Just For Fun...how did you hear about SAF?

justdoit19

justdoit19

Proud parent of an ANG, USNA X2, and a MidSib
5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2017
Messages
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My DS and myself were visiting with an NROTC Officer (submariner) during an admissions visit to StateU. The convo led to ‘what’s the difference between the culture of a Navy pilot and and AF pilot’. The officer clicked around on his presentation computer, telling DS how to search for ‘Service Academy Forum’. Anyone want to guess what (seemingly) infamous (because I’ve seen it elsewhere over the years) post he was pulling up?? Post number 7 here!!!

Differences between the general atmospheres in each branch

I am very interested in flying in the military. Right now my first choice is flying helicopters in the Coast Guard. However, I would like to learn more especially about flying in the Navy and Air Force. What is the difference in the working environments in the Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force...
www.serviceacademyforums.com

I was hooked after that. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays fellow forum followers!!
 
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I don’t remember. Just clicking around I guess.

My son had been commissioned for several years when I reported aboard less than two years ago, so I wasn’t looking for anything related to him or me.

I’ve learned a lot though, and this community helps me keep perspective in my current occupation.
 
pretty sure it was a google search on NASS 2 years ago when my DS asked if he could apply for it. I had no clue about what it was or what the USNA application process was all about. 2 years later im thankful to have found this well of knowledge.
 
I agree SAF should not be “trusted” referring to the WP admissions officer comment above - as a primary source. It should not replace the legwork at the SA.edu sites. As a useful resource for pointers to primary sources, sharing experiences, offering advice (FWIW), expressing sympathy/empathy, filling in the cracks in the official guidance, plus providing some excellent entertainment and community feeling, SAF has a respected place and role.

I found it while searching for references to “career starter loan,” as the company I worked for offered it. I wanted to see what what issues, concerns, misconceptions, questions, were raised, to help guide marketing efforts. I lurked for some time, just reading.

Full disclosure: the use of +1 stumped me for the longest time. It was right up there with references to the “inner loop” and “outer loop” of the DC Beltway.
 
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If a remember it was a Google search on something related to USCGA that led me to SAF. More than anything the support we have received from other SAF users as my DS has progressed through the application process has probably been the greatest benefit!
 
When our DS was still in the application process, a friend of ours and parent of a Cadet told us.

Similar to what AJC posted, our son was Class of '17 and I still like clicking on the site from time to time even though his academy experience is over. The prep school questions are often interesting to me, as he also went to Marion. I've always been grateful for the straight forward advice from posters on here, and I try to pay it forward by helping others. I throw in some narrow-minded opinions on some threads for good measure...
 
One morning, shortly after DD had announced her intention to earn an appointment to Annapolis, our laptop started making a strange sound. It was a sort of sizzling, not quite crackling sound. And an unusual aroma seemed to be wafting from the keyboard. It smelled like....bacon!
I opened the the laptop and saw "United States of America Service Academy Forums". The rest is history; this perniciously addictive site has dominated the favorites bar ever since.
 
mcfamilyof4 said:
pretty sure it was a google search on NASS 2 years ago when my DS asked if he could apply for it. I had no clue about what it was or what the USNA application process was all about. 2 years later im thankful to have found this well of knowledge.
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same...my friend, Google
 
The WP local LO told DS to go here... said it would be best source for help. He also said that you have to be careful as primary should always be SA reps.
 
Wonder how many BGO’s/ALO’s etc give it out as a resource?
 
justdoit19 said:
Wonder how many BGO’s/ALO’s etc give it out as a resource?
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I do not ....In fact, I often caution Candidates about relying upon internet sources except for USNA.edu. All of the information a candidate really needs is available through official sources, including the BGO. I do from time to time tell them that there are other sources online (including SAF), but caution them about undue reliance or worrying about what they may read online.

I agree with CAPT MJ's comments about SAF being a useful resource for pointing to primary sources, and it certainly provides entertainment and sense of community, but I also know enough about the USNA Admissions process to be able to filter out well meaning but inaccurate information that gets posted here. Most of the Candidates and parents posting here have only one point of reference -- their own experience, and many of the readers probably don't spend enough time evaluating the source of information that is posted. As I have often mentioned here - one persons experience doesn't make a rule and I cringe whenever I see a Candidate or parent make a absolute statement based upon their experience.

As to the original inquiry ...I really have no idea how I stumbled upon this Forum. I stick around because I enjoy seeing good qualified candidates get their appointments,it helps me keep a finger on the pulse of the Admissions process, and I enjoy reading about Bacon !
 
DW and I knew nothing about AROTC. DS applied for the Scholarship unbeknownst to us and never said much about it. When we dropped him off at Big State U he couldn’t be rid of us fast enough. We got a call several weeks later from the Senior Cadet at the battalion and I posed some kind of question to the Google machine and ended up here. We were so clueless, when the caller identified himself, my first thought was, “Okay, what did he do?”

This was my first Post:

cb7893 said:
My son is an AROTC MSI at a large state U with a large ROTC program. He finally contracted last week.

The other night I received a call from his Battalion Commander. Before he introduced himself I took him to be a telemarketer. (I hope I didn't sound rude.) He called to tell me what a great son I have and what a great job his mom and I did with him. I told him he has it backward and to keep my son's canteen full of whatever they've been puttting in it.

Is that a phone call among a long list and simply part of his responsibility as a Commander? Or should we treat it as somehting special?

I know the question seems self-serving. It really isn't. No one, and I mean no one saw it coming that my son would go ROTC. Let's say he has a "history" with authority figures. He is scary smart and can spot a phony from a mile away. When he does, it's game on. At the same time, if the authority figure is the real deal, my son will take a bullet for them. The commander himself epitomizes "the real deal". My son's statement was that the commander is the single most impressive person he has met.

He says that ROTC is his favorite part of college. Last night he told me that when ever he spots another cadet on campus, they look at each other knowing that the other was up before dawn doing a 7 mile ruck march in 15 degrees. We couldn't be prouder.

For all of you fretting over getting scholarships, the experience, for a motivated young man or woman is worth it without the $. I know the $ makes it easier, but that knowing glance across the quad at the person you carried on your back for 100 yards, is priceless.
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@kinnem was one of the first responders and over the next several years we compared notes on our then adolescent sons who seemed to share many of the same characteristics. What followed was many good stories and plenty of laughs. Both are doing well and—at least mine—has an almost fully developed pre-frontal cortex.
 
Google. I found this site late in the process. Had I found it earlier I may have encouraged my son to go to Boy's State instead of SLE at WP (due to the overwhelming advice to select Boy's State over SLE) but in the end, it all worked out just fine. He's a firstie now. I enjoy the camaraderie here.
 
A Google search on USAFA led me here, and man am I glad it did! We too were early in the process and the advice on this forum supplemented what DS was researching. The many pointers, books to read, study aids to use and ideas of organization have been invaluable to our family. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to those that post here. I look forward to many years of bacon talk...I mean service academy talk.
 
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