<p>hey everybody,
i just want to try and set something straight here (in reply to the replies of my recent posts). i know that USAFA and my AF career will both be full of ups and downs, and sometimes i might even question why i signed up. i know that i will not be able to do it on my own and that i will need the support of others around me, and others above me. it will be difficult, sometimes beyond my scope of abilities, but i also know it will be rewarding. i wholeheartedly believe that through hard work and forebearance, i can acheive my goals of becoming a fighter pilot. as long as i have that ambition, i will never let it go- i will utilize it to help me succeed in the little things as well as the big things. and no, i did not just see an airshow and decide to go through the rigors of the USAFA applications so i could fly jets. i have always wanted to fly, and i was just pointing out that today’s jets (especially the f-22) are quite appealing to the senses- THATS ALL. i sincerely apologize if there was a miscommunication on my part- i have thought things through very well and want to go to USAFA so i can serve my country in the best capacity i am able to- which i think is flying. not the other way around, or that i want to go to USAFA JUST so i can fly and that serving my country is just an add-on. i am sorry if i came across as immature and cocky, i just thought i was well understood on this forum. meaning, i was trying to entertain my dreams by having others who share the same dream engage with me. but i thank you guys for the good advice, (like taking life as it comes along, or focusing on the little things). i knew these things to be he case, but you have further encouraged me to keep them in focus. </p>
<p>but let me end on this: if being THAT GUY means i have ambitions i want to follow and dreams i wish to attain, and if being THAT GUY means that i am going to do everything possible so that i can attain my inmost desires, then put me down as THAT GUY.</p>
<p>Flyboy; you have nothing to apologize for. Your dreams are important and should be pursued. Neither does anyone else here who has commented on your posts have anything to apologize for. Their comments and advice are provided to keep things in perspective.</p>
<p>Remember; this is a forum. In a forum, there are a lot of assumptions as well as unknowns. We don't know each other, nor do we always understand exactly what another person is saying. We try to automatically just give each other the benefit of the doubt. By what they say and what they mean. Thus, one of my major faults; being long winded in my posts. It's my way of "trying" to be understood as I want others to understand me.</p>
<p>Keep your dreams and your goals important to you. Keep the academy, the air force, and life in general in perspective. Realize that NOTHING in life is guaranteed. Not even life itself. For those who have been around the block a couple of times, you know what I'm talking about. Cherish and make the most out of every day you have. Most of all, realize that the academy itself should not be your "Goal" in life. It should just be a tool to help you reach and achieve your goals. And realize that while you may have many goals throughout your life, the actual satisfaction isn't "Reaching" that goal; but rather the journey to get you there. That journey is what will bring you joy, happiness, knowledge, and growth. Unfortunately, that journey becomes so exciting, that it tends to always have you re-evaluating your goals and coming up with new ones all the time. Life is awesome. Enjoy it and enjoy the ride.</p>
<p>However, here is my caveat...the Air Force flying world is a tight knit community, as I am positive that the AFA is too(otherwise they wouldn't be called the ringknockers ;) ). There is an automatic "honey, Lt. XXX is new here he graduated from the AFA in XX and I invited him for dinner"</p>
<p>I have met numerous that guy during Bullets career and I actually pity them. They have missed the best part of this life. They are flying their dream jet, but have very few friends, typically only the other that guy in the squadron...hate to say it, but the wives also stay away from their wife...she is treated with respect, but nobody is calling her up to go to lunch, she is also the one that has her baby shower hosted by the flight commanders wife b/c she doesn't have friends. </p>
<pre><code>The AF life is more than just flying the plane, it is about being your family. That guy typically doesn't care about the social aspect and in the end, that guy pays the toll, he might be a great flyer that everyone wants to go to war with, but nobody wants to be in his flight or command. There is MUCH MORE to being an officer, much more to being respected than how you handle the stick, and a H*LL of A LOT MORE TO LIFE.
</code></pre>
<p>I would hate to see you become that guy and lose friendships or happiness. There are more pilots flying their dream plane without being that guy then you can believe. You can have both the jet and the amazing wonderful life that the AF has without ever becoming that guy. Only those who don't understand that,(yes, there is competition, but the true competition is to drive yourself to the hardest limits), become that guy</p>
<p>I have met numerous that guy during Bullets career and I actually pity them. They have missed the best part of this life. They are flying their dream jet, but have very few friends, typically only the other that guy in the squadron...hate to say it, but the wives also stay away from their wife...she is treated with respect, but nobody is calling her up to go to lunch, she is also the one that has her baby shower hosted by the flight commanders wife b/c she doesn't have friends.</p>
<p>The AF life is more than just flying the plane, it is about being your family. That guy typically doesn't care about the social aspect and in the end, that guy pays the toll, he might be a great flyer that everyone wants to go to war with, but nobody wants to be in his flight or command. There is MUCH MORE to being an officer, much more to being respected than how you handle the stick, and a H*LL of A LOT MORE TO LIFE.</p>
<p>I would hate to see you become that guy and lose friendships or happiness. There are more pilots flying their dream plane without being that guy then you can believe. You can have both the jet and the amazing wonderful life that the AF has without ever becoming that guy. Only those who don't understand that,(yes, there is competition, but the true competition is to drive yourself to the hardest limits), become that guy
</p>
<p>Huh???????????</p>
<p>What would cause you to make any kind of correlation between an enthusiastic focused candidate and a socially misfit academy grad Lt. Incidentally, stick and rudder capability can make up for a lot of social gaffes.</p>
<p>I don't think so. I just refuse to believe that the cadre is so small minded to seriously pick on someone for being enthusiastic and vocal.</p>
<p>Isn't the academy supposed to channel and mold that enthusiasm. If they came there as perfect JOs, the academy would have nothing to do.</p>
<p>The enthusiastic optimist is more often a lot more resilient. A few setbacks will not affect him nearly as much as the pragmatic head in the sand student.</p>
<p>That's hardly the point being made (nor did anyone indicate that cadre pick on enthusiasm, I thought eagle was clear that arrogance, not enthusiasm, is what is targeted). The point is that such an ambitious journey has to be taken one step at a time ("The journey of a Thousand miles begins with one step"). </p>
<p>No one says don't have dreams, we all do here.</p>
<p>hey everyone,
let me just expound on a point i touched on earlier....</p>
<p>my number one goal for becoming an officer in the AF is to serve my country in the best capacity i am able to. for the past 10 years or so i have wanted to fly and have strenghtened my passion for aviation. however; i have also developed a strong sense of pride for my nation that has given me so much, and an even deeper respect for those who defend it. right now, my goal is to serve my country by being a pilot. if for any reason that can't happen, then i will re-evaluate my goals and seek out another career that will enable me to serve my country in the best way i am able. though i have passions and dreams, i do not plan to join the AF so i can pursue my passion for aviation at the nation's expense. i fully and completely understand that. however; in the meantime, while my dreams are still a possibility for me, i will wholeheartedly pursue them with everything i can muster. </p>
<p>and the reason i am so "preppy", if you will, is because i am SOOO EXCITED at the fact that i have been blessed with even the chance to "take that first step"- that is, with even the possibility of becoming a pilot. i know i could not have done it without support and guidence from my parents and friends and Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. i would be nothing without them. i don't think i am arrogant, i think i am just so very enthusiastic (that was the word i was looking for!). </p>
<p>and about being "that guy". i still am not sure what "that guy" means to you all, but i plan to pursue my ambitions through hard work and sacrifice.</p>
<p>bulletandpima,
i definitely do not want to become an officer with no social relations. i want to have great supporting friends as well as strive for perfection. how can i do both?</p>
<p>just go and follow your dreams. Do not allow anyone to quash it.</p>
<p>To 69
[quote]
Incidentally, stick and rudder capability can make up for a lot of social gaffes
[/quote]
No it DOESN'T! **I am now falling on my sword here...I am an ADAF spouse of almost 20 yrs, you are RETIRED** The military has changed significantly since the late 80's (when I suspect you retired and Bullet was only getting commissioned, not operational until 90)...if you think being hot ***** in a jet will get you respect as a commander or support from the hierarchy you are wrong. The command will look at the fact that you can lead... very hard to do when you are **that guy**. Do you believe that social gaffes will be accepted by the MAC? (Military Affairs Committee...this is where LTC's go an represent the base at town council)
There is more to being an officer than flying a stick or rudder, it comes down to leading, directing and assisting an officer to become the best they can be!<br>
BTW being hot ***** at the stick and the rudder as you state will only make sure that these cadets will transition into the newest plane...wouldn't you agree? Those who aren't the best are transitioned into other airframes?</p>
<p>It is easy...when you see your fellow officer having problems, offer a hand. I can't tell you how many times during FTU, that I made dinner for the guys as they studied for a check (Bragging moment right now...Bullet was the 1st student ever 2 get 2 EQ'S at FTU...sim and check in addition to the fact that he was doubled crew, in other words had to do it twice). But I am positive it was also because he was a team player, they studied together. They knew that they were going to go down together or rise together. The 22 maybe a single seat, but the hierarchy also looks at the fact that no plane goes out in a single formation, you will always be there to protect your wingman. Your wingman will always be there for you too. When yo understand that it doesn't matter if it is a 2 seater or single and that you are all a part of team in the sky then you won't be that guy</p>
<p>Flyboy it is great to have goals and set your standards high; I think everyone here has been trying to tell you to temper them with some reality too. Tou have current cadets, recent graduates, retired senior enlisted, active flyibg officers, and family all cautioning the same thing. You don't want to be the one to flame out. Enjoy the ride and value things along the way. </p>
<p>I live outside Nellis and have met with some of the F-22 pilots here. They are usually Majors and LC's with a lot of experience in the fighter community. They have established themselves as flyers and leaders. I know there are younger pilots coming up who will soon find themselves at Langley, and the other bases the F-22 will populate. The F-15E is currently the master of the sky, and Eagle is right about that, but the F-22 will replace it. With that replacement will also come a different type of engagement too. This thing can take off at Edwards and destroy a 4 ship of F-16's from hundreds opf miles away, before they ever know it is there. So the cool video of what it can do and what it will do may be a different reality. I'll let bullet expand on that if he chooses too.</p>
<p>Thing is the enthusiasm you have know may very easily be turned into something far different after a few months on the hill. It is a very easy place to get very cynical unless you make those relationships, and learn to enjoy the experience. You may go in dreaming of being an F-22 pilot, but the AF could very easily decide you will meet their needs in another area. That area may not even include flying. Understand when 2013 comes around you could have 30-40 enlisted members under your direct command. your obligation will be to lead them, even if you are not doing what you wanted. Learn to be an officer first, and if you get to fly count your blessings. If you get to fly a fighter say a few more prayers, and if you get to fly an F-22 you may owe god a lot more then you bargained for.</p>
<p>i totally agree DS, first i need to become a follower, and then a good (not just effective, but GOOD) leader. i am realizing this fact more and more as time goes by. i would rather be an outstanding leader then just a good pilot. hopefully i will be both, but you are right, becoming a good leader comes first and foremost. my dreams of becoming a pilot will remain with me indefinitely (or so it seems), but i know that leadership is essential and primary.</p>
<p>No one is saying you can't have goals. However, as it relates to the original post, a certain amount of humility is also in order and probably your goals aren't something you shout from the moutain top to every stranger you come across. On all of the Academy forum sites I consistently read where 'THAT GUY' is a derogatory term used to indicate a first year cadet/mid/etc. who comes across as arrogant or better than everyone else. Those are particularly bad characteristics for someone just starting out at an Academy.</p>
<p>** I am an ADAF spouse of almost 20 yrs, you are RETIRED **
</p>
<p>I agree with you 100%. I served. You did not. Are you actually attempting to 'pull rank' on me? Stating that somehow being a spouse with your second hand information, is actually current and pertinent? Perhaps one with your vast experiences should learn the meaning of 'falling on one's sword' before they attempt to use it. In regards to that, you certainly have.</p>
<p>I would be happy to discuss the merits of squadron social life with another pilot, not a wife, and not someone who is not eligible to assume command of the squadron which he is in.</p>
<p>Just something to think about. When the 20 best-of-the-best show up at their new F-22 squadron, guess what, they are still rankable, top to bottom, in flying merit.</p>
<p>well, i certainly don't think that i am better than anyone, nor do i think that i indicated so anywhere on this forum. i could be wrong, but i dont think i was acting like that.</p>
<p>Well USNA I served too, not on a ship but on the ground in the Air Force. I had the unenviable opportunity to work with all branches during my service. There is a big difference in the social setting of an Air Force community and the community of the other branches. For many years we were the 9-5 branch. Home for dinner and the weekends. That ended back in 91, and things haven't been the same since. The service of a spouse is equally as important as the service of the member. The AIr Force realized that some years ago. It should be valued, especially when you look at todays military and understand that the stable backbone of each service tend to be married with families. </p>
<p>That said the young man has met some of the afor mentioned cadets, and already made an impression. They are trying to offer guidance and assistance that will make his life eaiser, and his career more successfull. I know in the Brown Shoe Navy it was sink or swim, but times are different now. I ahve served on Naval Bases and seen those communities too. I know the differences between the branches and can expand on both positive and negative. That said I will always choose AF Blue.</p>