<p>This is my first post. Have been viewing site for a while and getting some very useful info. Son has received loa and has nomations to AFA. How long does it usually take to receive envelope after receiving nom? Son is extremely anxious.</p>
<p>It can vary, some get appointment packages quickly, and others will take until March or April. If everything is complete on the website, and medical is good to go it shouldn't be long though. You can always check with the counselors in admissions, but they are very busy now.</p>
<p>
The people that I respect the most are people that would NEVER mention their own accomplishments.
I really have to ask you on this one, do you really mean that they don't talk about them ever, or don't boast about them? I've had to learn that in the military for things like OPRs (officer performance reports) or other evals that you really have to inflate and "boast" to an extent. Please help clear up this statement for me! Thanks!</p>
<p>Mateus!! I was in the library all first period! Thanks for saying hi! lol</p>
<p>Hornetguy,</p>
<p>Remember the difference between "boasting" and "praise". If I see someone going around telling everyone how he won the Top Gun trophy this last quarter, I pull him aside and tell him to knock off the bragging. As that guys Commander? I better make sure that somewhere on his OPR I included the statement:<br>
"Superb aviator--Top Gun for this quarter; leads his squadron in the air and on the ground!"</p>
<p>OPRs are written by your commander (or at least should be. I hate to admit it, but there has been times in my career where I had to hand my boss a rather "thorough" rough draft of my OPR). It's the commanders JOB and duty to make sure that those they feel are the "stand-outs" get recognized. Is over-inflation of OPRs an issue? Yeah, sometimes (but that is an issue you won't have to face for some time yet). The important thing is, it's the commander who does the bragging about his troop. </p>
<p>Important lesson for every one here: in the active service (and especially in the aviation community), whom do we respect? Simple answer: the quite and competent professional. The one who does'nt brag about what he's accomplished, but goes out of his way to help and recognize his squadron mates. He knows his stuff cold, but doesn't shove that fact in your face. He's (or she's :) ) the one you go to to get the answer, and usually their response is: "I'm pretty sure this is what the tactics manual says, but let's go look it up together and figure it out". </p>
<p>I'm sure this attitude will get you far wherever you are, whether in Arnie Hall or in the squadron's weapons vault. </p>
<p>And I'm spent, again....</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight Bullet. I wish the enlisted folk here (AMTs) like to say we do our own OPRs and that we NEED to inflate our stats....argh.</p>
<p>One of the toughest parts of being a leader: how do you rate someone's performance report when they are "middle of the road" or even worse, "one of those". Giving your best guy a glowing report is easy. Writing one for an average joe is where you rack you brain for 6 hours. </p>
<p>As to inflating the stats? I could tell you stories! But again, that is beyond the scope of this thread. My hope is to give all of you there and those of you getting ready to show up to Colorado to "raise your right hand" some insight. Do your job, do it well, and keep striving to do it better. You won't need to brag then, your squadron mates and your boss will do it for you! </p>
<p>And BTW, if Bullet's son does get the privilege of going to that little engineering school in the Rockies next year, I'll make him show up on I-Day wearing a flight suit! (I'm sort of into that sadistic mode of fatherhood that the Great Santini displayed so well! :) )</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Perferrably a blue one like the T-Birds! I may even get him the ascot!</p>
<p>Hornet(boy)guy :), </p>
<p>Bullet said it well. And to answer your question, I really mean there are some truly amazing individuals that have accomplishments out the ying-yang... but you'll NEVER hear them spouting off about them. </p>
<p>Just my opin but I think talking about them IS boasting about them. Please don't get me wrong, I'm just as guilty as the next in needing doses of humility now and then, but I can honestly say the people I admire most have a knack for ALWAYS turning a conversation around so they are not in the spotlight. </p>
<p>The fact that you inquired Hornet tells me a lot about your character. You're a good kid, Hornetboy. Keep asking questions (not to me of course! :) </p>
<p>To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.
Benjamin Franklin</p>
<p>Hornetguy, </p>
<p>AFTER you've finished all your homework :) , you might like this article. It's entitled, "Humility, the most beautiful word in the English language."</p>
<p>look don't everybody attack Hornetguy !</p>
<p>He is a good guy and has given great advice to many cadets AND MANY CURRENT APPOINTEES !</p>
<p>thanks Hornetguy !</p>
<p>(and everyone else)</p>
<p>Thanks, flymom. That was a really great passage and something I would like to live by here at home and when I am at the Academy.</p>
<p>
[quote]
look don't everybody attack Hornetguy !</p>
<p>He is a good guy and has given great advice to many cadets AND MANY CURRENT APPOINTEES !
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Agree with you 100% there (and no, I'm not trying to kiss up to him since he may make my S's life miserable this summer!). No attack was intended. Just trying to clarify why it's OK to make someone sound like they can walk on water when you write thier performance report, but it's not Ok for that same guy to brag about his super-human abilities. (and hopefully give all of you a lesson towards being a successful cadet and future officer). </p>
<p>As flymom has so beautifully pointed out, humility is an important characteristic for an officer, one I'm sure everyone here has in spades. Me? I'm full of it! (humility, that is:) </p>
<p>Why am I not worried when everyone here jokes around a little about being tough (and a little masochistic)? Well, you'll also find out in the military that there is nothing wrong with a little sense of humor (how else are you going to survive the hardships your sure to face in the life of a military officer?) </p>
<p>Besides, I think the folks posting on the USNA side are a little jealous that the posts here for the most part are more light-hearted and civil. Both sides are filled with great advice and information, the AF side just make it easier to digest. (OK, I may have just fired the first shots of a major war there! To my friends on the Navy-side, I kid! You've got some real intelligent and informative folks posting there. Please keep the great advise coming!)</p>
<p>Now, all of you. Back to your studies!!! :)</p>
<p>^^^
Good stuff. :)</p>
<p>Well, I've had the advantage of a military career and retiring, and now a civilian career with a lot or peers and subordinates. One thing I have found when it came to OPR/EPR and Yearly Performance reports (Civilian world) is that many times the supervisor either asks for an "Unofficial" completed performance report; or at least a list of accomplishments throughout the last year. I won't say that the majority of supervisors military/civilian do this; but a large part do.</p>
<p>Now, whether or not you write them as walking on water or not is not important. That's because the rater wrote that or specifically ASKED the person for such accomplishments. And for what it's worth, if the supervisor basically tells you to write your own or to provide all the accomplishments, then you go out of your way to say just how good you are. That is NOT the time to be humble. The supervisor has already demonstrated that they didn't care enough about you the last 12 months to monitor and document you accomplishments, they sure in hell aren't going to write you up on their own later for awards. Which also means that when you are ready to PCS on to a new base, and you know the supervisor as the type who made you basically write your own performance reports, then do not be shy to furnish them all your accomplishments for any awards prior to leaving.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, this is how it is for many employees. Military and civilian. However, this has absolutely nothing to do with bragging. In both cases above, the subordinate was solicited for their accomplishments. Plus, it's totally different to let your BOSS know of your accomplishments than it is to bring them up to your peers. </p>
<p>Which brings me back to the original comment that brought up this debate. When you walk into BCT, you are now among your peers. You don't need to be wearing "Air Force" paraphernalia. It can look like bragging of your appointment or your arrogance in what you believe you are going to accomplish. Also, I would also suggest that you don't wear other personal items such as "State Championship" clothing or anything else that portrays a personal accomplishment. These could be considered bragging. And considering the company you are in with all the others who have accomplished similar feats, it doesn't set a good first impression. However, if in private an upper classman or staff member asks you about any personal accomplishments in high school; then that is solicited and not bragging. I suggest however answering the question directly and not expounding on it.</p>
<p>So hornet, bullet, and flymom are all correct. Matter of fact, they all said pretty much the same exact thing. When hornet said inflate and boast, many times that is exactly what is being asked of you. If your supervisor asks for the input, then is NOT the time to be humble. To be humble then is to screw yourself. If they didn't want your opinion of yourself, they would have collected data themselves throughout the year and never would have asked you for your accomplishments. However, as flymom eluded to, that same boasting to peers and such is not a good thing. Definitely a big difference between solicited and un-solicited. Un-solicited is "BRAGGING". Solicited is "Taking care of your career".</p>
<p>aww redhead noooo! i didn't see you at the library!</p>
<p>i did however see you on the stairwell as i was goin to class for a brief second. you were holding your laptop infront of you lol</p>
<p>argh</p>
<p>zzz- don't worry. I've been here awhile and had to deal with plenty of nitwits who actually were dogging on me. But I genuinely value the input of people like Bullet, flymom, and Christcorp. While I may disagree or interpret differently, we all have mutual respect for each other. You probably haven't witnessed the combined chaos on the USNA forums and on service academy forums up until recently. We really value the respect on these AF forums. That's why I keep coming back, that and for futures cadets like you. </p>
<p>Cheers to all, and my homework is still not done! Gah! Late night me thinks. :)</p>
<p>Oh, the lulz that ensued with that business... and the nerve of that "poseur" (or is it "poser"?) Bullet! ** I wish I could remember how that all started, I'm sure I'd get a good laugh out of it.</p>
<p>** For those of you that don't know what I'm referring to, suffice it to say I'm being very, very sarcastic.</p>