<p>no, that's the "to be" part of it...but maybe someday</p>
<p>Eh, my ALO experience was not too good. He kept on stressing on how creative he would have to be with my write up and kept on telling me how highly team sports are rated as far as leadership even though I told him how I've had a leadership position at my job for two years (how creative do you have to be in your report when I told you about the alternative leadership source I have?). He also kept on talking about himself and hardly gave me a chance to speak. I also don't understand how an institution can stress that they strive to create career officers when the ALO representing the Academy only had 11 years of service.</p>
<p>I'm the kind of guy who is interested in attending a Service Academy and I am not picky about which one I could potentially attend. This interview definitely turned me off to the Air Force especially in contrast to my Navy BGO interview where he totally understood where I'm coming from (and if he didn't, he at least gave me a chance to speak and explain the situation).</p>
<p>That's too bad, soylent. Unfortunately, there are some ALOs who don't seem very good at it. Perhaps you should talk to him some more and be polite yet forceful in your conversation (i.e. steer it where YOU want it to go).</p>
<p>Believe me, raimius, I really tried my best to get my point across without being impolite. Even with my whole family around, it was difficult to get the conversation past how "great" his life was.</p>
<p>I also found it to be a bit unprofessional the he suggested to go out to dinner with my family. Did he not expect my family to pay for his meal?</p>
<p>Pilot2B and fencersmother, both of the scores that you posted are really great. :) Honestly, it's good to try to excel in everything, but there are going to be some events that you're not so hot in, and that is understandable. I can max out pushups and the run and do okay in the other areas,and that's pretty much normal around here. So don't stress about getting your CFA perfect. Do your best, but I always found that putting off anything in the application ultimately doesn't help you out. If you can't pass it, then that's a different story, but I would recommend that you get your CFA taken care of as early as possible. My CFA sucked royally because all I could do was run and I still got my LOA in October. That's next month. If you have everything done in time, you could be one of the first people appointed to 2012! And believe me, it's nice to know early that you're going to get an appointment.</p>
<p>Soylent, I'm sorry you didn't have a good interview. My ALO talked a lot too; I think it's common for them to get excited when they have an opportunity to reminisce about the Academy (especially to young leaders/potential cadets) and some can go a little overboard and forget that they're supposed to be interviewing the candidate. But just as a word of encouragement, all ALOs like to play their "I can't get you in but I can definitely keep you out" card. My ALO even went so far as to tell me that if he liked me, that he would write me a good report, and if he didn't, then he wouldn't. He didn't say "if I think you're a good fit for the Academy" or anything like that... just "if I like you." Above all, please don't let one person's downfall color your entire view of the Air Force Academy. Most ALOs and most staff/cadets at the Academy really aren't like that.</p>
<p>I've said this a lot before, but I'll say it again. Interviews are extremely important! Be confident, be enthusiastic. ALOs are there as a barrier to weed out the people who just look good on paper from the people who actually have the attitude and commitment to make it as a cadet. My interviews were what sealed the deal for me. Some ALOs and MOCs will go the extra mile for you if they see that you're an awesome candidate in an interview. Other ALOs and MOCs just do what they have to do and be done with it. It just depends on where you are and who you have and how outstanding you are. Present yourself well, be genuine, be articulate, be ENTHUSIASTIC!! and your ALO will be an asset to you.</p>
<p>ALso, I recommend that you be prepared with a list of questions for your ALO, because if you're nervous it may be difficult to come up with them on the spot, and you definitely don't want to seem apathetic. Questions are definitely good. Your ALO will pick up on your interest in USAFA, plus he will be a great resource. If you didn't get the chance to come to USAFA for summer seminar, I would try to do a visit during the academic year where you shadow a cadet. If you've at least visited the campus, you will have somewhat of a better idea of what kind of commitment you are making. Also, I guarantee you that visiting USAFA will make you 10 times as enthusiastic as you are now, and the people interviewing you will notice that. It could be your enthusiasm that makes them go the extra mile for you.</p>
<p>The best thing that you can do for yourself is to have a positive attitude. Don't take no for an answer, even if it's in your own mind. Start thinking of yourself as a cadet. I know the Academy compiles statistics about what level of scores, rank, GPA, athletics, leadership positions, etc. are competitive and what aren't, but I would argue that one of the biggest things that will get you into the Academy is your attitude. If you are enthusiastic about serving, excited about the Academy, confident in your ability to be a good cadet and a good officer, and genuinely in earnest about getting in, that will make all the difference. Everyone looks good on paper. And every candidate has his/her weakness on paper. Overall, everyone who applies is pretty good. What makes the distinction between you and another student is your attitude. If you start now by envisioning yourself as a cadet and truly believe that you can achieve your goal, your confidence and enthusiasm will make you stand out and people will go the extra mile for you to assist you in your pursuit of an appointment to the Academy. Maybe it means that your congressman will personally make a phone call to make sure the panel knows what a fabulous Air Force leader you would make, or maybe it means that your ALO will do a little extra for you than he normally would. Attitude (in addition to good stats) is everything. Believe that you can and will become a cadet and it will inspire you to take the steps necessary to ensure that it happens. I firmly believe that. And now that I'm on the other side, I believe even more firmly that we need cadets and future officers who don't lose sight of the big picture... that it's an honor to serve and lead our nation.</p>
<p>Wow, that was long. I'm sorry. :) But please, take the advice, and good luck to all you guys in 2012!</p>
<p>Excellent post Readhead. I would also like to briefly add; yea right, me be brief; for others coming up on their interviews, that ALO's are not computers. They are just people like you. As such, they like to talk about themselves. Most people do. As readhead mentioned, it's all about attitude. There are no right and wrong answers with the ALO. They are looking for an attitude. If they find the attitude, enthusiasm, interest, (Including interest in the ALO and their experiences), they will work on providing for you a good report.</p>
<p>On a side note: Soylent; don't take this the wrong way. I'm truly curious and am asking this as such. You said you are interested in "Attending a Service academy and am not picky about which one....". I've never actually heard anyone say it that way. Is it because you are really exciting about becoming a commissioned officer and serving your country, bla bla bla,,,,, etc... Or is it because the service academies all offer a free education from a somewhat prestigious school and you are looking mostly at your future? PLEASE!!!! Do NOT read into this more than I am asking. I'm not implying anything. The reason I ask is because most people do have a preference to which academy. They also have a 2nd choice as a backup. Most people don't usually want to go past that. I.e. They want the Air Force; but wouldn't mind the Navy; but prefer not to go to west point. Anyway, just curious why no one academy sticks out above the others for you. Later... Mike.....</p>
<p>Mike, you are right about that. A lot of the people we've talked to have been very interested in ONE academy, would accept a second if offered in lieu of the first, but really aren't interested at all in a 3rd or 4th. My S is USAFA, USNA... nothing else. </p>
<p>One idea that you kind folks gave me was for S to take a resume to the meeting. That was pure genius! It kept my S focused and gave the ALO and others a concrete place to begin their talk. S even had a list of some questions which he formulated after reading posts here and elsewhere.</p>
<p>October! wow! just around the proverbial corner.</p>
<p>ChristCorp- Your question is warranted and I don't take any offense to it. I'm truly interested in serving my country as a commissioned officer. I believe that I could find a career that I would throughly enjoy in any service and I'm interested in nearly every job that the military offers. I wouldn't mind being a pilot, nuclear engineer, special forces officer, intelligence officer, or being on officer with a combat role (just to list a few). </p>
<p>If I could pick one Academy at this point, it would probably be the Naval Academy only because it offers its graduates all of the careers that the other Academies offer and then some. If any of the Academies offered me an LOA today, I would accept it and only concentrate on that single school. It's going to be a tough decision in the coming weeks to list the Academies I prefer on the Nomination applications (I have all of the nomination applications done except that portion).</p>
<p>I love my country and I have always had a deep respect for the military even though only two members of my extended family have ever served.</p>
<p>I appreciate your question and I'm glad that I've had the opportunity to answer it. I never thought that someone would interpret my thoughts as a desire to just get a free education, and I'm glad that I will be prepared to answer this question at interviews.</p>
<p>those are some pretty good scores for the CFA. i guess i've been stressing over it too much; i can easily attain averages for everything EXCEPT the pullups. im a runner, and we dont pull ourselves up with our hands much. haha.. well, i guess thats just one thing..</p>
<p>I was in the exact same boat last year, HNeedle. The best way to improve your conditioning for pull-ups is simply to do them regularly. I remember the workout G4C passed on to me way back when (;)), and now I guess it's my turn to pass it on to you. It's the most effective pull-up training I've come across. Jump up to the bar and do as many as you can. Once you've maxed out, do 10 negative pull-ups. To do a negative, start with your chin above the bar (grab a stool or a ladder or something) and let gravity slowly pull you down into the hanging position. Once you're done with the set, go take a break. Come back to the bar once you've recovered, and repeat. Two sets is enough for one day when you're just starting, though you can go to three if you want to once you feel yourself getting stronger. Do this three times a week. Don't go everyday with pull-ups, the muscles involved need a day of recovery. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>HNeedle my Duaghter is currently in recondo for pull-ups. She was burned out from push-ups during the last test, and wasn't able to do any pull-ups. She is currently up to 5, and expects to be off Recondo in after the next test. It is really kind of funny becuase the people leading recondo keep asking why she is there after she burns through the run. The long jump kills her too.</p>
<p>Huh? The first event on the PFT is pull-ups. She is doing something seriously wrong if she was burned out there...</p>
<p>The long-jump is all about form.</p>
<p>Pull ups are influenced so much by the grader that it isn't even funny. If you get into the wrong line you have to dead hang for 3 seconds between each pull up, and if you get into a different line you can swing and kick your way up and not even go into a dead hang after each one. Doesn't really matter that much tho--anyone in decent shape can still recover and pass easily even if they get screwed over on pull ups. The long jump is all about form--and also is completely pointless for a physical test.</p>
<p>Not sure about the order of things, but she said push-ups wiped her out then she wasn't able to do any pull-ups. Just know she expects to be off recondo very soon.</p>
<p>I have been corrected; she was burned by all the push-ups in basic. At any rate she can do 5 now so she should get through the enxt test.</p>
<p>Whew! Just finished my CFA and it was defintitely tough. I did really well on the first part of it and then just fell off of the map on the run even though I'm not really bad at running. Would my scores on the first part of it make up for my run?</p>
<p>BB throw-69'
Pull ups-18
Shuttle run-8.8
Situps-95
Pushups-75
Mile run-7:35</p>
<p>Yes. Had this been a PFT, you would have maxed sit-ups and push-ups, and come really close on the pull-ups. You've got enough points in those three areas alone to pass the entire test.</p>
<p>You guys are all in way better shape than I was at this point last year. Go AIR FORCE! Beat the Utes!</p>
<p>petko, t hanks for the workout! too bad i dont have a bar to use every day. thats one thing i really need.. i can do w/out practicing bball thrown and shuttle, but pullups i really need a bar. i guess i can try to use a tree limb but they're usually too thick</p>
<p>hneedle-try this: get in the position like a handstand, except with your feet against a wall and just push up to simulate a pull up. Get closer/farther to the wall to make it harder/easier. Sorry if that's a crappy explanation--it's kinda hard to put into words.</p>
<p>thanks... i'll have to try that</p>