<p>Can anyone shed any light on the process of being “blue chipped” by an AFA head coach? Son was told he was going to be submitted for this designation tomorrow regarding a spot on their rifle team. Sounds like it might speed up the appointment process (FYI that his nom(s) are already in place, SQ’d, etc) - anyone else go this route? </p>
<p>Also, what are the pros and cons of being a student-athlete at USAFA? I’ve heard good rumours (i.e. eating as a team w/ upperclassman and thus no need to square his meals, etc) to the “concerns” (time away from studies during roadtrips to matches, etc). Any real life experiences, etc would be welcome info.</p>
<p>I was told i was a blue-chip as well by a coach, i don't really understand it either. And to add another question, how are ICs viewed? Do most other cadets dislike the fact that they don't always do everything with the squadron, and think that they're not showing unity by that, or are most cadets cool with it?</p>
<p>ICs can be viewed negatively. In my squad, most of the freshmen don't care. You only become a despised IC if you are using it to skirt other duties. Then again, some upperclassmen in my squad HATE ICs...I don't know why.</p>
<p>Just try to be a team player and get your own stuff done, and you should be fine.</p>
<p>"Just remeber to get your LAS in by COB tomorrow, I reccommend using ACQ today, because we have stuff scheduled during MCQ and DDT. Is our FSE today?" Aren't acronyms fun? </p>
<p>Just think, in a year, you will know exactly what I just said!</p>
<p>How about DI (according to the catalog, dormitory inspection). How are those carried out. Does someone peek into your room at 3 am to see if you are actually there?</p>
<p>Dknightfam- women's soccer. I'm not sure yet whether I'll play or not. and i've accepted my appointment, but i don't think it was really through the blue-chip route. i did things a little backward, got a letter of assurance in oct before i'd gotten a nomination. my representative doesn't give out nominations until december, and the coach told me that if for some reason i didn't get a nomination, he would get me a superintendent's (i think) nomination. those are for athletes and as far as i can tell, and no offense intended, are for people like football jocks that are being heavily recruited but don't have the academics or maybe live in a very competitive district and can't get a nomination. i did get the nomination through my Rep and then the appointment in january. i don't think the coach was ever really involved other than keeping in touch with me throughout the process, but it was pretty amusing, the coach and my ALO getting frustrated with each other a bit- definitely had different priorities, or at least different ideas about how to go about them. being recruited can DEFINITELY be a benefit in the application process, especially because you don't have to commit like you would to a normal college for scholarships, but like i said i don't think it actually ended up helping me get in in the end.</p>