It's all a matter of perception. If you understand the "WHYs" of the air force academy and the military, then what may "APPEAR" to be a negative, in fact can be positive. Marching for hours, standing at attention, saluting, keeping your room in inspection order, not allowed off campus during the week, etc... Are those really negatives? If you understand military discipline, integrity, team work, bring personalities from 50 different states and numerous territories together to perform as one by developing COMMON Goals and personalities; then seeing how that all plays into developing military leaders who have the lives of numerous men and women; as well as our nations freedoms in their very hands; can be seen as a positive.
It's all how you perceive it. If you think that the academies are a place where you get a top notch education, and in return, you pay them back with 5 years of service, then yes: There will be a LOT OF NEGATIVES for going to the academy. That's the "Glass Half Empty" approach. If you see it as you wanting and willing to serve your country, protect the freedoms and liberties of our people, entrusting the lives of men and women under your authority;..... "And in return, the air force will give you a top notch education, a rewarding job, numerous benefits, and a career that you can be proud of:; then that's the "Glass is half full" approach. Me personally, I don't believe the glass is half FULL OR half empty. There is just the right amount of water. The glass just happens to be the wrong size!!!
The academy is not a traditional university or college. In a traditional school, you are insignificant. Sorry, but that's the truth. What you do when you graduate doesn't mean 1 thing to that school. It rarely means anything to society or anyone on the planet. You are free to succeed or fail. You are free to get "A's" or party your butt off. You are insignificant. At the academy however, you are VERY SIGNIFICANT. Our country's very existence, our individual freedoms that allows the "Others" to go to those universities or choose to go directly into the work force following their "DREAMS", are actually in your hands as a cadet and future officer. Many people don't want to realize the actual importance of our military. They want to believe that we do what we do in foreign countries only for oil or for political reasons. Some of that may be true, but our national security which ensures our freedoms and liberties are intertwined with economics, politics, energy, and numerous other influences.
I personally haven't read the book in question, but I believe that I know a "Little" bit about the air force and our armed forces. I am familiar with perception. I remember quite well military protests of the 70's, as well as through the last 3 decades. I'm also familiar with how 2 cadets or military members can be in the exact same surroundings doing the exact same task or event, and there be 2 totally different perspectives on it. One positive, and one negative. Did I always have a "Positive" attitude? No, not at all. But I always understood why I was doing what it was I was doing. Sometimes I didn't agree with it, sometimes I did. But that's where having faith and trust in those appointed over me allowed me to keep things into perspective.
I implore all applicants, appointees, and cadets at the academy and thinking of applying to the academy to truly understand WHY you are going through all this. If you understand why, and know what to expect, then you can mature and grow into the cadet and officer that we need. If you don't understand exactly what you're getting into, or perceive it the wrong way, you will have a miserable experience. Sorry, but those are the facts. Best of luck to all of you. Mike.....