Official USAFAPS (Prep School) Class of 2013 Appointment thread

Prep B.F.E.

I spoke with my counselor today. She said we should be expecting to receive our B.F.E. s at the end of this month since the Academy is still busy sending out direct appointments.
 
About those computers: see page 6 of 2013 Package



ELECTRONICS AND APPLIANCES
a. Cadet Candidates will be issued laptop computers at the conclusion of BMT. Cadet Candidates will have access to email and the internet at that time. Personal laptops may be used by Cadet Candidates at the Prep School Commander’’s discretion, but WILL NOT be connected to the government network/Wi-Fi. We recommend you do bring a personal computer.
 
AnotherLeadMom said:
About those computers: see page 6 of 2013 Package



ELECTRONICS AND APPLIANCES
a. Cadet Candidates will be issued laptop computers at the conclusion of BMT. Cadet Candidates will have access to email and the internet at that time. Personal laptops may be used by Cadet Candidates at the Prep School Commander’’s discretion, but WILL NOT be connected to the government network/Wi-Fi. We recommend you do bring a personal computer.
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This is what we're referring to. In the past it's read, "We recommend you do not bring a personal computer." We are curious to know why the policy has changed, and what we may be using these computers for. :smile:
 
Only 6 non-prior USAFAPS appointments on the list... Hopefully we'll see some more pop up before May 15th. No change on the portal and have not yet received my TWE (maybe the mailman put it in the wrong mailbox?).... :scratch:
 
skydivingkittens said:
Only 6 non-prior USAFAPS appointments on the list... Hopefully we'll see some more pop up before May 15th. No change on the portal and have not yet received my TWE (maybe the mailman put it in the wrong mailbox?).... :scratch:
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You should call your counselor if you haven't already. I'd ask about your status, there's no such thing as a dumb question!
 
Networking

Hey everybody,

I just recently got a facebook and would like to network with some people if possible before I go off to Prep School. I mean in my opinion it's nice to have friends there ahead of time instead of some strangers. If you're interested feel free to message me :)
 
Hey everybody,

I recently discovered this thread. I've also been accepted to the Prep School this year and I'd like to get to know a few of you before we meet up in two months. Prior enlisted/Guard out of the 180th FW in Toledo, OH. Halfway through college, and now I get start over. YES!

If you have facebook, my name is Kurtis Ley (should be the only result). Looking forward to meet all of you!
 
USAFAPS Status Change

My DS's status on her webportal just changed today... It now reads, "ACCEPTED". :wiggle:
 
Adrian S said:
My DS's status on her webportal just changed today... It now reads, "ACCEPTED". :wiggle:
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I was wondering if it would change. When did you send back the signed acceptance paperwork?
 
Adrian S said:
DD's... Someday I will get all these acronyms right.:scratch:
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Ha!!! This just struck a chord with me. There is an INCREDIBLE amount of acronyms in the military.

If your DS ever learns about the TACS (Theater Air Control System) ask them to explain it to you! There are tons of acronyms in the TACS alone and they all have there own special pronunciations.
 
Adrian S said:
To buy, or NOT to buy... that is the question?
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Just my personal opinion, but I would suggest waiting at least until you receive the hard copy of the Appointee Instructions in the mail before spending too much time worrying about this. It could very well be that this is simply a typo.

If you do take a laptop with you, be assured that it will be taken away from you, along with your cell phone, on your first day. It may or may not be returned to you after BMT, when you become a Cadet Candidate. The rules of your squadron will dictate that. The other issue is, where exactly is it going to be while it is being "stored" for you? A decent laptop can cost $2000. I would not want to just hand over a $2,000 device to be "stored" for 3 or 4 weeks in an unknown location with unknown environmental conditions.

My recommendation would be to wait until after BMT, then find out what the rules are for your squadron, or even what the rules are for your flight, within the squadron. You'll know by Parent's weekend. Then you can have your parents bring whatever is allowed, with them, or, if they are not able to attend, have it shipped to you at the P. Don't even think about trying to bring your custom built desktop, which you have optimized for gaming, etc. There simply is not enough room in your dormitory. An external monitor is allowed, I believe, at least at the Academy, if not at the P, but I recommend that you wait, once again, until you find out the rules.

I have heard of Cadets at the Academy getting their personal laptops vetted for the Academy network, but I think most Cadets use a wireless card, or own laptops with built in wireless capabilities, and use the data services of their cell carrier. I don't believe there are any WiFi connections available to Cadets or Cadet Candidates on the Academy grounds. If they allow personal laptops at the P, then this would be the only viable option that I am aware of for being able to connect to the internet.

Honestly, if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, which is an intensive, almost feverish preparation for the academic rigors of the Academy, you will have little time for Facebooking, Tweeting, gaming and whatever else you would like to do but cannot do on the GI laptop, on the Academy network. You may have heard that the appointment is yours to lose, but be aware that you could lose it. Not all Preppies will get appointments. Keep in mind that the Class of 2017 is only going to be slightly larger than the Class of 2016. The competition will be just as ferocious as this year. Yes, it is a fantastic opportunity, but don't blow it by not taking it very seriously. This is not the year in which only doing what is required will be sufficient. I am not saying it is a "life or death" thing, but it is in fact a "life or life" kind of thing. By that I mean, my "life" can go this way, or my "life" can go that way. How different will your life be if you don't get in to the Academy? You are in control of your destiny, in that you can choose how to spend the 10 months from Mid July this year to late May next year. You can take it as a matter of "life or life", by deliberately choosing and committing to excellence, or you can waste this incredible opportunity fussing over whether you can have a personal laptop or not, or any of a number of other silly, unimportant things.
 
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