<p>Well, perhaps I can figure a way to get son out there after we see how the interview goes. Colorado is pretty far from scenic STEELER country!</p>
<p>I would recommend that he wear a suit, and know the answers to the following questions:</p>
<p>Why do you want to go to the Air Force Academy?
What sparked your interest in the Academy and/or military career?
What are your alternatives if you don't get in?
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
How are you going to handle the pressure at the Academy?
How are you preparing physically?
What makes you think you can be a leader? Cite examples.
Explain how you have handled failure or a very stressful situation.
What are your best and worst characteristics?
What do you know about the honor code?</p>
<p>Yeah, those are VERY good answers to have. Be sure they are from the heart, too, because insincere answers are worthless...and most ALOs can tell the difference.</p>
<p>Thank you, gasdoc, and others! I am making a copy of these questions for DS. He's got his suit ready to go.</p>
<p>OK, S had meeting today, but not with Rep, who had to be out of the building. S wore black dress pants and shoes, white dress shirt, and his "weddings/funerals/prom night" tie (best tie he could buy for $36!). Looked really sharp. </p>
<p>Meeting was with the administrator who handles all the academy appointments for the rep., and he had S's entire file lying before him on the desk. They talked about his unique educational experiences (homeschool>virtual cyber school>dual enrollment in local U's), work of S and of Father, then pretty much covered all the questions suggested by Gasdoc above. S did very well and the Administrator said he seemed an excellent candidate!!!!!</p>
<p>Next step: the Congressman requires all his candidates to give a 5-10 minute talk in front of a panel filled with officers from all services. This year's topic: homeland security vs. First and Second Amendment rights. Wow. Hefty topic for 10 minutes. After the speech, the panel will question S on the topics of their choice, all having his dossier in hand. S is not nervous having given many public speeches in the past two years. He just doesn't want to appear either wishy-washy or as a war-monger. I suggested he consider the audience first!</p>
<p>Anyway, I'll keep you posted. Thanks for all the great advice. Keep it coming! S is more committed than ever!</p>
<p>Remember to tell your son that such a speech isn't to find a "Right or Wrong" answer. It's to determine his ability to be thought provocative and confident. Confident that the position he takes is "HIS" and confident in his ability to present such a speech.</p>
<p>I suggest 2 trains of thought. Go with the "Pro and Con" approach. This will show his ability to see both sides of the topic. Secondly; remember that as a military officer, his PRIMARY responsibility, (Contrary to what some believe) is to; </p>
<p>"..... support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;...."</p>
<p>Meaning, the bill of rights; (1st 10 amendments of the constitution). As such, the importance of providing "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" (Declaration of independence) by using homeland security and all that it entails so the citizens can enjoy such a life; while at the same time finding a balance so as to not infringe on the citizen's constitutional rights.</p>
<p>This is obviously a topic that could last for hours. That's why I suggest discussing the Pro and Con approach as well as the importance of the primary objective which is to allow people the freedoms sought after from the Dec of Ind, while maintaining their rights. Anyway, just one of many ideas on a position to take on such a topic. Obviously, the passion, reasoning, and philosophy behind it has to be all your son's. I just wouldn't recommend a "Persuasive" type speech. This is such a highly debated topic, that there will always be opinions that differ. It's better to show the importance of finding a way to maintain both objectives. Anyway, my $0.0235347384. (Inflation). Later... Mike...</p>
<p>Mike's got good points, but I think his best is in the second sentence of his post. Read it again. This is nothing about the topic, and everything about your son and his ability to "present" the issue. If he knows the topic, he can both present and answer questions with confidence -- that's what this group will be looking for -- not just what he says but how he says it. Remember, as a young officer he will have many opportunities to present information about a situation or mission to higher authority, not so much to persuade but to inform. Good luck!</p>
<p>On a related note, if your high schooler has a chance to get involved in a Toastmasters International high school leadership program, do so. In two weeks they may learn more about public speaking than a semester speech course. Find a local toastmasters club and they can tell you about it. It's as good a preparation as I have seen for moc interviews.</p>
<p>RTBdad, it's funny you mention that, because S's ALO suggested the same thing in an email this morning. Good idea.</p>
<p>Update: S today got an email inviting him to come for 3 days in Nov. and fence! This came from the assistant coach, but there was no further information other than a free use of dorm room and a chance to shadow another (female !) cadet. S, of course, really wants to go (his mother and dad, too). Since this is from the Asst Coach, do you think it includes transportation costs? Do you think we have to let this nice young coach know that my son is MALE? (S has a name which is clearly MALE, not Kim, Tracy, Shane, Taylor, Morgan, Jordan, etc.) </p>
<p>Well, S is over the moon about it (maybe because of the prospect of spending lots of time with a female cadet).</p>
<p>(sorry... here is the official wording:)</p>
<p>"I would like to invite you for an official visit to our academy. We chose the date of Nov 1-3. You will have a chance to see the academy, stay over for two daysi nthe dormitory with one of our fencers and go to classes WITH HER. (emphasis mine) Please let me know if you are interested and send me info where from you would like to fly here.</p>
<p>... so, what do you all think?</p>
<p>This sounds like an official recruiting visit, and I believe the AD has a budget to bring prospective athletes out. You should really allow him to see the place and make his mind up himself. He really will have to want to be there. If our Daughter didn't really want this I think she would have come home on Parents weekend. They reall can't do it for a parent...it has to be their place.</p>
<p>you are right ds52262, but I really (selfishly!) wanted to see it too. :^(</p>
<p>Well, he's a big boy now, and will have to make this informed decision on his own.</p>
<p>he's gonna love this place so much.</p>
<p>congrats to your son on this visit!</p>
<p>Yep, and it will be an excellent opportunity for him to see how all of us freshmen live. Life isn't easy here, not by a long shot. But it's worth it. Hopefully, he'll get to see that.</p>
<p>That's a good point. Most candidates only get to see the Academy during Orientation, which is after Recognition, so 4 degree life is good. Very few get to visit during the majority of the school year when we're still "the lowest form of life on Earth." Ha ha, it's really not that bad. Like Falcons said, it's all worth it. Should be a great trip!</p>
<p>Got another email from coach, and yes, it's an official 'recruiting' visit. They're paying for airfare, obviously room & board while he's there, and he's going to get to go to the AirForce-Army game. S is SO incredibly excited. I know he's going to love it. </p>
<p>I'll keep you posted.</p>