Regrets or Satisfactions?

[99Gold]

I'm another one that has absolutely no regrets about my decision to go to USAFA and my dh feels the same about USMA. I am a type-A, extreme-challenge person. I suspect many that go to SAs are. If something is hard, I want to give it a try. USAFA was hard. I went from being thought of as one of the smartest, high-achieving kids in my rural, but large, high school to average at best and loved it. I had to work hard. My classmates and friends had to work hard too. We were all in it together. Plus, where else do you get to take Jump as a class? Once I graduated, I ended up in a career field I loved in a service I (kind of) understood.

This does not mean I never questioned being there. I struggled a bit after coming back from Ops AF. Honestly, it was hard to go from all of that freedom and fun back to USAFA rules and structure. However, I put my head down and focused on graduation. I think I had some similar episodes after coming back from breaks during my 3/C year. The lack of privileges that particular year were tough for me.

I do have regrets from my time there. Namely, I wish I had gotten involved in clubs and activities that haven't been available at any other time or place (falconry club, wings of green, getting my PL). I keep telling my ds about them so that he won't repeat my mistake in the event that he gets an appointment. He just rolls his eyes...well, maybe he listens a little.

 

[Lovemykids]

I don’t mean to come off as argumentative, but did you not know what you signed up for? For me personally, the lack of parties and extremely strict schedules / requirements is one of the main reasons I’m going to USAFA. I knew when I was just in middle school that I thrive in environments in which myself and those around me are held to an extremely high standard. In high school kids around me partied their life away and will continue to do so in college, only in college they will rack up a massive amount of debt. USAFA not only allows you to be free of student debt, but it also allows you to be free of the college norms that I find toxic and repulsive. Again, I feel bad for you, but what did you expect at a service academy?

One of the main reasons my son is likely going to accept his USAFA appt is because he also is most comfortable in this environment. He has never been a drinker and has committed high school to hard work and perseverance, four sports, leadership at CAP, etc, and we worry that in a normal college, the chaos of a drunken stupor will not be a good fit, and how will he find other people like him there, whereas as USAFA , everyone wants the same thing, productivity and hard work.

 

[99Gold]

One of the main reasons my son is likely going to accept his USAFA appt is because he also is most comfortable in this environment. He has never been a drinker and has committed high school to hard work and perseverance, four sports, leadership at CAP, etc, and we worry that in a normal college, the chaos of a drunken stupor will not be a good fit, and how will he find other people like him there, whereas as USAFA , everyone wants the same thing, productivity and hard work.

Not every student that attends college is a drinker and I think the "chaos of drunken stupor" is not an accurate description of most (all?) colleges. My ds is at USAFA but my best friend's son is a freshman at OU. He tried the Greek rush season and found it wasn't for him. He is an sport-loving introvert and has found his place. He also learned very quickly that he had to prioritze studying if he wanted to be successful. He has some great friends that would rather go to sporting events and study over parties and drinking. He's living his best life in Oklahoma and we're very proud of him.

Also, not all USAFA cadets want productivity and hard work. Some just get by and are happy with that. My ds had a really hard time understanding the actions of some of his squadronmates when, "it isn't that hard just to follow the rules!!" When a few if his squadronmates didn't "follow the rules," they all got punished. He understands that but it did not make him very gracious to the cadets that caused the punishments to happen. My point is that college-aged students tend to be similar no matter where they go to college. Now, my son loves A LOT about USAFA but it is not a perfect place with perfect kids. I think it is important to know that going in.

 

[Tigers2023]

Not every student that attends college is a drinker and I think the "chaos of drunken stupor" is not an accurate description of most (all?) colleges. My ds is at USAFA but my best friend's son is a freshman at OU. He tried the Greek rush season and found it wasn't for him. He is an sport-loving introvert and has found his place. He also learned very quickly that he had to prioritze studying if he wanted to be successful. He has some great friends that would rather go to sporting events and study over parties and drinking. He's living his best life in Oklahoma and we're very proud of him.

Also, not all USAFA cadets want productivity and hard work. Some just get by and are happy with that. My ds had a really hard time understanding the actions of some of his squadronmates when, "it isn't that hard just to follow the rules!!" When a few if his squadronmates didn't "follow the rules," they all got punished. He understands that but it did not make him very gracious to the cadets that caused the punishments to happen. My point is that college-aged students tend to be similar no matter where they go to college. Now, my son loves A LOT about USAFA but it is not a perfect place with perfect kids. I think it is important to know that going in.

Such true statements! It’s hard to stereotype behavior at a civilian school or a SA. Both deal with alcohol related incidents, sexual assaults, drug abuse, cheating, etc. Fortunately, military members are subject to random drug screenings so drug use is less common, but it still happens.
Not all cadets are super achievers and studious. Some just scrape by academically and militarily. Some don’t adapt and leave on their own or get booted. It happens.
But, by and large, it’s a great environment if you can adapt to military life. Just don’t think it’s a utopia for straight laced overachievers.

 

[SpiritCommitteeLiaison]

If you ask someone that's a Doolie today, most will say they regret it. Wait until next week after Recognition.

What my daughter said at graduation sums it up: "It was hard. Really hard. But totally worth it. I learned that if you treat USAFA right, it will treat you right."

Basically, she meant that regardless of the challenges, roll with it, do what's expected of you and the rewards will come.

She's off to F-16 pilot training now.

 

[Cerberi]

In the words of my classmate, 'It was easy and I got paid'

The real payoff for attending is the lifelong friendships you develop and the opportunity to do things your peers will never experience.

I regret not attending more sporting events and other activities while there.

 

[CrabbittMom]

Hey I'll be really honest with you. I am a doolie(freshman) going to USAFA right now. If you are ready for no parties alot of restrictions then you may enjoy it. However, I still have regrets and still think about leaving weekly. I know this might not be what you might want to hear but hey i'm telling you my side of the story. This place, imo, treats you like children. I honestly understand some rules like you can't have your door closed until 7:50, gotta run on the strips, etc. However, things like you can not own your own car until your a junior, you can not go sleep overnight, can not go to parties, can not own a fridge until your a junior, etc just does not make sense at all to me. For me, when I see my friends in normal colleges, have their own apartments, eat whatever they want/cook, go partying whenever they want, invite friends over and sleep in their dorms, it makes me feel very left out and I really want that. Just my 2 cents about thi

Hang in there! Hopefully your opinions will change after rec this week. My DD was super angsty the few weeks before and then had a completely different outlook after. Sophomore summer will hopefully find your friends envious of your school from all the cool things you get to do.

 

[somuchbetterthanme]

Hey I'll be really honest with you. I am a doolie(freshman) going to USAFA right now. If you are ready for no parties alot of restrictions then you may enjoy it. However, I still have regrets and still think about leaving weekly. I know this might not be what you might want to hear but hey i'm telling you my side of the story. This place, imo, treats you like children. I honestly understand some rules like you can't have your door closed until 7:50, gotta run on the strips, etc. However, things like you can not own your own car until your a junior, you can not go sleep overnight, can not go to parties, can not own a fridge until your a junior, etc just does not make sense at all to me. For me, when I see my friends in normal colleges, have their own apartments, eat whatever they want/cook, go partying whenever they want, invite friends over and sleep in their dorms, it makes me feel very left out and I really want that. Just my 2 cents about this place.

My child went to USAFA and quickly realized it was not for her . She completed basic and got out in time to begin college and is thriving. Same academic major. She is happy, free, and realizing her full academic potential without the distraction of all things military. It's definitely not for everyone. I am happy that she is happy...in the end, that's all that really matters. Life is too short to not be honest with yourself.

 

[LV2021]

For those of you that have attended USAFA (or one of the other service academies) or know someone that did, did any of them have any regrets about it? If so, what were they? On the other side, why were you or someone that you know super glad that you attended USAFA?

Why do you ask? Your name suggests you're a current cadet at USAFA. Are you having doubts? My advice is don't focus too much on the negative but more on the positive. The same advice I gave my DS who is also at USAFA. I told him I would do anything to be in his shoes. I get it, military life is not for everyone. If you can hack it, you'll be glad you did. Rules, regulations, and challenges are things that help shape and build character. Best wishes!

 

[AF-AR MA]

Why do you ask? Your name suggests you're a current cadet at USAFA. Are you having doubts? My advice is don't focus too much on the negative but more on the positive. The same advice I gave my DS who is also at USAFA. I told him I would do anything to be in his shoes. I get it, military life is not for everyone. If you can hack it, you'll be glad you did. Rules, regulations, and challenges are things that help shape and build character. Best wishes!

The original post was from two years ago, before the poster entered.

 

[KiwiBird]

Why do you ask? Your name suggests you're a current cadet at USAFA. Are you having doubts? My advice is don't focus too much on the negative but more on the positive. The same advice I gave my DS who is also at USAFA. I told him I would do anything to be in his shoes. I get it, military life is not for everyone. If you can hack it, you'll be glad you did. Rules, regulations, and challenges are things that help shape and build character. Best wishes!

Yeah, I am currently a sophomore. I wrote the original post before committing. I can honestly say I love it here. Sure, it's been challenging in ways I didn't expect, but challenges help you grow as a person.

 

[LV2021]

Yeah, I am currently a sophomore. I wrote the original post before committing. I can honestly say I love it here. Sure, it's been challenging in ways I didn't expect, but challenges help you grow as a person.

I am glad you like it there. I am confident you will do well. Thank you!

 

[FlyFalcon]

Just recognized and yea this place isn't for everyone and I wish we wouldn't shame that. I cried after getting my prop and wings. Not of joy. But regret. I didn't feel like any of my work was worth it. That I still failed. My squad were the people who said otherwise.

This place challenges in both the good and bad. Even with all the support, it can get to you. I used every resource and still got no where for months. I keep getting up and will keep getting up because I do believe this place is my path. However there's bad, a lot of it here and not all of it will make you a better leader, not everything serves a purpose. It's those aspects I stay for, I stay to change. To try to prevent the training violations I saw in other squads, and to support those like I was supported. This includes for those who feel the need to escape. We're called a zoo, it's said it's because we're watched by visitors but many can take to mean trapped.

Applicants I don't say this to scare you or push you away, only to let you know I've gone through not even a year and have had these experiences. Reach out and be honest. We want to help you as a wing. It's hard to not feel hopeless at some point. Be ready, and ask for help.

 

[skyfox]

I'm late to this conversation, but I'll share a quick story that about sums up my thoughts on regrets versus appreciation toward graduating from that reform school in the Rockies:

General X once climbed the stage in Arnold Hall and asked my class this, “who here wants to be the Chief of Staff of the Air force?!” A few brazen hands went up. After a few seconds pause they put the microphone directly to their lips and shouted, “I should see every hand go up!” All 1,300 hands immediately shot into the air. General X paced back and forth like an angry bull, seemingly unsatisfied with our sudden but unanimous resolve and replied, “you are all elite, start acting like it.” If CSAF was the goal that General X set for all of us, all but one of our 950 graduates have ended or will soon end their careers in failure.

This simple mathematical calculation would have saved me some disappointment about 20 years ago. I would suggest discarding any notions or promises of elite-ness at the door before entering the real world (i.e., active duty). An elite education does not guarantee an elite career...

My biggest regret is my naivete. But since responsibility goes both ways I would also say I regret the staff's tendency toward unrealistic optimism.

For those of you that have attended USAFA (or one of the other service academies) or know someone that did, did any of them have any regrets about it? If so, what were they? On the other side, why were you or someone that you know super glad that you attended USAFA?

 

[BBBRRRTT]

Just my opinion, but I doubt the sample group of respondents will be completely representative of actual past/present cadets considering this forum has plenty of active USAF and USAFA leaders and affiliates watching, and they can figure stuff out and connect the dots. But still interesting all the same.

 

[skyfox]

Just my opinion, but I doubt the sample group of respondents will be completely representative of actual past/present cadets considering this forum has plenty of active USAF and USAFA leaders and affiliates watching, and they can figure stuff out and connect the dots. But still interesting all the same

There are plenty of retired grads watching - or should I say commenting - as well. And if we connect the dots back to a retiree...oh, how frustrating.

You're missing the point I tried to make. USAFA is not for everyone and the applicants visiting this site who are contemplating investing four years of their young lives (or five if they're headed to the prep school) deserve the unvarnished truth so as to make an informed decision. If you disagree, great, by all means go ahead. But lets root it in experience or logic, not veiled threats.

 

[BBBRRRTT]

There are plenty of retired grads watching - or should I say commenting - as well. And if we connect the dots back to a retiree...oh, how frustrating.

You're missing the point I tried to make. USAFA is not for everyone and the applicants visiting this site who are contemplating investing four years of their young lives (or five if they're headed to the prep school) deserve the unvarnished truth so as to make an informed decision. If you disagree, great, by all means go ahead. But lets root it in experience or logic, not veiled threats.

My apologies, you hit the nail on the head, I did miss your point, I actually ran out of steam in my reading on the first page of respondents to the OP. But I read you post today, and it is very informative.

 

[Osprey123]

I'm late to this conversation, but I'll share a quick story that about sums up my thoughts on regrets versus appreciation toward graduating from that reform school in the Rockies:

General X once climbed the stage in Arnold Hall and asked my class this, “who here wants to be the Chief of Staff of the Air force?!” A few brazen hands went up. After a few seconds pause they put the microphone directly to their lips and shouted, “I should see every hand go up!” All 1,300 hands immediately shot into the air. General X paced back and forth like an angry bull, seemingly unsatisfied with our sudden but unanimous resolve and replied, “you are all elite, start acting like it.” If CSAF was the goal that General X set for all of us, all but one of our 950 graduates have ended or will soon end their careers in failure.

This simple mathematical calculation would have saved me some disappointment about 20 years ago. I would suggest discarding any notions or promises of elite-ness at the door before entering the real world (i.e., active duty). An elite education does not guarantee an elite career...

My biggest regret is my naivete. But since responsibility goes both ways I would also say I regret the staff's tendency toward unrealistic optimism.

I kind of think that you missed his point. I think he just wanted you to have and Elite mindset and strive to be the best in everything you do.