<p>[Coast</a> Guard cadets try on Air Force wings – Page 1 – Times Union - Albany NY](<a href=“http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=670220&category=REGION&newsdate=3/8/2008]Coast”>http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=670220&category=REGION&newsdate=3/8/2008)</p>
<p>Saturday, March 8, 2008 – Guard Academy Cadets 2nd Class Tom Olson of Clifton Park and Sam Hafensteiner of Selkirk are now in the Air Force.</p>
<p>Olson and Hafensteiner are two of the five cadets from the Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., selected to spend this semester in an exchange program at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.</p>
<p>Olson and Hafensteiner, both scheduled to graduate in 2009, are taking five academic and leadership courses and two fitness classes, including free-fall skydiving. Each Coast Guard cadet has been assigned to lead eight Air Force cadets this semester.</p>
<p>In an interview, Olson said he leads the Air Force cadets in meeting and excelling academic, military, fitness and other standards. His charges include four freshman, three sophomores and a junior. At the Coast Guard Academy, Olson leads 34 freshman.</p>
<p>The Coast Guard cadets found Colorado Springs’ elevation and climate challenging. “It a bit of time to adjust to studying, training and running at a 7,200-foot altitude compared to being at sea level,” Olson said. He now enjoys going skiing whenever he has down time.</p>
<p>“There are other differences between the two academies,” Olson noted. “Coast Guard cadets’ rooms are smaller and tighter and similar to the tight quarters found on ships.” Olson says the Coast Guard cadets are getting a feel for Air Force personnel procedures. The joint service experience could come in handy during missions and military operations involving the two branches of armed forces, according to Olson.</p>