USAFA Class of 2024 Appointment Thread

HopefulKiddo said:
Id assume class of ‘22 which means they’ll be doing the training. And it’s supposed to be super different. From what I’m hearing it’s way harder and different than seen by USA FA in the past.
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What parts are supposed to be different and harder?
 
pebble said:
What parts are supposed to be different and harder?
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I couldn’t tell you. It’s just all the talk right now. I think I saw a video on the changes possibly so I’ll check that out, but if you know anyone from ‘22 ask them.
 
HopefulKiddo said:
I couldn’t tell you. It’s just all the talk right now. I think I saw a video on the changes possibly so I’ll check that out, but if you know anyone from ‘22 ask them.
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Hopeful, where did you see the video. Would you be able to provide the link?

And, VAHorseman - yes, it is awfully quiet! :)
 
CJH11 said:
22er - “Y’all have no idea what you’re about to get in to”
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I find these posts comical. @AFBoyMom - check out this thread - the new Commandant is bringing elements from the outside world of Air Force military training, so it is likely going to hold people accountable to the regulations and be more professional...

Changes to the 4/C “Training” System

Question for those of you with ties to AFA from a Squid: Rumors are abound here that your Commandant is introducing sweeping changes to your 4/C indoctrination program, so that there will be very little difference between an upperclass and underclass cadet. Is there any truth to this? I find it...
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
shiner said:
I find these posts comical. @AFBoyMom - check out this thread - the new Commandant is bringing elements from the outside world of Air Force military training, so it is likely going to hold people accountable to the regulations and be more professional...

Changes to the 4/C “Training” System

Question for those of you with ties to AFA from a Squid: Rumors are abound here that your Commandant is introducing sweeping changes to your 4/C indoctrination program, so that there will be very little difference between an upperclass and underclass cadet. Is there any truth to this? I find it...
www.serviceacademyforums.com
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thanks for the recommendation. Always like to check that stuff out... :) only because I like to see what my child will be doing... :)
 
AFBoyMom said:
thanks for the recommendation. Always like to check that stuff out... :) only because I like to see what my child will be doing... :)
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So I just listened to all 40 minutes of this discussion. And I have to say... I really liked the new Commandant. She is very articulate and definitely is presenting a strategy that is 'different' but focused and has the best interest of the cadets in mind and at heart... here are some of the notes I took, in case others don't have 40 minutes to listen to the entire discussion.

- USAFA is now training for a new military and new war threats. With this in mind, as well as the new Space Program that was announced, USAFA will focus their training and academics to assist with the new 'war surface domain' - space.

- '...Cadets need to be equally space minded as they are air minded...'

- USAFA will be training the next generations of leaders to understand and be prepared for the next chapter of national defense; as they need to be prepared for a different fight. The near peer competitors mentioned were: China, Russia and Iran.

- As for the differences in training that is being mentioned... not sure if it will be 'harder' but it will be different. The Commandant indicated that the changes she is proposing (she called it "Knock It Off") will be changes that allow for a safer more deliberate environment. She expects a syllabus of what will be done - with deliberate outcomes. She is driving for consistency across all squadrons; as this will allow for all the cadets to be exposed to the same training.

- She wants the school to be a 4-year development program... she wants all all to be there, she wants engagements to go through a process that incorporates debriefs and she wants lessons learned from each activity for growth. She feels like this will allow the cadets to feel like they are at home and in a safe environment and reduce the number of cadets that 'hide' in their rooms or the library.

- Directed development over the 4 year program

- Mirror Operational AF

- PT sessions in operational unit with consistency and structure (potentially with brick training to get cadets in optimal condition without injury)

- Discipline Authority will be evaluated and corrected. (Who has the authority to discipline)

- Recognition => She is looking for a deliberate assessment of the 4 year program the will challenge them over the 4 years not just 4th year. (personally did not follow this 100%; however, this is what I took away).

- Foster a Culture of Dignity and Respect as a core compentency

- ROE's (I don't know what this is...) but she indicated that there will be changes that impact daily life... the one that I wrote down specifically as an example is - re-invigorate the squadron to feel like home and offers a safe environment - reflecting the operational AF.

- She indicated that she is not intentionally trying to take away the MEANINGFUL traditions at USAFA; however she is trying to take away things such as "peanut butter jar' and standing on chairs in mess hall..." Again, not familiar with this type of stuff... so, not sure what it means - but those were a couple of items she mentioned.

- She had a question challenging some of the changes as historical graduates feel that some of these traditions helped shape them as leaders and assisted with the near peer leadership environment. She indicated that she supports difficult and challenging; however will not support demeaning, which is how she took some of the comments... as cadets were referencing some of their sessions as going to a 'beat session'. She indicated that cadets should not ever think of sessions as beat downs... and that is the aspect she wants to change.

- she mentioned that she will be reducing the number of cadre that will be supporting BCT to allow more cadets to participate in summer internships and other summer programs based on their academic focus. And, she wants to fill some of the white space during BCT to allow for continuous growth and development.

- Not sure what this means; however there was a question about the "Terrazzo Gap" - confident I did not spell that correctly... but health with the differences between the D-1 athlete programs vs non-athlete (I think)... Commandant indicated that she is very much aligned with her cross-functional teams and they are committed to be aligned and helping all cadets understand the 'life of' on either side. They will be working to encourage a more collaborative environment that is thoughtful and understands the impact (if unintentional consequence) of decisions being made across the different groups.

- She also answered some questions about cadets supporting other games... and being incentivized to do so. She indicated that she feels they are already being incentivized... they are getting a 'free' education and getting paid... they should not need any additional incentive. She also addressed the ask of incenting by allowing them to not wear their uniform... and she indicated that should be a privilege...

- she was also asked if the cadets could wear their AF Blues to football games... and that was not really addressed...

I hope this is helpful... :) thought I would share some of my notes!
 
AFBoyMom said:
- ROE's (I don't know what this is...) but she indicated that there will be changes that impact daily life... the one that I wrote down specifically as an example is - re-invigorate the squadron to feel like home and offers a safe environment - reflecting the operational AF.
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Rules of Engagement. In this context it likely means how other cadets and instructors will interact with new cadets.
 
AFBoyMom said:
So I just listened to all 40 minutes of this discussion. And I have to say... I really liked the new Commandant. She is very articulate and definitely is presenting a strategy that is 'different' but focused and has the best interest of the cadets in mind and at heart... here are some of the notes I took, in case others don't have 40 minutes to listen to the entire discussion.
I hope this is helpful... :) thought I would share some of my notes!
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Thank you for the CliffNote's on the video.... SparkNotes for the younger group :cool:
 
When do we think the big 'wave' of appointments is coming? It's been the second week of March the past couple of years but I figured I'd ask y'all's thoughts on the matter
 
crymsonwynters said:
When do we think the big 'wave' of appointments is coming? It's been the second week of March the past couple of years but I figured I'd ask y'all's thoughts on the matter
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I'm hoping the sooner the better. In reality appointments will come as they arrive.

A quote I've read from Joyce Meyer... "Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we're waiting."

We're all waiting for the same thing and watching this thread together. We're in the home stretch. Let's just relax and wait with a good attitude. Aim High!
 
@AFBoyMom Thanks for capturing notes for that video! I watched it recently and had similar impression about the new Commandant.
 
Dad_2024 said:
I'm hoping the sooner the better. In reality appointments will come as they arrive.

A quote I've read from Joyce Meyer... "Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we're waiting."

We're all waiting for the same thing and watching this thread together. We're in the home stretch. Let's just relax and wait with a good attitude. Aim High!
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It's been a little easier to wait the last week to ten days. A few offers have come in from other schools. My DS is dead set on USAFA, but as a parent, Embry Riddle and UCF both have great Aerospace Engineering programs and with scholarships, even private schools are do-able for us. MIT is supposed to come out mid-march. Like USAFA, it's a reach school, but he's solidly in the acceptance range.

We're keeping busy with other last-year/end-of-year high school stuff, too. He's going to state wrestling championships this weekend and wrapping up Quartermaster for Sea Scouts. This is my first kid leaving home so while I see the whole process as a bit bittersweet, it's great to see he's nothing but pure excitement! I'm sure other parents in the forum understand the feeling.

He's a bit funny in that he's caught a travel bug. He is traveling to Belize over spring break and we're all headed to Europe in the summer. Unfortunately, we really had to make travel plans around USAFA BCT whether he gets in or not. Can't just wait til the last moment to purchase tickets, so we have to be back by Jun 22 or so to give a few days to get his head on straight for the trip to Colorado. I'm going into some minor debt to pull it all off, but experiences are one thing we can get our kids that last forever. And if he doesn't get USAFA, no harm done.

Here's a question for former military parents out there. What are your thoughts on going into detail about military education type info before they go in? I haven't done anything like that yet. Even though I could teach a decent salute, basics of marching and maybe a little USAF history, I'm not really sure that would be either helpful in any way. They'll teach him what he needs to know. I am a bit OCD on a decent salute, though - I get genuinely annoyed at "movie" salutes.

Hope no one minds a bit of a ramble as we wait...

Oh, and a bit of enlisted humor... :band:

spaceforce.PNG
 
If you teach him a "decent" salute, it might look strange in the USAF. I served in the Air Force and always had an issue on what passed as a good salute there. Emphasize that the upper arm should be parallel to the ground and the elbow bent at a 45 degree angle. Also, the fingertips of the saluting hand should touch the brow...and whatever you do, never "throw" the salute at somebody...that's only in the movies.
 
caernarvonkjaer said:
It's been a little easier to wait the last week to ten days. A few offers have come in from other schools. My DS is dead set on USAFA, but as a parent, Embry Riddle and UCF both have great Aerospace Engineering programs and with scholarships, even private schools are do-able for us. MIT is supposed to come out mid-march. Like USAFA, it's a reach school, but he's solidly in the acceptance range.

We're keeping busy with other last-year/end-of-year high school stuff, too. He's going to state wrestling championships this weekend and wrapping up Quartermaster for Sea Scouts. This is my first kid leaving home so while I see the whole process as a bit bittersweet, it's great to see he's nothing but pure excitement! I'm sure other parents in the forum understand the feeling.

He's a bit funny in that he's caught a travel bug. He is traveling to Belize over spring break and we're all headed to Europe in the summer. Unfortunately, we really had to make travel plans around USAFA BCT whether he gets in or not. Can't just wait til the last moment to purchase tickets, so we have to be back by Jun 22 or so to give a few days to get his head on straight for the trip to Colorado. I'm going into some minor debt to pull it all off, but experiences are one thing we can get our kids that last forever. And if he doesn't get USAFA, no harm done.

Here's a question for former military parents out there. What are your thoughts on going into detail about military education type info before they go in? I haven't done anything like that yet. Even though I could teach a decent salute, basics of marching and maybe a little USAF history, I'm not really sure that would be either helpful in any way. They'll teach him what he needs to know. I am a bit OCD on a decent salute, though - I get genuinely annoyed at "movie" salutes.

Hope no one minds a bit of a ramble as we wait...

Oh, and a bit of enlisted humor... :band:

View attachment 4937
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It appears we, too, are in the same boat! This is my first leaving home. DS is also set on USAFA; a solid candidate but I’m incredibly nervous as I’m not sure “solid” will be enough. Accepted to Embry-Riddle and a few other aero schools... has a spot on a wrestling team here at a private college about an hour and a half from home- so he has options..... he sends me the daily “no email no news” text every morning and I reply that’s still good news. I don’t think he is amused.

Plan B, C and D are ready to go; but still hoping for that offer. Hopefully the next two weeks will bring joyous news for all of us. We are doing the spring break cruise as a last minute reprieve and time with our two oldest boys.....

Just trying to enjoy these last few senior moments with as few as tears as possible 😂
 
You may want to check with USAFA regarding foreign travel if an appointment is forthcoming. There are posts in this forum about that situation.
 
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