<p>yes, the story of James Naugle is pretty motivating. now that i have read it, i really wish that my ALO presented my appointment to USAFA at my graduation. earlier in the year, he said he planned on presenting it, but i invited him to my graduation a bit too late, and now i have learned a valuable lesson in the art of procrastination: DON'T!</p>
<p>Do not take chem! IMHO you do not have a grasp on the subject since you have basically received a D or F depending on your school, as I stated b4 in our school 69 and below is an F...you have great grades for Bio, which insinuates that you understand it and have the foundation to get a good grade. I know for you want to motivate yourself, but if you want to motivate yourself than you need to re-take honors chem and get the foundation under your belt.</p>
<p>many kids talk about how their freshman yr was horrible, but have made a positive trend and that is what the SA wants to see. Looking over your grades, it seems that you had problems your jr year, by pullling yourself back up to A's your sr yr, they can say it was a blip, maybe something happened to him and now he has overcome his obstacle. By taking chem again and getting another poor grade, what it states is he has having problems in chemistry, and at the AFA you will be taking chemistry.</p>
<p>You can grasp the brass ring, it is not impossible, but you need to be smart and wise about what you can and cannot handle. </p>
<p>BTW what are your SAT scores, remember that they have mins to be deemed competitive</p>
<p>Still just as important as your grades are, you need to get the CFA up. There are mins they just don't publish them and that in the end could be what makes the difference for you, and not your grades! To lose an appt b/c you didn't practice the CFA enough or lose a ROTC scholarship, b/c of the PFT would be very sad.</p>
<p>Finally you have stated that you talk to your ALO often, are you following his instructions...remember he writes a rec for you that is submitted...it's one thing pestering him another if you pester, but don't follow his guidance :(</p>
<p>I don't think I learned anything in Biology. That class was always out of control. Kids always giving the teacher a hard time. I was like the only one that actually listened to her. I never took any exams for her class. Freshman year I got good grades by just chilling in class and paying attention. It wasen't untill after freshman year that I actually had to do something and had to study to pass. In bio, I think I only recieved high marks out of gratitude. Because on the bio regents I recieved a 83. This semester I think i did good in honors english. I probably got at least an 85 if not an 90. Thats just my guess. All my classes are honors. The regular classes are always out of control. </p>
<p>these are my regents scores.
regents
bio 83
math a 78
chem 69
global hisotry 91</p>
<p>SAT scores
may 08
Critical Reading 410<br>
Math 480<br>
Writing 460 </p>
<p>jan 08
Critical Reading 460<br>
Math 460<br>
Writing 370 </p>
<p>june 07
Critical Reading 400<br>
Math 410<br>
Writing 420 </p>
<p>still waiting on my june 08 scores. I haven't spoken to my ALO since before I left for the NASS. As soon as I get my 2nd sememster junior grades I'll emial or call him.</p>
<p>Regents are similiar to the VA SOL, and the NC EOG...you need to pass to graduate, however they are not a part of your transcript. The Regents are a part of the No Child Left Behind Act It was created as a benchmark for school performance using the students. As I have stated every state has another name for this, as well as different benchmarks...in NC you must get a 75 (3 on a scale of 4) to pass the grade/class. Our gateways are 3,5,8 10 and exit. NC also has 69 as an F.</p>
<p>Currently you are saying you feel more comfortable in your chem knowledge then your bio, however, your scores and grades show that this is not true. Your Regents and your grades for chem, both show that you need to work more on your basics. Your bio shows that you have the rudementary elements to be successful. </p>
<p>Your SAT score is 1400...keep taking and remember the Falcon foundation exists for students that need 1 more yr to bridge into the AFA. Try taking the ACT you might do better. The AFA takes the best of the two.</p>
<p>I will repeat again, you still need to address the CFA and your physical issue in a very timely fashion. You have the ability to be accepted, but when you go for your Dodmerb, at your current height and weight, they may take a wrist measurement or BMI, if it is not in range you may have additional testing. Your CFA is extremely important for the AFA, since they are in the mtns and know that the cadets scores lower until they acclimate to the alt., they want the candidates to have high CFA's. You do not need to submit until Mar., spend the next 6-9 mos. doing sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups every night before you go to bed...do sprints down the street everyday. </p>
<p>It is about the WCS, you can flounder in 1 area, but you need to be above everyone else in the others. I believe it was Raimus who said you don't want to be on probation every semester for physical reasons, esp. if you want to be a PJ</p>
<p>AFPJ I am going to suggest something you may not like.</p>
<p>Consider enlisting and going into a career path that PJ's pull from. They like Medical Specialist, Security Police, and Firefighters. These careers will give you a chance to build the physical strength and improve your Academics. You will likely have to attend Prep School which will give you your best shot at the Academy.</p>
<p>I have known a few PJ's in my career. They are usually the most unassuming, quiet guys in the room. They are truly special people, and you don't just join them. They have all been through the same test of fire, and know the man (sorry ladies) standing next to them is capable of doing whatever it takes. Men like Jason Cunningham and JTAC's like Israel Del Toro are who you are asking to lead as a CRO. You may want to walk a mile in their shoes first.</p>
<p>I have been talking to my ANG recruiter. I can still go to college with the ANG, and they will pay for it, that way I serve and can still prove myself academically. If I don't get into the prep school, falcon foundation or rotc scholarship, I don't know whether to chose active duty or ANG. The ANG has limited jobs and one weekend a month isn't enough for me, considering since i'm so gung ho AF. There is this university called American Military University, it is online. From what I heard the quality of education you reiece from AMU is very good. My JROTC instructor, who was a a MSgt in the AF as a firefighter and a black rope MTI, currently takes courses at AMU. Maybe keeping up with my courses at AMu while service in the active duty Air Force is a good option for me if all else dosen't fall through for me.</p>
<p>AFPJ I suggested enlisting becuase I believe you need to be all in. If you are in the guard or Reserve you will have the same distractions you have now. You will be home eating the same food, following the same regimen.</p>
<p>As I said before you are asking to lead very special men. It is not like the movies. These guys still have a very exclusive club and if you really want in you will have to pay your dues. There is no easy way to be a TACP/JTAC or a PJ. The life is about the job. If you think Pima was kidding about being her husband mistress to the Air Force you have no understanding of what a SFO wife goes through. </p>
<p>If you go enlisted and apply yourself in a career that tracks to PJ/JTAC/TACP you will provide yourself the ebst footing and at the same time make yourself a good candidate for Prep School.</p>
<p>When Bullet was with 82nd, he can tell you as an officer or an enlisted member they are gone alot. They also will leave in a moments notice. It is an elite group, and thei physical requirements are intense...it is not uncommon for them to go for a ruck run...this is when they put 70lbs on their back and run several miles, they also will swim in their boots. This is not done once in a blue moon, but every week...they have madatory PT at 5:30 am. These are the quietest guys in the world, but you wouldn't want to tick them off. Many guys try to get in for several yrs, and one think they are required to do is pass a different PT test. </p>
<p>I am with ds52262, it is an all in or a nothing scenario. You can definetly do it, but when you get into the AFA, you will need to work out even more than the mandatory PT. You will need to practice the PJ PT for the 4 yrs that you are there.</p>
<p>ds is also correct going reserves or ANG is good for some people, but typically it is for the people who don't want to live AF 24/7 and that doesn't seem to be you. He is also correct in stating that basically your life will not change, except for a few days a yr.</p>
<p>I see. When you say that it is an all or nothing scenario, is that to say that there I can't take college courses while active duty because I will be so busy. One reason I want to do ANG or reserves is because there are things that I would like to do that I haven't been able to do because of time and financial reasons. Stuff like EMT training and earning my privates pilots license. I was thinking that if I enlist I would like to be a Tactical Air Control Party apprentice or something combat related. If I get fit enough to be a PJ, the training is over a year long, what would happen if I got into the prep school?</p>
<p>1st of all you need to be physically fit to become a TACP, to put it in perspective max the CFA. Our DS is getting his ppl right now, it is very expensive @175 an hr in NC. You can get EMT training as soon as you become 18, just volunteer at your local ambulance station. </p>
<p>This is from the AF link...notice the ruck walk! So either way, AFA or TACP you better start working out!</p>
<p>TACP training </p>
<p>The students take part in a 73-day technical training course broken down into six blocks of instruction, physical training and a weekly ruck march lasting up to four hours complete with up to 85 pounds of gear.
The first block covers basic career knowledge and associated publications. Part two is the portable communications section where they learn several different procedures and radio language skills. </p>
<p>The third block involves day and night foot navigation, vehicle navigation, convoy training and small unit tactics. It's considered the "make-or-break" block of the school. </p>
<p>Students are taken out in the field for a six-day land navigation, global positioning system, map plotting and compass training exercise. Students live in the dirt and have only what they carry on their back. They'll learn to overcome fear as they train, many times alone, on navigating with map and compass in the dark through the woods. </p>
<p>All the while, the instructors are observing their movements through GPS trackers. They will often ambush the students simulating an actual combat situation. The students are deprived of sleep and put under constant physical duress to see how well they work as a team. </p>
<p>Students on the six-day maneuvers have two opportunities to pass the navigation tests. Should they fail this portion, they fail the course and are gone. If the student quits during the six days, he's not allowed to go back to Hurlburt Field, he's banned to a "graveyard" where they spend the remainder of their time filling sandbags. </p>
<p>The next block of the training is aircraft and vehicle recognition and air support coordination. The students will be taught how to better understand joint air operation centers and the tactical air control systems. They will be tasked to operate several radios while utilizing aircraft in support of ground operations. </p>
<p>The final block is where all the training comes together. The students go on a three-day "real-world" scenario. They plot targets on maps, request aircraft for close air support using assigned call signs and work convoy procedures. The instructors have set up improvised explosive devices to make sure the students are moving in teams, keeping guard and helping each other as a team. </p>
<p>After graduation, the next step is attending Air Force survival school. A select few will then move on to Army basic airborne school. All the graduates then move onto their assignments at a Army combat maneuver unit. These units can vary from airborne infantry, mechanized or heavy armor tanks. For the next two to three years, they'll be in training to eventually become joint terminal attack controllers or JTACs. After that, a TACP can try out for assignments where they would be attached to Army special forces teams and Ranger units their training in combat" said Tech. Sgt. James Zagorsky, Det. 3, 342nd TRS instructor supervisor. "It's important they learn to do this right."</p>
<p>Okay I just got my final semester junior grades.
eng 6 honrs 85
spanish 70
afrotc 94
ap us 80
math b3 55
pre calc 65 (don't know how I passed it)
physics 2 hon 75
marching band 90</p>
<p>I just learned that I cannot retake courses that I already have got credit for, meaning I cannot take physics or chemistry because I already took those classes and passed them. I think I am registered for the physics exam, in which I am not prepared. My alo suggested that I take regular chemistry again. Since I can't take it again I would either sit down during the chem class during my lunch period or something. Or maybe study chem and physics on my own and retake the regents. I wont get my fall semester grades untill the end of january of 09. My college advisor suggested that I take ap chem, and try to do well in it. If I worked hard during the summer I think I can do it.
I just took the math b regents today, and to say the least, I had a hard a time with it. Apparently, I am registered for the physics regents (i have to double check) even though I don't have the required labs for it. IMHO I am not ready for it. The physics regents is next wednesday so I have less than a week to prepare it.</p>
<p>65% for Pre Calc & 55% for Math B3 is passing????????</p>
<p>Not at my school its not........</p>
<p>65 is passing. 55 is failing.</p>
<p>grades need to come waay up, in almost everything academic.</p>
<p>I don't mean to sound condescending, but how did you get a 90% in marching band? At the two high schools I attended it was unheard of to not get 100% (with certain exceptions, obviously).</p>
<p>It was mandatory for us to practice at home, something that realistically I could not do.</p>
<p>I also don't get very good grades in Band. I usually get a 93%; it's always my lowest grade, everything else so far is always in the upper nineties.</p>
<p>I was going to start a thread on this, but this is a perfect spot to just make a post. Would band actually benefit someone at the Academy? (especially if you do not plan on being in any of the Academy bands) I guess it does teach you discipline, could help with marching, and presents leadership experience.</p>
<p>you hit it. leadership... i'm sure that's one of the biggest things that can come out of band. and i think i read somewhere that those who're musically inclined do better in school.. haha :)</p>
<p>Zach, getting a 100% in band isn't always guaranteed, given that some teachers administer multiple tests per semester and grade students using a rubric. I was active in band for all four years of high school, and my teachers would hold auditions to determine who would sit in what chair. A student could only earn a 100% if the music was played perfectly. Any mistake could lower the grade by a few points. Thus, if you didn't practice well, an A could easily become a C. Just thought I'd put it out there.</p>
<p>AFPJ, those grades are very, very low. A 65% may be passing in your school, but in many others, it is not. Those grades, combined with your low SAT scores, might even prevent you from reaching the candidacy stage. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Lol wow. It's hard not quitting knowing that I probably won't get into the Academy or its prep schools, probably won't get an ROTC scholarship, can't afford college and disqualified from enlisting in the military. I can't give up. I won't. If I did it right, I did my first pull up today.</p>