Sad news of the loss of a USAFA Cadet.

Heatherg21

Heatherg21

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This was shared on social media earlier as an official release by the USAFA. My heart is with his family and those who knew and loved him.


A difficult day at the Academy as we mourn the loss of Cadet 2nd Class Jesse Fimian.

Emergency responders notified Academy officials of Fimian’s death Sunday night. The cause of death is under investigation.

Jesse started his Air Force career as an enlisted munitions systems specialist and completed the Academy Prep School before joining the Class of 2024.

“Jesse will be remembered for his contributions in Cadet Squadron 27 and his passion for space operations. I send my deepest sympathy to Jesse’s family at home and his newly found family and friends here at the Academy.” - Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark
#NeverForgotten
 
My daughter called me about this last night and knew him. She is pretty upset about losing three friends in the last few months at USAFA. This is the type of thing that we didn't prepare for while in the academy. I know it sounds naive but we thought this happens after USAFA. She just had recognition and was feeling relief for the first time in awhile and then this :-(
 
He was a part of DS squad and happened to live across the hall. Son doesn’t express much but we know it has to have an impact so we have been praying and sending our love.

My heart breaks for Jesse, his family, and everyone at USAFA. A toast to you Jesse 🫶🏽
 
I have an incoming cadet and we talked about suicidal ideation last night. This shook me. I feel awful for his family and the cadets. What should USAFA be doing? Or what is it not doing?
 
Heartfelt prayers for Jesse's family, friends, and fellow cadets. My heart grieves with you all today.

@Seniormom As a parent of a 2028 applicant, I am wondering the same thing. I know there are tragic losses at every Academy each year, but this year seems an especially tragic one for USAFA. Coupled with other posts here in this forum about mental health at USAFA, I have concerns.
 
The number of suicides is up at all universities. Could it have been the lockdowns? Something else? This is a national issue, not just a service academy issue.

The first death was due to a medical problem.
The 2 most recent were a result of being young and not realizing there are other options. That's why getting your cadet/student to open up is so important. Young men especially feel like its a sign of weakness. It is not. It is strength that allows you to open up. Its never easy to admit you have a problem nor to seek help.

At service academies, there's a false belief that if you get counseling it will affect your career. Nothing could be further from the truth. I know many grads who went to the PPC or a chaplain for counseling while at the Academy and are pilots today.
 
Is it confirmed that the latest death was a suicide? I had not seen that in the news, but I am assuming the cadets at USAFA would know more about the situation. I wish these cadets could see another way and would understand that they can reach out for help from friends, family, chaplains, teachers, anyone.....
 
SpiritCommitteeLiaison said:
The number of suicides is up at all universities. Could it have been the lockdowns? Something else? This is a national issue, not just a service academy issue.

The first death was due to a medical problem.
The 2 most recent were a result of being young and not realizing there are other options. That's why getting your cadet/student to open up is so important. Young men especially feel like its a sign of weakness. It is not. It is strength that allows you to open up. Its never easy to admit you have a problem nor to seek help.

At service academies, there's a false belief that if you get counseling it will affect your career. Nothing could be further from the truth. I know many grads who went to the PPC or a chaplain for counseling while at the Academy and are pilots today.
Click to expand...
It's true, it is happening everywhere. My oldest attends a Christian University and there was a female student that committed suicide on campus last month. It's heartbreaking.
 
ProudMom7 said:
Is it confirmed that the latest death was a suicide? I had not seen that in the news, but I am assuming the cadets at USAFA would know more about the situation. I wish these cadets could see another way and would understand that they can reach out for help from friends, family, chaplains, teachers, anyone.....
Click to expand...
Its still under investigation, actually. I jumped the gun with my comment. That's what happens when you read comments & it gets stuck in your head that way. My bad.
 
ProudMom7 said:
Is it confirmed that the latest death was a suicide? I had not seen that in the news, but I am assuming the cadets at USAFA would know more about the situation. I wish these cadets could see another way and would understand that they can reach out for help from friends, family, chaplains, teachers, anyone.....
Click to expand...
At the current time we do not know anything more about either of the two deaths. We have the same information as everyone else
 
SpiritCommitteeLiaison said:
The number of suicides is up at all universities. Could it have been the lockdowns? Something else? This is a national issue, not just a service academy issue.

The first death was due to a medical problem.
The 2 most recent were a result of being young and not realizing there are other options. That's why getting your cadet/student to open up is so important. Young men especially feel like its a sign of weakness. It is not. It is strength that allows you to open up. Its never easy to admit you have a problem nor to seek help.

At service academies, there's a false belief that if you get counseling it will affect your career. Nothing could be further from the truth. I know many grads who went to the PPC or a chaplain for counseling while at the Academy and are pilots today.
Click to expand...
If reaching out and seeking help will not negatively impact your career, why then USAFA leadership have not been more vocal about it? As parents, what can we do to raise awareness?
 
LV2021 said:
If reaching out and seeking help will not negatively impact your career, why then USAFA leadership have not been more vocal about it? As parents, what can we do to raise awareness?
Click to expand...
Well, that’s not exactly true. Seeking mental health does not impact remaining in the service, but it can revoke flying status, clearances, and more. They tell us here it won’t impact us, but then when your friends show you a paper telling them that they have been “temporarily” disqualified from doing everything that makes them happy… paints a different picture.
 
LV2021 said:
If reaching out and seeking help will not negatively impact your career, why then USAFA leadership have not been more vocal about it? As parents, what can we do to raise awareness?
Click to expand...

Minuteman03 said:
Well, that’s not exactly true. Seeking mental health does not impact remaining in the service, but it can revoke flying status, clearances, and more. They tell us here it won’t impact us, but then when your friends show you a paper telling them that they have been “temporarily” disqualified from doing everything that makes them happy… paints a different picture.
Click to expand...
I agree that USAFA does need to do more to make sure cadets are aware of the services available to them. Having said that, the PPC is actually embedded in each dorm.

Minuteman03 shows you the issue, though. "Temporarily" disqualified happens, but it is "temporary". Do you think it smart to let someone jump from a plane or fly a plane at USAFA that may have suicidal ideation? Once cleared, they can then do those things again. The treatment focuses on getting the cadet healthy and off any meds as soon as possible. Counseling & helping the cadet figure out how to handle those stressors so they don't fall into depression is the goal. Those disqualifiers, btw, most likely won't happen if the cadet isn't prescribed meds.

Ultimately, what is the goal? USAFA airmanship programs or flying for the Air Force? If you need help, get it! Keep your eye on the goal, not the short term stuff.
 
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