air force academy

[usafa]

Hello,
This is my first post....so here goes. My son is a 4 degree at the Air Force Academy. I was just wondering if any of you present or ex military guys had an opinion on the Academy grads and their prospects. He already has his private license. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[kc135ang]

Typically good, but he should of went to the other ACADEMY! Would of had more fun. That's my opinionated two cents!

 

[usafa]

KC135ang,

I assume you meant the Naval Academy?....We have a friend that is a retired Lt. Col. USAF...that influenced him a lot...plus it seems the air force officers seem to be treated pretty good.

Thanx, JJ

 

[NCaviator]

He's talking about the 6 week academy for the Guard, AMS

I just mention AMS and the USAFA guys in my class just get red in the face. I couldn't imagine putting up with what those guys had to deal with for 4 years, there is enough BS at UPT.

 

[AdlerDriver]

Hello,
This is my first post....so here goes. My son is a 4 degree at the Air Force Academy. I was just wondering if any of you present or ex military guys had an opinion on the Academy grads and their prospects. He already has his private license. Any comments would be appreciated.

Maybe I'm missing something. "opinion on the Academy grads and their prospects" with respect to what?

 

[usafa]

One of the other reasons he chose the Academy was for the education. An Academy education alone seems to be worth the added aggravation. But he seems to be tolerating it well, he got the Falcon Foundation scholarship, so he spent a year at Wentworth Military Academy. That sure helped his transition to Academy life. Adledriver, I was just curios about how the Academy grads stack up to the ROTC guys in comparison with UPT etc....does the Air Force favor an Academy grad over any of the others...

 

[TrapAv8r]

One of the other reasons he chose the Academy was for the education. An Academy education alone seems to be worth the added aggravation. But he seems to be tolerating it well, he got the Falcon Foundation scholarship, so he spent a year at Wentworth Military Academy. That sure helped his transition to Academy life. Adledriver, I was just curios about how the Academy grads stack up to the ROTC guys in comparison with UPT etc....does the Air Force favor an Academy grad over any of the others...

Usafa,
First, congrats to your son and your family. Despite all the criticism lately, it isn't easy to make it through the admissions filters to any of the Academies. You are correct when you say the education is well worth the price of the ticket. Just remember that he IS paying for his education in other ways like being a freshman, averaging 24 credit hours a semester, and his service after the Academy.
As far as his chances in the "real" Air Force... He better learn quickly that everybody shows up to the starting line with their 2nd Lieutenant bars and optimistic perspectives. There is no secret formula to becoming a great pilot, and the Academy doesn't produce better pilots or officers. That being said, there are opportunities of which he can take advantage while he is there that ROTC or OTS grads aren't offered (for free at least).
The first is to choose a course of study that interests him and can benefit him in his flying future. The Aero Engineering department is one of the top in the country, but it he should expect little sleep over the next few years.
The second is the airmanship programs available. The parachute team is an incredible tradition and an amazing adventure. There is also the glider program and the flying team. They are all free, and a chance to learn more about unique aspects of aviation.
The third is the Aero club. He can continue flying and learning in a gorgeous "playground" with Pike's Peak, the Royal Gorge, the Garden of the gods, etc.
There are other programs there that can help him relax and enjoy life. They have a snow skiing club, a SCUBA diving club, a marathon club, etc. All of these are very affordable and a chance to get away from life at the zoo.
Basically, he needs to be thankful for this opportunity in life while understanding it doesn't mean he is better than anyone else. He is just fortunate. ROTC and OTS grads are no different than he is. In fact, they usually show up appreciating what they have more because they worked harder for what they have and they are less exhausted after college. Honesty, Academy guys are usually behind the power curve for the first year because they don't know what to do with all the freedom of real life.
Well, this is too long of a post and I am probably going to hear about it. Good luck to you and your son. The graduation from that place is an incredible experience.

 

[AdlerDriver]

Adledriver, I was just curios about how the Academy grads stack up to the ROTC guys in comparison with UPT etc....does the Air Force favor an Academy grad over any of the others...

I would call UPT the great equalizer. I really don't think anyone cares where you got your education when they're evaluating your flying abilities. I never saw any indication the USAFA guys were doing any better than anyone else in UPT. There are those who will excel at flying naturally, those who need to work at it but still do well, those who really should do something else but muddle through and the washouts. I believe the ability/skills/personality required to develop into an outstanding pilot are in place long before you enter college. JMHO

There may be folks your son encounters during his career who give a USAFA grad preference because they went too. It can work both ways - maybe there's a person who doesn't care for the academy grads out to get them. I think either type of person is in a small minority in the USAF. I doubt that either would occur during UPT. The standards are the standards. College is big part of your son's life right now but when he graduates it will rapidly be replaced by the real USAF. When I flew/worked with/evaluated pilots in my squadrons, their choice of college was not something I even thought about. Good Luck to him.

 

[Tina Fey's Scar]

He should have gone to the Comair academy. He would already be a decorated Delta airliner captain.

 

[usafa]

You guys are certainly a great help in understanding just what the "real" Air Force is all about. I have noticed that some...not all.. of the 4 degrees have some preconceived notions about being better than some of the others. Luckily, my son doesn't have that problem. I really am appreciative of all the responses from you guys. As far as the Comair Academy goes...I don't think it even was considered. I mean where else can you go get a first rate education, get paid for it and still eventually get to fly some pretty exciting aircraft too. I know the commitment is long, but the USAF has a big investment in those guys too.