<p>that's interesting guy4christ....is the academy (meaning the command or administration side of things) putting forth an effort towards transforming the whole cadet wing to "take things more seriuosly"? i could be wrong, just wondering...</p>
<p>Keep in mind that only half a squadron remains constant from year to year. With new three and four degrees every year, and a new AOC every other year, a given squadron's climate and culture do have a tendancy to shift back and forth along the spectrum.</p>
<p>Undercover, because things are generally cadet run, it's your cadet leadership rather than administration that really determines the "feel" of your squadron. There will always be people who take their jobs very seriously, as well as those who don't really care as much, which is why your squadron is such a "luck of the draw" kind of thing.</p>
<p>Nah, i don't think they are any more now than they have been- but I do agree with guy4christ (in my experience squadwise and otherwise) that in general 2008 was pretty bad about "dirtbagness". Don't get me wrong, it's great that they are about to graduate and they had a slew of decent people, but it seemed like the majority of them really didn't care about anything.</p>
<p>what advice can you guys give me now, as an appointee, to keep my spirits up and to take USAFA seriously while i go through BCT and freshmen year when i will have to put up with a lot of stuff i won't understand. </p>
<p>don't get me wrong, i'm not saying i want to be the guy who takes showers at attention, but i do want to care about USAFA and i want to at least try to stay away from developing a negative attitude and losing interest in USAFA during the hard or boring or seemingly nonsensical times.</p>
<p>As long as you want to be here, you'll be absolutely fine. I've found that it's actually way harder not to be cynical AFTER Recognition (in my experience, at least).</p>
<p>i see. well, i certainly want to be there now, i hope it will remain that way far into the future!</p>
<p>G4C I know potter understands your frustration from last year. She is concerned that is the road she might travel. She hear there was a lot of tension between 08 and 09, but the 2010 CS40 are a good group. She knows she will have to make the most of it, but has been told the squadron can be very casual. </p>
<p>I told her they just want her to loosen up and have some fun. I wont tell what her reply was.</p>
<p>Everyone wants their Squadron to be the best. Like Petko said it is important to remember half the Squadron just changed, and the experience will be what you make of it.</p>
<p>I agree with what Petko said... as long as you want to be here, you'll be fine. I'm not cynical... I really do love the Academy. Just never forget why you came here. And as long as you remain focused on other people and how you can build into other people's lives... you'll do just fine. :) There is good here and there is bad here. It's all about your attitude and how you choose to deal with life here.</p>
<p>I actually really like being here, I just don't like having to go to school. And I think the majority of cadets feel the same way. With rare exception, the people here are great and always willing to help you out, etc. And Colorado is great if you like outdoorsy stuff. Like yesterday, I woke up and realized I had nothing better to do so I got on my bike and packed a lunch and some water and just started riding. Somehow I ended up in Castle Rock which is like an hour drive from here in a car...And then I had to ride back but at least it's downhill on the way back...And I had a blast and my buddy and I are already planning a similar trip next weekend. </p>
<p>This place is what you make it. You can go do something fun if you get bored, or you can sit around and complain (or, even worse, sit around and play video games...grr...I hate those). And cadets find lots of fun ways to amuse themselves when they're together. ie. carrier landings, greek baths, trying to get into the tunnel system that runs under the t-zo and supposedly all the way to Cheyenne Mtn that we aren't allowed in, etc. Trust me you'll find something fun if you look for it. And if you're looking for something to complain about, you'll find that too</p>
<p>Appointees, read that entire post again. It's all very true... some excellent advice there as well. My squadmate is wise. ;)</p>
<p>wow zman, that sounds like a whole lot of fun to me! maybe you should write a book: "the adventures of USAFA cadets" haha! mountain biking, underground tunnels, carrier landings....</p>
<p>thanks a lot for the good advice. you are very wise indeed</p>
<p>USAFA is all what you make of it. I love being here, but my biggest problem is "agreeing" with the cynicism of cadets around me. I myself am not that cynical, it's just hard to say "hey, you're wrong, that doesn't suck" when you know everyone else will (usually) disagree with you. </p>
<p>In your efforts to remain as "Uncynical" as possible, don't be a drag on your classmates either. A lot of cadets have trouble with people who try too hard to be perfect. This place is a great place to learn, so make the most of it (just don't be stupid). Usually, people who strive to always have perfection are considered "stract". While this may not be bad, it drives a lot of other cadets away. Believe me, I know. Weren't you the one who told me I was super stract, ash? haha, she was kind of right though.</p>
<p>It's interesting to read these posts from an outsiders point of view. (Parent of an '08 about to graduate). It seems that the attitudes change as the cadets progress through the system. Cynicism is bound to set in to some extent as you progress. There is always a lot of BTDT and the closer you get to the ultimate goal the more you have to distance yourself from your current "home". Probably not so different from when you left high school. </p>
<p>I heard the same stories as above regarding the lack of interest by the '08s about the 05's and 06's when S was a 4deg and a 3deg. The challenge is to make sure you own your part of the group and contribute in a positive way. My S found an outlet by trying out and becoming a member of the Wings of Blue--The key is to find a group that you can relate to and your time will be much easier. </p>
<p>I'll have him check in when he gets back from this weekend and give you his insight.</p>
<p>.....And on that note, and by the way thank you for directing me here M, i would have to agree with what usafamom said. I had the exact same impression of the academy when i was a freshman and a little bit less of it when i was a sophomore but i was still pretty motivated. the cynicism, unfortunately, is unavoidable to some degree. I would have to say that by the time you are ready to graduate, you will have put up with more crap than you can possibly imagine. Most of it will start when you get into your upper two years and actually get into those leadership roles. When you begin to see things from the upper side, you will realize how much of your time will be wasted on redundancies and things that you will believe are irrelevant to your education and more importantly your time. By what i have seen, the air force is an organization that is very concerned with covering its own behind. Because of that, the leadership will mandate yearly training in many subjects that WILL be redundant over the years. It will seem pointless but until you get into that command position where your behind is on the line you wont understand it. I have had some of those command positions and i still dont fully get it. </p>
<p>However, what has been said already is very true. Find something, and more importantly, some people who motivate you and drive you. If you can get a group that you fit in with well and enjoy, you will be able to get through the things that create the cynisicm. I will guarantee that by the time everyone reaches graduation, you WILL feel cynicism and you will question your leadership (cadet and permanent party), but that will happen everywhere and throughout your career. The most important thing is to not let the cynicism drive you. If it is only an occasional thing that happens on the really bad days then you will all be fine. </p>
<p>Sorry about the length, but i'll say one more thing. Looking back at my time here, i will miss this place. I have taken a lot from here and i am in no way the same person that i was when i walked up the battle ramp with a shaved head. Even if you feel cynicism, just get past it. I know i did!!!</p>
<p>Congrats to the new appointees, and to the frosh who have done a great job getting through their first year. Im sure you wont agree, but the time here goes by in a flash. I cant believe i am about to leave.</p>
<p>I'm not really sure where to put this, but I just want to toss out a "congrats!" to C/CMSgt-select hornetguy. He'll be Group Supt for those of you in squadrons 1-10 next year. :)</p>
<p>Sweet. Congrats hornetguy.</p>
<p>wait, who chose hornet to do what?</p>
<p>Thanks PETKO! :) I'm happy. </p>
<p>I was chosen by the group commander to be (essentially) his NCO.</p>
<p>Flyboy now would be a good time to stay low and fly under the radar. Oh and when your at the training table eating this fall you may not want everyone to know the group 1 supt was your sponsor for orientation, or maybe not could be a good ice breaker. :)</p>
<p>good point DS. i wasn't planning on doing what you said i might do, i just didn't know exactly what position he won and what that position does.</p>