentoring/guiding when they refused to offer any insight? When did your frustration level break?
3. How do you know she is a bright girl? Did she pm you her stats? Where in any of her posts did she illustrate that? Finding this site? No, sorry, google AFA chances and SAF is going to show up.
4. Maybe, we were immature in your eyes. I prefer to believe we were giving her a realistic look on her future. We were not going to hold her hand and take everything at face value while singing Cumbaya.
~ The SAs are looking for leaders, not hand holders.
~ If we are immature, than so be it, because as you said she will be more than ever determined to prove us wrong. HOWEVER, I have been here for years and the ignoring everyone's post unless it works to their advantage is showing her own downfall.


Look, I want Sami to get into the AFA, but right now we can't help her without her being honest to us.

This is not personal, as mean as it reads, it is trying to help her be the best. Part of being the best is accepting criticism. The AFA will surely hand out everyday and twice on Monday!
Click to expand...

I believe the word is then, not than. Oh, and you did it twice. Grammar police!

I did post Sami's stats in a reply to hornetguy. Sami does not have to PM me, because she is my daughter.

My mother always said if you don't have anything nice, don't say anything at all.

As fair as mentoring my soldiers, I gave them the best advice I could with the information I had. Sami did not want to reveal her personal information, because she was unsure how much information she should give out.
 
CPT Johnson,

Are you Sami's Mom?

If so, no biggie, but this site will say don't be a helo.

FWIW, worth we are here to support her. We have the ability as strangers to call her out so she is more competitive. Sugar coating hurts her.
~~ Yep that is a response to your remark of us being immature. Fencer and I were mature and put it out there. Sugar coating equates to being immature IMPO. It equates to not being mature enough or honest.
~~~ Kind of like you posting without acknowledging your connection to Sami. Are you connected via blood or not?

If so, than you have a bone in Sami's defense.
~ I don't! My bone is all about the AF.
~~ Parent equals a bone when it comes to an appointment.
 
LineInTheSand said:
Now here's the good thing. All the things you can do now, starting in high school and through the time you start applying for colleges for USAFA are the same kinds of things you would do for any of the service academies.

So, if down the road, you DO want to be a soldier and not an airman, NO PROBLEM! A competitive application package to USAFA is also likely a competitive application package to West Point.

The fact that you're even thinking about how to build a high school transcript and personal activities to be considered for the Air Force Academy puts you ahead (in the planning department) than many. While you'll see comments here on SAF like "I've always wanted to attend..... USXA" you'll find than MANY applying (including me) didn't consider an academy until well into their high school careers.
Click to expand...

Sami, (and CPT Johnson)
I completely agree with Line in the Sand. My son just figured out in the middle of his Junior Year that he wanted to apply to a service academy. Fortunately he already had things like athletics and leadership going on. But now we still have to scramble to get things done.

You have a tremendous advantage both having made a decision to seek an appointment (notice I did not say "join" :smile:) this early as well as having found this forum as a resource.

My son is so busy between his two jobs, varsity sports, keeping grades up and studying for the SAT/ACT, he barely has time to sleep let alone to do the research available here and on the academy websites.

I recommend a book that has been a great resource by Sue Ross (I think everyone here knows it) "The Air Force Academy Candidate Book: How to Get In, How to Prepare, How to Survive" My son has read the USMA version of this book cover to cover and found it to be really helpful. Here is a link:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Force-Academy-Candidate-Book/dp/0979794307#

I am new here myself, but have learned much from this forum. Good luck!
 
Sami, look into the summer seminar program at the USAFA. You have to apply and be accepted to attend, but it's a great program to see if this is what you want. Between now and then you have a few years to build your resume.
 
Really Captain, a grammar check?

I re-read my posts and I believe your daughter took offense to being called "very young." I commend her for searching out her future at her tender age. I will stand by my "very young" statement though which is not an insult, but an observation.

I wish your daughter the best of luck in her college search. There are many here who can give her sage advice, and advise you, too, on how to best assist Sami in her future decisions (for this site, the best advice is probably akin to "Parents! hands off!").

My original advise remains the same: get the best grades taking the hardest courses you can; be the best of the best athletically; have innumerable hours of community service, and get a job. If possible, she should go to the most rigorous high school you can afford. That remains about the only sure-fire path to any US Service Academy nomination, which as you know is the first step of about 1000.

Thank you for your service.
 
Hi, Sami,

I am a rising senior currently in the middle of the applications process, so I will try to tell you all that I can about applying to a service academy, but please understand that I am in the middle of all of this so I don't have as much information as many of the other posters. Please keep in mind that I do not claim to be an expert in any way! I am very new to the forum and the applications process, so I am just going to tell you what I wish I would have known going into my freshman year:
1) As you know, academics are very important. Try for at least a 4.0, take honors and AP classes, and work hard. Also, I recommend studying for the ACT/SAT and taking it as early as possible. I am going to take it for the third time, so I can assure you from personal experience that the earlier you take it, the better, because the more times you take it, the better your score gets.
2) Make fitness a priority. I have a few months until I have to take the CFA (fitness test), and I really wish I would have spent my freshman through sophomore years getting in shape, rather than trying to cram it all into these last few months.
3) Extracurricular activities are very important!! Do things that you love, and try to get involved in your community. I highly recommend joining JROTC or Civil Air Patrol. They will introduce you to some of the military culture, and you have time to get to a high rank and achieve leadership positions. Also, varsity sports are important. Find a sport (or several sports) you love and stick with it through high school, so you can try to earn a letter. In addition to that, seek out leadership positions like Cadet Commander in CAP or team captain. That will go a long way!
4) You still have a while, but once you enter your junior year, you should look at applying for Summer Seminar (information can be found at the admissions website). If you are selected to attend, you get to stay at the Academy for a week and it is an incredible experience.
5) Learn what you can about the Academy and the admissions process. I have been pouring over the website since halfway through my freshman year, and I still feel unprepared to face the admissions process. Familiarize yourself with what you need to do and when it needs to get done by.It will go a long way when you start the applications process. Go to this website: www.academyadmissions.com and become very familiar with it.
6) Explore your other options. Even well-qualified candidates often get turned down. Become familiar with other routes you could take, such as the other service academies, ROTC, etc. There are scholarships out there for ROTC. Even if you don't make it to the Academy the first time, there are still ways to achieve your dream!

Best of luck, Sami! You have a huge advantage because of your youth; it gives you more time to prepare, whereas some people only heard about the academy in their sophomore or junior year and don't have that advantage, so take advantage of your early start!!
 
FLAME ON.

Please tell us what you want from us CPT Johnson regarding your DD.

If this site seems mean, harsh and rude, please visit www.baseops.net (ADAF website).

The other thing that is popular here is reminding parents not to be a HELO. Once they turn 18, you are no longer in the equation. As a prior enlisted member I am sure you know this as fact as a military AD member.

14 IMPO should be a kid. Parents should make sure they are on track for college admissions. They should not WISH their life away, and IMPO having Mom come and attack posters with ADAF children defending this country...telling them they are immature. My kid can die tomorrow...thank you very much. I spent my life since 1984 supporting Bullet. My kids were enrolled in no less than 9 public schools. We moved 11 times in 21 years.
~ I think I have earned respect, not condescension, or being told I am extremely immature.
~~ How would you feel if I said you are extremely immature for being a HELO parent? Not good, right? I would never say that because I respect you as a parent, and the love you have for your child. Yet, you don't have that respect for fencer or myself.

Yep, you ticked me off. I paid my dues, not only on this site, but as a parent that is proud to say I have an O2. Same with fencer. Tomorrow morning if 9/11 happens again, it is our kids on the line, not your DD.

Please rethink your immature comment.

OBTW, fencer and my kid can die tomorrow training...are you sure you still want to say we are immature? If I could turn back time I would relive my kid at 14, hug them more. spemd time with them more. I would yell at them less when thhey didnt clean their room. I would not care about their clothes on the floor or the toothpaste spit on the mirror in the bathroom.
~ How about you? When was the last time you yelled or cared about foolish things like I just mentioned?
~~ Bet it was in the last 6-9 days.
 
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OK, folks. Time for everyone to take a step back from the keyboard and take some deep cleansing breaths...

OK? Everyone a little calmer now? Good.

Here's the deal. Semi, first off, congrats on your desire and drive. You want to follow your Mom into a career that serves our country, and that is commendable. Your path so far looks good as well. But you comes on here and asked for the impossible -- tell me how to get into the AFA. Frankly, THERE IS NO ONE SET PATH to the AFA, and no stats or accomplishments that will garuantee admittance. Also, there is soooooo much information and examples from past experiences on this site, that we CAN'T give you a simple answer. What I will any is: show some more initiative and search this sight first, then come back and ask SPECIFIC questions to your specific situation. You'll find that someone here has gone through the exact situation before, or has seen someone who has, and will gladly provide youm details.

Asking: "show me everything on the internet" is going to get you chastised.

Now, Capt Johnson, I can also understand the Momma Bear coming out to protect the cub. To a point. Your child was giving attitude back when folks were asking politely at first for what I mentioned above -- have you done your homework, because we can't explain everything to you in a day. Please, this site is usually a welcome haven for those as,king questions, and a treasure of info. please, let,s all just reset and start anew.

Fencer/ Pima, I think we need to share a laugh and a glass of wine and let this one slide, OK?
 
Pima said:
CPT Johnson,

Are you Sami's Mom?

If so, no biggie, but this site will say don't be a helo.

FWIW, worth we are here to support her. We have the ability as strangers to call her out so she is more competitive. Sugar coating hurts her.
~~ Yep that is a response to your remark of us being immature. Fencer and I were mature and put it out there. Sugar coating equates to being immature IMPO. It equates to not being mature enough or honest.
~~~ Kind of like you posting without acknowledging your connection to Sami. Are you connected via blood or not?

If so, than you have a bone in Sami's defense.
~ I don't! My bone is all about the AF.
~~ Parent equals a bone when it comes to an appointment.
Click to expand...

I have acknowledged being Sami's mother in some of the posts. Telling a young lady to shut up and go color is very immature and unprofessional. If that is the best advice you have maybe you should go color.
 
Ugh, Capt. Seriously?

Well, I tried the "nice" approach. That obviously didn't work. Let's try another route, shall we?

Capt, are you seriously getting into an anonymous internet fight here? Let's talk professionalism from an officer then, shall we?

Look, you're playing Momma Bear, and I understand your hackles are up. But let's also look at the facts:
1) your daughter came on here and asked the world to solve her problems for her. We simply asked she do some homework to help us narrow down her impossible quest
2) she also confused "soldier" with "airmen". Some took offense to that and corrected her. She took offense to THAT, and gave back attitude. Tell me, if one of your soldiers gave you attitude to your corrections, how would YOU respond?

Now, don't you have better things to do? I recommend, ONCE AGAIN, we just drop this and pretend it didn't happen. iI'm sure if your daughter asks again, and more importantly, IS WILLING TO LISTEN, CRITIQUES AND ALL, we'd be happy to help her.

You want to protect your daughter and in the same time give her invaluable advice as she tries to become e an officer and leader? Well then, I recommend you teach her this lesson right NOW: she IS NOT a special snowflake. Life is tough, and it's really tough in the path she has chosen. Until she learns that she will have to work hard by herself for the answers she wants and the path she wants to follow, it will only be tougher.

Now, like I said, let's call it a day on here and forget this ever happened.
 
Pima said:
FLAME ON.

Please tell us what you want from us CPT Johnson regarding your DD.
My kid can die tomorrow...thank you very much.
~ I think I have earned respect, not condescension, or being told I am extremely immature.
~~ How would you feel if I said you are extremely immature for being a HELO parent? Not good, right? I would never say that because I respect you as a parent, and the love you have for your child. Yet, you don't have that respect for fencer or myself.

Yep, you ticked me off. I paid my dues, not only on this site, but as a parent that is proud to say I have an O2. Same with fencer. Tomorrow morning if 9/11 happens again, it is our kids on the line, not your DD.

Please rethink your immature comment.

OBTW, fencer and my kid can die tomorrow training...are you sure you still want to say we are immature? If I could turn back time I would relive my kid at 14, hug them more. spemd time with them more. I would yell at them less when thhey didnt clean their room. I would not care about their clothes on the floor or the toothpaste spit on the mirror in the bathroom.
~ How about you? When was the last time you yelled or cared about foolish things like I just mentioned?
~~ Bet it was in the last 6-9 days.
Click to expand...

OBTW This is my mom you are talking to. She can die for our country any day just like yours/ferncers children. I am tired of you bashing her and myself. She got on here due to your rude comments towards me. She is not a HELO parent. You can go off on me all you want. I dont care. You are talking about how being disrespected is wrong because your children can die, well you are disrespecting a soldier/my mom that could die, and it sounds to me like that is more than you would ever do. Where are your combat boots PIMA??? I will be putting mine on someday and I will remember you when my life is on the line defending your freedom....
 
I've already went through a bag of popcorn reading this. Does anybody want to use my empty popcorn bag to stop hyperventilating? :eek:
 
It doesn't look like there is going to be any beneficial ending here.

Someone should lock this thread.
 
Mods,

I think this is the time to lock this thread. Nobody here is gaining any insight or guidance.

It is becoming personal, and I for one do not want this site to lose respect with in fighting. I have said what I feel, you and your mother have said what you feel the need too say.

Sami,

I wish you all the best that you deserve regarding your future.

Thank you for wanting to defend this great nation.
 
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