Social Life?

A

airforcebrian

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Aug 19, 2009
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Hey guys..I'm interested in joining the academy but I'm curious about social life. I do like to party but at the same time I don't sometimes, so how is the party scene? Alcohol? How easy is it to meet people or are you just so busy it's almost to hard to meet people sometimes? Any info would be great, thanks!
 
Wow; what a question. First off, the "Party Scene" would have to be very low on your priority list. The reason I say that is because the academy isn't just another school. It's not the kind of place you go to because you applied there and 3 other schools and they happened to accept you. You apply to an academy because: (My Priority)

1. You want to serve your country in the armed forces.
2. You want to become a commissioned officer in the armed forces.
3. You keep the possibility that the military could be a career.
4. Whether you make it a career or just 5 years after graduation, you received an education that also taught you discipline, commitment, dedication, team work, and service to others before oneself.
5. And you want a military environment for education and your life.

Now; if these reasons aren't part of the reasons you would apply, then I have to respectfully suggest that you rethink your decision to apply to the academy.

As far as a social life; yes you get to socialize. But it's not going to be the social life that you might expect. Not during your 4 years of school. You will be up most days at around 5:30-6:00. You're going to dress in a military uniform 90% of your life. You are NOT allowed to come and go as you please. You will be able to hang out with classmates, go skiing, go downtown to a movies, play sports, and all the similar things. The overwhelming majority of people you meet will be classmates. As for alcohol; the law says 21 years old. If you want to drink before the age of 21, then you don't really care too much for laws, then honestly;;;;;;; We don't want you. I can't speak for everyone, but the academy is made up of students who either have, or want to have; integrity, honor, pride, and professionalism. Some obviously can't cut it and they drop out. But the fact that you even mentioned the word alcohol; unless you're already 21 years old (Which you should have mentioned); leads me to believe that your social life is more important to you than the mission and goal of the air force academy.

If I misread your question and read into it too much, then I apologize. But the academy while similar to civilian schools academically; is in no way similar socially. And having a social life in the academy, while definitely there, is not usually of any priority to most people on these forums who are interested in the academy. They are usually interested in the training, academics, military service, career, commitment, etc... To them, the social life part is secondary, and they'll accept whatever they get. If social life is in any way part of your decision making process; then again, I suggest you rethink the academy as an option. Just my opinion.
 
Social life is not a priority of mine, I was just curious. I've been reading and researching and I only hear about the "military" aspect of it (obviously) so I was just kind of curious as to what the social life offers, you know? I am not 21, which is why I was asking about drinking. Getting hammered and partying every weekend is not my goal or priority, and really isn't of interest to me, but I was just wondering how alive it is in the air force. I generally like to stay away from it, which I'm sure will be easy. I am thinking about joining because of all the things you mentioned and I really didn't want to attend if it was just a bunch of worked up airmen who unwind by partying and puking their brains out every weekend..I'm over that. I don't want high school all over again.

Besides that, how often are you allowed to leave base and socialize with people?
 
Good questions. The easiest thing to answer is the time off. You aren't allowed off base during the week unless it's in conjunction with an authorized event; e.g. holiday, traveling away falcon sporting event, etc... Basically, there is no passes to go off base during the week. As for weekends, you get "X" amount. I didn't include a number, because depending on your grades, accolades, getting in trouble, etc... that number will change. Plus, each year, you are authorized more. The day you leave counts for a pass. So, if you were to leave after class on friday, and came back on sunday, that would be 3 passes if I'm not mistaken. So, you obviously can run out of passes pretty quickly. My son saves his passes for football season when we come down for every home game. And he'll stay with us at the hotel saturday and sunday. He also saves some for when his girl friend comes to visit. You don't need passes for holiday periods such as T-giving, xmas, spring break, or summer vacation.

And while many C1C (Seniors) ARE 21 years old and do drink, the only place around campus is at arnold hall. Other than that, they would have to go off base or similar. Anyone under 21 caught drinking is in trouble.
 
Thanks for your input. One last question, what happens during holiday breaks like you mentioned? How long are you allowed to leave for?
 
Depends on the holiday. It's similar to any college. I.e. Thanksgiving break is like 5 days; christmas is a couple weeks; same with spring break. All of that is the same as a civilian school. And where you go on those vacations is up to you. Some people go home. Some go on ski vacations. 3 weeks off in the summer; many go home. Whatever.
 
Another thing you have to think about is your previous actions in high school. Forgive me if I am interpreting this incorrectly, but you stated you didn't want high school all over again. Does this mean you drank in high school? If so, I would highly recommend you cease ever doing it again if you want to go to USAFA. You will have to sign a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Statement as part of the application, and you MUST answer honestly. One of the hardest things about applying to USAFA, or any service academy or other military organization, is living with the highest values. It is hard to choose correctly in high school sometimes, but you just have to say 'NO' and hope everyone understands. Many of my friends have asked me to party with them, but I ALWAYS decline; the risk, and guilt, is not worth losing an appointment to USAFA.

Socially, I'm not sure, I'm not there yet:rolleyes: but I do know that the people you go through beast with will be lifelong friends. Even from Summer Seminar, I grew very close to my element and that was only for a week. I can't imagine going through six weeks and another fierce year with them. The bonds would be unbreakable.
 
I completely agree with what has been said above. Going down that path of partying and drinking is a long slippery slope to go down. If you truly want to go to the academy, you, let me repeat, YOU need to instill the greatest values of honesty and integrity in yourself. Once you are there, no one else is going to keep tabs on you all the time, take the initiative now and go against the grain. Going down that path at the academy, at least from my limited knowledge, is pretty much impossible. If it is worth the price for you, than it should be worth the fight. "We Will Not Lie, Steal Or Cheat, Nor Tolerate Among Us Anyone Who Does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God." This code, although maybe not in the same context, should be in place BEFORE you get to the academy.

Later,

Brian
 
Some people party pretty hard on the weekends (in legal ways). After 4 degree year, it's pretty much up to you.

As a firstie, we can sign out pretty much anytime after our last duty for the day (unless something big is going on the next day).
 
"Partying" shouldn't be a priority at all. A social life yeah where you meet new people and you talk to them for a life time ya, I hear stories where they meet their best friends even spouses there. But the #1 Priority is to Be an Officer of the United States Air Force Academy or any other service academy. If the organized life style isn't for you then the Academy isn't for you.
 
Yes, the social scene at the academy is much less lively than most schools...it has been described as "nonexistent," but that's a bit off. Most cadets use weekdays/Sunday night to study. Friday and Saturday evenings are when people can/will party.
Parties occur off base.
 
Yeah an important reason of why I'm going into the academy is because I hate partying (well including those that include alcohol and smoking). In my opinion it's really stupid trying to have fun when you're not fully there, mentally. But then again, at least I know that the academy will have some sort of "fun events" that I will definitely participate in. Anyways I am not really going to say anything because I guess everyone's made their point. Good luck.
 
Can "social life" and "4 degree" be used in the same sentence?


After Parent's Weekend we can laeave... thank the Lord.


Underage drinking is a huge no-no here. It's taken very seriously.

There's time for fun, but a certain kind of fun at different times.


P.S. THURSDAY NIGHT QUAD RAVES!!!
 
There is nothing wrong with partying legally... Focus on school during the week make sure you get your...stuff done then spend the weekends however you like it. When partying is the only thing on your mind then there may be an issue but don't view partying and meeting new people as a bad thing lol. Most associate partying as getting drunk and doing dumb things...granted that is the case sometimes but other times it's not that. Just a group of people getting together enjoying the weekend.

However you want to spend your weekends is totally up to you. The more you increase in rank the more freedom you will have.

-C3C
 
So what is the social life like at Tech School compared to the Academy? I don't know if I'm gonna go into the academy..I may just do tech school and the CC of the Air Force..
 
First of all, the main difference with enlisted tech school and the academy, is that as an enlisted in tech school, you are regular air force. Except for certain formations, and classes, you are free to come and go as you please. So, social life is whatever you make it. As long as you make all your classes, CQ when required, inspections, official formations, and all the other military stuff; your free time is yours to do whatever with. Some tech schools are only 6 weeks long. Some are a year long.

Also; realize that once you graduate from tech school, you have a FULL TIME JOB in the military. Getting your CC degree is definitely doable, but it's very demanding on your time. Especially all the night classes. I've had a lot of airman working for me who got their CC degree. Many went on to get their BA/BS degrees. But talk about very little social life. Work 8-10 hours a day and do 3 hours a night of college classes. They didn't have much of a social life. But, a couple of them finished their BS and went OTS. One of them had half his CC degree done and applied to the academy and got accepted. So there's definitely a lot of possibilities. But undoubtedly, college right out of high school is much easier than trying to do it with a full time military career at the same time.

On a side note; not trying to dis your decisions here; but it seems like you are looking at the 2 extremes. 1) Apply to the academy or 2) Go enlisted and work on your CCAF degree. Normally, if the academy didn't seem right, but you had the types of grades and such to get into the academy, then a traditional civilian college would seem appropriate. Then, you could do ROTC or OTS and then join the military. Sorry, but I have to ask. If you're a "C-B" student in high school, then the academy probably isn't an option. But there are plenty of colleges that are an option. And many state and other colleges are even cheap and affordable. So, may I ask, why are you looking at the 2 EXTREMES and not mentioning civilian college, ROTC, OTS, or all your other options??? Also, you started this entire thread asking about "Social Life". Now, you are asking about the "Social Life" of an enlisted person. Sorry, but I still am associating the "Social Life" emphasis of your questions with partying and such. Not necessarily alcohol or similar; just that you really seem to put a HIGH IMPORTANCE on your "Social Life".
 
Honestly dude do AFROTC instead of the academy. You get the "social life"and get a commission in the USAF.
 
How would they enforce making you wear uniforms on leave? There's your answer...
 
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