USAFA Diversity Visit

usafacademy4

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2010
Messages
109
I was just selected to visit the AFA free of charge on a Diversity Visit!!:thumb::thumb: has anyone been on one of theses visits or knows of anyone that has? I just want to know what I will be doing there and the day to day schedule! thanks for any suggestions or comments!:thumb:
 
I am escorting a Diversity visitor tomorrow. Not sure what it entails, but I will tell you after I finish.

Later,

Brian
 
If you get a tour from a super short, Philipino butter bar, she is one of my best friends. ;) She's staying a year to do diversity recruiting before coming to CA for her first base.
 
highly qualified ppl of which racial groups are typically targeted for this program?
 
highly qualified ppl of which racial groups are typically targeted for this program?

It's actually NOT a racially directed program. "Diversity" at USAFA has many facets, and race is only a small one.

The "official" definition of Diversity for USAFA's purposes is:

DEFINITION OF DIVERSITY:
Include but not be limited to racial, ethnic and gender consideration as well as socio-economic, geographic, strategic language ability and prior enlisted service.

I have seen candidates declared "diversity candidates" that were "Caucasian males that were sole-supporters of their family, or siblings" and in other positions of exigent situations. And there are the racially/situationally declared candidates as well. The academy takes EVERYTHING into consideration when determining who is/isn't a diversity candidate.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
I have seen candidates declared "diversity candidates" that were "Caucasian males that were sole-supporters of their family, or siblings" and in other positions of exigent situations. And there are the racially/situationally declared candidates as well. The academy takes EVERYTHING into consideration when determining who is/isn't a diversity candidate.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

This is correct! I happen to fall under the diverse ethnic background section!:thumb:

I also heard that a very high percentage of candidates for the DVP get selected for an appointment? Is this true?
 
This is correct! I happen to fall under the diverse ethnic background section!:thumb:

I also heard that a very high percentage of candidates for the DVP get selected for an appointment? Is this true?
Don't know and to be honest, there'd be no value to the AFA releasing that information.

What I will say is this: if ANY SA flies you up for a visit, they're seriously interested in you. Does this mean you're much more likely to gain an appointment? I don't know. But it can't hurt.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Sorry usafacademy4, but I don't have much info for you. I actually escorted an officer (an ALO), not a candidate. Apparently it was a diversity visit for many ALO's across the country. I escorted a Lt. Col from Honolulu which was pretty cool.

Later,

Brian
 
Brian; do they have diversity visits for Old, Fat, Bald Headed guys? If they do, sign me up. LOL!!!! :sofa:
 
You will receive a diversity package in the mail that gives you airline info and an itenerary. You will be picked up at the Colorado Springs airport. You should dress business casual but some invitees wear jeans and tshirts.

You tour the Academy, listen to some speakers and spend 1 or 2 nights with an assigned cadet. Some groups go to a sporting event if one is being held during your visit. Most of your meals are with the other diversity candidates. You will take a group picture and get some parting gifts such as tshirts, nice pen, messenger bag, etc. Later, in the mail, you will receive an 8x10 picture of the group.
 
You will receive a diversity package in the mail that gives you airline info and an itenerary. You will be picked up at the Colorado Springs airport. You should dress business casual but some invitees wear jeans and tshirts.

You tour the Academy, listen to some speakers and spend 1 or 2 nights with an assigned cadet. Some groups go to a sporting event if one is being held during your visit. Most of your meals are with the other diversity candidates. You will take a group picture and get some parting gifts such as tshirts, nice pen, messenger bag, etc. Later, in the mail, you will receive an 8x10 picture of the group.

Wow that is great information!! thank you so much! I am looking forward to this trip so much! We actually are going to a AFA Football game on Saturday of the visit. Thanks for the great info!:biggrin:

Sorry usafacademy4, but I don't have much info for you. I actually escorted an officer (an ALO), not a candidate. Apparently it was a diversity visit for many ALO's across the country. I escorted a Lt. Col from Honolulu which was pretty cool.

Later,

Brian

Brian, that is ok. I understand. But I bet your experience was great!:thumb:
 
I think the AFA also considers economic diversity when flying in prospective cadets. I have "heard" that quite a few of these diversity visits include many "white" kids. Their standards may even be low enough to allow kids of German ancestry.
 
I am sure that this is why my zommie friend who happened to be a chaperone as well as a minority described the mass of diversity day kids as consisting of "tons of minorities"
Perhaps they were overweight?
Tons doesn't mean all.
 
Fine, I'm a grad who watched the diversity hoards in the halls for 4 years. Guess what, I saw as many white people in the group as minorities. This is one of those few times when diversity is done right. They are getting people from different backgrounds and financial situations, not just gender and race. So many of the ones I saw wouldn't be able to afford to visit USAFA and may not be able to go without the chance to see it. Relax on this one, it isn't diversity for diversity sake, its a good program. This comes from a white caucasian male.
 
What is this trolling I keep hearing about? And seriously, way to ad hominem attack me in the hopes I will forget the injustice of this whole issue

I would direct you to a previous post of mine where I outlined the USAFA definition of diversity.

Your comments here show a decided lack of understanding of the program, the methodology of selection, etc.

I have personally sent up a diversity candidate from my state (he was the candidate of another ALO that works for me) and FYI...he was a caucasian male, who attended school full-time, and then worked over 40 hours a week to help his mother raise himself and his siblings. He attended a school with a "not so great" record of sending kids to college, however on his own, after work and school, he was taking classes, etc., to better himself.

His ALO recommended him as a diversity candidate: economic and socially deprived...and he was accepted for a visit.

He earned an appointment to USAFA and has done well since his arrival.

This is NOT about "skin color" or the "civil rights movement" or anything of the kind, rather, it's about offering an opportunity to folks that otherwise might have no hope at all. Now...if the person offered this is of a racial "minority" so what? Why do you or anyone else care, as long as they meet the WHOLE criteria for selection?

While the topic of diversity visits, etc., is a good one for all to learn about and discuss, there's no value to picking it apart under the guise of "racial equality" or "civil rights" or any other topic aside from that the AFA gives.

***Added later*** Just saw your post about USNA and your frustration and while I can understand it, that's now how its being done/handled at USAFA.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
IMO, while business casual is good, you don't have to worry too much about it.

Jeans and a polo shirt would fit nicely.
 
My son received a diversity visit offer. He is not a minority. He was raised by his single mom who could not have paid for plane tickets from NC to CO at the time. Was it because he came from a single parent home? Was it because he came from NC? Was it because we were "poor?" I have no clue, and they wouldn't tell me when I asked. But I am eternally grateful for the program. My son had never been west of NC, and I would have hated for him to have had to make a decision without having visited first.
He is a very happy C4C. If he hadn't been able to visit, I really don't know if its where he would be today. Every night I pray that at the end of these four years, both the Academy and my son will be pleased with their investment!

Congratulation on the offer! Now go and make the most of it!

Go Falcons!
 
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