air force academy

[Mud Eagle]

My year (10 years ago, plus or minus one) we only got 270 slots for about 700 PQ dudes (and dudettes). The day we got our assignments was tough. I was happy, but it was extremely tough watching a guy you gutted it out with for 4 long years see his dreams crushed. Hell, he coulda done four (or five) years at State U and still been a missileer.

Wasn't much better 10 years ago in ROTC....97 pilot slots nation-wide for 1,400 cadets ('95 commissionees).

 

[usafa]

Just an update on C4C J. He seems to be doing well. The additional priveliges after receipt of prop and wings are very welcomed. Our parents club just finished assembling the "exam boxes". We have 48 cadets in our group (comprising the western half of NC). We have the reputation of having the best exam boxes at the Academy. The cadets enjoy them. They also make good "bartering" material. It was reported that all our first class cadets got their requested assignments. Also,all the ones that were PQ got IPT. Some start later than others, but I guess that's the norm.

 

[usafa]

Also, does anyone have info on Warner Robins? He has his ops this summer there.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Wild Weasel]

Not sure if it is still the same now, but I think it is....if at all possible, tell your son to go to Sheppard for UPT (ENJJPT). The influence of the foreign instructors keeps the mickey mouse stuff to a minimum. The washout rate there is also historically lower. One advantage of the Acadamy is they get most of the American slots for 3 of the 8 classes each year. (Used to also be a guaranteed fighter, but I think that is gone now) It was a kick ass time when I went thru there!!

 

[JimNtexas]

Dad, I have two daughters graduating from college this month. For the money I spent on them I'd have a real nice airplane. As a parent, you can't beat the price of an AFA education.

Your son will do fine in UPT. He should not worry much about what comes after that, try to encourage him to keep his head in the here-and-now. His prior flying and academy background will help him as long as he never speaks about his background unless directly asked.

As far as the Air Force favoring AFA grads, there is a little of that, certainly being from AFA will break a tie. But it only works for him if he actually lives up to what we expect from an Academy graduate.

One thing I observed is that the Academy graduates will destroy one of their own if he or she becomes an embarrassment while on active duty. I can think of three specific cases where pilots who were Academy graduates were literally run out of the service by commanders who were also graduates. These guys were basically average guys who weren't criminals or anything, they just made one too many professional and/or social mistakes. I am pretty sure the commanders were harder on these officers because they were grads and not just another ROTC/OTS prole.

 

[KC-10 Driver]

USAFA -- be as proud of your kid as you can be. Receiving the Prop & Wings is a big deal! It really was for me -- I'll always remember that day.

I have been watching this thread for a while. Before too long, I will give you my two cents (but with two jobs, three kids, a wife, and a house -- I have little time for truly thoughtful posts...and you deserve a thoughtful reply). But, in the meantime, be very proud of your child!

 

[Andy]

My 2 cents as a zoomie (USAFAPTWOB), T-38 IP (CBM), and Fighter pilot (all over).
One step at a time. Get thru doolie year. Then get thru SERE. Then 3rd degree, etc, etc.

Dude, you beat me to it!
As a prior enlisted Preppie, I entered the Zoo at an advantage, as does your (usafa) son by virtue of him attending Wentworth. I wanted to go the Zoo and be a pilot before I finished the second grade, so I had no question about why I was there. And I'd do it all over again.
The Zoo is a meat grinder; no two ways about it. It challenges you on so many different levels that I rarely saw anyone get through the Zoo who did not face challenges in at least one area. I don't think that's changed.
While a 'guaranteed' UPT slot motivated me to drag myself through some tough times and graduate from the Zoo, he should not think about UPT in more than an abstract sense prior to 28 May 08 (his graduation date; make hotel reservations NOW!).
Currently your son has an advantage due to attending Wentworth. I had ~3.4 GPA my doolie year; finished up ~2.5. I wasn't the brightest in my class; my SATs were ~1300, but I used doolie year to my advantage. My peers caught up and surpassed me academically by the time 3 degree year started.
In spite of what fellow grads may say, the Zoo will handicap most graduates socially for about a year. I was fortunate in that my girlfriend (now ex-wife) lived in Denver and I saw her just about every weekend after doolie year. ... no correlation with my poor upperclassman GPA
I'll touch briefly on UPT, keeping in mind that it's putting the cart in front of the horse. I recommend a few hours of aerobatic training prior to UPT along with learning and flying an overhead pattern. I was a T-38 IP, so I didn't suffer through the overhead in the T-37, but I remember that was where most of my classmates found themselves suddenly filling non-pilot assignments.
I found that the most gifted pilots were right brain artistic types; I am a left brain and cursed with Hormel hands. I found that right brain people think in more abstract terms and are able to master the basics of flying much faster than us left brainers. But don't lose hope if your son has no artistic ability; as long as he's willing to gut out another year, he'll graduate from UPT.
That being said, tell your son to major in an area that interests him. I went there to major in engineering; I left with an economics degree (yeah, I know; weird). The fact that he graduated from a service academy will open many doors to him in the future; no matter his path in life.
One last thing that got me through the Zoo, the inscription on my ring: 'Illegitimi Non Carborundum.' This will explain it: http://www.santacruzpl.org/readyref/files/a-b/bastard.shtml

 

[hawg2hawk]

Andy and Spanky speak the truth; setting your heart on a particular jet (or even a particular AFSC, for that matter) as a new 3 degree is about the same as deciding what color car you want to drive in the indy 500 while you're standing in line for your learner's permit at the DMV.
I have been thinking this but haven't posted it for fear of appearing unnecessarily negative.
However, having said that, I had the same goal and and eventually ended up with my A-10, albeit over an a#$load of unforseen obstacles.
My unsolicited advice is this, and it's split down the middle; focus on your short game but don't take no for an answer and you'll eventually get where you want to go. I have gotten a lot farther on determination than I have on talent. My GPA looked a lot like Andy's at the end of my senior year, and I had a great experience on active duty and am having one now in the guard.
So, keep your eye on the ball and good luck. And congratulations on the props and wings. That's a huge deal, and still a day I remember well.

 

[usafa]

Folks, I am continually amazed at the wealth of info and advice from all of you. You don't know how helpful and assuring it is. Not having any military experience (other than growing up during the Viet Nam era) your input has been extremely valuable and appreciated. I know my son has appreciated all the encouragement from you. Your stories are really amazing. I find myself reading almost all these posts in all the catagories. Like I said, not having a military background, we didn't know exactly what to expect. But, at least we did our "homework" prior to beginning the Academy "experience". I am as convinced now as I was when we begun that he made the right choice. I proudly wear an Academy cap most of the time and I have people come up to me all the time saying something about it. Again we (myself, my wife and my son) appreciate deeply all your input.

 

[hawg2hawk]

Also, does anyone have info on Warner Robins? He has his ops this summer there.

http://www.warner-robins.org/

http://www.robins.af.mil/index.htm

 

[usafa]

Hawg2hawk: info much appreciated

Kc10: Will look forward to your "2 cents" soon

andy: Many thanks....luckily he's a good stick. He's been flying since he could sit in my lap. Actually he has a better touch and feel for flying than I do and I've been flying for 35 years now. For some people it seems to come easier than others.