Success at the Air Force Academy

<p>afagrad05, did you seriously just encourage people to forget teamwork? Not everyone is out for themselves, you know. GPA may be a large percentage of your OPA, but having a high GPA doesn't always correlate with being a good officer. The experiences you gain here and thereafter dealing with others will serve FAR more in life as opposed to what kind of job you get in the AF. Depending on how you look at it, all grads are pretty much set, no matter what AFSC they get. Worrying only about oneself and regretting to consider others is exactly the type of character trait I would choose to avoid. To all interested: Stick with your instincts from basic, and never pass an opportunity to help people when needed. Regardless of your expectations, you'll find they will often do the same for you.</p>

<p>Based on your attitude, I'd hate to be assigned to your unit...let alone find myself involved with you in any war-time situation, knowing that your only interests were of yourself. High GPA, huh? I'm impressed...really.</p>

<p>no need to start an argument. teamwork is an important part of being in the military, and i'm sure at the academy too. it'll be hard. if you wanna do what you wanna do, i understand trying to have a high OPA. but throwing teamwork completely out of the window and focusing solely on yourself defeats the purpose of being put into flights, squadrons, etc. everyone views things differently</p>

<p>Don't throw teamwork out the window. Yes, your success is ultimately more responsibility, but no one makes it through USAFA alone. Plus, you will run into your classmates over and over again throughout your time in tha Air Force, so take the time at the Academy to get to know them and build meaningful relationships.</p>

<p>Collaborate to graduate. Take that for what it's worth... You'll understand more fully what that means once you actually get here. Teamwork is everything at the Academy, and not just in basic.</p>

<p>BostonGuy.....no need to worry, you won't be associated with me in a "wartime situation". My jet only has one seat.</p>

<p>That seems kinda ignorant. You're almost always working with someone I would think. And especially in the air when you have to coordinate with other pilots, ground troops, etc.</p>

<p>But anyway, what are you flying?</p>

<p>for someone who is not in very good shape (not bad shape either) how long would it take to work out and get ready for the CFA?</p>

<p>Just start doing it. I wasn't it good shape a month ago either. I always was good at sit-ups and push-ups, but not a great runner. I was running a 7 minute mile. Now I'm down to 6:20, and thats pretty easy. Trying to get it down to 5:45 by my test. You just got to start training now. Don't put it off. I still have a lot to go for my pull-ups, but I'm gonna try to increase by 1 each week. I have a tendancy to procrastinate, but everytime I think that I can do it later, I remind myself of the Academy and my head tells me to go outside and run a mile or two.</p>

<p>By all means, it won't be fast. Depending on where you stand now, it could take a month, or a couple of months. I asked this question a while back, and everyone just said to start working out. Push yourself. Keep your goals in mind. It is easy for me to push myself now that I have this great dream. I get excited everytime I think about the Academy.</p>

<p>And eat healthy.</p>

<p>Sorry, that was kind of a jumbled rant, but you get the idea. If you don't mind me asking, where do you stand now physically?</p>

<p>more on the it could take a few months side than the sooner side.</p>

<p>There is no concrete answer for how long it will take any given person to get in shape for the CFA. Everybody is different, and workouts that some people use might not necessarily be the best for you. I agree with packermatt7; regardless of how much time it will take you to get ready, just do it now. In the time it can take you to go hunting for a solid answer on the internet, you could go run a few miles and throw in a hard workout.</p>

<p>just fyi for hornet (and others), my squad only had 5 2nd semester apply for CC, and first semester it went to the only person who interviewed, so i guess all the motivated ppl (myself not-included) ended in LUKE 10 instead of chiller cobras</p>

<p>for everyone reading this thread, chief clerk is a joke of a position. leadership position? hahaha. all they do is make the CQ schedule. it is absolutely zero leadership skill and only the retarded goobags that are going to be ****ty leaders that can't relate to anyone think it is an important position.</p>

<p>AC,</p>

<p>It's a part of the process on learning how to be a leader, which is one of the main tenents of ALL the Academies. Let's face it,you're not going to be given the top leadership position starting your 3rd Dig year--you are going to be given positions of increased responsibility and judged on your performance in that area. You are also going to be a part of the leader's "staff", privy to meeting as a staff and allowed to provide your opinion / insight in leadership positions. Not the biggest fish in the pond, but at least you're hanging out with it and allowed to have a say for the rest of the fishies. </p>

<p>Perhaps Chief Clerk isn't the one who is making all the decisions, but at least the individual was recognized enough for his/her "potential" to be afforded a chance to take on additional responsibility. Goodness knows, too many seem to just "slide by" and avoid the extra duties. Their choice, but I find it rather against the tradition and hope of all of us (and the Academy) that we find and develop men and women who want to volunteer to take on the extra challenges that we look for in our successful officers. Traits that at least I hope for (and all the men and women I know; officers, NCOs, and junior enlisted) as you all prepare to join the active force.</p>

<p>In the future, please refrain from criticizing ANY position unless you are willing to step up and take on the job yourself.</p>

<p>Again Congrats, PETKO, for being recognized for your potential.</p>

<p>Well said, Bullet! Thx.</p>

<p>AC nothing can teach you leadership faster than trying to balance the competing interests of friends and co-workers on a sheduled task (CQ). You will always have that person who can't or wont do this time or that. Has that special event on this night or that. It may not have much more glory then being the janitor and cleaning the bathroom, but at least they showed the desire to step up to the plate.</p>

<p>Well said Bullet...looks like Hornet turned out okay too.</p>

<p>"Again Congrats, PETKO, for being recognized for your potential."
Yes congrats on being recognized for your potential. And by that I mean congrats on beating out ONE person for the position. Awesome man that is quite the accomplishment.</p>

<p>AC,</p>

<p>OK, I'm going to tell you the same thing I tell the new guys in my squadron when they get "uppity". "You think you're smart Lt? Fine, YOU brief today's mission!" I then proceed to rip him a new one during debrief for the multiple mistakes he/she makes.</p>

<p>So, what exactly is your problem? Has PETKO personnally offended you? He volunteered for the position. And if he was the only one who did so, good for him! At least he had the guts to put his name in the hat--where was yours?</p>

<p>Please don't troll around on what usually is a very friendly and encouraging site just to put people down. It's unbecoming of someone attempting to become a leader.</p>

<p>
[quote]
for everyone reading this thread, chief clerk is a joke of a position. leadership position? hahaha. all they do is make the CQ schedule. it is absolutely zero leadership skill and only the retarded goobags that are going to be ****ty leaders that can't relate to anyone think it is an important position

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I am not going to comment on whether the position is a joke or not. I do not attend the AFA so I am not in the position to comment.</p>

<p>I will state that Bullet is right, throwing in his name shows he is a team player. You will find in your AF career that you will need to be a team player, even if you get a single seat cockpit you will have a wingman, you will need to work well with others. Calling your brethren retarded goobags is not how you do it. </p>

<p>Before you respond with more rhetoric and what is being perceived as negative attributes, stop and think. You will be commissioned as a Lt. not a pilot, intel officer, maintenance officer, first foremost you need to act like one. </p>

<p>AC if you truly feel that way, there is a positive manner to illustrate that other opportunities exist without lowering yourself to a level that is coming off poorly.</p>

<p>BTW if I am not wrong Petko will be in charge of scheduling CQ, thus he will have another position on his plate besides being a cadet. Even if nobody else stepped up, he has 1 more thing on his resume than those who have not taken extra responsibility. I actually find it comical that this is becoming more than it should be...b/c to get into the AFA they are looking for someone exactly like Petko who can manage school and EC's...afterall isn't EC a part of te WCS?</p>

<p>AC - Lights bulbs burn brightly referencing your attitude here. Why so disgruntled?</p>

<p>I just don't get it. Did you not need to display any leadership positions to get where you are? Were you only class pres or football team captain (as examples) only to think anyone with a position below you had no leadership positions, skills or quality?</p>