<p>What are the benefits of going to the Air Force Academy Appointee orientation program??? I personally have already been to the campus twice. Once was just a visitor visit and I got to see the cadets during the academic year (I didn’t sleep in the dorms or anything) and then I was there for the summer seminar. Is it really worth going? I mean, I think I would have a really cool and different perspective considering I would be visiting the place where I will be spending the next four years. But I really just want to hear from someone who is familiar with it, and advises it. </p>
<p>I'm not familiar with the summer seminar--but since you have been there for that I would think that you probably wouldn't get that much more out of the orientation. The orinetation sessions consist of a day of briefings by Gen. Rosa, Gen Weida, the Dean of Faculty and cadet leaders. There is an opportunity to ask questions etc. Then the appointees are matched up with cadets and they shadow them from 4:00pm until 4:00pm the next day, including going to all of their classes and activities. Spending the night in the dorms gives appointees the opportunity to talk to many of the cadets and see what a day is like. My son felt that the orinntation was very valuable, but he had not been to the academy before. Hope this helps</p>
<p>falconflyer: Our son just spent a day at West Point in its equivalent to the AFA Appointee Orientation. He had previously attended the WP summer seminar.</p>
<p>He said the best part of the visit was the time spent alone with the current plebes. He got their "unvarnished" opinions about cadet life( Beast and first semester was horrible, now its only miserable). Most important, it gave him a chance to see if he thought he would "fit in" with the cadets.</p>
<p>I asked him if he would recommend the visit to other candidates and he said definitely yes.</p>
<p>I went and thought it was an enjoyable experience. Just keep in mind that whatever you experience at the orientation is going to be very different from how it is when you actually get here. Some things are just better to not know about before getting here. ;)</p>
<p>That'd be cool. I like knowing at least someone before heading there... Ya know?? As we get closer why don't we exchange phone numbers or something to say hi.</p>
<p>I'll be going to that last April offering. Hey, is it a good idea to bring a gift for your cadet who will be taking you around? My Mom was thinking baked goods (?????) Is that lame? or something from your hometown? or?
Those of you who are going should definitely post on your experiences. Thanks.</p>
<p>Amandrew, why is bringing a gift a bad idea? (I am just curious.) Is it just inappropriete given the context? Is it just not that big a deal being escorted around by a cadet? If anything, I would have thought it to be a nice gesture.</p>
<p>AF2, maybe a thank-you card would be less obvious? I certainly think it's a great idea to show thanks and appreciation to your cadet escort, but maybe a physical gift is just out of place? Maybe docfrance can give us some advice on that, but either way, I think I will definately bring a polite thank-you note.</p>
<p>A gift really isn't necessary for your cadet escort. I'm planning on being a volunteer for this (if my room mate is okay with the idea of them staying in our room), and I'm definitely not expecting anything. However, that being said, I've never seen a cadet pass up on some homemade baked goods. ;)</p>
<p>Hey all!
I'm also coming on the 18/19 days. It'd be great to at least sort of know some people before going, though I already know vampielinred and another friend that's going on those days from Summer Seminar last year. Are you totally excited or what??
I think I'm going to bring some cookies for my escort. They should get at least something for putting up with me for a day!</p>
<p>A question on clothing. I am not big on dressing up and am planning on wearing jeans to orientation. Is this a big deal? The orientation booklet says jeans are acceptable, but discussions on the home front are saying dress slacks or khakis are what the booklet is saying is preferred.</p>
<p>I wore jeans when I came to mine. Just make sure they're nice jeans if you do wear them (not meaning a fancy name brand but just not too baggy/tight/"holey"). Just use your best judgment and don't wear anything too flashy; dress conservatively. Not to scare you, but if you attract too much attention to yourself at orientation by how you dress (or more importantly, the way you behave), don't be surprised if certain upperclassmen remember you and seek you out during BCT.</p>
<p>If they're conservative, they're fine. Please don't take this as an opportunity to show off skin to individuals who will be your upperclassmen, though. Bad idea. Also be cautious, as Colorado weather is crazy and it may snow, regardless of the time of year.</p>
<p>The weather here is horrible, so I can understand why they did that. I can't see more than about 20 yards out my window due to blowing snow (which is blowing horizontally no less). This isn't the only week that orientation is going on, so perhaps anyone who was scheduled for this week could instead do it a different week?</p>