Waning enthusiasm for USAFA - advice?

walker1974 said:
I think this was what I brought up to him was the security clearances that he'd come out with that would be a big advantage if he wants to get into defense industry. Can you eleborate on that?
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After my active duty career and parallel with my reserve career, I had a good career in the Aerospace Industry ( what insiders call the Defense Industry). Many of my co-workers were not veterans but the companies got them the clearances that were required for the job. In many cases, a Secret Clearance was required as an entry level thing for everyone and they are pretty common overall. I think that I first got a Secret Clearance during my plebe year at USNA. Higher level clearances are tougher to get and the really high level clearances are where a person will have an advantage if they already have the high level clearance from their military service.
 
OldRetSWO said:
After my active duty career and parallel with my reserve career, I had a good career in the Aerospace Industry ( what insiders call the Defense Industry). Many of my co-workers were not veterans but the companies got them the clearances that were required for the job. In many cases, a Secret Clearance was required as an entry level thing for everyone and they are pretty common overall. I think that I first got a Secret Clearance during my plebe year at USNA. Higher level clearances are tougher to get and the really high level clearances are where a person will have an advantage if they already have the high level clearance from their military service.
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That's kinda what I heard but I wasn't sure on how or what level you come out with.
 
walker1974 said:
Hello all. Looking for some advice.

My son is a Junior in hs. He has been interested in Aeronautical/Aerospace since he was 10. Always talked about getting into Space Force and potentially being an astronaut (although not interested in being a pilot). Super smart (4.5 gpa, AP's, 1580 SAT 35 ACT, Golf, Track (shot/disc), leadership, Violin/piano, volunteer hours....very strong candidate).

We visited the Academy a year ago and he was sure it was what he wanted to do. But, 9 months later he started losing interest. I think part of it is that he wants to get his masters and by the time that's completed and still having a 5 year commitment.....his words were "I'll miss the best years of my life" lolol. Sorry, but it made me laugh a little. We definitely don't want to push him on it b/c we know it's hard and it has to be in his heart to do it.

I think if he could more clearly see what an advantage it would provide in his career path it may help. Or also, what the assignments would be like for his area of expertise given his abilities. He is nearly fluent in German, so thought he would want to explore a possible assignment in Germany.

One other thing he was concerned about was being able to continue his violin/piano. Doesn't seem like there's anything at USAFA in that regard.

We are having him apply for the Summer Seminar. Hoping if he gets a few days there, it could rekindle the spark.

If anyone has any advice or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.
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Regarding the commitment, the reality of life is that after college you commit to working. If you go to USAFA, ror five years, you're job will be in the Air Force or Space Force.
 
walker1974 said:
Hello all. Looking for some advice.

My son is a Junior in hs. He has been interested in Aeronautical/Aerospace since he was 10. Always talked about getting into Space Force and potentially being an astronaut (although not interested in being a pilot). Super smart (4.5 gpa, AP's, 1580 SAT 35 ACT, Golf, Track (shot/disc), leadership, Violin/piano, volunteer hours....very strong candidate).

We visited the Academy a year ago and he was sure it was what he wanted to do. But, 9 months later he started losing interest. I think part of it is that he wants to get his masters and by the time that's completed and still having a 5 year commitment.....his words were "I'll miss the best years of my life" lolol. Sorry, but it made me laugh a little. We definitely don't want to push him on it b/c we know it's hard and it has to be in his heart to do it.

I think if he could more clearly see what an advantage it would provide in his career path it may help. Or also, what the assignments would be like for his area of expertise given his abilities. He is nearly fluent in German, so thought he would want to explore a possible assignment in Germany.

One other thing he was concerned about was being able to continue his violin/piano. Doesn't seem like there's anything at USAFA in that regard.

We are having him apply for the Summer Seminar. Hoping if he gets a few days there, it could rekindle the spark.

If anyone has any advice or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.
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Your DS has outstanding credentials! The SS would be a great opportunity for USAFA to observe him and for your DS to observe the Cadet way of life.
Regarding his musical interests, your DS might be pleasantly surprised. In my days, all cadets were given the opportunity to audition during Basic Cadet Training for the cadet choirs which in turn led to consideration for the Cadet Chorale. Cadets completed a form detailing musical experience before the actual audition. Like your DS, I had significant musical background (piano, pipe organ, and brass instruments) to share. My choir audition consisted mostly of sitting at the piano bench and playing from memory. Three years later I was the accompanist for the Protestant Cadet Choir. I also had a unique opportunity to play the Protestant Chapel organ (2nd largest pipe organ in the USA west of the Mississippi River) on occasion for Cadet services. I was told that as of 1973 I was the second cadet in the relatively short history of the Academy to be authorized to play that organ – a memory I will never forget. Don't let your DS assume that there will not be any musical opportunities.

Minor note: I don't know if policies have changed, but in my days, I served the first year of my five-year commitment while I was in graduate school. In the end, the difference was meaningless since I incurred a different commitment when I completed pilot training.
 
walker1974 said:
Is the because of your assignment or where/who you lived with? What did you graduate in? Would love to hear more about your 5 years.
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USMA 85 signal corps stationed in Germany, Fort Bragg, Fort Gordon, Grad School. Platoon leader, CO, Brigade staff, Gulf War. I had great soldiers, good colleagues and leaders. I had real jobs, with real mission and great people. Best jobs I every had. Not the best paying but the most meaningful and rewarding.
 
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