<p>I would like to know why did you decided to inquire, apply, accept the appointment, or attend the air force academy. Perhaps, through this fourm, we would gain some insights as to the different motivations behind attending the academy. Sometimes, I feel like I’m the only crazy one. (If you don’t mind sharing) :)</p>
<p>I accepted the appointment to the USAFA, because of the military lifestyle (the exciting opportunities), the commitment to service, and a great stepping stone into space techonology research and development.</p>
<p>I want to go there because I want to be in the military, and I want to be a fighter pilot. The atmosphere is great there with all the good people, you get a great education, and my number one reason...... you get to go skydiving, FIVE TIMES!!!</p>
<p>The opportunities after graduation are unbelievable both in the Air Force and in the civilian world after your career.</p>
<p>I really didn't want to live an average lifestyle. I want to do something with my life. I know it will be hard. I know how much of a hard time cadets have. But the vast sense of accomplishment afterwards is what makes it all worth it. There is no point in living if you can't feel alive.</p>
<p>And as to why I chose the Air Force Academy as opposed to other service academies, I have been interested in everything pertaining to aeronautical technology my whole life, and I've always wanted to serve in the air force, and other things....it just fits me.</p>
<p>just a note. Jump is not skydiving. You jump. the you pull your chute in less than 10 seconds. If you make it skydiving, it will be your last.</p>
<p>I was meaning exiting a perfectly fine, flying airplane while not being connected to a static line. Just didn't put all of that the first time.</p>
<p>Aviation has always been my dream. There is a picture of me only a year or two old holding onto a toy airplane playing with it. As i grew up i knew i wanted to become a pilot no matter what. Particularly i would love to become a fightier pilot through the air force. However as my vision decrease, i knew the likely hood of that became less and less. I still knew that i had to do some something with the military and i wanted to do it through the air force. I had to serve my country and i still do and still will, somehow.</p>
<p>I became interested in the Air Force Academy when i was in 6th grade. The more i read about it the more i loved it. As i grew older and entered high school i wanted, thrived for it even more. I did not want to go to a regular college. I wanted a life far more challenging and meaningful. I wanted a life worth living, remeberable and know i worked my ass off for it (can you tell i just watched Saw and Saw II?). More ever, i wanted to do something more meaningful than everyone else (except those at the academies duh). I wanted to be challenged, stressed, worked but in the end to have that amazing feeling of success.</p>
<p>Other reasons are: Job Security. We are always going to need a military. Great pay and opportunity to advance. Do something i want to do. Have close relations with people in my field (we've all gone through the same stuff). Serve my country. I want to make my parents proud (not that they are not).</p>
<p>This is why i resolved to keep at trying absolutely everything possible to get into the academy. This is why i have taken the SAT and ACTs repeately. Have made work out plans to stregnthen myself to not only exceed averages, but almost maxes on the CFT. This is why i am always calling people to make sure my applicaiton is doing what its supposed to be. This is why that even with my medical disqualification and subsequential waiver denial i am still calling people, writing letters, making appointments and faxing material everyday. That is why i loose countless hours of sleep and bits of hair under the stress of uncertainty. That is why i took the hardest possible classes my first year of college to remind me what i wanted academically, and to prove myself i could do it. That is why i also took on a parttime job to take up more time and push me.</p>
<p>This is why i will apply again next year (3rd time), go through all the paperwork, interviews and nomination stuff, and do everything possible to make myself even more competitive and get my medical cleared up.</p>
<p>Wow...this was a really long post (rant if you might say so). But i think it gets the point across. i could talk for an hour or two more but you get the idea :-P</p>
<p>Yea for me why I decided to apply. Or will be applying.</p>
<p>It starts with my family. I have career military from all four of the main branches (AF, Army, Navy, Marines) most of which are still active duty except for my dad who is a reservist now getting ready to retire. I saw them and the times they have had and the comradery involved which is much more than I can say for my current high school.</p>
<p>Numero dos:
Career opprtunities. I want to go into something with international relations and you can't do that in the private sector without being extremely poor for years and years. This would help me get to where I want to go career wise.</p>
<p>Number three:
Challenges. I need a challenge my current school doesn't have enough of one and I want ot be there.</p>
<p>I have been dedicated on being appointed to the academy for years for the following reasons:</p>
<pre><code> I value the high moral fiber it takes to be an Air Force officier and I believe it takes a great man in order to live up to these standards. I greatly value the lifetime friendships and the commradery that come out of being a part of the military. I believe that God has called me to serve my country and to protect it at all costs. And I believe that gaining an appointment is one of the greatest challenges one can accomplish because it shows dedication, perseverance, heart, and a strong moral character. I believe that through the Air Force Academy and inevitably the Airforce, I will make lifetime friends and learn so much more than I could possibly learn at any civilian college. I want the appointment in order to be able to explore and experience new things which I could not have the chance at a civilizian college. I hope to be a part of something grand one day which is the United States Air Force!!
</code></pre>
<p>the reason i wanna join the air force academy is not only serving my coutnry with patriotism, or not jsut about me wanna being a pilot, its about pushing myself, challenging myself, and overcomming my limits and exceed them as a person, i know getting to the academy is hard as hell. and if i know i get in then i know i have accomplish my mission and came out the battlefield, through the fires of hell, in victory and triumph. and better yet knowing i have GRADUATED from the academy, well then i have made myself supirior to others who have failed, i would never fail my family and friends or worst yet i will never fail myself,
(dont know if all of that makes sense im speaking my hear, lol)</p>
<p>speaking my heart****</p>
<p>"Integrity First, Service before Self, Excellence in all We Do." That sounds pretty much like my thinking. I want to make a difference and challenge myself to be the best.</p>
<p>To offer myself as a sacrifice, if necessary, in the defense of my country.</p>
<p>Hey man, I'd rather keep you alive and fighting by my side!...But I know what you mean, hazards come with the territory, I guess. I am here for stong patriotic feelings, in addition to the challenges, wonderful opportunites that the Academy/Air Force provides, pilot, etc etc.</p>
<p>I didn't mean I want to die, merely that if that's necessary I accept that fact.</p>
<p>As do I. But yeah, I knew that's what you meant.</p>
<p>I mention that because I think some people have the wrong idea going in to something like this. You can die and you must accept that. I talk about it so bluntly because I don't want people around me saying the wrong thing if it happens to me. I don't want them blaming the government or somesuch. I'm trusting my government to do what is right. If that results in my death, then I accept that. I just want people to become accustomed to the very real idea that they can and may die.</p>
<p>Exactly correct.</p>
<p>(getting off topic, but good discussion)
If my death serves a usefull purpose, or saving me would result in further loss of life, I could accept that. I know where I am going and wouldn't mind so much. I understand the risk and am serving for a higher purpose than myself. Of course, I would love to stick around for a while. </p>
<p>I hate it when people act like soldiers died because of the government, or that they were not supposed to be in combat. They are soldiers, their job is inherently prone to danger. No one wants to see them pay the ultimate price, but it can happen.</p>
<p>
Good point. The thing is, we have an all volunteer military. Most people who serve this country sign up knowing full well the potential risks that they might encounter.</p>