Summer Seminar Current Events

RaptorDad

RaptorDad

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2011
Messages
53
Howdy! DS (Raptor) was selected for SS after all, and he's currently knee-deep in the training in Session A. I didn't want to hijack Fyterpilot22's SS thread--I sure appreciate all the great answers he has given to the SS questions. Instead, I thought I'd offer up the opportunity for those who want to post any updates coming from our DS/DD's as they experience the training first-hand. It might serve as a "current events" thread of sorts, as well as to provide some insight as to what they're doing each day--without giving away too many of the surprises! :wink:

Anyway, here are a few thoughts / experiences Raptor has texted me about his SS training experience so far:

  • He's able to use his phone sparingly while at SS, but there are many times where he's obviously much more busy so I get more infrequent updates
  • He was very impressed with the quality and quantity of items they gave him when he in-processed (Fyterpilot22 listed everything on p2 of his SS thread)
  • The food has been good so far...the first day he had chicken, fish, mashed potatoes, corn, and fruit for lunch and burger/chips for dinner
  • He and his roommates have spent a fair amount of time memorizing info their cadet Element Leader gave them (ala a mini-Contrails)
  • They spent some time getting their room in better shape on the first day...apparently it needed a bit of cleaning :rolleyes:
  • He didn't mention anything about playing any sports or outside activities the first day; I'll ask to see if they did anything like that
  • As we all could have predicted, he said the higher altitude was pretty rough for exercising and that quite a few suffered more than expected on a run today
  • He's still waiting to get a schedule of his classes for the next few days...
That's all I have...I'll keep you all posted! :thumb:
RaptorDad
 
I'm really glad your DS is having a good time. I hope his excitement continues through this week, the application process and hopefully on to his acceptance into USAFA. I am also glad to hear that the people running the SS are volunteers, as I had a worse experience last year because my element leader didn't want to be there.

Hope he continues to have fun!
 
Thanks so much for sharing! My DS is also in session A and the only thing I have gotten from him was a phone call when he landed, :frown: so it was exciting to read a little of what they had done their first day :smile: Hoping that they will provide a website or something with pictures at some point, that would be nice to be able to see what they are experiencing. Thanks again!!
 
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DS also at Summer Seminar...gotten sporadic texts today--no phone calls at all. He's having a blast. Today was "doolie for a day" and it sounds like it's going great. Here's some of what he texted:
  • I have a really cool cadre
  • Food is alright but today they have to do all the formal stuff before eating and rule following etc.
  • Their element won a bunch of PT tests today--they are very, very good at teamwork. Element consists of 6 guys and 3 girls
  • They seem to REALLY LIKE their element leader!

    That's all I got...wish I could see some pics posted somewhere of the week! He definitely sounds SO HAPPY and is really enjoying himself! :smile:
 
:yay:My DS is at SS as well. I did receive a few texts from him. He stated they played football yesterday, (probably while waiting for everyone to get there), he got into Colorado Springs about 1:15. He said he is having an awesome time. He also was memorizing the contrails last night. My last response to him was not answered back, so I guess he had "other" things to do. I'm sure all the other parents that have had contact with their DS/DD will keep everyone posted. This is such an exciting time for our young adults:thumb:
 
pictures at SS

last year someone, (i beleive it was cadets) took pictures, video clips of the week and it was posted on you-tube so we were able to watch what our ds did and play mini "where's Waldo" looking for our son. you may be able to look for last years 3 sessions - i think it was listed under usafa summer seminar 2010 or something close. i'm pretty sure the same thing was done the previous year as well.
ds came home a little more mature and very determined to apply to the academy. i am proud to say he will report on june 23rd. it was a busy year especially the fall with alot of applications, interviews and essays but well worth it. ds did the work but it really was a family process or project ....Good Luck to you all.
 
Received a text late last night from DS saying that Doolie for a Day was over after 10 hours of PT and being up for about 18 hours. Said it was really fun, went well and he's very happy! Today is the practice CFT. He sounds very happy and that's all we could ask for! :biggrin:
 
Wow! that sounds much different from the Doolie for a Day that I experienced! I wonder why it's so different.
 
Dog Walker said:
Received a text late last night from DS saying that Doolie for a Day was over after 10 hours of PT and being up for about 18 hours. Said it was really fun, went well and he's very happy! Today is the practice CFT. He sounds very happy and that's all we could ask for! :biggrin:
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10 hours of PT? 18 hours of no sleep??
AWESOME! I'm ready for this :]

Envy01 said:
Wow! that sounds much different from the Doolie for a Day that I experienced! I wonder why it's so different.
Click to expand...
maybe they changed it since last year? how was it for you?
 
Zeke said:
maybe they changed it since last year? how was it for you?
Click to expand...

It was more of Doolie for a morning, we woke up pretty early and did some PT in the dorm rooms while being questioned on knowledge. We then went and did more formal PT, changed, jogged to the dining hall and ate. When we ate it wasn't that strict, was basically sit up straight and don't talk. After that we had something else that I don't quite remember (woops!), and then it was basically over. I think we had field day, which my element barely participated in because we were told to wait for our element leader, who never showed up to get us. We eventually walked around the dorms looking for someone, and found a Major who helped us out.
 
I never went to SS, but I thought Doolie for a Day was on the last day... Has that changed, or am I mistaken?
 
2 June SS Updates from Raptor

Thanks for all the comments and updates from everyone! I like hearing how others are making it at SS--sounds like they're all having a great time. I'm already looking forward to seeing the video on YouTube...we watched a few from previous years before he left. I think it's still sinking in that he's actually on campus at USAFA!

Latest updates from Raptor (from this AM):

  • It said it was "Doolie-for-a-half-day" (w/ loads of PT!) combined w/ a "Historical Scavenger Hunt"...
  • Sounded like quite a long, challenging day all together, plus he got very sunburned (Ugh.)
  • No mention of how strict they were at Mitch's--I'll ask him about that
  • Very worn out by the end of the day; he said some were falling asleep at dinner...
  • He called it one of the hardest days he's ever had--perspective is a wonderful thing! :shake:
  • Got his schedule last night...two classes today (3 hrs ea); no words yet of tomorrow's schedule
  • They got to ask their cadet Element Leader some questions, which he really enjoyed
  • Up @ 0530 today for PT--thought he did better, maybe acclimating a little?
  • He didn't say anything about a practice CFT today... Hmmm.
  • Getting ready for the day--out the door at 0655 to head to breakfast
  • I told him to have a "fine Air Force day" like they used to tell us back in the day at OTS! :cool:
 
I know I mentioned that DS thought today would be practice CFT, but he didn't mention it in this morning's text. He said that today is academics day, with two 3 hour classes (he got his top choices). Text came thru at 8:43 am (eastern time) so that was 6:43 Mountain time and he said he already had done PT and showered. Last words of the message were: "DEFINITELY A LOT OF FUN"! Can't ask for much more than that...:biggrin:
 
Dog Walker said:
I know I mentioned that DS thought today would be practice CFT, but he didn't mention it in this morning's text. He said that today is academics day, with two 3 hour classes (he got his top choices). Text came thru at 8:43 am (eastern time) so that was 6:43 Mountain time and he said he already had done PT and showered. Last words of the message were: "DEFINITELY A LOT OF FUN"! Can't ask for much more than that...:biggrin:
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That's awesome! It's harder to tell Raptor's exact emotion when all I get are texts, but he still seems stoked about SS and the opportunity to be appointed to USAFA. Not sure if he got his top choices for classes, but he mentioned rockets and computers. Do you know what classes your DS got? It would be fun if they were in the same ones... I thought he picked the one specific to flying (since he wants to be a pilot) as his top choice, but I imagine that was a popular one.

Haven't heard from him since his text this AM (around the same time as you got yours), but I'm guessing that they had breakfast from 0700-0745, first class from 0800-1100, lunch from 1115-1200, then 1215-1515 for the second class. That would leave the rest of the afternoon off until dinner...may be enough time for the practice CFT. It'll be interesting to hear how that goes. DS has practiced each event separately...but hasn't tried them back-to-back-to-back. I'm very impressed with all of them and their athletic abilities--no easy task to knock out the CFT with a goal of max'ing it out. I doubt I could even come close!!
 
Another text...his first class was Political Science and it was awesome! Next class is history of navigation (no word back on that yet) and it says following that they will do a practice CFA. Still sounds very happy & upbeat (I guess...haven't actually talked to him!)...curious as well to hear how CFA goes--same deal here--lot's of practice, but not back-to-back. Altitude should be interesting as well when it comes to mile run. All I can say is that I'm happy he is happy!
 
RaptorDad said:
That's awesome! It's harder to tell Raptor's exact emotion when all I get are texts, but he still seems stoked about SS and the opportunity to be appointed to USAFA. Not sure if he got his top choices for classes, but he mentioned rockets and computers. Do you know what classes your DS got? It would be fun if they were in the same ones... I thought he picked the one specific to flying (since he wants to be a pilot) as his top choice, but I imagine that was a popular one.

Haven't heard from him since his text this AM (around the same time as you got yours), but I'm guessing that they had breakfast from 0700-0745, first class from 0800-1100, lunch from 1115-1200, then 1215-1515 for the second class. That would leave the rest of the afternoon off until dinner...may be enough time for the practice CFT. It'll be interesting to hear how that goes. DS has practiced each event separately...but hasn't tried them back-to-back-to-back. I'm very impressed with all of them and their athletic abilities--no easy task to knock out the CFT with a goal of max'ing it out. I doubt I could even come close!!
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Raptor Dad...sent you a PM
 
3 June (AM) SS Updates from Raptor

Didn't hear much from Raptor yesterday...must have been a busy day. He texted me this AM before he had to leave for breakfast, so I thought I'd post a quick update:

  • He liked his classes yesterday (Small Scale Rockets and Code Breakers) even though they weren't his top choices
  • The CFA was good; his scores weren't as good has he hoped but it sounds like he's very motivated to improve :thumb:
  • He said he really likes everyone in his element--six guys and two girls
  • Not sure when, but sometime they played ultimate frisbee and tug-of-war...
  • Another round of PT this morning (hoping to keep this up when he gets back home--great habit to start!)
  • No classes today; instead they're doing a facilities tour, going to the airfield, then a big dinner tonight
  • Asked if he's still excited about the AF and the possibility of an AFA appointment and he said, "Definitely!" :biggrin:
 
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