<p>In a nutshell, it takes brain brawn and guts to even get into the Academy. I would like to know, even though I haven’t made it to the Academy yet, what does it take to be successful at the Academy, militarily wise, academically wise and physically? What do Cadet Squadron Commanders or Cadet Wing Commanders do that make them get up there?</p>
<p>well, the first thing is they take it a day at a time. commanders can't get where they are until the get through basic, 4 dig year, and then the things that follow.</p>
<p>but (to keep it brief) i would say to succeed you need:</p>
<p>1) determiniation
2) will power
3) discipline (self, to do what you need to do and prioritize)
4) strong backing (faith, friends, family, something)</p>
<p>obviously brains and muscles help (a lot), but with the above, you can get through. i can't rly answer why the commanders got their positions b/c i haven't reached that point, but some of it (as in all things) deals with politics, but most depends on potential permanent party sees and your character</p>
<p>The best way to accomplish anything it to take things one step at a time...</p>
<p>At this point in time, it is rather unnecessary to be figuring out how to become the cadet wing commander. What you SHOULD be doing is spending your time bettering yourself so you can be competitive and earn an appointment to the Academy...</p>
<p>Haha, I knew someone was going to say that. Of course I am spending my time become more competitive, it's just that I am curious and I like to ask questions on this forum on my free time.</p>
<p>By some of the things you have said in other posts, you have no free time (to do things such as work out and study harder for your SATs). Make sure you are being true to yourself and learning how to prioritize your time toward the things that really matter to enable you to reach your goals. At the end of the day, you don't have to answer to anyone else, but you will know whether you really did all you could, and if you made poor choices, you will likely look back with regret. Keep this in mind.</p>
<p>Absolutely.</p>
<p>In my opinion, more than anything else you need a mission and motivation. You must have a "mission" of strong conviction: a sense of purpose that is strong, well-founded, and motivates you to keep going. It has to be a mission that fits you, your desires, and your goals. </p>
<p>Along with that comes a necessity of perspective and understanding of the Academy's purpose and mission...realizing why you're here and what you're trying to accomplish.</p>
<p>Bottom line, you have to want to be here, have a good reason for wanting to be here, remember why you're here, know why the Academy wants you here, and know what you're here to become. </p>
<p>If you have all those things and keep them in perspective, they will supplement other strengths such as willpower, discipline, personality, etc. They will also help overcome weaknesses. One of the worst trait you can find in cadets (sadly quite commonly) is a lack of understanding of purpose or ambition. While it is important to take every day on its own and not overwhelm yourself with the big picture, you MUST have a reason and motivation to make that day count. </p>
<p>I might differ from a lot of people in that I focus less in living day-to-day and more on a sense of purpose and perspective, but it's my honest opinion from what I've observed.</p>
<p>Motivation and discipline, IMO.</p>
<p>You will get nowhere if you do not know your goals and/or cannot find the motivation to work for them.</p>
<p>Discipline is crucial to succeeding here. If you do not manage your time (and what to do with that time), things become a lot tougher. Not many people write their best papers, or study effectively at 4AM...yet many (including myself) have tried. It doesn't work so well! I am a procrastinator, but I also get things done...which tends to cause unnecessary stress and loss of sleep.</p>
<p>In addition to what has already been mentioned, it all comes down to attitude in the end. If you want to succeed, you will. With enough motivation, you'll find a way to do it.</p>
<p>PS Congrats to PETKO on getting Chief Clerk!</p>
<p>yay petko! :)</p>
<p>Ha, thanks! It's certainly no Group Supt job, but it beats the heck out of being a jobless four degree. ;)</p>
<p>This actually brings up a pretty relevant point to this thread:</p>
<p>Chief Clerk is really the only significant leadership position for three degrees. Of the 28 of my classmates who'll be going to my new squadron this year, guess how many didn't try for the job...</p>
<p>The answer is 26. That's right folks - 93% either didn't want to put in the effort, didn't want the responsibility, or flat out did not care enough to try. Self-motivation, initiative, and a desire to lead will take you far here and after graduation. At the same time, don't think poorly of a classmate just because he/she didn't put in for Wing Commander. Keep in mind that we need good leaders at ALL levels, and sometimes you can be more effective in another position. It's a delicate balance, but let me tell you - moving up is a good time either way. :)</p>
<p>I keep hearing that from your class in other squads too. The lack of desire for leadership astounds me. When I got CC first semester, 8 applied. Second semester, 10 applied. For squad supt in my class, 10 applied (6 applied for my group job). That kinda scares me about 2011...but it's probably unfounded.</p>
<p>I asked potter about that. She said the only communication she has gotten from her new Squadron was the application for CC. Said her first C3C semester was going to more than enough for her to handle, and wanted to concentrate on being the best C3C she could be first.</p>
<p>I can tell you that the most important element of success at the Academy is your GPA. Hands down. I know of a lot of folks who were athletes that are sitting in missile silos right now. When you finish basic, you are in "teamwork" mode. Get that out of your head. You are competing against your classmates from day one. You will hear things like "cooperate to graduate"......don't fall for it. It was a harsh realization when I applied for my AFSC in CAMIS my senior year. The second I input my job preferences, I was immediately notified of the number of individuals who have put that same job as their first choice, who are stratified higher than I was. Needless to say, I was both fortunate and elated that I had handled my business in the classroom. Grades are everything. Cadet leadership positions are important, as they will help you get that pilot slot or competitive AFSC. But don't get too caught up in it. There is very little transition from cadet leadership to actual leadership in the operational AF. No matter what your leadership position in the cadet wing, you will never have the autonomy that you have as an officer at your first base. Develop your social skills, learn how to interact and deal with people. The best officers are those who have mastered those skills. The worst officers are those who think they have all the answers. When you get to your first assignment, you will be the least knowledgeable person there. Even the most junior airman will know more than you. Become comfortable with being the least knowledgeable person in the room. Learn to identify your sharp senior NCO's and rely on them for guidance. Challenge the information presented to you, so that you know you are making the right decision. As an officer you will be expected to be the expert in every area of your job. Don't let that intimidate you. Remember, as an officer your job is NOT to have all the answers......it is to have all the questions. Don't be afraid to ask and challenge until you have fully grasped the issue at hand. Only then, with the guidance of quality senior NCO's and ranking officers, is it wise to act.</p>
<p>Yeah when I was at FEW I always felt bad for those guys putting in all that work and ending up in a hole. They always struck me as slightlly bitter about it too. You are dead on about trusting your NCO's most will just want to succeed. They haven't given 10-20 years of their lives without learning a little bit about the AF. That said they (I) can get stuck in their ways and challenging the information your provided will be critical when you do make decisions.</p>
<p>I am glad potter is focused on her future and is thinking about her GPA. A good friend made sure she knew the Academy will send you packing twice as fast for Academics then any Military deficiency.</p>
<p>Military deficiency is pretty hard to get (unless you do something stupid...)</p>
<p>Ac Pro...a bit easier to end up on, and academics are the LARGEST part (by far) of each cadet's OPA. </p>
<p>I don't know about Chief Clerk being the only major 3 dig job. We had about a dozen 2010ers apply for 2 training clerk positions, last year.</p>
<p>PETKO and Potter, what squads are you going into?</p>
<p>I'm heading into 19, potter's going over to 40.</p>
<p>i could be wrong, but maybe there are so little applicants for the leadership positions BECAUSE of the academic rigors of USAFA, and not because of their lack of ambition or desire for those positions. </p>
<p>just my naive thoughts, nothing more.</p>