New to USAF- Got some questions

F

FlyingGrapes28

New Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2024
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2
For starters, I applied to the USAFA and I received my appointment. Before going in, I've tried preparing myself in scheduling and whatnot, but I had a few questions about what I might be doing right and wrong.

-What are the overall chances that the major I pick at the Academy will be my career in the Air/Space Force (I understand it's up to the military, but aside from that)?
-At the Academy itself, are the showers like the stereotypes (in that they're all shared and without "privacy")?
-When I look it up, I keep seeing that there are different types of "rank" systems, so I guess I was just curious what the official ranking system looks like in both the academy and in the wider Air Force and how the chain of command officially looks.
-What is the content typically found on the placement tests taken after BCT (I believe they're split up by subject, so is it more overall topics)?
-Are you able to post your appointment letter/package online when you receive it?

None of these questions will change my decision about the Academy, but these are all just questions I haven't been able to find clear answers to. Thanks!
 
I can answer a few,
1) major- it really depends if you want medical or Intel highly likely, if you are engineering uh seems to be up to fate. If you want to be a pilot pick and major im not an engineering major and I'll hopefully drop pilot. You can talk to each major and see. I know for example the law majors who want to graduate school there's a max of two slots ( just an example)
2) mens yes, women's no. Men do not have shower curtains currently we tried to put some up guys keep taking them down idk why I'm not a guy. Don't worry no one should bother you.
3) ranks here work very differently than air force if you mean cadet rank each year has a different rank, and it's by job. Real air force this is not the case. Ranks does factor into social interactions but not much like in your year not at all, between years? A decent bit of they're in your chain of command. It's more by year than by rank if that makes sense.
4) can't tell you, it's something you'll find out when you get here. It's a typical placement exam do they best you can. It's not meant to trick you. They care about your level don't try to go into a higher class just because of your ego. They know best.
5) If you mean to like Instagram sure, but make your account private actually this goes for everyone. BCT cadre have a list of who's in their squadron, if your account isn't private we will find it. Found that out in basic when my cadre called out people who were ics. We won't talk it or follow. ( thats frat and just wrong) but it will be found I promise you if not privated.
 
Conur with what @FlyFalcon said above. If you have questions about specifics, feel free to DM(once you've been here for a week and have 5+ posts). The only thing I will add is our showers have dividers, but not curtains, in Jack's Valley/Gym there will be neither.
 
What
FlyFalcon said:
I can answer a few,
1) major- it really depends if you want medical or Intel highly likely, if you are engineering uh seems to be up to fate. If you want to be a pilot pick and major im not an engineering major and I'll hopefully drop pilot. You can talk to each major and see. I know for example the law majors who want to graduate school there's a max of two slots ( just an example)
2) mens yes, women's no. Men do not have shower curtains currently we tried to put some up guys keep taking them down idk why I'm not a guy. Don't worry no one should bother you.
3) ranks here work very differently than air force if you mean cadet rank each year has a different rank, and it's by job. Real air force this is not the case. Ranks does factor into social interactions but not much like in your year not at all, between years? A decent bit of they're in your chain of command. It's more by year than by rank if that makes sense.
4) can't tell you, it's something you'll find out when you get here. It's a typical placement exam do they best you can. It's not meant to trick you. They care about your level don't try to go into a higher class just because of your ego. They know best.
5) If you mean to like Instagram sure, but make your account private actually this goes for everyone. BCT cadre have a list of who's in their squadron, if your account isn't private we will find it. Found that out in basic when my cadre called out people who were ics. We won't talk it or follow. ( thats frat and just wrong) but it will be found I promise you if not privated.
Click to expand...
What does ICS mean?
 
FlyFalcon said:
I can answer a few,
1) major- it really depends if you want medical or Intel highly likely, if you are engineering uh seems to be up to fate. If you want to be a pilot pick and major im not an engineering major and I'll hopefully drop pilot. You can talk to each major and see. I know for example the law majors who want to graduate school there's a max of two slots ( just an example)
2) mens yes, women's no. Men do not have shower curtains currently we tried to put some up guys keep taking them down idk why I'm not a guy. Don't worry no one should bother you.
3) ranks here work very differently than air force if you mean cadet rank each year has a different rank, and it's by job. Real air force this is not the case. Ranks does factor into social interactions but not much like in your year not at all, between years? A decent bit of they're in your chain of command. It's more by year than by rank if that makes sense.
4) can't tell you, it's something you'll find out when you get here. It's a typical placement exam do they best you can. It's not meant to trick you. They care about your level don't try to go into a higher class just because of your ego. They know best.
5) If you mean to like Instagram sure, but make your account private actually this goes for everyone. BCT cadre have a list of who's in their squadron, if your account isn't private we will find it. Found that out in basic when my cadre called out people who were ics. We won't talk it or follow. ( thats frat and just wrong) but it will be found I promise you if not privated.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!
 
Julia67 said:
Why would they call out intercollegiate athletes?
Click to expand...
They typically will either have a higher fitness level or have dietary needs. Along with they tend to have unprivated Instagrams for recruiting reasons. So the cadre will be focusing on that aspect. If you're from the p they may call on you to help your classmates.
 
FlyFalcon said:
They typically will either have a higher fitness level or have dietary needs. Along with they tend to have unprivated Instagrams for recruiting reasons. So the cadre will be focusing on that aspect. If you're from the p they may call on you to help your classmates.
Click to expand...
Ah I see.
 
FlyingGrapes28 said:
-What are the overall chances that the major I pick at the Academy will be my career in the Air/Space Force (I understand it's up to the military, but aside from that)?
Click to expand...
Google "Officers AFSCs" and you should find all the "jobs" (really, occupations...a series of related jobs) you can have in the AF. Then Google USAFA Majors and you can see what majors are available. If your officer AFSC research does not tell you the educational requirements (if any) to qualify for the AFSC, then Google AFOCD which should give this info to you. Some jobs in the AF (e.g.,. MD, engineer) require a specific degree. Others (e.g., pilot, security forces) do not. Also, just because you major in something does not mean you will get a corresponding job. If you are a bio major and get selected for med school, you can count on being a doc when done with med school. Probably same with an engineering degree...you will be an engineer. But if you are an English major, you may not be a Public Affairs officer...we don't need many of them...so you could be vectored to aircraft maintenance since you can surely read a technical order.

FlyingGrapes28 said:
-When I look it up, I keep seeing that there are different types of "rank" systems, so I guess I was just curious what the official ranking system looks like in both the academy and in the wider Air Force and how the chain of command officially looks.
Click to expand...
There is a hierarchy for both cadet and AF rank structures. However, at USAFA, they are largely dependent on the JOB you have in a given semester (to include summer periods). For example, lets say during your senior year summer you are selected to be on Basic Cadet Training Group Staff with the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel. Then, when the academic year rolls around, you are selected for Element Leader. Now you will wear the rank of Cadet Lieutenant. Quite a demotion! This would not happen in the AF as people move up in responsibility and rank, unless they get in big trouble.
 
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