Author Topic: AirForce-Academy Information (Read 3990 times)

Michael Duffy · « **on:** February 11, 2011, 10:23:48 PM »

Well it is getting close to the time that i am to be choosing a college, and i have been thinking of a few routes quite a bit lately. At first i was thinking of trying to attend Embry Riddle and pursuing an Aeronautical Science degree to become a pilot. This is what i have been dreaming of for a while but i know that the flying sector is hard to get into and make a good living on, and that i am unable to fly in the Air-Force due to my vision, plus it comes with a hefty price tag.
So lately i have talked with some people and have pretty much set my mind on attending the Air-Force Academy. It is something that is new to me because there is no one in my family that has been to the service and i never really saw myself as one to join. From my research i can see that it has immense opportunities and is a great way to go for an engineering type of degree which i want to pursue. My question is for everyone: If you have been in, or know someone, or just have a general opinion, What is the Academy like, What will i need to bee prepared for, and Is this a good course to take?

Thank you very much and any reply will be greatly appreciated.

Hoss Cain · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:19:19 AM »

Quote from: Michael Duffy on February 11, 2011, 10:23:48 PM

Well it is getting close to the time that i am to be choosing a college, and i have been thinking of a few routes quite a bit lately. At first i was thinking of trying to attend Embry Riddle and pursuing an Aeronautical Science degree to become a pilot. This is what i have been dreaming of for a while but i know that the flying sector is hard to get into and make a good living on, and that i am unable to fly in the Air-Force due to my vision, plus it comes with a hefty price tag.

Good thinking. IMO today's airline pilot is the worst job anyone can take on. I had it fairly good. Never got furloughed but set on the bottom for 5 years just waiting for it to happen. Next 23 years wasn't bad but up and down the hills. Many changes since then and I have not heard of ONE good one for the pilots.
I spent 41 years in professional aviation. For me it provided a decent lifestyle but I don't recommend it for anyone. I have been retired for 15 years.

Quote

So lately i have talked with some people and have pretty much set my mind on attending the Air-Force Academy. It is something that is new to me because there is no one in my family that has been to the service and i never really saw myself as one to join. From my research i can see that it has immense opportunities and is a great way to go for an engineering type of degree which i want to pursue. My question is for everyone: If you have been in, or know someone, or just have a general opinion, What is the Academy like, What will i need to bee prepared for, and Is this a good course to take?

Thank you very much and any reply will be greatly appreciated.

I was around a lot of AF Academy Grads. Like any of the service schools, the first year is HARD!. Things have drastically changed because most young people don't have the old style discipline to begin with. I don't think it is anything like the USAF Aviation Cadet program that I entered in 1955. OTOH the first 3 months was the mean times. In the Academy you have a year of it. If you go and it gets tough, each morning just say to yourself, "I made it yesterday, I will make it today." before you know it you are the upper class and it's fair skies after that.
Now if you are not going to aviate, then go for all the electronics, weapons technology and stuff like that. Then you will find opportunities to meet many corporate purchasing agents, sales people, and big shots. Then you can make friends, get out of USAF, and start doing same. That is where the money is. There are great opportunities for big bucks there.
Roping yourself over a couple afterburners may be fun, but doesn't pay much green paper. When you pass 50 years old you will understand the meaning of MONEY. Having it makes life good! being short of it makes life not so good.

Work hard and do well. The higher in your class the better the initial assignment. Then you will have time for G&G desease. My oldest grandson got that early. He starts TX A&M next Sep. BTW G&G desease is that dreaded "Gas and Girls."

Best of luck to you, young man!

Bill Little · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:41:05 AM »

Good Luck, Michael! The hardest part is getting an appointment, if you can get that, you can make it. The first year is the toughest, as always in college, but the extra discipline is added as it IS "Military Service". So just trying to bust you grade wise, to see if you can "cut it" will just be a bit tougher with the added PT and such.

Nothing you cannot handle if you make up your mind, like Hoss says, to get through one day at a time. You might actually enjoy it! I had several HS players go to the Academys, and all made it through. But all had about the same story! LOL!! West Point, Annapolis, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

And beside all that, a career in the Air Force has a huge benefit. Officers make decent pay, and retirement pay and benefits are decent, too. Better than a lot of private sector jobs. Plus you can retire as early as 20 years with benefits and pay! I know a LOT of Air Force officers who have retired after 20 to 30 years and have taken on various jobs from part time to full time. Plus while in the Air Force you will probably get a lot of air time in.

it can be a very GOOD thing!
Big Bear

RC Storick · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:59:35 AM »

Hiya! I think its a great idea. I was not a officer just a lowly airplane painter. But I will tell you this. You have to be somewhere anyway why not get paid to be there.You may not think what they tell you is right but don't question it as they are the ones to blame when it don't work. Funny how that works.

I can't say if pro aviation is good or bad because I was never in it. But I can say the military is the way to go. Its a melting pot of people you will not otherwise get to meet ever anywhere. (for good or bad) Wether you stay a term or 20 years its worth the time. Some of my best memory's are from the NAVY

Don Hutchinson AMA5402 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2011, 07:49:20 AM »

I don't know the Air Force Academy policy but my granddaughter attended the Naval Academy, They did the corrective surgery on her eyes and she is in pilot training today.
Don

Dalton Hammett · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2011, 08:15:01 AM »

Very best of luck to you Michael

My time in the AF, although not as a officer, was very enjoyable. I have missed it quite often over the years. I have a young nephew who is a pilot in the Atlanta area and he has spent a lot of time furloughted. I don't remember anybody getting furloughted in the AF. It can be a great career, and as someone mentioned, as an academy graduate you will meet a lot of important people. Very best to you in whatever you elect to do.

Dalton H

Paul Smith · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2011, 08:20:13 AM »

As I understand it, appointments to the academies are made by Senators and Reps. So you need to get on good terms with yours to get in. Explore that. If the quota is already committed, you're out. However, they may be looking for somebody exactly like you.

I was an Air Force officer for seven years. The pay wasn't bad, especially in today's job market.

Our current president is a Carter-style military job-cutter. If you are able to get in now, you need not fear deeper cuts.

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2011, 09:53:22 AM »

Quote from: Paul Smith on February 12, 2011, 08:20:13 AM

As I understand it, appointments to the academies are made by Senators and Reps. So you need to get on good terms with yours to get in. Explore that. If the quota is already committed, you're out. However, they may be looking for somebody exactly like you.

I was an Air Force officer for seven years. The pay wasn't bad, especially in today's job market.

Our current president is a Carter-style military job-cutter. If you are able to get in now, you need not fear deeper cuts.

Michael,

The dreaded tough question...

How are your grades in school? Knowing your dedication to excellence in the hobby I expect I know the answer but you need to be aware they will have a determinative effect on your chances.

Assuming that obstacle has been booted out of the way you should take advantage of your excellent rapport (and the respect you've earned) from the wide range of quality people you've met through your association with stunt (you don't HAVE to mention Whitely, of course). Learn what you can about those people and try to select a good cross section of accomplished people from a variety of technical and social backgrounds and respectfully ask them to write letters of recommendation for you. Spend a little time "schmoozing" with the guys you know (and those you'd like to know better) at VSC and learn what it is they do (or have done) that would make them good spokespersons for you.

You've got a lot of friends and acquaintances who think very highly of you, almost all of whom would be willing to do what they can to pass on their admiration to those (congresspeople) who will be in a position to make your hopes and plans come to fruition. The simple fact that you've numerous adults of all ages on your team (who aren't necessarily relatives) will make a fine impression.

Good luck. It make us old geezers' light up a bit when we see a young man or woman with "stars" in their eyes, the willingness to reach for them and the talent to grab them.

Ted Fancher

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2011, 12:52:10 PM »

The process has probably changed alot since the mid 1980s when I applied and was accepted to the USAFA and also recieved an appointment from my Congressman. Today, I would probably start on the Academy website and ping their contact information and get them to send you an information packet, if they even send info on paper anymore. It should tell you what kind of person they are looking for these days. If you match up well from that standpoint, try contacting your Senator and Representative. They should have a staffer who handles appointment stuff, and if its like it was, they can send you their own guidelines as to the person they are looking to appoint. Those areas are a starting point, and Ted's advice on collecting a few letters of recomendation is a very smart idea as well.
If you can tolerate the idea of being a squid or a grunt, West Point and Annapolis are superb Academies as well, and might offer more diverse opportunities than the AFA, especially if you are unable to snag a pilot slot. At least for the time being, in the Navy you might have less chance of having to sit in a room and fly an ARF, errrr, UAV over the 'Stan instead of flying a real plane(!)

Good luck no matter what, and keep us posted on what you decide to do!

Bill Little · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2011, 02:43:00 PM »

Hi Steve,

Well I didn't "apply" for either Annapolis, West Point, or the USAF Academy. But I was "accepted" to them all and had an appointment for each.

Never heard from the Coast Guard Academy, I don't know if they had a football team........

But Col. "Red" Blake called me the day after the NCAA signing date and told me I could STILL come to West Point because the Academys did not have to adhere to the NCAA "signing" at that time.

Big Bear

Ted Fancher · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2011, 03:28:01 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on February 12, 2011, 02:43:00 PM

Hi Steve,

Well I didn't "apply" for either Annapolis, West Point, or the USAF Academy. But I was "accepted" to them all and had an appointment for each. Never heard from the Coast Guard Academy, I don't know if they had a football team........

But Col. "Red" Blake called me the day after the NCAA signing date and told me I could STILL come to West Point because the Academys did not have to adhere to the NCAA "signing" at that time.

Big Bear

Bill,

Were those offers football scholarships? Were you being "courted" by them? Hmmm, never thought of that approach. It would save a lot of ink!

Ted (Only outfit that contacted me between HS and College was the CIA...and I think it was a form letter. Didn't seem all that warm and fuzzy, in any case!)

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2011, 05:08:57 PM »

Man, you are OLD Bill! I thought Red Blake coached in the 1940s!

Howard Rush · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2011, 05:56:11 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on February 12, 2011, 02:43:00 PM

...I was "accepted" to them all and had an appointment for each.

Wow. An appointment for any one of those would be impressive. I didn't apply, because I knew I couldn't get it. I could have used the discipline.

Bill Little · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2011, 10:41:01 AM »

Quote from: Ted Fancher on February 12, 2011, 03:28:01 PM

Bill,

Were those offers football scholarships? Were you being "courted" by them? Hmmm, never thought of that approach. It would save a lot of ink!

Ted (Only outfit that contacted me between HS and College was the CIA...and I think it was a form letter. Didn't seem all that warm and fuzzy, in any case!)

Hi Ted,

Yes, all were due to football. But I still had to "get in". Technically, the Academies could not offer "Athletic Scholarships" then.

Big Bear

Bill Little · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2011, 10:44:07 AM »

Quote from: Steve Fitton on February 12, 2011, 05:08:57 PM

Man, you are OLD Bill! I thought Red Blake coached in the 1940s!

Correct, Steve, but he was still alive and "involved" in Army Football. Not old enough to have "played" for him!

Bill

Michael Duffy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2011, 01:37:14 PM »

Thank You all for the input.
As some have mentioned about flying in the Air Force, I am looking more towards the Engineering fields or something along those lines. I have seen that the airlines have suffered quite a bit lately and i am leaning towards engineering now more than ever. I am trying to get an appointment with a Congressmen as soon as possible to get the process rolling. My plan is to stay in the Air Force for atleast 20 years and get Ranked up as far as i can.

@ Ted Fancher
My grades have never really been a concern for me, I am taking all AP (college credit) courses and am a member of the Academic Decathlon Team and i am currently ranked in the Top 10 in the Arizona III Region. I am hoping my dedication to higher education and much tougher courses will help me to stand apart from some of the applicants. I have taken an extra year of math and science to better prepare myself which i think is a good start.

So now i just have to hope that i can get appointed by a Congressman and talk to some local flyers about a few letters of recommendation.

Thank You.

sadams714441 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2011, 01:59:36 PM »

Mike
I worked as a firefighter with NASA within the space shuttle program for many years worked with many Air Force officers and such wont find a better group. My youngest daughter Went thru the US Army ROTC program while a at U Maine (nursing program) she got her commision and now is a Capt, she has nothing but great things to say about program. She has gone to Annapolis for training since being in. Attended Airbourne school, 4 years ago. And she now is assigned as a nurse in Hawaii. This may be an avenue to explore, get your higher education and commision at same time and they pay for it. As robert said you will meet many many different people. My time in the Navy and working with NASA are some of th best memories......You cant go wrong.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2011, 07:39:37 PM »

One option with the Air Force Academy is their new UAV program. I think this current year is their first with a UAV oriented specifically at UAV design and operation. This is an ever widening and developing field as the Air Force is moving towards getting away from rotating rated pilots into UAV operations. Lots of engineering opportunities along with the operating side of things. They are looking for a certain type of person, and you just may be that person. If for some physical reason you can't get in the cockpit of full scale aircraft, you can still be involved with operational tactical aviation. You are the one in charge here and to me it sounds like you have the vision to see your way through and a good head on your shoulders to take on the challenges that will be presented to you. Figure out what you want , then go get it!

Good luck to you,
Dan McEntee

Steve Scott · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2011, 07:56:03 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on February 12, 2011, 02:43:00 PM

Well I didn't "apply" for either Annapolis, West Point, or the USAF Academy. But I was "accepted" to them all and had an appointment for each. Never heard from the Coast Guard Academy, I don't know if they had a football team........

But Col. "Red" Blake called me the day after the NCAA signing date and told me I could STILL come to West Point because the Academys did not have to adhere to the NCAA "signing" at that time.

Big Bear

I applied for and was awarded as an "alternate" for the USCG Academy in '69 but... I was still only 17 at the time (December birthday). I was told when not selected for the Class of 2003 I'd be a shoo-in for the 2004 class but I never reapplied. Regretted that decision for the past 40+ years.

Yes, USCG has a football team. They play in Division 3.

USCG doesn't use Congressional appointments. Entry is secured totally by competitive exams, scholastic standing and extra curricular activities. Neatest feature about USCG is you get to go on multiple short/long cruises on the USCGC Eagle—a 295' steel-hulled bark. The Eagle served originally as a training vessel for the German Navy (formerly SS-Horst Wessel). These training vessels were handed over to the victorious allies as part of the WWII reparations.

Bill Little · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2011, 12:29:42 AM »

Quote from: Steve Scott on February 13, 2011, 07:56:03 PM

I applied for and was awarded as an "alternate" for the USCG Academy in '69 but... I was still only 17 at the time (December birthday). I was told when not selected for the Class of 2003 I'd be a shoo-in for the 2004 class but I never reapplied. Regretted that decision for the past 40+ years.

Yes, USCG has a football team. They play in Division 3.

USCG doesn't use Congressional appointments. Entry is secured totally by competitive exams, scholastic standing and extra curricular activities. Neatest feature about USCG is you get to go on multiple short/long cruises on the USCGC Eagle—a 295' steel-hulled bark. The Eagle served originally as a training vessel for the German Navy (formerly SS-Horst Wessel). These training vessels were handed over to the victorious allies as part of the WWII reparations.

Hi Steve,

Man, applied in '69 and then was an alternate for the class of 2003? And a shoo in for 2004? That span is about as long as between Billy's World Championships! LOL!!

I wasn't aware in the late '60s that the USCGA had a football team. The major drawback for me (in my 17 year old mind) was that all of the Academies required a 4 year service commitment, that could not be altered. I was under the delusion that I couldn't get injured and that the NFL was next on the list. Of course, Roger Staubach was about the only player of note to get through his four years and still make it in the NFL. Joe Bellino from NAVY tried but he was out of the game too long. With the body parts I'm missing now, and the parts that will need to be replaced soon, along with a couple that cannot, maybe I SHOULD have gone to an Academy! LOL!!!! I know I would have tried on a MUCH higher pay grade! My Dad did and he was a CWO-4............ he's making more than I am now! LOL!! NC does pay public school teachers very good wadges, no matter what degree you have....... but I get by, I get to play with toy airplanes, and I'm not having to eat the food I feed the puppies... yet!

Big Bear

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2011, 07:07:26 AM »

Quote from: Michael Duffy on February 13, 2011, 01:37:14 PM

So now i just have to hope that i can get appointed by a Congressman and talk to some local flyers about a few letters of recommendation.

Thank You.

Check the info from the Academy regarding the appointments. There are some other appointments available (Some not very common, but worth checking just in case) You used to have to fill out alot of forms and write an essay to make it through the first cut and get an interview.

I found the congressional review boards the most entertaining. Both Sen Lautenberg and Rep Chris Smith had three person panels, with a dry academic there to roast you about your grades, a bed wetting liberal there to probe why you wanted to be a baby killer, and a grizzled Marine Colonel, seemingly fresh from the Chosin Reservoir, there to imply that anybody not going Marine Option at the Naval Academy lacked the stones to be at ANY service academy and that surely I was too namby-pamby to be wasting his time. Then he wanted to know if I thought I could drop the Bomb on Moscow (much to the horror of the liberal) Dodging and weaving in those interviews was fun to say the least...(!) I hope they still do that, but somehow I suspect its different.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2011, 09:41:48 AM »

Yea, I had the Naval Academy court me for an athletic scholarship. Part of that was my whole family was in either the Navy or the Marines. My uncle put my name into them. But I had 20 scholarship offers and at the time, I didn't really consider the Naval Academy. Wish I had.

John Miller · « **Reply #22 on:** February 14, 2011, 12:03:26 PM »

Most of us "Olde Pharts", that had a chance at a Military Acadamy education, and didn't take advantage of it, Regret that decision today.

Michael, you're showing some real smarts considering this path at this ppoint in your life.

The Acadamy of your choice, should it not be available, should not deter you. As mentioned, there are several to chose from, and suprizing, a few non=traditional ways of getting an appointment.

One way, often overlooked is through the Reserves

I have personal experience with the Navy Reserve programs, and I believe they may still be operating the same way. I imagine that the other branches offer similar programs.

Navy reserve had open billets to Annapolis. As a Reservist, you needed to apply through your unit, pass some physicals, and academic scoring and you were very likely to be selected. They also had a program called R.O.C. (Reserve Officer Candidate) where you attended the college of your choice, at your expense, and upon completion of the course, and graduation, you recieved your commission.

I mention this only to show you that there are lesser known ways to attend the nations military acadamies.

Knowing you I'm sure you'll get yopur appointment, and become a terific asset to your family, and country.

Best of luck.

Steve Scott · « **Reply #23 on:** February 14, 2011, 08:26:50 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on February 14, 2011, 12:29:42 AM

Hi Steve,

Man, applied in '69 and then was an alternate for the class of 2003? And a shoo in for 2004? That span is about as long as between Billy's World Championships! LOL!!

Yeah, the sixties were "special" times. Of course, I meant to say class of '73 and '74. BTW, I did finally graduate with a bachelors in '79 (AFROTC) then a masters in '84. I "took" a few years off while working.

Quote

I wasn't aware in the late '60s that the USCGA had a football team. The major drawback for me (in my 17 year old mind) was that all of the Academies required a 4 year service commitment, that could not be altered. I was under the delusion that I couldn't get injured and that the NFL was next on the list. Of course, Roger Staubach was about the only player of note to get through his four years and still make it in the NFL. Joe Bellino from NAVY tried but he was out of the game too long. With the body parts I'm missing now, and the parts that will need to be replaced soon, along with a couple that cannot, maybe I SHOULD have gone to an Academy! LOL!!!! I know I would have tried on a MUCH higher pay grade! My Dad did and he was a CWO-4............ he's making more than I am now! LOL!! NC does pay public school teachers very good wadges, no matter what degree you have....... but I get by, I get to play with toy airplanes, and I'm not having to eat the food I feed the puppies... yet!

Big Bear

One factor I had in my favor was my grandfather was a USCG officer. Legacy does have quite a bit of influence. The problem with the service academies was their height/weight standards precluded hulking specimens suitable for D-1A level. Nonetheless, the "big three" decided to compete at that level. Folks I served on active duty with say these players bulked up for the season then morphed back into "normal" folks. It would be pretty hard to do that without some kind of chemistry involved.