<p>I believe that there are many great stories to be told that require a simple prompt… So I shall make an attempt to provide a probably way overused cliched prompt. Apologies for the un-originality :)</p>
<p>For everyone (Grads, Current Cadets, Aspiring Cadets, Parents of cadets, etc.) - What was it that made you choose the AFA over the other service academies? Why? And whats the origin of the desire to attend a service academy?</p>
<p>Oh boy!!!! You know that someone is going to jump in and say something like; "Air Force is Better than Army". etc... this could get nasty.</p>
<p>But, I'll start off more neutral in the hopes that it might not get too much into army bashing. Me, the parent, retired after 21 years in the Air Force. My son was born on an Air Force base in Spain. My daughter born in Texas. They always knew Air Force. My son wants to fly. He's great academically and in athletics. Air Force academy seemed like the perfect fit.</p>
<p>air force academy because i wanted to fly.. as i grew up, i realized it's more about being an officer than flyin a plane. i leaned towards army for a while, because it would've given me a better opportunity to work with soldiers, infantrymen, and lead more than being a pilot would... however, the pilot aspect took over and that's what i'm goin for, so air force definitely ruled over. my great-uncle flew bombers in WWII, a cousin flies KC-135s.. so basically i chose AF because i'm more likely to achieve my career goal, flying</p>
<p>Similar situation to Christcorp's (but I'm not yet retired).</p>
<p>Son born on an Air Base in England, and has lived in 9 different homes throughout his 18 years, from Europe to Alaska to throughout the continental US. He grew up around people in the AF flying community, and has wanted to join them for a while. Not just for the flying aspect, but more because he has seen first hand the dedicated professionals, both men and women, who currently serve our country and he would be honored to be like them. And despite the number of times he has had to celebrate a special occasion or significant event without his father being there, he has always seen how happy we are as a family and how much we all love what we are a part of. He wants that for his own family as well.</p>
<p>He wants to be a part of that team! And I couldn't be prouder.... (well, maybe if he went to MIT, dropped out during his sophomore year to create his own internet-based business that made him an instant billionaire the moment his IPO hit the streets, then he sets up his old man with his own personal golf course, I might re-evaluate the situation :) )</p>
<p>Do I sense golf clubs in that baggage pod Bullet? JK :) Took my daughter up to the flight deck of a C-5 when she was in the 5th grade. She sat in the pilots seat, and asked what do I have to do to fly this? My reply was go to school. Where she asked? I told her there were lots of places, but if she really wanted to fly USAFA was the place. As she grew older she looked around, spent year in a program with UC Davis, and took a trip over the summer to USAFA when she was a sophmore in HS. That sealed the deal for her.....Ask her today and she would probably say "What was I thinking", but that is the life of a 4*. There are many days I would have be muc happier having her closer to home at UNLV or something, but we know it is right for her.</p>
<p>Oh and she spent a summer trip to Annapolis resulting in this response " Dad, I could really see myself going to school here, but just don't know what I would do in the Navy". She know's she could still fly, but wasn't very excited about life on a carrier.</p>
<p>The Army offered her and appointment that she would have accepted, but only after USAFA. She grew up blue....</p>
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What was it that made you choose the AFA over the other service academies?
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[quote]
Oh boy!!!! You know that someone is going to jump in and say something like; "Air Force is Better than Army". etc... this could get nasty.
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<p>Or even worse, "I did not get accepted at my first choice, USXX, so I had to settle for USAFA, my second choice."</p>
<p>Favorite Commander of mine '80 USAFA grad always told me Navy grads were always 1/2 bubble off level....Point proven above.</p>
<p>The decision must be made by the applicant. Visit the schools, learn the missions, and make the right choice for yourself. You will live with the decision for at least 7-9 years.</p>
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<p>What either you are your Commander did not realize was that this is a compliment. For most things in life, within a half bubble is great. Anything further is undue miring down perfectionism. Thanks for the compliment.</p>
<p>oh for cryin out loud, I foresee a dark and troubled thread ahead... ;-)</p>
<p>No, it stops here as all will do by ignoring those who are not welcome.</p>