<p>I have an interview for my nomination in early November. I remember hearing about a year or so ago that it’s s good idea to wear your blues uniform (from the Civil Air Patrol) to the interview because it’s professional and puts a good image in their mind.</p>
<p>From those who have had interview, is this a good idea, or should one just stick with the suit and tie?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>suit and tie :)</p>
<p>^^^^^
Ditto. Coat and tie.</p>
<p>Coat and tie. Being in CAP will help your case, but you don't need to wear the uniform to impress in the interview.</p>
<p>Plus, from an insider's perspective, CAP is not something looked upon very highly once you are actually at the Academy. If you want to know why, we can go into that in more detail, but just trust me on that. I was in CAP, and mentioning it to other people was not a good idea when I showed up here.</p>
<p>seems to me like CAP wouldn't be looked on badly by folks at the academy, but i trust what you say.. do you care to share bout it? i'm extremely ignorant on this issue</p>
<p>Tell any cadet that you were in CAP, JROTC, etc. and you get mocked. It's how it is. A lot of people see the people in them as playing military.</p>
<p>Some JROTC and CAP people come here and think they know all about the academy, Air Force, military, etc.</p>
<p>^ Ditto what these guys said. A lot of JROTC and CAP people come in here and act like they know it all, and it's given CAP and JROTC a bad rap.</p>
<p>My sons were all in CAP until there was a huge scandal in their squadron and half the cadets left, including my sons. It was a great organization, but some of the locals were certainly not playing by the rules (squad capt. found to be promoting his son by forging test scores and letting the boy slide on PT, which he could never have passed). The most unfortunate thing was that there were so many young kids in there, all gung-ho, with a true desire to serve. Really soured the military for quite a few.</p>
<p>That's too bad about CAP's reputation; for the most part, it is a great organization. Don't know much about the Jr ROTC's.</p>
<p>The decision to talk about participation in CAP or JROTC is certainly an individual choice. It doesn't diminish the valuable experiences and lessons you have recieved from the programs. If you talk about it with Cadets most will be reluctant to share their participation. </p>
<p>I know CAP had a positive impact on our Cadet. She was allowed to meet some very influential AF Leaders, Fly on Red Flag missions refueling F-16's, and do a real SAR looking for an F-15 canopy in an HH-60. I know today you have to pry any association with CAP out of her like a POW interogation.</p>
<p>The uniform at an interview is also a personal decision, but sound council would suggest suit/tie or nice polo/dress pants.</p>
<p>My son is wearing suit & tie, with dress shoes (saw one boy preparing for his interview with sneakers!). The girl who was waiting in the office had on a skirt & blazer with plain pumps.</p>
<p>so funny story....</p>
<p>Back in the stone age when I got my first nom from my Senator, no interviews for him were required (too many people to do it). So, I called my representative the day before my interview with them and told them I got the senator interview. They said that since I got that, then they wouldn't award one to me to maximize the number of people that they can send. This was November. So, I cancelled the interview. Then, in March I receive a letter congratulating me on being awarded one of their nominations. :) That was easy! lol.</p>
<p>And my ALO interview was definately casual in a food court at a mall. That was fun too!</p>
<p>What types of questions did they ask at the nomination (not ALO) interviews?</p>
<p>Be prepared for questions that may not be obvious but are very applicable...questions like "have you ever handled a gun?" I was asked that at my interview. Another one I remember is "What do you think about the current war? What do you know about it?" I think they also asked about my family and my relationship with my parents.</p>
<p>Those are the kind of questions you need to be ready for besides the normal "why do you want to go to the Academy" questions.</p>
<p>"Have you flown an airplane before? Do you have your PPL?" where some obvious questiones I wasn't ready for. </p>
<p>The one that really caught me off guard was, "What is the best book you have read in the past year and why?"</p>
<p>I would say that JROTC and CAP participation is great, but don't brag about it or try to use it as leverage. My experience was with the boy scouts. I'm open to talking about it, but try not to be overbearing with it. Things like that can come in handy, but NEVER try to make yourself look better by mentioning them.</p>
<p>I remember a question that caught me off guard as well. One of my interviews was with a pair of colonels. One of them pointed to the other and asked "If I gave you a gun right now and ordered you to shoot him, would you do it?" Yeah, wow...</p>
<p>You can't really prepare for questions like those. Just be prepared to be suprised every once in a while, and remember to remain calm, confident, and decisive in your answer, no matter what it may be.</p>
<p>Petko: what did you answer to that??? </p>
<p>When my S saw this question, he said he'd answer: No, you are not yet my superior. Once he's in the Academy, of course, if it's an order. Maybe not shoot to kill, unless ordered to do so.</p>
<p>Wow, that is some psychological test. I wonder what the colonels would have answered, even today!</p>
<p>^^^^^
The correct answer is that a service member is only required to obey orders that are both legal and moral.</p>
<p>The question, as asked, is unfair for a candidate and would be more appropriate for a cadet at the end of his academy education.</p>
<p>I echo GA! Orders can be disobeyed if they are illegal or improper. But yes, that would be a better question to ask a cadet. </p>
<p>To be honest, to say he's not your superior, that would not be at all what he's looking for. He's saying, if you were in the AF and I asked you to shoot him, would you? I think that's more the intent (correct me if I'm wrong PETKO).</p>
<p>Well, my S looked at it as if he was still a high school kid. He's re-thinking his answer though.</p>
<p>Argh - I hope he doesn't get asked THAT question! On the other hand, at least he'll have some time to prepare for the weird stuff!</p>