SA Lifestyle

[The Blue Baron]

I was reading the Tiff BCT thread and..after chuckling in Lab class for a while(It helped cheer the mood both for my "this is the worst day ever" classmate and the rest of the Lab)and for the rest of the pre-afternoon..I see why you guys may have thought I was a troll. I'm not.
I checked the temperature.
Maybe was too honest in the "its so overt it's covert" sense?

As for my current stats:
- Practicing 1 Full Khan test(Brrrr) almost daily to make sure I get that 800
- Doing 3 essays per week(there is only so much that can be reviewed) as to improve.
- Plus what have mentioned in site(I'm using the 3rd Bag now, with the 2 bags mostly targeting bicep or forearm.)

I've learned a lot here. It is as if were so many lateral puzzles, "wows" and more.
I'm even understanding why one of Math professor got so cheery giving class, because I'm liking math.

With that out of the way, after searching the forums and reading here and outisde a lot, I have some questions:

So just a few questions, some general, some specific.
First, how restricted are plebes? I have read things that make it seem like all they can do is sit and look forward while at lunch. Is this true? I have seen videos that make the scene inside the dining hall seem very lively, so was wondering what is the truth.
Second, what is the social scene like at the academy. I get that it is different from civilian colleges, but how different? Are there parties, or other major social gatherings on a regular basis while at the academy? I am not the type of guy that would want to party every night, but would love to attend the occasional party and get a break from school. Thanks.

What is the Equivalent in USAFA?

WHY should YOU get the appointment? I, and other ALO/BGO/MALO will tell you plenty of stories of the 4.0gpa and 35-36ACT applicant who DID NOT RECEIVE AN APPOINTMENT. Remember; the academy is not a "SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM". It's an institution designed to BUILD and DEVELOP MILITARY LEADERS. You need to prove why you are SPECIAL. Why you are DIFFERENT. Why you are OFFICER MATERIAL. Why you ARE A LEADER. etc.

What can you guys add to that?
I am planning to do mock MOCs interviews and essays targeting those questions, so advice on this also will be cool.

The Army and Air Force are GREATLY DIFFERENT lifestyles. In the Army the enlisted men do the fighting under the command of officers. In the Air Force the fighting is normally done by the officers. This causes a vastly different culture.

What culture?
What of USAFA vs USNA?
I also read on how non pilots USAF officers are considered "2nd class citizens" in the Air Force.

However, I thought about all the branch options available in the Army and Air Force. I found a great number of branches in the Army appealing, while in the Air Force, I only saw piloting.

Regarding that?

Personally, I will say this...flying is one of MANY cool things you can do in the Army. Flying is one of the FEW cool things you can do in the Air Force (that is my opinion).

This?

I chose the Naval Academy first because, with the Marine Corps option, I felt I had access to Infantry, Aviation, and Special Ops that was not completely matched by the others, and this was an OPINION of a 17 year old.

This?

USNA, as you know, is a STEM-centric school. Two-thirds of midshipmen are required to major in a STEM subject. And all mids — even those who major in English or history — graduate with a BS due to the STEM-heavy core that includes calculus, chemistry, physics, electrical engineering and so on. All this because the Navy is a STEM-driven force.

Where does USAFA stands in this area?
What is its forte?

Things to consider: college/service culture (both have very different cultures), types of aircraft, and 2nd/3rd choice jobs at each service if aviation doesn't work out.

What is USAFA's vs Navy in all the aboce, specially college and service culture?

If Combat is not something you wana do then you throw Marines and Army out the door. If You want technical training and more availability to use tuition assistance, Air Force and Navy is good. As far as traveling, no one can touch the navy. the navy travels the world and they stop in non hostile countries 99 percent of the time. and you are onlyin the country for 5 - 7 days. in the air force you usually spend 12 - 18 month tours in different countries. Advancement (making rank, more money)..... now the navy doesn't have the fastest advancement but the air force is by far the slowest, in a land slide. as far as mentoring... you can get that in any branch of the miltary. there are more jobs in the navy than any other branch and you get mor versitile training, ie.... in the air force they have a different guy that fixes one specific electronic component of the jet, where as the navy will teach you to fix all of the electronics of the jet. now the air force is a little more laid back than the navy is.

This?

No one can objectively evaluate the Academies and not conclude that the Naval Academy has the highest test scores, the best location, the sharpest uniforms, the prettiest campus, the best athletic program, the highest starting salaries, the best mid career pay, the most varied career paths (tanks, artillery, infantry, helos, jets, nuclear subs, ballistic missiles, SEALs, ships and boats of all descriptions, etc.) and the best summer assignments. Plus which Academy do they almost always pick for the heroes in TV and Movies? Characters Steve McGarret Hawaii 5-0 past and present. Magnum P.I., FBI agent Clinton Jones on "White Collar", Arthur Campbell the Director of Clandestine Services at the CIA in "Covert Affairs" and the list goes on and on..Even the anti-heroes like Reddington in "The Blacklist" is a Naval Academy grad. Who are the biggest pro sports stars with Academy backgrounds, Roger Staubach and The Admiral David Robinson. Go with the best GO NAVY

What of USAFA?

I will say, that the West Point Degree remains more recognizable, and is one of the most respected, because of the Honor Code, in the business world after graduation

What of USAFA and USNA?

The Naval Academy is to West Point academically as Princeton, Yale and MIT combined are to a kindergarten class in Southern Mississippi. West Point Grunts aren’t real smart when it comes to book learnin’, but they wear those flying monkey uniforms well.

USAFA?

 

[The Blue Baron]

Furthermore, what are the difference in Culture and Lifestyle between USAFA and USNA in college(from BCT to Senior) and beyond?
I did check the threads and many of those quotes come from outside.

 

[The Blue Baron]

Also, looking on the internet I found few resources relating to MOCs questions, almost none for the interview itself, with the most explicit being for USMA.
If any of you guys have any pdf or place I could look for, that'd be rad.
I say this from now due that I'm scheduling for some mock interviews these next 3 weeks.

Also, when editing my resume and essay, anything I should have in mind I may miss/forget?

 

[MidCakePa]

@The Blue Baron, everything you ask about has been covered in this forum (and your questions, if they’re that, are very vague). I’d suggest using the search function, but for you, here’s perhaps a better idea: Just start reading every post, from latest to earliest. You’ll read some deeply, you’ll glean some quickly, you’ll skip some completely, depending on what interests you. And I’m guessing that by the time you get to about 2016 or 2015, you’ll have answered your questions.

I’m not kidding, by the way. I did this myself a while back. It’s really interesting and enlightening.

 

[Hoodlum15]

Hey dude, you're wearing people out. Everyone on here is super busy and takes the time to answer questions because they genuinely want to help others out. And I know this isn't what you're intending to do, but you're taking advantage of people's kindness. You need to rein in a bit.

Furthermore, the amount of digging you're doing indicates that you are spending what is most likely hours and hours and hours on this site. You have to quit obsessing over this. The truth is, the majority of your questions are just "nice to know" things, and won't have an impact on your application, preparation, or decision to become a USAFA cadet, should you make it that far. Go for a bike ride. Play some video games. Binge watch Netflix. Take a break from this site. Yes, keep chasing your dream and working hard, but don't throw away your present obsessing over your future.

 

[The Blue Baron]

@The Blue Baron, everything you ask about has been covered in this forum (and your questions, if they’re that, are very vague). I’d suggest using the search function, but for you, here’s perhaps a better idea: Just start reading every post, from latest to earliest. You’ll read some deeply, you’ll glean some quickly, you’ll skip some completely, depending on what interests you. And I’m guessing that by the time you get to about 2016 or 2015, you’ll have answered your questions.

I’m not kidding, by the way. I did this myself a while back. It’s really interesting and enlightening.

I will. Thanks.

 

[The Blue Baron]

Hey dude, you're wearing people out. Everyone on here is super busy and takes the time to answer questions because they genuinely want to help others out. And I know this isn't what you're intending to do, but you're taking advantage of people's kindness. You need to rein in a bit.

Furthermore, the amount of digging you're doing indicates that you are spending what is most likely hours and hours and hours on this site. You have to quit obsessing over this. The truth is, the majority of your questions are just "nice to know" things, and won't have an impact on your application, preparation, or decision to become a USAFA cadet, should you make it that far. Go for a bike ride. Play some video games. Binge watch Netflix. Take a break from this site. Yes, keep chasing your dream and working hard, but don't throw away your present obsessing over your future.

I will ma'am. Thanks.

 

[The Blue Baron]

If you guys which to give Ideas as to make this my best college year yet, feel free to chip in and give ideas or PM me. I plan on doing so many things.

 

[BBBRRRTT]

If you guys which to give Ideas as to make this my best college year yet, feel free to chip in and give ideas or PM me. I plan on doing so many things.

google........ 8 of the best spring break party destinations......this might help out with your spring break plans

 

[The Blue Baron]

Did it and gave me another awesome Idea. Now have another thing to look forward to.
Thanks.

 

[The Blue Baron]

The same with this thread.

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...t-license-mean-anything-to-the-academy.63664/

 

[fencersmother]

Blue Baron, are you a foreign student? Your questions seem to me as if you may come from another country. (Not a dig, just a question)

Almost everything you ask has been asked and answered here a number of times.

It seems you have quoted many times from a pro-USNA/NAVY thread(s). Great. Now that you've read that, and done your own searches on this site, the question to ask yourself is this:

See yourself at age 25, 35, 50. Are you an Army officer? Are you in the Navy? Are you flying upside down with your hair on fire (or in the C5 SuperGalaxy or C130J Super Herc)? Maybe you see yourself flying through a hurricane gathering info? Or out on a huge ship, crossing the oceans?

Picture yourself at those ages, and you will better discern which Service is best for you. Once you figure that out, you will know which Service Academy, USMA, USNA, USAFA, USCGA, USMMA, is best for you, with some probable ties. If you don't see yourself living on a big ship, out on the open seas in storms and high wind/waves, one might not suggest Coast Guard or MM is for you.

When you have some questions which require more than biased opinion for an answer, we're here for you.

Now, go do your homework and get a job.