What is a disqualifying CFA?

The candidate completed his Liaison Officer Interview.

Multiple NOMs is the equivalent of Bonus Points, but you only need 1 to meet the requirement. Principal can have higher meaning - provided the candidate is fully qualified.

So confusing...different information about what things are and what they mean.

I guess all you can do at this point is wait and see.
 
Of course a principal nom for a 3q candidate means something more than a regular nom.

For a candidate that isn’t 3q, all noms are worthless.
 
Supposedly this "Principle Nom" thing is codified somewhere within Title 10 USC. The only part I have ever seen actually written if that a MOC can submit ten names, either competitive, ranked with a Principle, or unranked with a Principle. The only difference I can see is that if a MOC uses a "Principle" it gets "charged to them" and is automatically ranked #1 on their slate. It is not stated anywhere in Title 10 (that I see) that states an academy MUST accept that Principle Nom for an appointment. So does getting a "Principle Nom" mean you are in......reading 10 USC, and these forums I understand that USMA DOES follow the Principle Nom appointment (if 3Q'd), but that USNA and USAFA do not necessarily do the same.
 
With regard to the Principal Nomination method, the link below is a good resource, with descriptions of the Principal Nomination method (Principal + 9 unranked), ranked slate of 10, unranked slate of 10.

See page 5, with footnote 16 at the bottom describing how USNA is not bound quite as tightly as USMA and USAFA into making an offer to the principal nom candidate if fully qualified.

 
He also told him that multiple nominations would give him multiple "looks" by different admissions panels. That also doesn't seem to jive and runs counter to our state's practice of coordinating nominations between MOCs.

???
Even if the MOCs coordinate, there are other noms that can be applied for including, Vice Presidential, Presidential, ROTC, SECNAV, etc. Not everyone is able to apply for all of these but candidates are urged to apply for all that they are eligible for.
 
I posted this in another link earlier, but applies here also, good luck to you.

My son tested last year, his scores were

Basketball Throw: 69'
Pull-ups: 12
Shuttle Run: 8.1 seconds
Sit-ups: 80
Push-ups: 65
1 mile run: 8:30

He was disqualified by the academy, after they allowed him to retest. Everyone is different, we attended a nomination party held by the local USAFA families, and actually heard cadets state "I could barely do a single pull-up when I arrived at the academy." They were still granted an appointment, just stay positive contact the academy if you are really concerned, and even if you do not get in this year, you know what needs to be fixed so work at it and reapply. My son was one of 2600 HS students blessed with an AFROTC scholarship, but he has reapplied to USAFA and worked out 4 days a week to nail the CFA. You can to, just keep working at it, it is only failure if you let it beat you. Good luck to you and all your endeavors.
 
I posted this in another link earlier, but applies here also, good luck to you.

My son tested last year, his scores were

Basketball Throw: 69'
Pull-ups: 12
Shuttle Run: 8.1 seconds
Sit-ups: 80
Push-ups: 65
1 mile run: 8:30

He was disqualified by the academy, after they allowed him to retest. Everyone is different, we attended a nomination party held by the local USAFA families, and actually heard cadets state "I could barely do a single pull-up when I arrived at the academy." They were still granted an appointment, just stay positive contact the academy if you are really concerned, and even if you do not get in this year, you know what needs to be fixed so work at it and reapply. My son was one of 2600 HS students blessed with an AFROTC scholarship, but he has reapplied to USAFA and worked out 4 days a week to nail the CFA. You can to, just keep working at it, it is only failure if you let it beat you. Good luck to you and all your endeavors.

How long after entering the initial CFA results did they ask him to retest?

How were his other areas of qualification?

He’s talked to several academy contacts and gets different answers every time. Very frustrating!!!
 
I understand the frustrations.

My son was given 30 days to retest, the results above were his outcomes. Which were much better than his original scores.

He had a 4.8 GPA, 6 AP classes, 1300 on SAT 690 in Math, 610 English and Reading, top 25% in his class, he received a nomination from his US Congressman, captain of his baseball team, player of the year for his rugby team, and took 3rd place at state chess competition. With numerous leadership/mentor roles in church and community. Many volunteer hours at nursing home, homeless shelters, food drives, and feed my starving children.

He did not get his results, but was told that his Academy interview went very well and he scored very high in leadership.

It was discouraging, and after seeing how devastated he was last year I would rather he stick with AFROTC, I would not tell him that as he is determined and driven and I am not one to not support his dreams and goals, but it was pretty gut wrenching. Same ends, just different means of attaining that goal (officer).

Just remember, it is stated over and over on this forum, every young person evaluation is different, what held one back may not be an issue for another. I do not mean to sound prideful, but with everything shown above I was truly at a loss as to why he did not receive an appointment, not bitter, just bewildered. My son's resume is even stronger this year, 1 year of college under his belt (3.8 GPA, Aerospace Eng major), and an AFROTC scholarship recipient, and an even stronger CFA this year will hopefully put him over.

All I can suggest is that it is their decision to attend, be supportive, even if they do not get an appointment if they decide to reapply do not discourage them, it is a calling and a great calling indeed.

Good luck and God bless.
 
He had his LOA today and the officer told him that a principal nomination doesn't mean anything different than any other congressional nomination.

That doesn't jive with what I've found or has been said here.

He also told him that multiple nominations would give him multiple "looks" by different admissions panels. That also doesn't seem to jive and runs counter to our state's practice of coordinating nominations between MOCs.

???
A principal no = appointment if candidate is qualified...academically, medically and physically. IE if he has a congressional and a senator nomination then candidate is competing on two separate and different slates. I would suggest no getting caught up in nominations and how they get charged etc. Just get a nomination and if the academies wants the candidate they will find a spot.
 
My son's CFA was passing per USAFA (but just barely I think). USNA suggested the only way he could improve his file after he asked them was to improve his CFA. He retook it and improved to the average in his 3 below-average events. USNA seemed happy with the new scores. When he tried to submit them to USAFA and USMA as well they said they would not accept them. USAFA said they will not accept additional CFA results to replace an already passing score.

Bottom line - it doesn't seem USAFA will accept additional CFA results if the first one submitted is "passing."
 
Hello,

First post here but believe me, I've spent a long time on these forums reading and searching (thanks!). But I just have a question that I can't seem to figure out.

My son received a principal nomination from his MOC. As I understand it, this means that USAFA will appoint him so long as he meets their qualifications. His application was submitted on time (November) and he is only awaiting his liaison officer evaluation/interview.

My question is regarding the CFA. Some of the scores could definitely have been better, and were he to take it again they likely would be as he continues to train. However since these are now submitted to the portal, the option to submit scores is closed. He has not been asked to retake the CFA by USAFA.

I guess we (parents!) have a lot of stress about this because we have no idea what disqualifying scores are, minimums, etc., as the academy does not publicize those for obvious reasons.

For reference, here's what he had:

BB throw - 72
Shuttle - 9:01
PUs - 7
Pushups - 67
Situps - 79
Mile - 6:47

Any thoughts/advice is welcome. Thanks.
Hello all,
I’m seeking a nomination to the USAFA. I have my private pilots license and my academics/extracurriculars are strong. The only thing appearing to hold me back is the CFA. I’m 6’3” and have worked to improve core strength but it has always been a weakness of mine. I have been asked to retake the CFA based on my first round scores which are:
BB throw: 80’
Pull ups: 10
Shuttle run: 8.4s
Crunches: 50
Push ups: 40
Mile run: 6m35s
I am confident that I can pass the mean of 12 for pull ups and 6:30 for mile, and am now working with a trainer to improve my push ups and sit ups, as they are my critical areas needing work. I have roughly a month to retake it, and I guess if I dont do well again I can’t take it again? Not sure on that. Anyways, any recommendations to get those 2 scores up, and what would I need to get them close to to be able to have acceptable scores? Thanks for the help, I really believe I can get a nomination and this seems to be my “last resort” in order to go to USAFA. Cheers! :)
 
@Jakesimp_
what really helped me get to a decent sit up score was doing as many sit ups as I could in 30 seconds and doing reps of that.
Shoot for 25 situps in 30 seconds.
 
@Jakesimp_ Make sure you are following proper form when you practice or your core strength won't improve. Do workouts for your back to support your core too.
 
@Jakesimp_
what really helped me get to a decent sit up score was doing as many sit ups as I could in 30 seconds and doing reps of that.
Shoot for 25 situps in 30 seconds.
Ok awesome that’s what I’ve been practicing over the past week or two. I’ve certainly seen improvements in my push up scores and am now right at the average/goal and my crunches are getting there. 3 weeks until I have to take it so let’s hope for the best!
 
1 Month is PLENTY of time to bring up those two scores - just make sure you are diligent about preparing. As an AD officer, I maintain general fitness throughout the year by just being active (tennis, jump roping, hiking), and then in the month before my test I work specifically on push-ups and sit-ups and I usually go from a pretty terrible 10 or so push-ups to 40 something, and maxing the sit-ups in that time.

Good luck and make sure you practice the WHOLE test periodically, so you know what those push-ups feel like after you have done the other events (your score will likely drop a lot from just push-ups alone)
 
1 Month is PLENTY of time to bring up those two scores - just make sure you are diligent about preparing. As an AD officer, I maintain general fitness throughout the year by just being active (tennis, jump roping, hiking), and then in the month before my test I work specifically on push-ups and sit-ups and I usually go from a pretty terrible 10 or so push-ups to 40 something, and maxing the sit-ups in that time.

Good luck and make sure you practice the WHOLE test periodically, so you know what those push-ups feel like after you have done the other events (your score will likely drop a lot from just push-ups alone)
Thanks man, appreciate the advice. I’ve done a total of 2 full practice tests am planning on doing one more before the real one. My push ups are getting to the place I want them to be, and the sit ups are slowing but surely improving as well. 3 weeks left until the final date I can take the test so I’m going to continue grinding until a few days before I take it. Do you have any specific workout that would really help boost the scores, or will just repetition of the sit ups/push ups help? 6 days since my last practice test and I’ve increased push ups by 15 already!
 
The only way to get better at pushups and situps is to do them. Try ladders and weight room workouts. Don't forget to keep up with the rest of the events.
 
The Training Plans dropdown is pretty nice. This website *is* meant for the ADAF PFA (not CFA) but still will help you with pushups and situps.
 
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