Should I talk to a recruiter?

Slippy13

Slippy13

Prospective - C/O 2029
Joined
May 1, 2023
Messages
54
Hey there! If I enter the academy, I’ll be part of the class of ‘29. I’m trying to navigate my way through the process, as it begins for me very soon. I was wondering if I should talk to a recruiter so I can get some guidance? Thanks everyone!
 
In my personal opinion, if it's true that you are a Sophmore in highschool, right now you should focus on getting good grades, being involved in athletics and extracurriculars, and setting yourself up for leadership opportunities in the next 2 years. Since you're so young, the recruiter may just tell you to come back in a year or two once you're old enough to begin committing to your future. Right now, explore opportunities, and do your best to keep as many options available as possible. Good Luck!
 
Ditto to all advice above:
- Dive into the USAFA website, read everything, take notes on requirements and timelines. Pay special attention to medical qualifications.
- Avoid the friendly neighborhood recruiter in the shopping center or who might visit your school. Their mission is to recruit enlisted personnel. They are fine people, but not your best resource for USAFA.
- Go to your two U.S. Senator and your U.S. Representative websites, look for their service academy nominations pages. Read those. Take notes. If they have a service academy info night, attend, even though you are 2 cycles out.
- Read the pinned posts here on SAF at the top of the Nominations forum.
- Be sure to explore AFROTC as an alternate roit to an AF commission as an officer. Every year, thousands of highly qualified applicants do not get into USAFA. There is simply not enough room in the class.
 
My DS (upcoming class of 2027) started getting ready for his USAFA application as early as you are. I think one of the keys to his success was to talk with and become friends with the Service Academy Appointed upperclass students in his high school and develop relationships with the teachers they used for their Nomination and SA recommendations. They will be able to offer you direct advice on the blueprint for a successful SA application in the confines of what is offered at your High School and community. Additionally, those same teachers will be a great source of recommendations for your SA Nominations, SA, and college applications.

But hey...get good grades, excellent test scores, varsity athletics, and lead people and you get to do whatever your dreams are in life.
 
Slippy13 said:
Hey there! If I enter the academy, I’ll be part of the class of ‘29. I’m trying to navigate my way through the process, as it begins for me very soon. I was wondering if I should talk to a recruiter so I can get some guidance? Thanks everyone!
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No, do not go to a recruiter! You could reach out to your school and locate your local ALO. You can introduce yourself, review your athletics, academics, and leadership with them and seek their advice on how you can improve. In the meantime, follow the advice above. Take the ACT / SAT this spring to get a good baseline. https://www.academyadmissions.com/
 
Know that if you speak to a recruiter, they will be doing their job: recruiting you to enlist. And they go hard, bc that’s how they are evaluated. Especially in present time, when numbers are down. Recruiters are working hard to make their quotas.

As mentioned already, you would be better served to speak with/check out Academy primary sources. It’s a whole different ballgame.
 
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As you've heard reach out to Cadets as well. We will give you the day-to-day in a way that might not be on the admissions website. If you don't know any cadets, there are a number of us that are on here and will answer questions as best we can.
 
It is not too early to prepare for the Candidate Fitness Assessment by adopting a good workout routine. Plus, play a sport or two. As noted previously, there are lots of good resources to help you prepare for USAFA and the other SAs.
 
And if they ask you to take the ASVAB, no, it does not help with your SA application.
 
Great advice has been given in the above responses to your post. The local recruiter is there to recruit enlisted service members and have little to no training for the service academies, ROTC, or OCS/OTS. It is not in their wheelhouse.

Never too early to start getting ready for the application process. Focus on advanced courses in your school; Honors, AP, IB, STEM classes. Get involved in a sport. Look at the last few USAFA admissions snapshots. Assess where you fit in , areas you are lacking need to be addressed. Have a plan B; another academy or ROTC. Best of luck!
 
justdoit19 said:
And they go hard, bc that’s how they are evaluated.
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Yes. Yes, they do. I had a Marine recruiter cold call me off a school contact list. I immediately told them I already had a USAFA appointment. Did they let up on the hard sell after being informed? Nope.
 
As an LO in Atlanta, an AF recruiter brought a young man to my attention, who eventually won a Prep School invitation. He had never considered this route prior to meeting the recruiter. Recruiters do some great work, but they are also focused and rewarded for bringing in "recruits" for the services. I tell my students to be clear about their goals with the recruiters that they meet, and they will often be supportive and helpful with any of the goals that you have.
 
Slippy13 said:
Hey there! If I enter the academy, I’ll be part of the class of ‘29. I’m trying to navigate my way through the process, as it begins for me very soon. I was wondering if I should talk to a recruiter so I can get some guidance? Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...
The recruiter will try to have you enlist instead of going to the SA. It happened to my DS, somehow the Marine recruiter found out of his interest in the SA and came calling. Even though at the time my DS informed him that he was a recruited athletic and intended to apply to the SA, the recruiter continue to contact him and telling him that he can still go to the SA by going the enlisted route. To this day after we have accepted the USAFA appointment, he still kept calling. So the answer is NO, do not contact him and use this forum instead for all your information.
 
Walking Tall said:
The recruiter will try to have you enlist instead of going to the SA. It happened to my DS, somehow the Marine recruiter found out of his interest in the SA and came calling. Even though at the time my DS informed him that he was a recruited athletic and intended to apply to the SA, the recruiter continue to contact him and telling him that he can still go to the SA by going the enlisted route. To this day after we have accepted the USAFA appointment, he still kept calling. So the answer is NO, do not contact him and use this forum instead for all your information.
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Lol the recruiter in my town kept after my son - even called me to talk to him after I day.
 
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